Guide To The Blue Ridge Parkway – Favorite Things To See And Do In Virginia

The scenic Blue Ridge Parkway travels over 469 miles of mountain tops through North Carolina and Virginia. Along the way, there are plenty of panoramic overlooks, picnic areas, and several campgrounds to accommodate both trailers and tents. The Blue Ridge Parkway also offers more than one hundred hiking trails, as well as access to larger trail systems like the 2000 mile long Appalachian Trail and the 900 mile Mountain to Sea Trail in North Carolina.

Many of the short trails offer historical exhibits and live demonstrations of a forgotten life in the Appalachians. There are also many other attractions along the Blue Ridge Parkway that are fun for the entire family. Plan a weekend camping adventure and enjoy a few of these memorable attractions or choose to visit one for a unique day trip!

Humpback Rocks is an 800 acre park with various hiking and bicycling opportunities. The visitor center is located at milepost 5.8 and features a working 19th century Appalachian farmstead. Boating access is available at nearby Sherando Lake.

The Stonewall Jackson House offers guided tours of the confederate general’s home. There are also lush gardens, an informative museum, and small gift shop. This attraction is located just off MP 45.6 in Lexington, VA.

Just 15 minutes off the Blue Ridge Parkway at MP 63.7 is The Natural Bridge, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Aside from this wondrous sight, there is a nature park, a variety of peculiar museums, and a living village displaying the life of Indians who once inhabited the area. The Virginia Safari Park is also located minutes away.

Peaks of Otter is a 5000 acre park between MP 84 and MP 87 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Surrounded by the Jefferson National Forest, this parkway attraction provides a variety of hiking trails. Visitors can see live interpretations at the old Johnson Farm and view the first travel lodge in the area, Polly Wood’s cabin. Peaks of Otter also features a picnic area and restaurant, campground and lodge, and a 24 acre lake, so bring your Coleman inflatable kayak.

Virginia’s Explore Park, located just off MP 115.1, is a cultural attraction with living history demonstrations, a restaurant, and a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, and kayaking.

Mill Mountain and Roanoke Mountain, located off Blue Ridge Parkway MP 120, offer a campground, a variety of hiking trails, and Mill Mountain Discovery Center, an educational attraction with fun hands-on environmental exhibits. Roanoke, VA also has a variety of attractions only minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway, including a zoo, caverns, and museums.

Rocky Knob is a 4800 acre park at MP 167 offering the only cabin rentals on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Rocky Knob has 15 miles of hiking trails and is also the location of the restored Mabry Mill, a very popular parkway attraction. The Mabry Mill offers self-guided tours of Appalachian life more than a century ago and also features a country restaurant and a gift shop.

The Blue Ridge Music Center is located at MP 213 and features outdoor musical performances during the summer with an emphasis on bluegrass.

Guide To The Blue Ridge Parkway – Favorite Things To See And Do In Nc

Shortly after entering North Carolina on the Blue Ridge Parkway, you will find the first public recreation area on the parkway, Cumberland Knob. At MP 217.5, Cumberland Knob is a 1000 acre park with a picnic area and a variety of plant and animal life, including many species of birds. There are also two hiking trails, one short stroll to Cumberland Knob. The other trail is a strenuous 2 hour hike through Gully Creek Gorge.

Stone Mountain State Park, in Roaring Gap, NC, is a fun attraction a few miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway at MP 229. Camping, fishing, and hiking are popular activities at Stone Mountain. There are also mountain cultural exhibits, including an old moonshine still, the Garden Park Baptist Church, established in 1897, and the restored Hutchinson homestead. Rock climbing and rappelling are also popular at Stone Mountain State Park, but a permit is required, and admission is free.

Doughton Park is a 7000 acre park on the Blue Ridge Parkway at MP 238.5. Here, visitors can enjoy fishing, hiking, camping, picnicking, and even cross-country skiing during winter months. The restored Brinegar Cabin, built in 1880, offers weaving and basketmaking demonstrations during the summer. These handmade wares can be purchased in the gift shop.

