Rover, Wanderer, Nomad, Vagabond

Alone Together on The Blue Ridge Parkway: Where is everyone?

WHEN: 4/24 through 4/26/2024

WHERE: Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 1 to 295, Virginia/North Carolina

WHY: Off to fill up our National Park Passport Book bucket list and see how we fare without any shelter plan.

SHELTER: We ended up in hotels, the temps were pretty cold, and most of the campgrounds were still closed.

PERKS: We stretched our aging selves by being ok without a planned destination; much easier to go with the flow when we were younger.

REGRETS: Wish we had known nothing would be open, couldn't get our National Park Passport Stamps or go inside most stops. Honestly, didn't even think to check since spring break was way behind Virginians and we seem well past 2020 closures.

Milepost 176, Mabry Mill Our favorite photo from this adventure, taken by Bob.

Our Blue Ridge Parkway adventure took on many layers of planning; from a well-planned tent camping trip to a day trip and settled on a general wandering. This was a first for us as a couple to roam about without supplies beyond an overnight back and several days' worth of picnic. We usually over-pack and over plan therefore this adventure was freeing. We just got up and went without worrying about how long we would be gone or where we would sleep. It turns out it was too cold to camp and most of the campgrounds weren't open for some reason. We ended up splurging on several hotel nights; which we do not regret.

Fortunately, our wanderings were a little easier with this magazine that we picked up outside of our first stop. It kept us in the know when to prepare to see stuff, eat stuff, and gas up. It includes all the waterfalls and trails as well as difficulty levels.

Anywho, here are samples from our many stops along the northern portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway. We will hop back on later this year on our way to Louisiana.

Milepost 6, Humpback Rocks Click for hiking trails and tour schedule. Free, slightly wheelchair accessible. (Closed, we need to come back for a stamp.)

We made a friend at Humpback Rocks, this little one wasn't scared of us or he thought he was wearing his invisibility cloak.

We were glad that I was able to get around the farm area pretty easily with my walking boot. We found it peaceful and learned where the colloquial phrase "You lie (lye) like an ash hopper" originated. The photo above is a type of ash hopper used to get lye from ash to make soap.

Milepost 63.7, James River Canal Lock & Trail of Trees Free, not accessible but I was in too deep before I realized. A nice spot to picnic and hike for the day, just bring your bug spray.

(Closed, we need to come back for a stamp.)

Milepost 115, Virginia's Explore Park

Free, $3 and up. Most activities are accessible. Lots of trails and more than enough to do at this county/state co-hosted stop.

Pretty much anything outdoor adventure-related can be done here; including treetop obstacles and a tavern with live music. (Stamp available.)

Milepost 176, Mabry Mill Free, accessible. Another great spot to spend the day.

(Closed, we need to come back for a stamp)

Mabry Mill is still flowing and a beautifully maintained historic site. During the summer they have live blacksmith demonstrations, concerts, and a restaurant.

Let's not forget a few whiskey stills off in the woods. And one of the top photo spots on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Milepost 190, Puckett Cabin Free, accessible. Worth the stop, Ma Puckett assisted 1000 babies into the world while never having one of her own. (no stamp, just a wayside stop)

Bob was so surprised to fall into the arms of Thelma Lou of The Andy Griffith Show at Milepost 202, Mt. Airy Scroll on down for some of our pics, we love this show and really enjoyed walking the in the footsteps of TV history. And for bonus, Andy's house is available for overnight stays at $250 a night or just take a tour from the back seat of an old squad car for $50. Aw Shucks! We will certainly be back!

Milepost 213, Blue Ridge Music Center Free, accessible. Trails may not be as accessible, we didn't try to take them. Great museum about the history of mountain music as well as lots of concerts. (stamp available)

Milepost 294, Moses H. Cone Memorial Park Free and accessible. The tour of the house wasn't open, and probably not wheelchair friendly. Lots of trails and $100

carriage rides if you want to spend that.

(stamp available)

Then we hopped off the parkway and headed to Guilford Courthouse in Greensboro, North Carolina. Free and accessible. (stamp available)

Guilford Courthouse is a very special location in our American history and appears to be highly valued by the residents of Greensboro. People wander the park into dusk and are back enjoying the wooded trails at dawn. The rangers are attentive and the museum is heavily edited with modernized information while keeping the original data.

Headed back to Homebase!

If you don't want to take the interstate from NC to VA then you are likely to go through Danville. Actually, we do it all the time. But what we never do is get off the main road and hit the business route through downtown Danville. We were so surprised to see the picturesque streets and dozens of million-dollar homes from the turn of the century. We slipped into the Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History with an overwhelming collection of South Virginia artifacts. They also have a very active events and tour schedule. (covered under the NARM reciprocal museum program or $4-$10) We didn't stay long, grabbed a park picnic near the Dan River, and agreed to come back sometime for a longer stay.

Speaking of homebase, our next adventure takes us to the White Mountains of New Hampshire where the landscape, weather, and people will share little resemblance to Central Virginia.