Here it is the beginning of September, and we have hardly been able to catch our breath! This was, by far, the busiest August in our 30 year history. The hot summer weather has really gotten things going early. In a “normal” harvest we may see one or two grape lots picked in August, for a few percent of our total harvest. This year, at the end of August, we find ourselves already over 28% of the way through the harvest! Early grapes tend to be white, and this year is no exception–so far, everything we have harvested is white grapes. The first reds should begin to trickle in soon if this early trend continues. We still have a couple chardonnay plantings to harvest, one traminette vineyard, a bit of vidal blanc, and some luscious viognier. Then we will be through with our whites and focusing on our reds!

 September is a great month to visit the winery if you are interested in seeing some of our harvest in action. When a truck full of freshly harvested grapes arrives, the crush pad comes alive! Cellar workers move every which-a-way in organized chaos to get the grapes where they need to go–into the destemmer, through the press, and (the juice) into vats ready for fermenting. It’s a busy and exciting time, but we’ll slow down enough to answer your questions and even let you taste some of the fresh wine grapes. If you are planning a visit this month and would like to see the harvest, call ahead to find out if we’ll be out on the crush pad. Cheers!

These conditions will take longer to disappear as spring approaches.  The now rock solid ice cannot be plowed with equipment.  As a park ranger I remember using a heavy sledge hammer in attempts to break ice that had formed across the road surfaces from water seeping from springs and melting snows.  This was ineffective and normally resulted in the road remaining impassable and my back being sore.

The slopes and aspect of mountain sides and road cuts also contribute to the slowing of thawing and melting.  That legendary location “where the sun don’t shine” can be found all along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  These constantly shaded areas are always the last to warm up enough to melt.

So even if you have a beautiful day at your house, do not be surprised if you visit the Blue Ridge Parkway and find sections still closed to traffic.  The road may not be safe for vehicle travel until there are several days of warm rain that will help break up the stubborn ice.

The reward for our patience promises to be a delayed but spectacular spring.  Trees, shrubs, and wildflowers of the Southern Appalachians are being well watered by the slow melting of natures white carpet.

Dan Propst with his new tag!

We began our trip at Front Royal, VA and ended in Cherokee, NC. The entire trip was outstanding. We camped both nights and had beautiful weather. Our traveling companions were Phil and Diane Gnapt. We were riding our 1994 Honda Goldwing pulling our custom made trailer designed as a 1955 Chevrolet Nomad.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is our favorite road.

We have one of the first BRP license tags on our Goldwing! — #0046BP

The tour is now in its third year -a scenic 63 mile long bicycle ride with nearly half the distance along the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway.

Family affair it is, because all the house members pitch in the night before to bake home-made oatmeal-raisen and scumptous chocolate chip cookies.

We are soliciting your comments and suggestions for next year’s tour. Let’s hear them? You say, “more cookies?”

Scott Berry at the North Carolina / Virginia line ...

During my cycling trip of the Parkway, I experienced 3 days of pouring rain. However, the beauty, closeness with nature and wonderful roads made the journey very memorable. I hope to celebrate my 50th birthday in two years witrh a return trip.

Further …

I have to tell you that my bicycling trip on the Parkway was something that I will never forget. Coming from the flat lands of Illinois I found the road surfaces to be very good, the views to be breathtaking and the cycling in the mountains to be very challenging.

While it was quite a relief to finally see the final mile marker, I hated that the journey had ended. This is a trip that I will take again someday.

Thanks again for the e-mail and keep up the great work preserving the Parkway. I truly consider this one of the greatest man made accomplishments east of the Mississippi!

Scott Berry

From Gary and Debra Laney

We enjoyed the entire Parkway but our favorite section is between Mt. Pisgah and Balsam Gap. We are fortunate to live close enough to spend a lot of time on our motorcycle riding the most beautiful road in the world.

From Eddie and Wanda Laney

I really enjoyed the music center and the views were spectacular. We rode the whole Parkway on the motorcycle with a group of friends and had a wonderful time.

Randall Dezarn completes entire Parkway ...

Also rode the Skyline Drive and the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Riding during the week is great because there is far less traffic, but be on the lookout for more animals on the road!

Carolyn Tyree Feagans – author

We have driven the entire Parkway 3 times, plus have spent approximately 450 days on the Parkway – including some of our honeymoon. Much of this time is spent in research for the books that I write — historical fiction set in the Blue Ridge. We have driven around the U.S. in our RV – but have yet to see anything more beautiful than the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Shiloh Mielke, winner of this and last year's Shut-In, with his family

I am not a runner.