MP 259 is home to a popular shopping destination on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Northwest Trading Post. Here you can find locally crafted gifts and other handmade goodies, as well as a unique selection of collectibles. Minutes from the parkway is the New River and a number of canoe and tubing rental outfitters are available for fun family river trip. You can also bring your own boat, like the Coleman Navigator 3-person inflatable boat, and access the river for your own family adventure. The New River State Park is located just off MP 261 with boat access to the river, as well as canoe camping and primitive camping sites. Parkway visitors can also find cabin and chalet rentals along the nearby river, many with hot tubs and fireplaces, for a romantic mountain getaway.

Also off MP 259 are the world renowned Church of the Frescoes. These Episcopal churches are always open and there is no admission charge. The famous fresco paintings are displayed at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and the Holy Trinity Church showcases a wall mural of The Last Supper.

For a fun, music filled night of dancing with the entire family, visit the Mountain Music Jamboree, just off Blue Ridge Parkway MP 261 in Glendale Springs. Enjoy square dancing, clogging, and other fun family dances every Saturday night and on Fridays as well during the summer.

Blowing Rock is a short drive from the parkway at MP 291.9 and is famous for its mountain charm, extraordinary shopping, and unique attractions. Here you will find the legendary Blowing Rock and can enjoy the 4090 feet view above John’s River Gorge (small admission fee). One of the most popular family attractions near the Blue Ridge Parkway, Tweetsie Railroad, is also located in Blowing Rock. Shopping in the area includes an outdoor recreation specialty store and Tanger Outlets, with 30 various outlet stores.

Clean Camping

Summer is here, schools are letting out. Time for some family fun and for many Americans, that means camping. Mothers everywhere cringe at all the dirt and grime and germs associated with outdoor living, even if just for one night. I’m one of those mothers and I’ll share with you how I’ve combated the icks and yucks my three sons seem to gravitate to.

Go clean. My sons are required to shower or bathe within 12 hours of departure. This may seem like common sense, but I was surprised at how many kiddos hit the campground filthy. If your kids are clean when you go, they’ll be less dirty when they come back.

Cook clean. Bar-be-que sauce is a one of the top violators of cleanliness. Leave sauces off food, use dry rubs on meat and season veggies with some salt mixed with cumin, black pepper and dry oregano. Make skewered food, prepared ahead of time. The fewer plates and utensils you need, the fewer ways to get dirty.

Wash and wash again. If you bring gallons upon gallons of water with you, wash hands often. If you don’t bring much more than drinking water, pack along some Wet Ones. They are similar to baby wipes but also contain an anti-bacterial solution, to kill those pesky germs.

Zip it up. Tents should always be kept closed to keep out bugs and dirt. Most tents are equipped with screens that can be left closed while you air out the tent by unzipping the door or window. Keeping dirt out will remind your family what clean feels like when you and your kids climb into sleeping bags at night.

Air it out. Remove all foods and clothing from campers and tents. Then, for at least 1 hour before packing up camp, let your camper and/or tent air out by opening all windows and doors (keep those screens closed, though).

Bag it. Make sure you bring plenty of trash bags with you. In addition to waste, you can pack all of those stinky clothes and dishes in them before you head home. Deliver the bags to their destination (trash can, laundry room, kitchen) as soon as you get home. Otherwise, you’ll make your vehicle into a huge Petri dish.

Shower straight away. Everyone should take turns showering and changing into clean clothes as soon as you get home. In addition to cleaning off the surface dirt, the camping germs will go down the drain and take funky smells with them.

Cheap Camping Gear

Camping for the first time can turn into a wonderful experience, or it can become a nightmare. It mainly depends on the equipment you use. Purchasing and using cheap camping gear has its benefits as well as some downfalls.

If it is your first time camping, you may not want to purchase equipment, as it may add up in the end. So by asking either your friends or relatives if you can use their camping equipment, it may be the cheaper option. However, if they have nice camping equipment they may be hesitant to allow you to use it, or they may not let you borrow it at all. You also may not want to borrow it if you know they have expensive equipment, because you don’t want to run the risk of damaging their tent or burning their stove. So purchasing cheap camping gear to begin with may become the better option.

