What with mr tMac's new job no-vacation-for-one-year-policy and my generous vacation allotment, I've been on the lookout for trip ideas for next year.

My dad and I have decided to travel the Blue Ridge Parkway by motorcycle. I've never ridden more than an hour or two at a time with him, so the mode of transport itself should be interesting. I've also never gone anywhere with just my dad, and I've never travelled the Blue Ridge Parkway -- lots of firsts.

I'd love to hear from anyone who's travelled any part of the route - advice, recommendations, etc.

Dana, what a great opportunity to travel with your Dad. I never had the chance to do much with my Dad, because he died unexpectedly at the age of 44. I hope you have a great time planning this trip.

Well, for starters, don't try it during the fall foliage season. It turns into the world's biggest parking lot! I'm sure you thought of that.

I'd recommend a side trip to the top of Mt. Mitchell, highest point east of the Mississippi. There's a nice little restaurant about half way up the road to the peak. Exit the parkway about Mile 355.

Depending on what you like to do, the Folk Art Center at Mile 380 can be fun. You can tell the women folk at home about all the beautiful, ultra expensive things you didn't bring them. And it's a nice pit stop.

Then there's Asheville. I can't recommend any place to stay there, no experience with staying in the city. Asheville is doing a really nice job of being an arts oriented tourist friendly town. Walking the Asheville Urban Trail is interesting; there's bronze sculpture all over the historic downtown; the Thomas Wolfe house. All worth a look. Guided tours are available April through November. The tourist office is on the southwest corner of Pack Square. Anybody can direct you to Pack Square.

Lots of funky pubs, bars, nice restaurants and live music in Asheville, too!

We're planning to go early next spring.
About the only place I've been in the area actually is Asheville, which I liked a lot.

Thanks for the recommendations!

Dana,

We live only a few miles from the Parkway. I consider it our "local road." I'd be glad to help you plan. Will you be traveling the whole route (460+ miles), or just a section of it? If the latter, do you yet know what it will be? Keep in mind that the speed limit is 45 mph.

FYI, here's a quote re motorcycles from the first link below: "Motorcyclists should be especially alert. Approved helmets are required for operators and passengers. In North Carolina, the headlight must be on anytime a motorcycle is in motion."

You mention you'd go "early" next spring. How early? I honestly wouldn't recommend going before the beginning of April, at least. ("But that's the time of the GreatGTG", she exclaims!) Many sections of the Parkway, particularly at the higher elevations, are closed for all or part of the winter because of the weather and/or fog. That also means that many of the facilities along the Parkway would be closed.

Ask any and as many questions you wish. Incidentally, I just got an e-mail today from the Friends of the Parkway with the information that the National Park Service is looking for volunteers to conduct a planning survey along the Parkway later this month. Doyle and I will probably say "yes" to this request. (Oh, and BTW, I'm glad you had such fun in the Old Market section of Omaha. We were there for a few days a couple of years ago.)

Here are some Websites from my Bookmarks that might be useful in your thinking and planning:

The Blue Ridge Parkway Association

National Park Service BRP Guide [Particularly good for information about weather and repair closings.]

High Country Parkway

Blue Ridge Parkway Travel Guide

Virtual Blue Ridge Parkway Planning Guide

Grandfather Mountain

Ann

Thanks Ann! I really appreciate your offer and I'm sure I'll take you up on it.

We haven't firmed a date yet. My dad usually goes on a long weekend early spring ride in Tennessee or the Carolinas or Virginia anyway so this will be his annual spring ride.

We're riding the entire length, including (or plus?) the "Tail of the Dragon."

My dad told me about the speed limit -- I'm ok with that. The ride itself is the destination, so going slow means I can see more.

Dana,

I thought I had seen something like this before, so I checked. If you go to the "Virtual" Parkway site, you'll see a link called "Things to Do." If you go to that, you'll find another link near the top labeled "Motorcycle Touring." That takes you, at least, to a list of relevant books, including the one at the top, which is specifically about cycling on the BRP.

