Blue Ridge Parkway
As you are sitting by your warm cozy fire watching the Super Bowl hoopla being broadcast from Tampa Florida are you wondering where to go on this years vacation?

Will it be the sea shore or some large expensive city with too many people and too much pollution?

Let us suggest the Blue ridge Parkway. This is some of the prettiest unspoiled mountain scenery in the world. The Blue ridge Parkway begins a little ways north of Cherokee North Carolina and meanders through mountains and valleys for four hundred sixty nine miles. Along the way you may visit recreation areas, lakes, streams, rivers and see plenty of wildlife.

Take Highway 441 north out of Cherokee, North Carolina and the entrance to the parkway will be on your right. It is clearly marked. If for some reason you are rubber necking and miss the entrance you will shortly enter the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Don’t worry about it, go with the flow, it must have been meant to be. Here you will find pull outs and great viewing areas. You will shortly understand why these mountains are called The Great Smoky Mountains. The mist hangs on the peaks and into the valleys, sometimes you have to wait for a breeze to clear the mist away. If you decide to continue on through the park you will come to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. From there it’s a short hop over to Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and Townsend, all in the beautiful state of Tennessee. All of these towns have lots of motels, restaurants and various entertainments. For reservations contact Besthotelsnow.com.

After a visit to Tennessee make a u turn and head back over the mountain to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Driving on the parkway is even more enjoyable because of the ban on commercial vehicles using the parkway. No eighteen wheelers to tailgate you as you enjoy the mountain views and wildlife.

The parkway has many campgrounds, along with an occasional motel. Restaurants, and snacks, along with gasoline are available, but don’t try to stretch your gas too far for the stations are a good distance apart.

The Blue Ridge Parkway has access roads that lead into some of the most charming towns and cities in North Carolina and Virginia. Some of these include in no particular order; Boone, NC, Asheville, N. C., Roanoke, Va., and Charlottesville, Va. Taking leisurely side trips to the towns and cities is what makes a delightful vacation. There are places just off the Parkway where you can dig for precious stones such as emeralds. These are the vacations that become the most memorable and you look back years from now and remember the fantastic time you had.

The Blue Ridge Parkway ends and the Skyline Drive continues on to its terminus at Front Royal Virginia ending a wonderful two day or two week adventure.

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