Most first time campers purchase cheap camping gear at big department stores like K-Mart or Wal-Mart where you can purchase all the basic equipment and stay within your budget. Once you have experienced the outdoors and have decided that you enjoy camping, you can them start to invest in more expensive items that are more durable. Cheap camping gear has the benefit of being cheap, but not much else. Typically cheap camping gear usually falls apart quicker and is less dependable. It is not worth going out and buying cheap camping equipment time and again, because all though it may seem like the cheaper option at the time, it will add up after replacing it more than once. It is often best that you invest in the more expensive, durable equipment that you know will last longer and will cost you less in the long run.

If you are using cheap camping gear on your first camping trip, don’t let any faulty equipment keep you from enjoying your camping experience. Keep in mind that there is better equipment available that makes camping more enjoyable. Purchasing the right camping gear, such as a tent, sleeping bag, stove, or cookware, will make such a difference.

Finding a tent that is waterproof, lightweight and easy to assemble is very important. No one wants to assemble a tent that will take all day to put up, and definitely no one wants to sleep in a leaky tent. So be sure any tent you purchase is waterproof and easy to assemble. Your sleeping bag is also extremely important. You will want a sleeping bag that will keep you warm and be comfortable as well as easy to pack away. A good stove is important, especially in campsites where open fires are not allowed. So be sure to purchase a stove you know will last through many camping trips. You cookware is also important. Buying the cheapest cookware may seem like a good idea, but not when you find that it melts or find little flakes of metal in your food. So it is always worth investing in the basic camping gear.

Camping Essentials A General Guide To The Essentials Of Camping

When you are going camping there are a number of basic camping gear essentials that go with any camping trip. These basics show up in most camping trips if you are camping without an RV or camping outside of a sheltered area, like a cabin.

These essentials include items such as a tent, sleeping back, cooking gear, first aid kits, emergency supplies, lighting, fire making kit or heating source, knife, personal hygiene products. There are a lot of items that people view as essential which are not actually essential but make the camping experience more enjoyable.

Some of the items that can make your camping trip more enjoyable and for some people are considered essentials are things like Dutch ovens, which allow you to bake while you are camping. Other items are folding chairs, tables and cots to make sitting and sleeping around the camp easier on the body. Some people bring things like coolers for cold foods, and ice. The essential gear for camping depends on the type of camping you are doing and how rough you want to camp. There are some people who enjoy camping with just a sleeping bag and a small tent or tarp in case it rains but for the most part they sleep lying in their sleeping bag under the stars, cooking on a fire and enjoying the simplicity of nature. Others take it up just a step and have a tent and perhaps some fancier cooking gear while others insist that everything but a kitchen sink is essential to camping.

One of the absolute essentials though is a first aid kit; no matter what type of camping you are planning on doing make sure that you have a fully stocked first aid kit. This also should include a snake bit kit; if you are planning on being anywhere in the deep woods or places where snakes are common. Another good thing to bring along is toilet paper, and a small shovel for creating a latrine some people may not find this an essential but for many it is.

Camping Accomodation Tips

You may not think about this, but camping requires a lot of common sense. You will need to use basic education that you have acquired through out your years of school so that you can avoid doing anything that is basically dumb. You will find that there are a lot of dangers that lurk in the woods and you will find that the most commonly found dangers include the climbing aspect and lightening.

Did you know that there are over a hundred people who die in a year because they were struck by lightening? You will want to make sure that you use your common sense when it comes to being outside in an electrical storm. You will also find that the lighting will occur mostly in the clouds, but there are going to be a few strikes every now and then. If you happen to be the tallest thing around like standing on top of an open mountain site, you will find that your odds of getting hit by lightening are very high. This is because of all the salt water that is in an human body will attract the lightening and forms a conductor. You will find that when you are wet, your odds are even worse. You will want to think about the safety by taking cover. Even though your odds of being struck (even at higher risks) are very low, you will need to still take precautions because it is not something that you can predict.

Being struck can end up seriously hurting a person and could end up killing them, depending on the voltage. You will want to consider that this odds or not something that you will want to mess with. As for the second major danger, you will want to consider that you need to have common sense in the safety matters of hiking.

Obviously, you don’t need to stand too close to a cliff, and you never know when a gust of wind will knock you down. You don’t want to put your life at risk just for a thrill. You will need to think about how sturdy the mountain side is before you climb it, because you never know about rather or not your stepping area will give away. You will also find that even if you don’t get seriously hurt from a fall, you are now at danger for parasites and infections from the open cuts and scrapes.

