| Upcoming Events
Until March 31st
Voting is open for the 9th Annual Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition
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Did you know?
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The Parkway contains 176 road bridges -
10% of all of the road bridges in the National Park System. |
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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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"Winter, a lingering season,
is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour."
- John Boswell
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Calling all photographers!
We are always looking for beautiful photos of the Blue Ridge Parkway to use in our e-news and other publications.
If you have photos that you would be willing to let us use, please get in touch with our communications staff at
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Did you know?
The Parkway has 29 dams - 6% of all the dams in the National Park System.
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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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photo by Vicki Dameron
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"The flowers of late winter and early spring occupy places in our hearts well out of proportion to their size."
- Gertrude S. Wister
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photo by Monty Combs
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"There is nothing in the world more beautiful than the forest clothed to its very hollows in snow.
It is the still ecstasy of nature, wherein every spray, every blade of grass, every spire of reed, every intricacy of twig, is clad with radiance."
- William Sharp
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Make a Legacy Gift 
Consider joining the
Andre Michaux Society
and protecting the Parkway for perpetuity by including the Foundation in your estate plans. |
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photo by Chuck Irwin
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"I stood beside a hill
Smooth with new-laid snow,
A single star looked out
From the cold evening glow.
There was no other creature
That saw what I could see--
I stood and watched the evening star
As long as it watched me."
- Sara Teasdale
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Become a
Parkway Protector
With a commitment of just $10 a month, you can become a Parkway Protector and join a special group of our most dedicated monthly supporters - caring people just like you who love the Parkway.
It's easy - simply setup a monthly donation using this link.
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Your Stewardship in Action |
North Carolina Blue Ridge Parkway
Specialty Plate Update
 The initial repercussions of the bill (HB289) passed by the General Assembly last July will begin to be seen on the roads of North Carolina very soon. The passage of the bill prompted a proposed redesign for all full color specialty plates to move forward quicker than some motorist might expect. All full color plates in North Carolina will be redesigned to include a white box behind the identifying numbers and letters.
We are currently working with the Division of Motor Vehicles to redesign the Foundation's specialty plate with the white box. The DMV has an inventory of our Blue Ridge Parkway plates that will last about four months for cars and 7 months for motorcycles. After those run out, the DMV will begin producing plates with the new white box design.
The white box is just the first step in potentially devastating changes that will occur to all specialty plates in North Carolina. Unless citizens stand up and stand behind these economically beneficial and beautiful plates that travel the roads representing and promoting the iconic attractions in North Carolina like the famed Blue Ridge Parkway, we may lose them entirely. We are still working with state legislators to remove the "sunset clause" portion of the bill which will eliminate all full-color plates beginning in July 2015. We will be looking for your support and help shortly to retain this important source of funds for the Parkway. You can stay updated through our e-news, Facebook and Twitter and stay tuned for information on how you can help.
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We've got a new look!
Check out our new website - Easy to navigate and full of information about the projects and programs you have funded, Parkway news, events and ways to become more involved with the Foundation. We'd love your feedback - just click on the Contact link and let us know what you think.
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Blue Ridge Parkway Calendars are still available
Buy One Get One FREE!
Last chance to buy your 2012 Blue Ridge Parkway Calendar - for a limited time, buy one and Ray's will send you another one free. All proceeds from this sale go directly to the Foundation to support Parkway projects and programs.
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Tunnel Repairs South of Asheville
 The Blue Ridge Parkway has closed the section between State Route 191, at French Broad Parking Overlook, Milepost 393.8, to State Route 151, Milepost 405. This closure is expected to remain in place until April 15, 2012 and is required to complete repairs of Ferrin Knob Tunnel #1, located at Milepost 401.
The Parkway has also closed the section between U.S. Route 19, Milepost 455.7, to the end of the Parkway at U.S. Route 441 in Cherokee, NC, until April 15, 2012, to complete repairs on the Big Witch Tunnel, located at Milepost 461.
The Parkway appreciates the public's understanding and patience of this long winter closure as these two very important tunnel safety projects are undertaken.
