938 Miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway (mostly pics)

[rockinrog]

I made it home this evening. Locals in NC said I missed the peek blooming by 2-3 weeks. I'd like to see it when all the mountain laurel is blooming. I will post some pics as I get them uploaded.

[rockinrog]

All ready to go. I decided to leaving the cooking stuff at home and eat at restaurants so I actually had some extra space on this trip.

The obligatory entering pic.

[rockinrog]

Because the Otter Creek CG didn't open unti 4-6 I had booked a night at Peaks of Otter lodge for $59. A good deal for a room right on the lake. It must have been because it was Thursday,when I looked online for the return trip it was $112.

[rockinrog]

The view from my room:

It was a little dreary Thursday, but it cleared up the next morning.

[rockinrog]

[rockinrog]

Even the view looking in the window was great.

[rockinrog]

This little guy/girl was nice enough to pose for a couple pics on my walk over to the restaurant for breakfast.

[tastroman]

Pretty cool how you can see the foliage change at elevation as you go up the mountain on your shot of the peaks.

[rockinrog]

Originally Posted by tastroman

Pretty cool how you can see the foliage change at elevation as you go up the mountain on your shot of the peaks.

Yes it was. It also varied from area to area. I was expecting things to be greener based on things here in PA, but I guess even though it is south the elevation is higher.

[Fast Ferris]

Originally Posted by rockinrog

Yes it was. It also varied from area to area. I was expecting things to be greener based on things here in PA, but I guess even though it is south the elevation is higher.

Much of the Parkway hasn't yet peaked in terms of spring colors, even though we've gotten a very early start this year. You've got over a mile's worth of elevation difference between the James River in Virginia (649 feet, lowest point on the Parkway) and Richland Balsam in North Carolina (6047 feet, highest point on the Parkway), so at any given time, spring, fall or otherwise, you're going to see temperature-related differences in the "timing" of the vegetation.

Nice pix so far, got more? :-)

[rockinrog]

Originally Posted by Fast Ferris

Much of the Parkway hasn't yet peaked in terms of spring colors, even though we've gotten a very early start this year. You've got over a mile's worth of elevation difference between the James River in Virginia (649 feet, lowest point on the Parkway) and Richland Balsam in North Carolina (6047 feet, highest point on the Parkway), so at any given time, spring, fall or otherwise, you're going to see temperature-related differences in the "timing" of the vegetation.

Nice pix so far, got more? :-)

I will be relying on you for pics when the Rhododendron flowers.

[rockinrog]

[rockinrog]

I think its been a while since the lodge has been updated.

[rockinrog]

The view out the window wasn't bad either.

[rockinrog]