Camping Safety Tips

There are millions of people everywhere who enjoy the relaxation of camping. Whether you’re spending the weekend camping with your family at the local state park or backpacking through the backcountry, there are some general rules of camping safety that you should always follow. Many of these camping safety tips are simply common sense, but it is still a good idea to review these guidelines before setting out for any type of outdoor adventure.

General Camping Safety
Camping safety begins before you ever set out on your vacation. Check the weather forecast ahead of time and be prepared for rain or storms. Pack emergency rain gear, as well as a well-stocked first aid kit, and plan to arrive at your campsite as early as possible. You want plenty of time to set up camp before the sun sets.

Upon arrival, inspect your campsite closely for glass and harmful debris, poisonous plants and animals, and areas that may be prone to flooding in the case of a heavy downpour. Set up your tent on flat ground and remove any rocks, branches, or other objects that could damage your tent or be uncomfortable to sleep on.

If you are camping with children, check the campsite closely for fire ants, hornet or wasp nests, dangerous grades, and other potential hazards before settling in. Wear light colors and refrain from using scented lotions, soaps, and perfumes to prevent attracting bees and mosquitoes. Coleman citronella candles can ward off mosquitoes as well.

Use caution whenever you operate your propane stove or grill and anytime you have a campfire. Never leave any of these unattended. Keep your campsite clean, storing food in closed containers and disposing of garbage, to reduce the chances of bears, raccoons, or other wild animals entering your campsite. Never keep food items inside your tent.

Hiking and Outdoor Activity Safety
Anytime you decide to enjoy the great outdoors, it is important to remember that you are in nature’s domain. To stay safe, it is your responsibility to follow the proper safety precautions. It is a good idea to become familiar with poisonous and harmful plants, animals, and insects that are common to your area. Always carry a small first aid kit while hiking or biking and have knowledge of first aid procedures for outdoors. If you should come in contact with poison ivy or sumac, apply calamine lotion to the infected area to relieve the itching.

Stay on the designated trail and avoid high grass and overgrowth. Wear light colors so ticks are easy to spot and check your head and body for any possible ticks each night. If you find a tick that has already bitten, remove it gently with tweezers, taking care not to crush the body or leave the head. Clean the bite area with warm water and soap and see a doctor if you experience a fever or rash within the next few days or if you think the tick was attached for more than 2 days.

Never enjoy the beauty of nature alone. Have at least one companion with you wherever you go and whatever you are doing outdoors and tell your friends and family where you will be and how long you plan to be gone.

Selecting A Good Campsite

Let it be known that I’m an avid, happy camper and I love the outdoors. With that said, I’ve also met a lot of people who would love to try camping but don’t know where to start. It’s perfectly understandable that they wouldn’t want to go out and try something new without preparing for it, so I decided to write a short article that will provide some essential information for camping beginners, and send them on their way to experiencing and enjoying the joys of camping and the outdoors.

If you’re just starting out camping, I would suggest visiting one of the plentiful public campgrounds that you can find in national and state parks. Always pick the one that’s nearest to your home if possible. These public campgrounds are usually run by government agencies like the Bureau of Land Management, the Army Corps of Engineers, etc. They are typically found along scenic spots and on vast lands that are set aside for preserving the natural environment, and for people who want to enjoy the outdoors. Where to find them? Going online is the best way to do so. Websites like Park Net and Reserve USA offer a vast database of information about ideal and available camping spots.

Now that you’ve found your perfect campground, there’s more to learn. First, always stop by the campground office and check in when you arrive. Introduce yourselves and provide some necessary information, like the number of campers with you, how long you’re planning on staying, and whether you’re in a tent or an RV. You can also ask if you can take a drive through the area to find a suitable campsite. If the office has a map of the campground, you can use it to check the locations of important spots.

Inform the attendants if you’d like a campsite close to the lake, or about any other preferred locations you might have. It’s not guaranteed that they can always accommodate you, but telling them about it as early as possible will let them make the necessary arrangements and increase the odds of you getting the location you want. You might also want to inquire about the camp rules and regulations during this time, and any other questions that you might have.