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New Travel Resources for the Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway was recently selected for inclusion in Rand McNally's Best of the Road program based on submission materials prepared by the Blue Ridge Parkway Association in collaboration with Parkway staff. To see the Parkway's entry and learn about other byways across the country visit Best of the Road.
National Parks Traveler has created its newest guide to the Blue Ridge Parkway in a collection of National Parks Traveler's Essential Park Guides, Visit the guide at The Traveler.
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Bicycling the Road to Paradise
I began planning my trip at the end of 2008 and the first part of 2009. I ordered all the maps and books I needed for the trip and found all the hotels/motels near the Parkway. My wife Jen and I drove to Waynesboro on September 4th as I was beginning my journey the next day. The first day was hot and miserable and I hit the 13 mile climb up Thunder Ridge at the end of the day.... Read the rest of Greg's Story 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.
If you've traveled the Parkway from one end to the other, submit your story and request your rewards package at EndtoEnder.org
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Kids in Parks Program Is Being Featured
as part of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC's
Inspired Campaign
The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation's Kids in Parks program is among a select group featured as part of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) Foundation's Inspired initiative. Inspired (www.inspirednc.org ) is a web-based storytelling effort that spotlights the philanthropic works of nonprofit organizations and leaders throughout North Carolina who are changing their communities for the better.
One of the most exciting elements of Inspired is the opportunity to support the Kids in Parks program when visiting the website. Each time an online user shares our story through Facebook, Twitter or email, the BCBSNC Foundation will contribute $1 to a fund that will be divided among the nonprofits highlighted on the site. The goal of the campaign is to have stories shared 100,000 times resulting in up to $100,000 for these worthwhile organizations.
So take a few minutes to view our story, and share it with your friends using the links at the bottom of the video!
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Kids in Parks Opens its 10th TRACK Trail
in the Blue Ridge Mountains
The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation's Kids in Parks program celebrated the grand opening of their newest TRACK Trail at W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir in Wilkesboro, North Carolina on Saturday, February 18th. This is the program's 10th TRACK Trail in the Blue Ridge Mountains and first in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
A crowd of partners and community members, including several kids and families, attended the ribbon cutting celebration held in front of the W. Kerr Scott Visitor Center. During the ceremony, Chad Eller, Park Ranger at W. Kerr Scott, Jason Urroz, Director of Kids in Parks, and, Marc Bowen, President of the Overmountain Victory Trail Association, spoke about the power of partnerships and the need to get our kids and families connected with nature, both for their health and the health of our special places.
After the dedication, the kids in attendance were invited to cut the ribbon officially opening the TRACK Trail. Marc Bowen then led the kids and families in an Overmountain Victory cheer of excitement - "Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah!" - before Ranger Chad Eller lead the group down the trail for a guided hike and tour of the site's Nature Center.
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Ranger Chad Eller and Kids in Parks program director,
Jason Urroz, cut the ribbon with the kids
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Welcome and a huge thank you to our newest Parkway Plus partners!
Are you planning travels on or near the Parkway? Please make sure to stay or dine with our outstanding Parkway Plus Partners. For a full list, check www.parkwayplus.org.
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Voting for the 9th Annual Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition is still open until Friday, March 30th, 2012 at 5:00 PM. Mark your calendars and remember to vote for your favorites!
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 Paul Bonesteel serves on our Council of Advisors and has produced and directed nine full-length documentary films, with most distributed on the PBS system and screened at numerous film festivals. Paul is the owner of the full-service production company, Bonesteel Films, Inc., which he moved to Asheville in 1997. He has helped the Foundation with numerous projects over the years, including the recent promotional video for our NC Blue Ridge Parkway Specialty Plate.
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Parkway Place Challenge
Do you know the location of this photo? Submit your answer on our website by midnight, March 26th. 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 Fancy Gap near MP 203. 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 Jill Stanton who submitted this month's Challenge photo. Do you have a photo that you think would be a great puzzler? Submit it here!
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