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Ode to the Blue Ridge (Part I)

  • Writer: Melanie
    Melanie
  • Nov 28, 2024
  • 4 min read

Updated: Jan 3

WHEN: July 28th for 4 days

WHERE: Vilas, North Carolina

WHY: To Escape the Heat and Finish our trek of the Blue Ridge Parkway (see April, 2024)

SHELTER: Random Resort in Vilas, NC (originally tent camping for 7 days but plans changed)

PERKS: The Mountain Air

Our attempt to hike to Linville Falls ...we would have made it if it weren't for these feet of mine. For those of you who also have trouble walking; I did make it halfway with a cane. The path is mobility scooter friendly only part of the way and was muddy.

 
A Moment

We love visiting the Blue Ridge Mountains and surrounding towns. We take short trips in and out of the area, believing that if we miss something, we can "see it next time."

Well, as you know... "next time" may look very different. Our hearts break for the communities that Helene impacted throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains.


Now it is November 2024 and I finally get a moment to document our trip and encourage others to do your research and see what areas are open for business. If we stay away their economy will struggle to bounce back as many mom-and-pop shops rely completely on tourism. Check the road status and keep an eye on Facebook pages for safe travels.


  1. Visitor Center Linville Falls Milepost 316 (our above photo was taken on the bridge behind the building)

  2. A saw crew at Milepost 318 clearing trees downed by Hurricane Helene.


Back to Our Adventure!

If you recall or just check back to our April trip like I had to do, we left off at Milepost 294 and this trip we started right back up at Milepost 294 where we stayed nearby. Yes! We had our National Park Passport Book so we could get it stamped along the way. And this time the centers were open for business. In fact, we got so many stamps that we have run out of room in our North Carolina section...and we still have a couple more places to visit. Mostly, we need to go back to Cape Lookout (an area damaged by storms last time we were there in September 2023) and Carl Sandburg's place. But if you want to keep track of where to get stamped, this website does a pretty good job.


Anywhoooo....

Milepost 294 Mast General Store, Valle Crucis, NC Free if you don't buy anything and barely wheelchair accessible.


If you have been to a Mast General but haven't been to the original 1883 location you are missing out on an opportunity to breathe in the scents of the past. They say smell is our strongest memory and we certainly could feel the energy of the lives that once filled this old store. While it is now full of many modern products you can still send your mail (which we did) from the original post office as well as have a coffee for 5¢ and sit for a spell.

Back in the day people didn't just come to Mast for mail, goods, and friendship...they also came to order their caskets. My dark side couldn't resist grabbing a photo of the sample casket.


 

Milepost 304, Linn Cove Viaduct Free, autotour with overlook as the visitor center is closed.


 

Milepost 306, Grandfather Mountain Honestly, we skipped it. We were just there in September 2021 with the kids nevertheless here are some throwback photos. If you go always check their site for access reports. It has very dangerous wind gusts at times.


 

Milepost 316, Linville Falls Free, not really handicapped accessible. As I said up top, I made it halfway with a cane and wouldn't have been able to make it much farther even with my mobility scooter. The inclines can be very steep and rocky but at least you can get out and enjoy the bridge area overlooking bits of Linville River where you can fish and camp nearby. We got a stamp!


Cardinal Flower, Ghost Pipe, and Linville Falls Chimney View


Bob wandered ahead a little and grabbed a couple of photos


Here is me! Just reciting the words from The Little Engine That Could.

 

Milepost 331, Museum Of North Carolina Minerals Free, handicapped accessible, and got a stamp!


It's a fun little place to stop and stretch. There is plenty of hiking nearby, too, if you are into longer hikes. Our son-in-law loves rocks, so whenever we see minerals, his enthusiasm echoes with us. It's not just a space to look at rocks; there is lots of hands-on learning for all ages.


 

Milepost 364, Craggy Gardens Free, not accessible except for a small visitor center, and we got a stamp! We heard good things about the trails, but I couldn't get to them. Here is a stolen photo from RomanticAshville.Com where they have a good breakdown of the trails in case we ever get back there on a Mel has Happy Feet Day!

 

Milepost 382, Folk Art Center Free, handicapped accessible, and we got a stamp!


Not for everyone, but if you are into folk art then you don't want to miss it. They even have a very nice shop full of locally made crafts and goods.


 

Milepost 384, Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center Free, handicapped accessible, and we got a stamp!


A quick stop with a small exhibit but if you have kids they have a fun little all-senses 1.5-mile hike “Kids in Parks” TRACK trail. And if you are looking for an alternative adventure to the Appalachian Trail this is the starting point for the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.

 

Our last two stops on the Blue Ridge Parkway deserve a separate blog post, I will link it here as soon as it is ready to read! See you on the other side of Thanksgiving...enjoy your family, food, and turkey coma!



Milepost 455, Wheels Through Time  $15, AND WORTH EVERY PENNY and wheelchair accessible!


AND...



Milepost 462, Oconaluftee Visitor Center Free, handicapped accessible, and we got a stamp!

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