Wednesday was a bittersweet day as we enjoyed some of the clearest visibility of the trip on our last day riding the Blue Ridge Parkway.
We covered about 15 miles today, bringing our total for the Blue Ridge to just under 145 miles. Not the 469 total we once hoped for, but more than enough to appreciate its beauty and to experience much of what it has to offer.
The day started with a drive south to "insert" us near mile marker 14 so we could ride north to the start of the parkway. Unlike all of the other intersections we had used this morning's intersection was not marked, so we relied on a couple of hikers resting by the side of the road to confirm we had found the Blue Ridge.
Like most days we began with a climb, this time about 1000 feet before enjoying downhills for most of the rest of the ride. True to their name, the Smoky Mountains had low visibility the entire time we had been in NC and it had continued up until today's ride.
Almost from the start of today's ride the visibility was significantly better. The photos won't fully capture how clear the distant mountains looked today. The highlight was probably at Ravens Roost, an outlook near the top of our climb at 3200 feet.
Not only were the views spectacular, but a pair of large raptors danced overhead as we tried to identify the landmarks from the plaque the Park Service mounted in the stone fence separating us from the valley below.
Like the previous couple of rides, we saw many deer by the side of the road, dozens of different butterflies, and many birds riding the air currents above. At about the six mile mark we stopped at Humpback Rocks Visitor Center for one last look at Blue Ridge memorabilia and to view the recreated farm.
The last few miles of the Blue Ridge seemed to go by too fast with mile marker zero showing up before I was ready for it to end. The Blue Ridge Parkway actually starts in the middle of a bridge at the very end of Skyline Drive which continues another 105 miles through Shenandoah National Park.
It is with mixed feeling I write today's post. The journey so far has been remarkable not only for the scenery but also for the time I have been able to spend with both my father and mother. Depending on weather and travel time we may or may not have any more time to ride. While at times writing a blog has seemed like a lot of work, the feedback has been wonderful and I look forward (after some time to catch up on work) to looking back on the blog and comments to relive a little of this priceless adventure.
..Keith
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| 8-05 Day 24 |
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