"Mountains are to the rest of the body of the earth, what violent muscular action is to the body of man. The muscles and tendons of its anatomy are, in the mountain, brought out with force and convulsive energy, full of expression, passion, and strength" ~ John Ruskin
Amid expression, passion, and strength, the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway extends 469 miles and links Virginia's Shenandoah Valley with North Carolina's Great Smoky Mountains National Parks.
"These mountains are made for a road, and everybody ought to have a chance to get the views from here," urged development advocate Herbert Hoover. "I think they're the greatest in the world."
Over 25 million annually experience the two-lane beauty for themselves. America's most popular scenic drive glides at 45 MPH through the Appalachian Mountains with over 250 overlooks and pull-over spots.
"Dear God, I thank thee for this thy gift, the land of the sky," wrote Christian Reid in 1876 as she passed Mount Mitchell at dawn.
Construction of the Blue Ridge Parkway began in 1935 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps. Roosevelt envisioned the Parkway to give "men and women of moderate means the opportunity, the invigoration, and the luxury of touring and camping amid scenes of great natural beauty."
The Parkway is a celebration of roaming wildlife and exceptionally rich beauty. Magnificent rock formations, flowers, and trees--Dogwood, oaks, evergreens, and so much more-- line the road.
"The parkway's timeless quality," described writer Rob Hirtz, "(is) rolling past log cabins and split-rail fences free of commercial interruptions."