I have only done one 10K in my life so my first race and my last race have the distinction of being my personal best. I chose to spend all my time on my bike.

But if you go to the “Y” everyday, you can’t help but be around runners who are going out, coming back, or talking shop in the locker room. The conversation always turns to “the time” and a palpable acknowledgement whether it be a grunt or a nod of the head offered in some approving way.

My wife and I were innocent onlookers several years ago as the famous Shut-In Trail Run was being completed on the Parkway near Mt. Pisgah, one first Saturday in November. Our reaction was then as it is now is “man, this is way cool.”

Last year was the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s first sponsorship of this race and I found it novel that the onlookers (families, friends, wannabees, and usetabees) drove from one overlook to the next to cheer for their favorites.

The culmination comes 17 grueling miles later at the top, scoreboard running but with contestants somewhat indifferent to “their time.”

Gordon Grant, a Shut-In veteran and friend of mine who ran again this year, pointed out to me the evening before, “Houck, this race is about who you do it with.”

He was right, for the people he was talking about were not only other runners but the throng of people at the finish line who cheered with as much volume and enthusism for last place as they did for first place.

The Shut-In Trail Run is for sure a shared journey.

L-R; Mark Faust and ....the highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway motor road at Richland Balsam, between Mt. Pisgah and Waterrock Knob

Our first day on the northern section down to Roanoke, VA was beautiful. We could not have asked for better conditions or more picturesque scenery. The sun was out, the road was dry, temperatures cool, and being away from work was great! We spent quite a bit of time exploring Mabry Mill and before the weather turned rain and fog. This did not stop us from visiting Mt. Mitchell, the highest point on the Parkway or reaching the final marker. Overall, it was experience.

Dan Ermis at Mile Post Zero

Spent the night at the Best Western in Cherokee and got up early and rode my 1988 Honda Goldwing with my brother-in-law on his 2002 Honda Goldwing. Temperature was mid 60’s to 70’s, clear blue beautiful sky and we got a lot of great photos. Plan to go again soon!

Tom Sheffield and Allen Walker at the Craggy Visitor Center

South to north cycling trip. Rode with a friend (Allen Walker) and my daughter, Maggie, who drove our support vehicle. We stayed in motels in Asheville, Blowing Rock, Stuart, and Lynchburg. Took a nap (in the support vehicle) during a thunder storm near the state line. Found myself in some strange gear ratios (53:27) or (39:12) due to the persistent up-and-down terrain that numbs the mind, as well as the legs!

A National Treasure!

We enjoy riding over to Mt. Airy and eat at Snappy Lunch. The owner started working there in 1943 and bought it in 1960 and he is still there today. While in Mt. Airy we like to visit North Carolina Granite Corp. to see the World’s Largest Open-face Granite Mine In The World. This year we visited Pilot Mt. State Park. There is an incredible 360 deg view from the top of the mountain.

We also enjoyed stopping a couple of years ago to see the D-Day Memorial in Bedford Va. There are so many great things around the Parkway to see that it would take a long time to see all of them. That’s not counting all of the sights on the Parkway itself. I feel fortunate that I live close enough to get up on the Parkway within 1hr and 45 minutes. Even when its real hot in Gray TN, it’s almost always very pleasant up on the Parkway. I’ve got lots of great pictures of my time on the Parkway and I plan on getting many more. Thanks.

We completed “enders” in ‘05 and ‘06.!

Pamela Bowden's first Parkway adventure was at the age of 8; now since her two children are grown, she travels the Parkway via motorcycle with her husband, Danny. (1984)

Pamela: My parents made the trip almost every year camping along the way. I loved it so much once I was married, Danny and I made the same trip camping with our children. Our youngest child was in diapers when he made the first trip. Once our children left home, we have made the trip every year on a motorcycle. The first five or six years we carried a tent and sleeping bags to camp. Now we stay in the wonderful lodges along the way. To us, traveling the length of the Parkway is a legacy.

Authors Darrell (kneeling by the stop sign) and Gina King (standing by the stop sign).

Our most recent trip was just a week ago with some PA friends — priceless!

