Did you know?
The Parkway runs through
four National Forests - George Washington, Jefferson,
Nantahala and Pisgah. |
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"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf
is a flower."
- Albert Camus
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Save the Journey®
Donate today
and your tax deductible contribution will help preserve this magnificent National Park area for future generations.
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Did you know?
The Parkway is actually closer to 470 miles long. When the Linn Cove Viaduct was build almost an extra mile was added, but the mileposts were not changed!
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Find something fun to do on the Parkway!
A listing of ranger-led Parkway events can found on our website
and on our
Facebook page!
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Can you help?
Our Winston Salem and Asheville offices are in need of several items:
- A mini-frig
- A full-size refrigerator
- A stove
- An 8-10 person conference table and chairs
- A microwave
- An outdoor picnic table
Contact us
if you can help!
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Protect the Parkway
For each new or renewed specialty plate, $20 is given to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation.
The entire specialty plate fee of $30 is tax deductible.
If you are a North Carolina resident, Click Here to
Find out how you can help protect the Blue Ridge Parkway's historic, cultural and scenic resources today and into the future.
Already own a
NC Blue Ridge Parkway Specialty Plate?
Enter to Win a 2 Night Stay at Mast Farm Inn, a Porsche rental, and a $100 gift certificate to Mast General Store!
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"How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains".
- John Muir
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Journey Wines
 Purchase our Journey wines for your next dinner or picnic on the Parkway. Part of the proceeds benefit the Foundation. |
Did You Know?
The Blue Ridge Parkway is the longest, uninterrupted
(no stop signs or
stop lights) high-elevation,
scenic drive
in America! |
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 Enter the Ninth Annual Appalachian Mountain Photo Competition!
Deadline for submission is Nov 18th.
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Photos courtesy of
Norris Barnes and
Vicki Dameron
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Your Stewardship in Action |
Parks as Classrooms Begins a New School Year
 Thanks to your generosity, Blue Ridge Parkway rangers are once again going out into classrooms in the 29 counties that border the Parkway in North Carolina and Virginia. The goal of the Parks as Classrooms program is to bring students in touch with the natural world and the cultural heritage of our region in a way that is real and meaningful, working in conjunction with the state school curriculum.
By funding this program each year, the Foundation hopes to help the Park Service build a new generation of stewards who will understand and appreciate the heritage of the spectacular Blue Ridge Mountains.
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A Memorial to Jerry Burns
On August 27th, the Foundation presented Janice Burns with a framed photograph of the Linn Cove Viaduct by Dave Combs in memory of Jerry Burns and in appreciation for his dedicated service to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation as an advisor. Jerry passed away last year, and we here at the Foundation still miss his support, advice and great kindness.
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Attention Motorcycle Riders!
It was brought to our attention that there is a false and inaccurate rumor going around that the Foundation is circulating a petition to have motorcycle access to the Parkway restricted.
There could be nothing further from the truth! In fact, our license plate campaign poster features a motorcycle rider alongside an automobile driver...with the statement that we all "Share the Journey". The Foundation believes in the collective experiences of all users, whether they are motorists, bikers, cyclists, hikers, photographers or fishermen. Motorcyclists account for a significant percentage of Parkway users, and their shared stories and experiences are as distinctive and special as all others.
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New Section of the Overmountain Victory Trail is
Open to the Public
 The Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail (OVNHT) and the Blue Ridge Parkway are pleased to announce the certification of a new segment of the trail and invite the public to join in a ceremony officially recognizing the designation on Thursday, September 29, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. at the Hefner Gap Overlook, Parkway milepost 326.
The OVNHT preserves and commemorates the route used by patriot militia in their 1780 campaign that led to victory over loyalist forces led by Major Patrick Ferguson at the key battle of Kings Mountain. The newly opened 1.3 miles section of pathway is actually an original part of the route and is a roadbed that is centuries old.
The event is free and open to the public. Members of the Overmountain Victory Trail Association in period colonial dress will participate. In the event of inclement weather the program will be held at the nearby covered pavilion at the Historic Orchard at Altapass, located at Parkway milepost 328.3. For further information please contact OVNHT Superintendent Paul Carson at (864) 936-3477 or Blue Ridge Parkway Ranger Jonathan Bennett at (828) 765-1228.
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Parkway Hosts a Community Leader Workshop
ANNOUNCING "Taking the High Road-Planning, Partners, and Place Based Prosperity in the Blue Ridge Parkway Region" - An action-planning workshop building on community input gathered during the Parkway's 75th Anniversary.
November 15-17, 2011
Galax, Virginia
This workshop is open to community leaders across the Blue Ridge Parkway region, however space is limited. A maximum of 75 persons from neighboring counties, regional planning organizations or other state and federal agencies will be accepted. More details and registration information is available here.
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Get Out and Look Up
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photo courtesy of Brenda Combs
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Fall is a great opportunity for hawk-watching up and down the Blue Ridge Parkway. Every fall, thousands of raptors fly south along the ridges of the Appalachian Mountains in large groups called kettles. Although you can spot migrating raptors along most parts of the Parkway, there are several "official" hawk-watching sites recognized by the Hawk Migration Association of North America. In North Carolina, they include Mahogany Rock and Bullhead Mountain near Sparta, NC and Mount Mitchell. In Virginia, they include Rockfish Gap, Harvey's Knob and Rocky Knob.