You should also know what to look for when picking out your campsite. Ideally, choose a site where you can set up your tent on relatively high ground. This way, water will flow away from your tent when it’s raining, so your tent and everything else inside will remain dry. But avoid setting up your tent on a slope, either. Pick a site where the ground is high and level. You may also want to have some shade during the hotter parts of the day, so if you can, pick a spot near some trees. The only time when this is inadvisable, though, is when the weather shows likely signs of raining. Then you’d be risking the chance of becoming a target for lightning strikes.

Other things to check for are water sources and cooking areas. You will need lots of water for cooking, washing, and drinking, so make sure you camp near a water source. Check out the locations of the cleaning stations, as well. Never use bathrooms or drinking fountains for washing dishes. Make sure also that your campsite has a grill and a picnic table with benches. A flat, wide area without any leaves or twigs nearby is also ideal for campfires and using stoves.

Another important thing, especially if you have kids, is the location of any playgrounds or play areas. You might want to be near playgrounds, so that the kids won’t have to walk far and you can easily keep an eye on them, but if it’s peak season, the playgrounds will be sure to have lots of other children playing as well, so you might want to stay away from them to avoid the noise. It all depends on what your preferences are. You also need to look for locations where you can play ball games, or if you’re near a lake, go fishing, swimming, or boating.

Experience will teach you a lot more than I could in this article, so the best advice I can give you, aside from the things I told you here, is to go out and start camping. Enjoy life outdoors!

Have The Best Camping Trip Ever With These Amazing Camping Tips

While we all know that camping is fun, great and so on, we also know that it entails careful planning to make it a memorable and fun experience. But the thing is, you don’t need to be a seasoned camper to enjoy camping. You don’t have to be a camper for 10 years or more to experience what an amazing camping trip is.

With these useful tips, you will know the secrets to having a wonderful camping trip.

Smart Packing

• Create a checklist and bring only the real essential things. Bringing a dozen suitcases filled with what you think are important will not only slow you down but might ruin your camping trip.
• Ration out supplies like medication, fuel, lotion, shampoo and the like in smaller containers filled with the amount that you’ll need for the duration of the camping. Add only a little extra for emergency.

Picking a Campsite

• Pick a spot with a clean and safe water source. Bringing too many bottles of water will slow you down and not having enough to drink will dehydrate you.
• Choose a shady spot. But don’t pitch your tent directly under the trees because it is dangerous in case of sudden thunderstorms.

Keeping Unwanted Guests Away

• Spray ammonia on garbage to remove the smell of leftover food and to keep animals away.
• After washing, use baking soda on your hands and clothes to remove the smell of food so bears and other wild creature will not go near you.
• Draw lines around your tent floor with chalk. This will keep ants and cockroaches away.
• To protect yourself from mosquitoes and ticks, wear insect repellent lotion and tuck in your clothing like your shirt into your pants, pants into socks and so on.

Convenient Cooking Techniques

• Prepare and measure ingredients at home before you leave for the camping trip so that you need not bring your measuring spoons and cups. Place the pre-measured ingredient in small containers and be sure to label them so you don’t mistakenly put salt in your coffee.
• Half-cook food at home to save cooking time and fuel at the campsite.
• Always cover pots and pans while cooking so that food are cooked at a much faster time.
• Make your matches waterproof by dipping them in nail polish or melted paraffin.

Getting a Good Night’s Sleep

• Try being naked when you sleep in your sleeping bag. The heat of your body will be reflected back to you.
• Don’t forget to bring a catalytic heater like the Coleman BlackCat™ Perfectemp™ Catalytic Heater that will provide you with safe and flameless warmth for a comfortable sleep.

Hiking Tips

• Don’t forget to bring the hiking essentials: snacks, water, watch, whistle, cell phone, compass, flashlight and knife in case of emergency.
• Opt for light running shoes and nylon socks if hiking boots cause blisters on your feet.
• Put a wet towel on top of your head if it’s hot. This will help keep you cool despite the scorching heat of the sun.

These tips will prepare you for your camping trip. And your camping trip will surely teach you more tips that you can add to these ones.

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