(l to r) Harvey Server, Web, Ed Taylor, Melvin Hogge

Cleanest best manicured stretch of blacktop I’ve ever been on, and although a little foggy, a beautiful ride! The inns I stayed in were awesome! Rode with 72 year old brother-in-law on a Road King, me on my BMW R1200C, Web on his C/C, C-liner on his 12C and a few others from the “Chromeheads” forum. Great Ride! Total of 3200 + miles on this trip for me.

Tom and Joanne on the Skyline Drive. How do we know this is the Skyline Drive and not the Blue Ridge Parkway? There are no lines on the side of the road on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

We were traveling on our 1984 Honda Goldwing along with another couple. This was our first time on the Blue Ridge. On a bike, the tight curves were very enjoyable. The smells of the flowers, the forest when it rained, the pine trees and the site of the deer were incredible experiences. The overlooks all have big areas in which to pull over and park. The tunnels also were fun. Our first experience leaves us with lasting memories and we will return someday for another adventure.

The Blaine Family

As a result of our October 11-19, 2005 trip, we fell in love with the area around Floyd and Meadows of Dan so much, that we purchased 14 acres on top of a mountain, complete with mobile home, pond and stream. Our love of nature and mountain music, as well as our “getaway home” have enabled us to truly experience the mystique of Floyd and Patrick counties. It all takes you back to a simpler place and time, and in this crazy world we need that every now and then.

Steve Talevi at the end of his journey and the Blue Ridge Parkway

These are words I could use countless times to describe my recent nine-day bicycle journey along the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) from Waynesboro, Va., to Cherokee, N.C. Indeed, their use would become monotonous if I described only the views of the mountains and valleys from my bicycle. However, the people I met and my experiences along the 469-mile long parkway resulted in lifetime memories.

The hills and mountains of the BRP define it. I quickly learned that on the BRP, either I would be going up or down; level ground does not occur often. Indeed, the nearly nine-mile long climb from Glendale Springs to north of Benge Gap allowed me to coast (and rest) three miles to milepost (MP) 270. Similarly, the very next climb was rewarded with a three mile downhill coast into Deep Gap. The downgrade extending from U.S. 221 near MP 305 to Linville Falls Visitors Center at MP 316 would only serve as a respite and warning for what was to come: the approach to Mount Mitchell and the 17-mile climb from south of the French Broad River at MP 393 to Frying Pan Tunnel at MP 410.

“Gap.” I learned to despise the word. Whenever I saw signs that read something like “Deep Gap,” or “Gillespie Gap,” I knew that my downhill ride was soon to end and that an uphill climb would soon begin. “Enjoy it while you can,” I told myself many times as I sped down a hill. Indeed, at the end of many such runs, I found myself throwing the bike into 21st gear in a vain attempt to pedal and coast to the top of the next hill. I finally realized what a true cyclist or a physicist already knows: what takes two hours to ascend takes only 15 minutes to descend.

After having spent the night at Bluff’s Lodge at MP 241, I planned to pedal to Price Campground at MP 297. A great motivator for the nearly 60-mile trip was my belief that an all-you-can-eat restaurant was only 18 miles away at MP 259. I stopped along the way about two miles before reaching the much-anticipated restaurant, and the clerk, upon learning my plans for an early lunch, exclaimed, “The Gathering Place? Oh, Honey, that place has been closed for at least three years!” I never even saw the remains of the restaurant as I pedaled down the road.

Three detours along the BRP were in place at the time I took my trip. The first detour was at MP 287. The detour was necessary due to work being done on a bridge. A big step over the gap in the bridge, bike in hand, and a wave to the workers, and I continued on my way. I was not so lucky with the second detour. As I approached the barricade, a Park Ranger approached me from the other direction. In response to my questions, he politely advised me that the rangers were not allowing anyone on the closed portion of the BRP, that the gap in the bridge under repair was about five feet wide, and that the gorge over which the bridge spanned was over 150 feet deep. He offered to show me a short cut through the detour and gave me a bottle of water.

Visitors come from miles around to see and traverse Linn Cove Viaduct at MP 304. The Linn Cove Viaduct is a stretch of highway that sticks out over the mountainside and is a feat of engineering to behold. From a great distance away, that is. The viaduct is not popular with bicyclists who have a fear of heights and a fear of going over bridges. I could not pedal fast enough over the viaduct.

After having spent the night at Price Campground, Christa’s Country Corner at MP 312 provided just the right respite. I had enjoyed a large dinner the night before of freeze-dried chicken and rice teriyaki, but I decided not to eat breakfast in favor of trying to reach my goal of Mount Mitchell at MP 355. I arrived at Christa’s at about 10 a.m. and met the energetic ladies who make Christa’s a special stop along the BRP; the homemade soup hit the spot.

