Blue Ridge Parkway/Skyline Drive

[Woton]

BikerGirl and I just returned from a nine-day trip riding the entire Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive south to north from Cherokee, NC to Front Royal, VA.

Lived in NC all our lives and we've experienced much of what the BRP has to offer, but we've never ridden it from end to end in one run either by car or bike.  It was our first complete run of Skyline Drive as well.  Just took our time, and there was NO way to see and experience everything this route has to offer.

Great weather ALL the way...until the last day off Skyline Drive - as you will see.

We are truly blessed in this part of the country to have these roads and destinations.  Enjoy!



The Oconaluftee Indian Village in Cherokee, NC.  Thought Cherokee would be hokey but it really was not.  These folks take their heritage very seriously and convey it well to visitors.



Yeah, well... you've GOT to take this photo...



Kind of proud of this photo taken at our motel at Little Switzerland, NC...



There's never a guest laundry when you need it...  (Peaks Of Otter, VA)



Natural Bridge, VA.  Pictures really do not do this place justice.  A must-see.



Luray Caverns off Skyline Drive... Just when we thought Natural Bridge was impressive.  Luray is ranked third behind Carlsbad and Mammoth on many lists.  BEYOND amazing - Best $26 I've spent in a while...



Well, it had to happen.  Pea Soup and rain for 42 miles from Skyland Resort to Front Royal, VA.  Then, things cleared up for the thunder run down Interstates 81 and 77 to home.

Hope this will whet your appetites to visit NC and VA and take this trip yourselves one day!

[old2soon]

Glad ya'll had a VERY nice ride.  The last picature splains WHY we carry rain gear!  RIDE SAFE.

[Rams]

Some day.    Thanks for the great ride report.   

[Wizzard]

Leaving for there this Friday for 9 days. Going to do the same thing only starting out from Sapphire valley.
Thanks for sharing

[Pappy!]

Wonderful photos! I know you have more....you have to! Please share what you can.
Have only seen a portion of that road to date and want to see all I can.
BTW - what bike is that BikerGirl is riding?
Thanks!!

[Oss]

sweet

We loved Luray and also Peaks of Otter

Is the classic car museum still attached to Luray ?

[..]

I visited Luray Caverns on my first vacation to the USA back in 1991.

Stayed at a really old large, B&B home in Luray.

[Woton]

Leaving for there this Friday for 9 days. Going to do the same thing only starting out from Sapphire valley.
Thanks for sharing

Hope you have as good weather and time as we had, Wizzard! 

Ride safely and enjoy.

[Woton]

sweet

We loved Luray and also Peaks of Otter

Is the classic car museum still attached to Luray ?

Yes, it is... Would love to have known the current value of some of those beauties, Oss.

[Woton]

Wonderful photos! I know you have more....you have to! Please share what you can.
Have only seen a portion of that road to date and want to see all I can.
BTW - what bike is that BikerGirl is riding?
Thanks!!

Will try to post some more, Pappy.  Thanks!

To us, the most interesting section of the BRP is the area between Asheville and Boone, NC.  You have Craggy Gardens, Mt. Mitchell, Linville Gorge/Falls, and Grandfather Mountain just to name a few.  We did not take many photos of this area on this ride because we have visited it so many times both as children and adults.  Will try to locate one or two from past trips - including the recent NC Inzane.

Elizabeth rides a 2009 Yamaha Stratoliner.  Heavier, longer, and at 1854cc displacement certainly a more powerful motorcycle than the Valk.  Once you get it moving it rides like a much lighter bike.  The big V-Twin poses some challenges for her in slow speed maneuvering, but overall she handles it very well.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Thanks for sharing