So get out your binoculars and head to one of these spots for a spectacular site that you won't soon forget! Mahogany Rock is currently closed due to the stone wall reconstruction, but the local birders are meeting at the Air Bellows Gap Overlook instead.
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A Different Sort of Gem
My wife Patti, and I just spent five days in the Doughton Park area. We have a family house in Laurel Springs. Doughton Park is a real Gem with panoramic views, wildlife galore, and hiking trails for all levels of endurance. The Parkway is closed to thru traffic at Air Bellows Gap which is sadly keeping visitors at an all time low. I would encourage anyone to drive the extra distance of the detour to visit the park. We have so enjoyed the views, the deer, wild turkeys, foxes, and even a small black bear. The leaves are just beginning to turn and with the many vistas in the Park, you can't ask for more. Lots of pics to e-mail our friends. If you can't make Doughton Park this fall, put it on your schedule for next year.
- Don and Patty
One of the special attributes of the Parkway is that everyone has their own special connection and personal memories. If you have a special memory you would like to share or would like to read other Parkway stories, please visit our website.
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Connecting Kids - From the Blue Ridge to the Black Hills
The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation's Kids in Parks program has expanded from the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and Virginia to the Black Hills of South Dakota.
"Six months ago, we presented the Kids in Parks program to the National Association of State Park Directors via a webinar", said Jason Urroz, Director of Kids in Parks. "Immediately after the webinar was concluded, we received a call from Custer State Park asking if we wanted to present our program at the upcoming National Conference and if we wanted to open a TRACK Trail in Custer State Park. We said "YES!"."
On September 8th, 2011, Kids in Parks celebrated the grand opening of their first national TRACK Trail at Custer State Park in South Dakota. The grand opening celebration was held in conjunction with a presentation the program staff gave at the National Association of State Park Directors Conference.
Now, the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks has obtained a grant from Healthy South Dakota (South Dakota's Department of Health), to fund the expansion of the TRACK Trails program into other South Dakota State Parks.
"We decided to open a TRACK Trail in Custer State Park to see how transferable our program was to other locations across the country. Without ever having stepped foot in the park, we were able to create a trailhead sign and series of self-guided brochures, successfully demonstrating our program's ability to work anywhere", said Carolyn Ward, CEO of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. "Kids in Parks is truly becoming a national model for the rest of the country to follow."
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Welcome and a huge thank you to our new Parkway Plus partners!
- Doctor's Inn, Galax, VA
- Freeborne's Eatery & Lodge, Laurel Springs, NC
- Buffalo Tavern, Ashe County, NC
- The Galax Smokehouse, Galax, VA
- The Monte Vista Hotel, Black Mountain, NC
- The Princess Anne Hotel, Asheville, NC
- Timberline Properties, Little Switzerland, NC
Parkway Plus is a select group of dining and lodging establishments that have agreed to help us - and you - support the Parkway. Parkway Plus partners provide their customers with the opportunity to add $1 (or more) to their bill to support the Foundation's efforts. All you have to do is eat, sleep and donate!
Parkway Plus represents the best of the best of the Parkway. As you plan your Parkway journey, check www.parkwayplus.org to see all the business that have been invited to join this group...and then visit them to let them know you appreciate their support!
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Ray's Weather Calendar
 | Winning cover photo by Jim Aldridge
"Sunrise between MP 440 & 430" |
The winners of the 2012 Ray's Weather Calendar Photo contest have been announced. Almost 700 photographs were entered and the competition was fierce. Congratulations to all the winners!
The calendars should be on the stands soon. Be sure to pick up several for yourself and your family and friends. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Foundation and will be used to help the Parkway.
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Have you registered your NC Blue Ridge Parkway Specialty Plate this year?
Do you have a NC Blue Ridge Parkway Specialty Plate? Or maybe you don't live in North Carolina and just wish you could have one! Whether you have one or not, you are eligible to register for our annual drawing for a luxury weekend at the Mast Farm Inn. The winner will receive a 2-night stay at the Inn, a $100 gift certificate to the Mast Store, and a Porsche rental during your stay.
The deadline for entry is midnight, October 30th, so register today!
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Parkway Place Challenge
We picked a more "challenging" photo this month
Although not "technically" on the Blue Ridge Parkway,
this is a popular spot less than a mile away.
Do you know the location of this photo? Submit your answer on our website by midnight, October 25th. Five winners will be drawn at random from those who submit the correct answer, and each winner will receive their choice of an array of prizes.
 Last month's correct answer was the steps leading up to Chestoa View (MP 320). If you submitted a correct answer, the 5 random winners will be drawn this week, and you will be notified if you are one of the winners.
Thanks to Margie Hammond, who submitted this month's Parkway Place Challenge photo. Do you have a photo that you think would be a great puzzler? Submit it here!
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