At MP 333, I encountered the first of 26 tunnels in North Carolina along the BRP, Little Switzerland Tunnel. This 542 foot-long structure made of stone and mortar was thrilling and interesting through which to ride because of its natural appearance and convenience. (Going through a mountain beats the heck out of going over it.) Eventually, however, I would learn that tunnels, with their sudden darkness and less maintenance, are a greater hazard for a bicyclist than the ordinary roadway of the BRP. My first lesson occurred when I went from bright daylight to the pitch black of an unlit tunnel. My eyes, not yet adjusted to the new conditions, offered no help as I tried to figure out where in the roadway I was. As if being visually impaired was not bad enough, I was distracted from my task of staying on the paved roadway by the roar of a passing Harley-Davidson motorcycle that was amplified by the tunnel. By the time I reached Rattlesnake Mountain Tunnel at MP 465, only the name prevented me from attempting to traverse the mountain it went through.

My trip ended at Oconaluftee Visitor Center at MP 469. While I was waiting for my ride home, a well-traveled East German gal and I chatted about our bicycling experiences. Hers occurred mostly in Europe on a three-speed bike that she cobbled together from used parts from other bikes. After listening to my just-concluded adventure, she told me, “If a lawyer can take the bike, there is hope for the world.”

I hope that she is more right than not.

To be at a high overlook after a night rain and the day dawns crisp and clear, you gaze over the mountains high, you realize that you’re about as close to God as you can ever be!

The Wades at Mabry Mill

We rode our motorcycle the entire length with the exception of where the Parkway was closed near Boone, NC and also near Mt. Mitchell. We enjoyed the higher mountains in North Carolina. Our overnight stays were in Mt. Airy and Asheville. We visited Mabry Mill, Grandfather Mountain and the Music Center. A very pleasant and relaxing trip!

The Andersons as campground hosts at the Peaks of Otter

My wife and I began traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway soon after we were married in 1950. Since then, we have been on the Parkway in excess of 40 times and traveled on it from Cherokee to Waynesboro or vice versus over eight times. In October 2007 we traveled the length of it from south to north. We have just returned from a trip from Waynesboro to Roanoke this month. We were fortunate enough to have been campground hosts at the Peaks of Otter for eight years (our favorite place along the Parkway). We have traveled all 50 states, either by car or motorhome and have seen many beautiful sights, but the Blue Ridge Parkway is the greatest stretch of roadway in the country. We have had too many wonderful experiences and seen too many beautiful things to list them.

The Andersons

(the black dog is "Schipp" and the beagle is "Schoot" -- Skip and Skoot)

Using “Guide to the Blue Ridge Parkway“, I traveled from Rockfish Gap to the Oconaluftee River. My trip started September 30, 2007 at Milepost 0 and ended October 4, 2007 at Milepost 469. I traveled with my two dogs (the black dog is “Schipp” and the beagle is “Schoot” — Skip and Skoot) and we stopped at every overlook and exhibit. I photographed each stop. The next time I take this trip, and there will be a next time, I will give myself a minimum of 7 full days.

Jim Davidson returns each year from Australia to ride the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The most magnificent road that I have ever been on. As far as I am concerned, that is God’s own country. I have been back every year since my first visit in 2004 and have driven various parts each time to get to know it properly. Will be back again in October, 2008. You can quote me on anything you like and I have thousands of photos if you wish to see any. God bless America!

(L-R) John Sprouse, Travis Sprouse, David Terry, Larry Bethea, Larry O'Byrne, Carlton Ballowe

On June 19th, 2008 six motorcycle riders started at Milepost 0. It was 5:45 am and we traveled end-to-end in one day. We arrived at Milepost 469 at 8:39 pm.

With the early start, we woke up the forrest and chased deer, turkey, and song birds off the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway. Every rider thought the last 100 miles were the toughest, with a setting sun in our faces along with curved tunnels and energy stores near zero, when we arrived in Cherokee, the motel beds never felt so good.

Peggy and Ron Thompson on The Assault

June 9 – Completed the Assault on Mt. Mitchell on a tandem – really a hot day!

June 11 – 19 – Started our tour of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Single bikes with packs. Camped. South to north. Beautiful weather, rhodos, flame azalea and kalmia. It’s a whole different world living on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Already thinking about going back!

