A fall ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway every year has gotten to be a tradition with me. Some years I'll slab it one way and ride the Parkway back; when I made my plans for this year, I decided to ride it both ways. Also been a tradition to do it on a Gold Wing for my fall ride, since 1997, so Don Stanley, prepare yourself, this RR contains explicit, uncensored images of a 2010 LeadWing.
I've also enjoyed staying at the old lodges in Shenandoah and on the Parkway. Been nice to come in out of crappy weather to a roaring fire in the great room at Big Meadows. This year I was blessed with incredibly good weather, except for dense fog/heavy mist for 40 to 50 miles between the James River and Roanoke, the weather was perfect. Started on Saturday, Oct. 10th, destination for that night was Peaks of Otter Lodge, mile 85 on the BRP. Got on Skyline Dr. at Front Royal, knew it was gonna be crowded and it was. Once I crossed over onto the Parkway I lost most of the crowd. Saw some nice color on Skyline, though most was not quite at peak.
20 minute cliff overlook at the northern end of the Parkway
Hit the fog after crossing the James and had to take it slow and careful over Apple Orchard Mtn. When I checked into Peaks, Abbott Lake looked like this
Just before dark, it looked like it wanted to clear off
The dining area at Peaks; one wall is all windows looking out over Abbott Lake
Next morning, Abbott Lake looked much nicer
Some of the foliage was just at peak and some hadn't started to turn
Thought I was in for great weather, but ran into this a few miles down the road - again
Luckily, I was out of it pretty quickly. Topped off the tank in Roanoke and took a short side trip in Smart View picnic area; I've seen some nice color there in years gone by
Destination for that night was the Allegheny Inn in Sparta, NC, a motel I highly recommend. However, when it was operating, I would stay at Bluff's Lodge in Doughton Park, right on the Parkway. Sadly, it's been closed since 2011 and no one is interested in picking up the concession. Now I hear that there's a big mold
problem there and the Park Service might be considering tearing it down. I rode through there to get a few pictures for old times sake, in case it's gone when I come through next time. The lodge is in the shape of an "L" with a stone patio between the buildings
I spent some pleasant fall evenings kicking back on that patio enjoying some great sunsets
While warming myself at the fireplace along one wall
Unfortunately, the restaurant across the Parkway is also closed, and not likely to re open
I've also enjoyed staying at the old lodges in Shenandoah and on the Parkway. Been nice to come in out of crappy weather to a roaring fire in the great room at Big Meadows. This year I was blessed with incredibly good weather, except for dense fog/heavy mist for 40 to 50 miles between the James River and Roanoke, the weather was perfect. Started on Saturday, Oct. 10th, destination for that night was Peaks of Otter Lodge, mile 85 on the BRP. Got on Skyline Dr. at Front Royal, knew it was gonna be crowded and it was. Once I crossed over onto the Parkway I lost most of the crowd. Saw some nice color on Skyline, though most was not quite at peak.
20 minute cliff overlook at the northern end of the Parkway
Hit the fog after crossing the James and had to take it slow and careful over Apple Orchard Mtn. When I checked into Peaks, Abbott Lake looked like this
Just before dark, it looked like it wanted to clear off
The dining area at Peaks; one wall is all windows looking out over Abbott Lake
Next morning, Abbott Lake looked much nicer
Some of the foliage was just at peak and some hadn't started to turn
Thought I was in for great weather, but ran into this a few miles down the road - again
Luckily, I was out of it pretty quickly. Topped off the tank in Roanoke and took a short side trip in Smart View picnic area; I've seen some nice color there in years gone by
Destination for that night was the Allegheny Inn in Sparta, NC, a motel I highly recommend. However, when it was operating, I would stay at Bluff's Lodge in Doughton Park, right on the Parkway. Sadly, it's been closed since 2011 and no one is interested in picking up the concession. Now I hear that there's a big mold
problem there and the Park Service might be considering tearing it down. I rode through there to get a few pictures for old times sake, in case it's gone when I come through next time. The lodge is in the shape of an "L" with a stone patio between the buildings
I spent some pleasant fall evenings kicking back on that patio enjoying some great sunsets
While warming myself at the fireplace along one wall
Unfortunately, the restaurant across the Parkway is also closed, and not likely to re open
