Day 90 (September 20): Blue Grass Music, Blue Ridge Parkway

One picture captures these last few days in the Appalachian Mountains of western Virginia and North Carolina:

From an itinerary point of view, here's the recap:

Monday: Wake up in Luray, VA. Avoid the northern terminus because there is a 12'9" overpass and we are 12'6" (but told to round up to 13'0"). Enter parkway at MP 90 (after harrowing ascent from Buchanan, VA) and drive four miles north to Peaks of Otter campground.

Tuesday: Breakfast and schooling in Peaks of Otter lodge; hike to the top of Sharp Top Mountain. Campfire. Sleep. There's an entire entry dedicated to this day here.

Wednesday: Drive south on the parkway for about 25 miles then exit to Roanoke; eat lunch, use laundromat and do school in a dubious parking lot; take interstate into North Carolina and get a little wayward (not lost!) en route to absolultely gorgeous Stone Mountain State Park.

Thursday: Return to Parkway via numerous hairpin turns and drive north, back into Virginia, to visit Blue Ridge Music Center. Return to absolutely gorgeous state park for dinner and another campfire.

Friday: Drive south on Parkway to Linnville Falls, then exit Parkway and take highways into Asheville.

From an experience point of view, the main thing I want to say is that the experience of driving the Parkway without congestion is an unparalleled experience. The driving itself is blissful, since the road is in excellent condition, the speed is a lovely 45 mph, and the views are epic and frequent. I'm sure it's more beautiful when the fall colors are in full effect but I'm not sure the visit would be better. Our timing was perfect.

Lily, Jon and Henry beside the BRP

Elise and Jon at a trailhead for the Appalachian Trail along the BRP

One of the myriad spectacular views along the Parkway

Heavy clouds over western North Carolina

Re-entering Virginia on the BRP (sorry for the lack of photo editing here)

Later in the day, returning to NC.

The kids' experiences were also sublime. We enjoyed the hike, the music center, the (absolutely gorgeous) state park and, once again, the junior ranger program.

Henry staged this picture for me to take.

Walking back to our site in the nearly-empty Peaks of Otter campground.  

Triumphant hikers atop Sharp Top Mountain (roughly 4,000 feet elevation)

Trucker chicks.

Future thru-hiker? 

There's free live music at the Blue Ridge Music Center. The dancing is free, too.

Henry and Lily earned another Junior Ranger badge.

Cate got to try a fiddle.

This is a close second to the first picture in the post.

Linnville Falls.

This is the super-badge for earning four (out of ten) stamps at BRP Visitor Centers. He's a little proud.

Stone Mountain State Park. The good pavement gave the kids huge opportunities to bike around. Here, they are approaching the resident deer, which visited the camp each evening. Only demerit: the showers only stay on for 7 seconds at a time (and the temperature can't be adjusted).