If you are not familiar with the Blue Ridge Parkway, this is a National Parkway noted for its scenic beauty. It is America’s longest linear park and runs for 469 miles. It runs through the states of North Carolina and Virginia from the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. We only drove it for about 50 miles but it was very beautiful! The maximum speed limit is only 45 mph, which makes it a very relaxing drive!
Scenic Overlooks
The Parkway runs mostly along the spine of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a mountain chain that is part of the Appalachian Mountains.
James River
The Parkway in Virginia runs along the James River.
James River
After a while, we came upon this pretty lake and waterfall; Otter Lake & Waterfall.
Otter Lake
Otter Lake Waterfall
I try to drive the Parkway several times a year. In the Spring, the flowers are in bloom. Mountain Laurel and Rhododendrons line the Parkway. In Summer, the trees are green and the elevation keeps the temperature down. During the Fall month, the trees turn beautiful colors! If you are ever close to Virginia or North Carolina, I highly recommend a little drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway!