Then just drive around and camp in the mountains for a couple of days. See some beautiful terrain, take it easy, NOT be in Dallas for a few days. Just be tourists and all that stuff.
Now, I know there are some of my FReeps that will steer me on the proper path, feel free to chime in about what you know of the Parkway and anything fun you know about around that route.
After that the itinerary gets cloudy. I want to continue NE into the Shenandoah and see that. The Boss has her eyes set on some stupid beach in the panhandle of Forida. Me, meh, I've been to Florida a bunch of times and the only thing still on my bucket-list is Pad 39 over on the Cape. That happens next January thanx to a gig my company is setting up in Orlando (blech).
As always - advice, commentary and insults are welcomed :)
The only times I’ve done the Blue Ridge was on motorcycle. I will tell you, two wheel or four, to be wary of the tunnels. They re wet, dark and the surface is slimy. First tunnel I hit I was going roughly the SL.
My headlight seemed to disappear and I damn near lost control. Sacred the cramp out of me.
We too had the idea to make it up to Shenandoah. While as the crow flies, it’s not that long; as road goes, it is. Don’t know what you timetable is, but count on more time. And that’s not counting all the places you’ll want to stop and see.
We never made is past Ashville. We didn’t have the time. You have to stop and see Biltmore in Ashville.
Don't forget your Squire card, the staff delights in scolding members.
When you pass through Memphis you should definitely check out Interstate Barbecue. It’s located at 2265 S. Third Street so it’s on the same side of town as Graceland.
http://www.interstatebarbecue.com
I second (third) all of what has been said here. There is a lodge near Doughton Campground on the Blue Ridge Parkway called Bluff’s Lodge (I belive it is closed). The mountain meadows behind that lodge have panoramic views, rock outcroppings and wind sculpted individual trees. The combination of high meadows and mountain views is unique. One of my favorite places on God’s earth.
While you are in Lynchburg . . . not far from me . . . there is an OLD boarding house and they serve lunch daily, usually reservations in advance are necessary . . . it is called Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House. The Ladies Of Lynchburg operate it year round and the large round tables where the meal is served family style and the tables have large lazy susan’s and you just spin it around vs. passing items.
I took the kids years ago the week of Thanksgiving, they start serving their holiday meal that week through New Year’s. It was great. Something different. Old Southern Style Cooking.
If you are in Boone, be sure to stop at the Tomato Shack. They have the best veggies in NC . . especially their onions. So sweet Hubby and I eat them by themselves, and he’s not even an onion lover like I am. If you want to take a tour off the Parkway . . and if you liked the movie The Hunger Games . . we live in Hildebran where most of the movie was filmed. It’s really interesting to walk through the old worker shacks where District 12 was in the movie. A friend of ours owns the property and he has opened it up into a tourist attraction that has garnered a lot of attention. This is a beautiful state. Hope you enjoy your trip.
Just off the Blue Ridge near the exit is a place called the Blue Mountain Brewery.
They are a farm brewery and restaurant that grows their own food and ingredients for the beer they brew.
Beautiful place, great food and beer and they treat you like you belong, even if you are not dressed like a king.
We just ferried a A4 convertible from NJ to Dallas and drove the Parkway.
Our impressions:
Signs directing one to the Parkway in Va are horrible. They are excellent further south and distinctive in brown
The village of Blowing Rock is lovely. But, with highway construction going on, we could not find THE Blowing Rock area described in the tour guides.
The colors should just be starting around Linville Falls.
Asheville and Biltmore Castle are beautiful.
Like a room addition, figure on needing more time (for your trip!)
You will not regret it all!
Safe travels,