Ann

I've driven stretches of the Blue Ridge Parkway a couple of times and really enjoyed it. One year we stayed a few nights in Blowing Rock, where we enjoyed a couple of hours at Grandfather Mountain and also drove in the beautiful area around Valle Crucis. We took the Parkway home from Blowing Rock to Asheville, stopping at several points (like Mt. Mitchell) along the way.

This past spring-- on the way home from our GTG in Brevard-- Kelly and I drove part of the way on the Parkway.

The Tail of the Dragon is not actually on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This is an 11 mile stretch of Hwy 129, beginning near Maryville, Tennessee and ending near Robbinsville, NC, which has 300-some curves. It's considered the number one motorcycle and sports car road in the USA, and is one reason why the Honda Hoot and the Harley HOG are both held in Knoxville.

We have driven this road a couple of times and it is challenging-- all the more so because of the motorcycles. Nearby is the beautiful Cherhola Skyway, a lesser-known scenic drive from Tellico Plains, TN to Robbinsville, NC.

This website will tell you all you ever wanted to know about the Tail of the Dragon.

Kathy

Thanks Ann and Kathy. I have heard lots about the "tail" -- my dad goes at least once a year -- and was even going to go once myself for a MINI Cooper event (but didn't make it).

I look forward to diving into these Web sites.

Dana,

When you're ready to make some plans and know how many days you'll take for the trip, I'd be glad to share with you our recommendations for the more interesting places along or very close to the Parkway to visit, as well as for the better campgrounds (e.g., Julian Price), at least from about Peaks of Otter in Virginia south to Asheville (or most of the route).

A clarification: I mentioned above that much of the Parkway and places along it are closed in the winter. Actually, it is longer than that. The campgrounds and most other facilities are closed for about 6 months - from November 1 to May 1, except for a few places such as the Allenstand Craft Center near Asheville (though you'd probably have to take US 70, rather than the Parkway, to get there and back).

Ann

Bucky wrote:

quote:

I'd recommend a side trip to the top of Mt. Mitchell, highest point east of the Mississippi. There's a nice little restaurant about half way up the road to the peak.

Just announced: The top of Mt. Mitchell will be closed all winter and quite possibly well into the spring while a new observation tower is being built.

Ann

Well here it comes -- we leave next Friday morning!

So far our rough plan is to ride from my parents' place to Staunton Va. Friday. (I had a horrible time finding a hotel -- there are *two* college graduations that weekend!)

Saturday we'll see the visitor's center with the film about the father/daughter motorcycle trip and side trip to Monticello.

Saturday overnight around Bedford.

Sunday night in Floyd at the Miracle Farm B&B

Monday night at The Inn at Yonahlossee in Blowing Rock

Tuesday night in Asheville

Then Wednesday either down to Murphy NC for overnight, or straight on to the tail of the Dragon, and home from there.

I'm a little late getting started but I'm trying to map out now what we'll see or do along the route.

Dana, this sounds like a wonderful trip-- especially with your dad!

Did you see my post from last year about our evening in Floyd, Virginia?

BE CAREFUL on the Tail of the Dragon!

Hope you'll come back here to tell us about your trip. You will see some beautiful countryside!

Kathy

Dana,

Have a wonderful and safe drive with your father! Staunton is a great place to start and I hope you have some time to go downtown and explore it before heading up into the mountains.

Just an FYI that Sunspots Studios is hosting the Virginia Hot Glass Festival if by next Friday you meant the 25th. A really fun glass blowing studio with some gorgeous pieces. Even if you can't make their festival, they have demonstrations every day.

Staunton is also home to The American Shakespeare Center. They are currently doing Henry V, Merchant of Venice, and Taming of the Shrew. We have frequently attended their productions and greatly enjoy the quality of their stage, crew, directors, and actors.

And I'm so glad to hear you are making time for Monticello! I personally prefer the grounds more in the spring and summer because of the incredible care the staff and volunteers take in preserving the gardens and grounds. Fall foliage is great, but Thomas Jefferson's green thumb pales in the fall to the bounty of his spring and summer gardens.

Enjoy, Dana! There's really nothing in the world as exhilarating as riding a motorcycle on a beautiful road on a beautiful spring day. I envy you!

