Trip To Blue Ridge Parkway And Grandfather Mountain

Blue Ridge Parkway

Recently we took a trip into the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. The leaves had just begun to change and so the beauty was out of this world. It was some cool and crisp days full of sunlight which made it extra special.  There was so much to see and do that we ran out of time.

The mountains are much like the ocean to me in that the hours pass quickly.  I get so mesmerized by the scenery, the sounds and everything I am surrounded by, that I lose all track of time.  I would have loved to stay up there much longer than we did, but we just ran out of time.  If you ever go up there, make sure you check out the swinging bridge on Grandfather Mountain and the Linnville Falls area.  Two places that are sure to take your breath away!

If you click on the individual pictures, they should open up into a much larger view.

A small lake in the mountains along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  The water nestled in the trees with the changing leaves was so peace, inviting and relaxing.  The sun was just warm enough to make me want to stay here for hours.

This is around one of the parking areas shortly after we got on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Blowing Rock, NC.  I was trying to have some fun and make it look like I was touching the mountain in the background!  The water was so beautiful on this lake.

On the way up the winding road with hairpin turns.  If your stomach doesn't drop to the ground while driving on this, you're fortunate.  Such a beautiful view but I had to keep myself from looking down.  It is much more steep than this picture shows it.

A view of the swinging bridge at the top of Grandfather Mountain.  The bridge is 5280 feet above sea level.  While I was a little nervous in crossing the bridge, I am so glad I did because the panoramic view is worth every moment.

On the way through the park area of Linnville Falls.  It is a beautiful tree covered path that winds its way through the woods to the falls.  This is my type of trail to walk - peaceful, beautiful and well defined!  We didn't see any wild animals that day but supposedly they are around.

Part of the falls as you walk through the Linnville Falls park area.  I could just sit here and listen to this water all day long.  Unfortunately it was getting late and nightfall was coming, so we had to leave.

More of the Linnville Falls area.  I just love to see how the water has found its way through the rocks.  Even though we weren't that high up, there was still a significant drop to this water.  With more time, we would have went higher up and saw this from a completely different angle.





We only went a few miles that day on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  You could spend a few days up here without any problem.  Fortunately the weather was great while we were there but a couple of days before, they had snow come through.


For more information:
1)  Grandfather Mountain
2)  Linnville Falls
3)  Blue Ridge Parkway


Related Blog Posts
1)  Trip to Walton's Mountain Museum (Oct 28, 2011)
2)  Facing My Fears (Oct 16, 2011)

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