Blue Ridge Parkway Journeys

DRIVE SMART Virginia and Bike Walk Virginia are pleased to announce that Governor Bob McDonnell has proclaimed September 11-17 Virginia Bicyclist and Pedestrian Awareness Week.

In 2010, 88 people died walking or cycling on our Virginia roadways. 621 cyclists and 1,585 pedestrians were injured. By contrast, 84 people died walking or cycling in 2009.

Drive Smart Virginia and Bike Walk Virginia want Virginia motorists to ‘Share the Road’ with cyclists and pedestrians and are partnering for the third year in a campaign designed to save lives and reduce the number of injuries.

Lack of knowledge and risky behavior often leads to crashes between roadway users. Taking time to learn the laws and safety practices can save a life, especially with area schools starting back up and many students walking, cycling and driving on the roadways.

In Virginia, a bicycle is considered a vehicle. “Many people don’t realize that,” said Janet Brooking, Executive Director for DRIVE Smart Virginia. “Bikes, just like cars, have to obey all the traffic signs, signals, lights and markings.” A bicycle should always travel in the same direction as motor vehicle traffic.

Motorists must leave at least two feet when passing a bicyclist and pass at a reasonable speed. Bike Walk Virginia Executive Director Kimberly Perry said, “Whether you’re on a bike, walking or in a car, if you behave in a predictable manner you can reduce the risk of crashes.” Whether riding in a car or on a bicycle, all safety precautions should be used, including a safety belt in a car, and a helmet on a bicycle.

Cyclists can also protect themselves by wearing bright clothing, using flashing lights during day and night, and by securing loose clothing.

Pedestrians can improve safety by wearing bright colors during the day and reflective material or blinking lights at night. Light colored clothing is slightly helpful in making you visible at night, reflective tape or reflective fabric is much better.

For more information please contact Rob Richardson, Public Relations and Outreach Manager at Drive Smart Virginia at (804) 929-2988. Shane Cusick, Programs and Outreach Manager at Bike Walk Virginia (804) 859-4820.

Many people explore the Blue Ridge Parkway for the flora, but let’s not forget about the fauna, as well! The parkway is home to some absolutely amazing creatures, each beautiful in his or her uniqueness.

One can find 42 different species of amphibians along the trails, and of course, this includes the salamander. According to the National Park Service, the Southern Appalachians are the “center of of salamander diversity on earth.” Not only that, but the Blue Ridge Parkway is at the “heart of this zone.”

One can also find more than 250 species of birds along the parkway, including bobolinks, eastern meadowlarks, American kestrels, great blue herons, kingfishers, and peregrine falcons. This is an ideal setting for the avid bird-watcher!

Along with amphibians and birds, the Blue Ridge Parkway is also home to 50 different species of fish, 22 species of snakes, and 7 species of turtles.

Additional Resources :: [ Listen Online ] [ Bloom Schedule ] [ Wildflower Gallery ]

We’re approaching mid-September, and depending on your location, you may find that a few signs of fall color are on the trees along the Parkway.  This is just a reminder to a fall that’s display always arrives here in the mountains in about a month, the middle of October.

Generally fields on the Parkway are full this time of year with Black-eyed Susan, Joe-Pye Weed, Queen Anne’s Lace, Iron Weed, Goldenrod, and in some places you’ll see great displays of Cardinal flower, especially in moister wet areas.  The staff at the Peaks of Otter in Virginia is reporting Iron Weed, Jewel Weed, Woodland Sunflower, and Pink Turtlehead, in addition to the above species.

The meadows and agricultural land in the Rocky Knob/Mabry Mill area are showing nice displays of Joe-Pye Weed, Black-eyed Susan, Goldenrod, and a few early signs of fall color here and there.  If you’re in North Carolina around the Cone Estate, Spotted Jewel Weed is nicely in bloom around Trout Lake.  Yarrow is also common along with Bee Balm and Bellflower.  Look for nice Purple-Headed Coneflower just around the visitor’s center at the Linn Cove Viaduct.

From Linville Falls through Gillespie Gap at the Mineral Museum, Ox-eye Daisy, Phlox, Angelica, Jewel Weed, Yarrow, Iron Weed, Coreopsis, and Black-eyed Susan are all common.  Some purple Aster should be in bloom through the Craggy Gardens area and Mountain Ash is coming on.  Everything seems to be gearing for a splendid fall showing.  Tall Coneflower, Fleabane, Ox-eye Daisy, Asters, and White Snakeroot can be found on the Craggy Gardens trail as well.

As always, we will remind you to drive carefully while on the Parkway.  Keep your eyes on the road as you enjoy the view.  In a few weeks, more indications of fall color will be coming with the peak commonly coming mid to early October.

Regular updates for color reports will be posted to our web site home page. You can also use the National Park Service information line at 828-298-0398 to keep informed of what’s being reported on the Parkway.

For more nature and science information, visit our virtual resource center, http://www.virtualblueridge.com/parkway/general/nature.asp, which will provide you with much more information.

Have a safe Parkway visit! Enjoy the view, but watch the road.

Weather Page Preview

Virtual Blue Ridge now has an updated Blue Ridge Parkway weather information page.  Previously, weather information was being extracted from a daily report that the National Park Service emailed to interested media outlets and park employees. In August, the National Park Service decided to discontinue offering weather reports in the daily broadcast so we had to work on a permanent, more accurate solution.

The biggest problem we had to overcome in developing the new weather content was that we previously offered only a general forecast for North Carolina / Virginia. A general forecast by state is extremely difficult as the elevation changes and geographic conditions can present quite a difference in climate.  You can travel less than 30 miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway and experience temperature changes of 10 degrees or more.

The new weather page pulls real-time data from The Weather Channel and allows you to get specific weather details for over 20 cities and towns along the Parkway.  The forecast on the page is currently for 24 hours, but you can click within the weather box for more details and get maps, multi-day forecasts, and more. This system provides a better representation of the weather for the area of the Parkway you will be visiting.  The interface is easy to use and we look forward to expanding it in the future.

Please leave comments below to help us improve the content of the weather information page.

The newly revised and updated second edition of this best-selling guide to the Blue Ridge Parkway’s easier trails is a tool I use regularly when I hike the Parkway. The 154 page, pocket-sized book features 34 hikes and variations that are perfect for novice hikers, families, dog owners, or anyone interested in accessible adventures that include waterfalls, wildflowers, and spectacular views. The book covers the high road’s entire 469-mile length, features an accurate, easy to follow trail map for each hike, a Trail Finder by level of difficulty, and an introductory travel overview and map to each of the four portions of the Parkway. Best Easy Day Hikes Blue Ridge Ridge Parkway is drawn form the larger bestselling book also by Randy Johnson, Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Quick Facts About Best Easy Day Hikes – Blue Ridge Parkway

  » Author :: Randy Johnson
  » Maps:: 35
  » Pages :: 154
  » Size :: 8.96″ x 6.32″
  » Format :: Paperback

The author, Randy Johnson, is a widely published photojournalist who has helped design Parkway trails and lives near the Parkway. He’s the author of Hiking North Carolina, Best Easy Day Hikes Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and other books.

Purchase this book online at the Virtual Blue Ridge Bookstore.