Blue Ridge Parkway

French Broad River

A drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway is a great way to unwind and relieve stress.  The parkway is a 469-mile scenic byway connecting Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks.  In late April 2012, I drove the short section from Asheville, NC south to Mt. Pisgah.  I would have driven further, but late afternoon thunderstorms were developing and enveloped the mountain in fog.  Spring was in full force in the valley, but winter was still clinging to the top of the mountain.

Bad Fork Valley

Mountains and Clouds above Bad Fork Valley

View from Beaver Dam Gap

Clouds obscure Stony Bald

Big Ridge (elev 3820 ft)

Hominy Valley

Mill River Valley

Stairs from the parking lot to Buck Springs overlook

Winter persists on the trail to Buck Springs overlook

Viewing benches at Buck Springs overlook

The park website is http://www.nps.gov/blri.