We just drove the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive 2 weeks ago by car. Very little traffic and wonderful weather, easy to find motels at the 'off ramps'. I would not even think about going near the drives during the summer or Fall foilage, the traffic seems like it would be horrnedous and motel rates go up a lot. But the drives are just beautiful.

Dana,

Why don't you give me a call when you get to Blowing Rock? [828-264-9058]. Perhaps we could meet for dinner.

YD writes: "I would not even think about going near the drives during the summer or Fall foilage, the traffic seems like it would be horrnedous (sp.)"

For the rest of you: Well, that's not quite true. Weekends do get crowded, but I'd hardly call it "horrendous," and then there's always the rest of the week. We drive along the Parkway all the time.

Traffic does move, and there are lots of places to pull over and enjoy the scenery. If it weren't for all the lowlanders who don't know how to drive on curvy mountain roads, there would hardly be an issue at all.

Ann

P.S. Dana, make sure to check the NPS Website for closures. It would also be a good idea to keep this phone number handy to check for daily updates: (828) 298-0398.

Currently, there is a night-time closure around Roanoke, from 9:30 pm to 5:30 am. However, you should be past there on your way to Floyd before it closes. There will be a short closure just off US 421 near Boone, though. I checked it out recently, and it is well marked. The detour take you to US 321 (Blowing Rock Rd.) If you turn left there, you'll be heading to Blowing Rock.

At that point, you have two choices: a). You could NOT get back on the Parkway, but just follow Blowing Rock Rd.(321/221) and at the Tanger Outlet, go right with Bus. 321 into the town of Blowing Rock, where it becomes Main St. Just at the top of the hill, past Knight's (on right) and at the Speckled Trout Cafe, turn right WITH US 221. About a mile along 221, you'll see on the right an entrance to the Parkway AND a sign to Shulls Mill Rd. Take the latter. OR b). After the detour takes you to 321/Blowing Rock Rd. and you go left, follow the signs to the Parkway South entrance on your right (about 4 mi.?) This will be past the Tweetsie RR but before the outlets. Once on the Parkway, go past the entrance to the Moses Cone Craft Center (about Milepost 292), and a short way beyond there, you'll reach the same intersection I mentioned above. (It will probably say "221/Blowing Rock; don't go that way.) You should then also see a sign to Shulls Mill Rd.; turn right to take it.

I hope you could follow all of that. It's easy to get lost up here in the mountains.

Ann

Dana,

I forgot to mention that the section of the Parkway near Craggy Gardens above Asheville is still closed because of a road collapse earlier this year. This is from Milepost 355 to 375, and it probably will be closed indefinitely. The information is clear on the recorded message, but kind of vague on the Website. You have to go to "News Releases" and then to the one for March 10th.

You'll probably be directed to US70 and/or I-40 toward Asheville, which isn't a big deal.

Ann

How great Dana! What a beautiful area youv'e chosen.

I used to be on motorcycles all the time so much so that I couldn't ride in a car without getting sick. MAke sure that you have a really good support belt for your back and kidneys and it is worth investing in helmets that you can comunicate sith via a cable. Nothing more stressing than screaming to eachother. you can always unhook the cable. Get some serious boots too, things that are easy to take off and on. One last thing make sure that the jacket you wear covers the small of your back.

Angie

Dana,

When are you starting on your journey - April 25th or May 2nd?

Ann

Thanks all! My dad is monitoring all the detours and closures as well, and will map out what we have to do. And Kathy, I saw and saved your Floyd post last year.

And yes, we have the helmets that let us talk to each other.

Ann, we're staying at The Inn at Yonahlossee in Blowing Rock, do you know it? I was thinking of eating at their restaurant, the Gamekeeper. Do you want to email me at travelingmcmhans at gmail.com?

We set out next Friday, May 2, and will be in Blowing Rock Monday the 5th.

I hope to blog along the way, several places we're staying have wifi. I'll prob. split it up between all three blogs, the food one, the travel one, and then my personal one for just my observations in general. I've also talked with WingWorld magazine (for Honda Hold Wing riders) and they're interested in an article about the trip.