Blue Ridge ParkwayCherokee NationFDRGreat DepressionLooking Glass Rock. Devil's CourthouseNantahala ForestNorth CarolinaShenandoah ValleyVirginia
Blue Ridge Parkway
On our way
home from Cherokee, we have another treat in store: driving along the Blue Ridge
Parkway of North Carolina, also known as ‘America’s Favorite Drive’. Starting
(or ending, depending on your point of view) near Nantahala Forest, the Blue
Ridge Parkway will take the visitor all the way up to the Shenandoah Valley in neighboring
Virginia, were (s)he so inclined. We settle for the section that takes us to Brevard.
The 470 mile long Blue Ridge Parkway was a result of intense negotiations during the FDR administration between the Oval Office, Congress, numerous government agencies, and dozens of counties. The area during the Great Depression Days was largely unexplored and considered a risky venture, to say the least. This part of the country had (and still has) very few roads, almost no maps, and areas that had never been surveyed before. Various interests among the mountain dwellers needed to be satisfied first, chief among them the desire for the road to benefit them commercially. The federal government, a novice to projects of this magnitude in the 1930’s, was compelled to define what exactly a ‘parkway’ was. Just how could they reconcile their objective of creating the road for recreational purposes with the economic goals expressed by the mercenary portion of the population? Good communication (along with the necessary PR and diplomacy by the FDR Administration) would be essential.
The 470 mile long Blue Ridge Parkway was a result of intense negotiations during the FDR administration between the Oval Office, Congress, numerous government agencies, and dozens of counties. The area during the Great Depression Days was largely unexplored and considered a risky venture, to say the least. This part of the country had (and still has) very few roads, almost no maps, and areas that had never been surveyed before. Various interests among the mountain dwellers needed to be satisfied first, chief among them the desire for the road to benefit them commercially. The federal government, a novice to projects of this magnitude in the 1930’s, was compelled to define what exactly a ‘parkway’ was. Just how could they reconcile their objective of creating the road for recreational purposes with the economic goals expressed by the mercenary portion of the population? Good communication (along with the necessary PR and diplomacy by the FDR Administration) would be essential.
For months,
engineers and architects would survey the area, establishing just where the
best scenic views were while keeping the protection of both the parkway and the
land (or park) itself in mind. Not surprisingly, a part of the land would also lead
them through Cherokee territory. While a great fraction of the land was
purchased over the years, plenty of it was also donated by the likes of people
like John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
In the year
2016, it is safe to say that the construction of the parkway was a good
decision.
Entering the parkway from Murphy, NC, we quickly realize we couldn’t speed if we wanted to. The various curves and inclines along the way make this impossible, not to mention unnecessary, especially with all of the splendid views awaiting you on both sides of the road. Of course, it helps that we are driving during the fall, where the Blue Ridge Mountains are at their most colorful. As the driver, of course, I draw the short end of the stick and keep my eyes on the road.
There are so many milestones along the way it is mind boggling. The highest of these scenic rest stops is well over a mile high, near the famous Looking Glass Rock, which I would still like to hike, along with Devil’s Courthouse.
We finally hop off the parkway near Brevard and make our way home through Hendersonville.
Blue Ridge Parkway, to sum it up, is for people who enjoy slow, leisurely drives with frequent stops, plus the occasional (or even long) hike. To enhance the enjoyment, drive along the parkway during the fall, and don’t forget to wear something warm.
Entering the parkway from Murphy, NC, we quickly realize we couldn’t speed if we wanted to. The various curves and inclines along the way make this impossible, not to mention unnecessary, especially with all of the splendid views awaiting you on both sides of the road. Of course, it helps that we are driving during the fall, where the Blue Ridge Mountains are at their most colorful. As the driver, of course, I draw the short end of the stick and keep my eyes on the road.
There are so many milestones along the way it is mind boggling. The highest of these scenic rest stops is well over a mile high, near the famous Looking Glass Rock, which I would still like to hike, along with Devil’s Courthouse.
We finally hop off the parkway near Brevard and make our way home through Hendersonville.
Blue Ridge Parkway, to sum it up, is for people who enjoy slow, leisurely drives with frequent stops, plus the occasional (or even long) hike. To enhance the enjoyment, drive along the parkway during the fall, and don’t forget to wear something warm.
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