Steve Elliott, Parkway End to Ender

Two friends and I traveled the entire Parkway prior to graduation from Wake Forest University in May 2004. It was a wonderful trip highlighted by hikes at Apple Orchard Falls in Virginia Devil’s Courthouse in North Carolina.

Gary Conlan, Jim Conlan, Bill Bushong, John Harkness

My three friends and I have ridden the Blue Ridge Parkway from end to end the last three years on our motorcycles. We will be doing a fourth year this coming June when we will also include the Skyline Drive. Our names are Gary Conlan; my son, Jim Conlan, Bill Bushong, and John Harkness.

We absolutely love riding the Parkway on motorcycles and begin planning the following year’s ride immediately after the current ride.

Our bug with tent poles attached! Near Doughton Park MP-245

We completed all of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Skyline Drive in August of 1968. We tent camped at first and then bought a fold-out camper. My wife suggests a bumper sticker instead of a certificate which would be nice and provide some publicity to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Though in a wheelchair the last 14 years, I still try to get to the campgrounds once or twice a year.

P.S. Here’s a picture near Doughton Park with our tent poles tied on the back of our VW in 1965.

General Riding the Blue Ridge Parkway

In 2005, I purchased a very small dog (a Papillion) with the intentions that he would ride the motorcycle with me. I named him “General” and he was born 1-8-2005 (Elvis’s 70th birthday). In 2006, we started at Rockfish Gap and rode the entire length of the Parkway. The Blue Ridge Parkway is my “Heaven on Earth”.

I know of no other place that is so beautiful with no stop signs, no stoplights, no commercial signage, no commercial vehicles for 469 miles (Nirvana!). It is my intention to ride the full length with “General” along every even year until I am physically unable to. I have a Parkway map laminated and hanging in my cubicle here at work. I will get a calendar each year to keep me company for the in between years. I tell every motorcycle rider that I meet that they have to ride the Parkway at least once before leaving this world.

This year (2008) “General” and I will be a part of the RFTW (Run for the Wall) in May to Washington, D.C,. on May 25th. We will leave Washington, D.C. from Front Royal and then onto the Parkway for my 3rd, “General’s” second full length trip. We will end up in Gatlinburg and ride some roads in that area.

I wish that I could personally thank President Roosevelt and all the many workers for creating such a beautiful, peaceful, and heavenly experience. The people of the area all along the Parkway experience are magnificent and wonderfully friendly true Americans.

This year’s trip I will explore Little Switzerland, Linville Falls, and make a stop in Mt. Airy to visit my favorite TV show’s home town. “General” and I will be traveling on our new motorcycle this time (2007 Harley Davidson Ultra Classic).

To the Parkway Foundation keep up the good work and thank you for creating the End to Ender program. I will proudly display my certificates at work and always tell all that I meet about the Blue Ridge Parkway.

“The Blue Ridge Parkway is as good as it gets in America.”

— Michael E. Jones

Joel, Jannell, Josiah, Jonathan, Jordan and Joshua

I always insist driving when my wife and I are on the Parkway, not because I am a road hog or control freak but because we keep our camera loaded between us, ready to aim and fire. Some of our best Parkway photos are those prospect shots that you see out of the corner of your eye driving at 45 miles per hour. I have learned to stop sharply, but safely to avoid the inconvenience of having to go down the Parkway to turn around and come back to find that the shot has been lost.

One recent case was the classic family photo that was being set up at a popular overlook, tripod set with all the family members tightly grouped sans dad. Whoa! “Would you like for us to take that shot for you?”

What greeted us was not the perfunctory, “well, yeah,” but “this place is great and we want this photo to be the one to go on our Christmas card.” We always ask where people are from but it was obvious from the get-go that they were from “Minnes-soda” and that this was their first trip to the Parkway. “Actually, we were looking for Panera Bread (Hiway 25 south and the Parkway in Asheville) and we discovered the Blue Ridge Parkway! Wow, what a place!”

I had to take my own classic photo with them grouped around the overlook sign and as I was filling out the photogrpahy model release which we do with all of our photography (the parents names are Joel and Janell), the mom began to list the name of her five boys. “Josiah, Jonathan”, …and let me guess where this was going, all the rest of the names would begin with ‘J’ … “Jordan and Joshua”.

Yes, a Blue Ridge Parkway Perfect Family. I hope they will come back!