2014 - 10 - 24: Day 5 Adventure Along Blue Ridge Parkway - traveling to condo in Florida

From Travelers Rest South Carolina

To Venice Florida

I awoke early and so as not to disturb Mel I grabbed my computer and went to the lobby.  Found myself an out of the way table and got a cup of coffee and settled in for my notes and reflections.  By the time Mel joined me for breakfast I was almost all done.

The weather was pleasant today, even in South Carolina, with the sun shining it was warm enough to not need my jacket.      

We were on the road by 9 am and settled in for the long drive.  My estimate is that we will arrive at the condo around 10 pm.  We decided on the scenic route as much as possible to explore places missed when traveling on the interstate. The route we picked goes more or less goes straight south from here and we won't connect with I-75 until we reach the northern part of Florida.

It was a pleasant route but we did have to put in the intermediary towns into the GPS to follow this route.  Most of the time we were the only car on the road which makes driving more relaxing than battling all the traffic on one of the big major routes.   The speed limit most of the time was 55 but without the hassles of passing slow vehicles you can set a nice even speed and just cruise. 

Savannah River near Savannah LakeVillage 

Because we were on the more rural routes we crossed the rivers on much lower causeways and were even able to stop by the side of the road to enjoy the view.

Pastoral scene near Lincolnville Georgia 

We passed through farm and pasture lands 

Huge Bales of cotton after the harvest
near Swainsville Georgia  

The vast open spaces of the cotton field were either snowing white or smoky brown depending on whether or not the harvest had been completed.

Abandoned home near Uvalda

There are signs of migration from rural to urban settings along this route as you see the remains of small farmsteads now left abandoned. 

Uvalda Georgia 

In Uvalda we stopped for some fresh vegetables at a roadside stand and enjoyed a view to the local police department across the street.

Uvalda Georgia

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Hazlehurst had this festive welcome sign. 

Near Jasper Florida we state to see more spanish moss, always a sign that you are now in southern climes.







During the long drive we stopped at McDonald’s for a washroom break and lunch.  Later we made another stop at Sam’s Club for fuel and dinner.   It was just a few minutes before 10 pm when we pulled into the driveway after completing our scenic route south through the Blue Ridge Mountains.  

Renate Dundys Marrello 
2014 - 10 - 24 

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2014 - 10 - 23: Day 4 Adventure Along Blue Ridge Parkway - in the hills from Virginia to North Carolina

From Hillsview Virginia
To Travelers Rest South Carolina

After a later than usual start we were on the road by 10 am.  It was a beautiful sunny day on the Blue Ridge parkway! Awesome scenery everywhere you look more views and more fabulous fall colours.  At one point we were over 5300 feet up! What amazing views!

South of Fancy Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Brilliant colours of fall on a sunny day 

From Hillsville we took Fancy Gap / Hwy 52 to the Fancy Gap entrance and continued south along the Blue Ridge Parkway 

 Mt Airy Granite overlook

At the Mt Airy rest stop I spotting this interesting view featuring a fall harvest of pumpkins. 

Blue Ridge Music Center live concert 

We did a stop at the Blue Ridge Music centre and enjoyed the history of the music of the region as well as a live concert! I also got some information about “the crooked road” a "music tour" that can be included in another trip.

High Piney Spur Overlook 

Continuing on our way south along winding roads and never ending gorgeous scenery.  

historic Brinegar Cabin 

Another opportunity to walk around was at the site of the Brinegar Homestead.  The wind was chill this high up in the hills and this is October.  Try to visualize living here in the cold of winter!

hiking up the hill

We found a beautiful hillside stop for our picnic lunch at the Tom Dula memorial which commemorates the song "Hang down your head Tom Dula"

stunning view

After lunch we took a hike to the top of a hill for a panoramic view of the hills in the distance. 

winding roads through rocky cliffs 

Just driving along the parkway is enjoyable and there are so many overlooks!   So many that there is no way you can stop at them all and still make any kind of time!   That of course does not even touch on all the hiking there is along the way as well.

At Wilson Creek Overlook 

For example when we stopped at Wilson Creek overlook the Granite rocks cliffs were just over head seeming to touch the sky. 

Price Lake 

The Blue Ridge Parkway goes through Julian Price Memorial Park and we stopped at a roadside rest area to enjoy this gorgeous view to Price Lake. 

Lineville Falls 

The next big stop we made was as Lineville Falls where we took a fairly lengthy hike to see the water falls. They were so very pretty nestled in the forest and among the rocks.  down in the valley you can already see the lengthening shadows of late afternoon.  


Between the beautiful winding roads along the crest of the hills and the scenic overlooks it was a beautiful day.  

Blue ridges in the distance 

Our late afternoon drive was through some really high peaks and we were over 5000 feet up many times.  The views of distant mountains grey blue in the distance reminded me of paintings I have seen of the area!

