1906~ The idea is conceived.
1914~ Work begins, but ends due to WW I.
1933~ FDR begins the work again.
1936~ The project is renamed "The Blue Ridge Parkway."
1941~ Construction is once again suspended due to war.
1946~ Work resumes after WWII.
1966~ Only 7.7 miles remain unfinished.
1987~ The entire 469.9-mile parkway is open for travel.
The rain slowed down enough to make us say.."hey, let's go for it." So, we picked up the Parkway outside of Maggie Valley. We came across "our" waterfall, found twelve years ago on our third date, when daughter April and I met up with Jim in Maggie Valley. She was checking out Wake Forest in Winston-Salem for grad school, but ended up going to Duke. Anyway, we drove about 70 miles on the Blue Ridge today, taking...oh, maybe four and a half hours! Tee hee, you can't make much headway while on the Parkway, but you do see scenic views that have enough WOW factor to last a lifetime! 
The muted pastel shades enhanced by the majestic blue of the mountain ranges, made us think of America the Beautiful song.
Springtime in the mountains, oh, the color was amazing! Dogwood in tiers, dotting the landscape. The sight of the blooming treetops, tender leaves unfurling, hot pink azalea, roadside wildflowers in purples and yellows, mini waterfalls, spitting out of the rockface covered in green ferns and moss were lovely. The roar of the falls, cascading water over time worn rounded rocks, was so soothing. 
The hairpin turns, and going through the tunnels in a motorhome, and the low altitude clouds, misting and fogging up our visability, wasn't so soothing though! Temperatures dropped ten degrees in our first five miles. The Great Smokies, and the Pisgah Mountain range are a must see for everyone. We stopped at the park inn for supper, but the mist and heavy cloud cover hid most of the view from us. The walls were all glass to invite the outside in, but not today.
This is exactly what those scary ant hills looked like in northwestern Georgia yesterday!
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8 comments:
Okay now you have me trying to talk my DH into taking our little Honda Accord on a road trip to North Carolina!! Love those waterfalls and the Pisgah mountains are breathtaking.
That ant mound is huge!
Have fun tomorrow.....
Take Care - Robin
So glad you got to make the trip...I love the Maggie Valley area and the Parkway is to die for...
That ant hill looks like some we have around here. I got to posion some tomorrow that pop up after the rains.
I'm a mellow vegetarian, but I say this in all sincerity: RED ANTS MUST DIE.
Gosh, what beautiful pictures! Haven't seen that area in, oh, guess it's 35 years now...how lovely it is in spring! Your pictures are pretty enough for a calendar!
How the corgis holding up?
WOW! What wonderful pictures of God's Glorious world! I've never been in that area of the country, but it sure looks beautiful... about as beautiful as Yosemite and the Red Woods.
Sounds like you are having a good time... I hope so!!! God Bless you!
Linda (From Country Corgis and Proverbs- A Bible Study)
You're waterfall you found on the third date ? Sounds like you are having a great trip.
There is no better trip than driving the Blue Ridge Parkway. Here's an interesting Web site that shows a "virtual" tour of all the overlooks on the entire route.
http://www.virtualblueridge.com
Looks like better weather is on the way for today and the weekend.
Love your pictures. I lived in Tennessee long time ago, but still miss the Smokies. Guess it's time for a visit.
Wow what an awesome way to travel
your pictures are all wonderful.
That is one giant ant hill .
Have a great weekend lovely post.
I enjoyed my visit.
Happy Mothers Day .
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