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| Matthews, Virginia |
Blue Ridge Mountains to
Bristol, Tennessee |
Great Smokey Mountains
National Park |
Blue Ridge Mountains to Bristol, TN
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Tempting as it may be to remain in Mathews forever, one must not overstay his welcome. We said goodbye to our kin and watched the rear-view mirror, as the charm of Mathews sadly shriveled away. Soon we would be on I-64, through Richmond, through Charlottesville, a brief stop at Monticello so that Betsy (our dog) could go for a walk, and finally we spilled out onto the Blue Ridge Parkway!
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The Blue Ridge Parkway stretches across 469 miles, from the southernmost tip of the Shenandoah National Park to the Northeastern tip of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. We drove approximately 65 miles of it, from the northern tip to where it crosses the James River near Lynchburg,VA. |
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Afton Overlook is just one of what seem to be thousands of picturesque pull-offs along the Parkway. I really had to pace myself with regard to stopping for photos. Had I taken a picture at every striking vista, I could still be there today!
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Hey look, it's me in front of the camera!
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This is Keith, owner of the Royal Oaks Campgrounds and Country Store in Love, VA. If you're looking for a
romantic little cabin on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Keith is your man. |
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Crabtree Falls - on Hwy. 56 just a few miles detour off the Blue Ridge Parkway. |
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We exited the Parkway at the James River (Hwy 501) and stopped at Natural Bridge, VA a few miles down the road.
A natural bridge is just that, a bridge formed by nature. There are several around the U.S. This particular one was purchased by Thomas Jefferson from
King George III in 1774. |
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Just like Niagara Falls, Natural Bridge in Virginia is inundated by touristy "attractions": haunted monster
museum, maze, hotels, caverns, Indian village, antique toy store, swimming pool, wax museum, café, colossal
gift shop, and mini golf. (What tourist trap is complete without mini-golf?) The brochure attempts to play this
off as a two day stop! HA!
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Monacan Indian Village |
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That night we camped at Claytor Lake about 40 miles west of Roanoke, VA. The lake was formed by the construction of
Claytor Dam in 1939 - to generate electricity for customers of the Appalachian Power Company. The dam and lake are
named after the late Graham Claytor, a native Virginian and former executive in the power industry. |
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Claytor Lake at sunrise. |
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An old barn near Atkins, VA - not far at all from the Appalachian Trail. |
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We stopped in Bristol, TN to mail a parcel. I enjoyed the Maryland Friend Chicken sign, and had to snap a photo.
Click here for a hi-res 800x503 copy of the above image. |
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Bristol Motor Speedway! NASCAR! |
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| Matthews, Virginia |
Blue Ridge Mountains to
Bristol, Tennessee |
Great Smokey Mountains
National Park |
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