One of many tunnels along the Blue Ridge Parkway 

This part of the parkway has numerous tunnels as the road snakes around the upper crests of these hills. 

View from Craggy Gardens Overlook 

Our last stop of the day was at Craggy Gardens, where we met several people set up to catch the eclipse.

Blue Ridge Parkway down toward Ashville

We were high up on a crest of the mountain and the time for the eclipse was still 45 minutes away.  We stated the descent toward Ashville and hoped for another viewing vantage point. On the shadow side of the cliffs it was already almost dark.  

Blue Ridge Parkway - descending toward Ashville 

And on the sunny side there were pools of light reflecting of the brilliant fall colours. 









As the time for the eclipse drew nearer the clouds gathered and obstructed the view. What a let down. 

We arrived in Asheville NC at 6pm and all the nearby Hampton properties were sold out. We were a bit upset with ourselves for not pre-booking in the morning.

last glimmer of light as we drive to our hotel 

We ended up having to drive almost 1 hour south of the mountains to a town called Travelers Rest in South Carolina to get availability.  





Last minute change of plans; we will head directly to our condo tomorrow instead of taking 1 more day in the hills. leaving something to look forward to on a future trip.  

Renate Dundys Marrello 
2014 - 10 - 23 

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2014 - 10 - 22: Day 3 - Adventure Along the Blue Ridge Parkway - From Rockfish Gap to Ranoake

Both Mel and I were up early today, and after looking at the days plans we were packed and on the road.

Harrisonburg VA

We started with a scenic drive through historic town centre in Harrisonburg VA.  

heading toward the cloud shrouded mountains 

From there we made our way along state road 253 and 340 to Grottoes. Then we continued on 340 going south towards Waynesboro.  

Blue Ridge Parkway - Wayesboro entrance 

From there we followed 250 to the entrance of the Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway.  

Blue Ridge Parkway - Afton Overlook 

Finally the sun made an appearance, coming out from between the clouds and promising to turn into a nice sunny fall day.  Our first stop was at Afton Overlook for a splendid view. 

Farm Museum - hillside root cellar 

We made a walking stop at Humpback Rocks Visitor Center. Here we enjoyed the information and interpretive display.
Then we did the pleasant walk to see the "Farm Museum" showing pioneer homesteading lifestyle.   

Winding Roads of the Blue Ridge Parkway 

As we drove the winding roads south we enjoyed scenic overlooks and had fun watching the elevations signs as much as we enjoyed the fabulous views.   









At 45 MPH speed limits (that are dictated mostly by the winding and curving nature of the roads), you have time to enjoy and see so much.  

20 minute Cliff Overlook - display of sun and shadow 

The sun's rays created interesting lighting effects up in the high branches of the trees.  And the blowing wind created movement and motion in the branches up above. 

Pastoral Scene along the Blue Ridge Parkway 

There were lovely pastoral scenes during this stretch of the drive, reminding us that farming in the hills still remains in some places. 




Leaves blown from the trees swirled and spiraled madly toward the ground, while on the ground, blowing leaves danced along the roadway. So much to delight in!

Bluff Mountain Tunnel 

Around noon we passed through Bluff Mountain tunnel and then spotted an overlook with a picnic table.  

Picnic table - Rice Mountain view 

We stopped for our lunch here and appreciated how much cooler it is up in the hills.  Here the nip of autumn is truly in the air. Even with the sun shining brightly we felt the chill. 

View to Otter Lake 

Then, after driving more winding roads down into the valley we made a hiking stop at Otter Lake.  

Dam and Waterfall on Otter Creek 

Here we enjoyed a lovely sunny walk to the end of the lake to see the dam and the man-made waterfall.  It was so much warmer here in the valley.   

James River Interpretive Center - Bridge over James River 

Just a short distance further on was the James River Interpretive Centre.   Here we stopped for a pleasant hike over the James River via a pedestrian bridge.  

  Battery Creek Canal and Lock 

On the far side of the river we were able to explore the remains of the Battery Creek canal and lock that used to be so vital to transportation when the waterways were the main trade route.

Blue Ridge Parkway - Arnold Valley Overlook 

More driving brought us to Arnold Valley Overlook.

Then we left the Blue Ridge Parkway, taking the exit towards Ranoake. A steep road brought is into the valley and we made our way to Sam's Club to get gas and plan for the evenings accommodations.  

We picked the Hampton Inn in Hillsville another 1.5 hour drive south along 221.   

Reminder of a bygone era along hwy 221 

Dusk arrives much earlier in the valleys especially as more clouds gathered in the western sky.  Before we arrived it became too dim to take any more photos.  Only a few of the shots I took in the dim lighting turned out.  That is a shame because the picturesque old buildings trace some of the history of the area.

After checking into our room we made a picnic style dinner of salad and cheeses.  I worked on my notes and downloaded my pictures before settling in for the night. 

Renate Dundys Marrello
2014 - 10 - 22 

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