RVing on Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway
Dick Snyder
on Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway. We would do this in late May or
early June. If you have taken an RV trip on one or both of these areas could
you let me know the time of year you went, and most importantly, was there
adequate room to drive and park an RV in these two areas. Our plan would be
do sightseeing and some day hiking as we travel along.
Carl A.
"Dick Snyder" <dicks...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:ci7qm6$spe$1...@pcls4.std.com...
You'll not have a problem with a 25' class C.
IMO, the best time to do the trip is in mid June, when the rhododendron are in
full bloom.
--
Carl A. in FL
Enjoy photo-journals of my travels at
http://sky.prohosting.com/chainfl/index.htm
JPinOH
I did the whole length of the Blue Ridge Parkway exactly one year ago this
week, and dropped in to spend a night with GBinNC while he was still living
at the base of Grandfather Mountain. I started at the upper end of the
Parkway and went down the it going north. It was a good time of year to do
it, warm days and cool nights for the end of summer, and light traffic
except for the weekend. Plenty of hiking trails all up down there as well.
I was concerned about the tunnels because of the height of my Class B and
they turned out to be no problem at all. Only one tunnel north of Ashville
even came close and there was plenty of room to spare there. It's really an
easy going drive with the road consisting of turns and grades throughout the
whole length, but nothing difficult.
--
Jon
JPinOH
poke the "i" out to reply
John Andrews
ft Itasca Sundancer. The climb up to the ridge was slow, but once we
were up there it was fine. We stayed at campgrounds on the parkway and
had no problems with finding space. We did local hiking of several
miles from each campground. Beautiful country. Highly recommended.
The parkway can be a parking lot in October, though. We were on it in
July...saw turkeys and deer and some cattle... Not much gasoline
available ON the parkway, so you might have to get off to get gasoline.
Also, most camp sites have electricity, but no water or sewage hookups.
Water and dump stations are available, just not at the sites. We got on
in Southern Virginia, went north to camp, then south to Ashville, NC.
Our rig will not make it thorough the tunnels at the very southern end.
The road goes along the ridge and literally skims the highest point of
the passes that it goes through. It is wonderful how the built it so
you can look down on either side of the road in some places. The
parkway was built as a make work project for the depression and great
care was taken to build with the true character of the area. It is a
great trip, even for a short run. Traffic was nominal for us and will
be for you too at that part of the year. Fall colors attract the most
people, especially nearer the Washington DC area. Don't be in a hurry.
Get out of others way by using the frequent turnouts. And, have a
good time. We did.
John Andrews, Knoxville, Tennessee
Dick Snyder
"John Andrews" <andr...@chartertn.net> wrote in message
news:10kfh1p...@corp.supernews.com...
We were thinking of late spring. Do you have a recommendation about a good
time to go then?
Dick Snyder
Vito
trip
The only thing I'd add is a recommendation to take plenty of time and use
the many pull-offs frequently, both to enjoy the views and to let faster
traffic past. If you can, drive a few miles late at night VERY VERY slowly
(like under 5MPH) with your lights out. The stars above and the lights below
make it seem like space travel.
Jim
of the entrance to Mt. Mitchell SP (NC) that may take up to a year to
get fixed; took the roadbed off a ~ vertical face. And they have some
other rock slides as well. ~18" of rain in less than 48 hrs, with Ivan
still to come...
Check the park service's web site when you get closer to the actual
time of your trip for closure info & detour routes. At present, some of
the state roads normally used for detours around that section of the BRP
also have wash outs and bridge problems but will likely be fixed much
sooner.
Advice I'll add to what's already been given:
Let the others in your party sightsee; you drive, and only play
lookee-lookee-gee when stopped at the overlooks. It's an older, narrow
road, and the shoulders tend to be soft; not a lot of room for
inattention and error. with a biggish vehicle.
Take some warm clothes; it gets pretty chilly in these mountains, even
on summer nights. I'm told reliably that Mt. Pisgah (outside of
Asheville) has had air-born snow every month except August.
Watch for bicyclists; sight distances are short because of curves,
hills, and vegetation, and a lot of 'em are irresponsible damn fools who
don't bother to wear bright clothing, and ride in the evening or fog.
Be extra wary in tunnels.
Plan your gas stops; some RV's have very short 'legs' in that hilly
environment, and there's not much gas available on the P'way itself.
Most of the crossing roads have it within a few miles, tho'.
But enjoy! Poeple travel the BRP in RV's all the time. It's very
pleasant & do-able.
Jim, "Keep North Carolina green. Bring money!"
The above address is invalid; send email to fesser at same domain name.
http://community.webtv.net/IronDuff/SpringBreak
http://community.webtv.net/a968/ContinentalDivide
http://community.webtv.net/a968/TennentMountain
Dons
because he pays the same as everyone so he can do what ever dumb thing he
wants. Drive without lights where someone will rear end you just make lots
of sense to him...
JPinOH
> July...saw turkeys and deer and some cattle... Not much gasoline
> available ON the parkway, so you might have to get off to get gasoline.
That reminds me - last year, one of the gas stations directly on the parkway
was slated to close down later in the year for good. I don't remember which
one, so check for the latest updates on fuel availability. I think that it
was the southernmost station.
> Also, most camp sites have electricity, but no water or sewage hookups.
> Water and dump stations are available, just not at the sites. We got on
> in Southern Virginia, went north to camp, then south to Ashville, NC.
> Our rig will not make it thorough the tunnels at the very southern end.
I doubt that the tunnels in the southern end of the parkway would have been
a problem for you. The only tunnel that made me nervous was one north of
Ashville before you get to Mt. Mitchel. It had been repaired on one end with
concrete which lowered the roof clearance, but large motorhomes could still
get through.
I stayed at three of the campgrounds on the parkway and can highly recommend
staying away from the one at Roanoke. Lots of space, but too close to the
city for my liking, and the asphalt pads were lined with curbs. Very sandy
soil, and lots of bare spots on the ground. All in all, it was an ugly
campground compared to the others on the parkway with train and traffic
noise.
Vito
news:u7rgk0dsee6jmq2cj...@4ax.com...
> I see where "Vito" <vi...@crosslink.net> contributed:
>
> > If you can, drive a few miles late at night VERY VERY slowly
> >(like under 5MPH) with your lights out. The stars above and the lights
below
> >make it seem like space travel.
>
> up there with the finalists. You sure you aren't off in space
> somewhere already?
Sound advise from/for folks who never venture out at night and never have
sex standing up for fear it might lead to dancing. For the rest .... enjoy!
Speezack
covers.... and the length of the camper is 37'... most major highways
are at least this height.... are there tunnels on these scenic routes
that are under the 13'6"?????
thanks.
.....you said......... I said............
Speezack
............. are you serious????????????????????
PLEASE DON'T RECOMMEND THIS.... SOME IDIOT WILL TRY IT AND I MIGHT BE
COMING THE OTHER WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OR
WORSE.... ONE OF MY KIDS OR MY WIFE!!
thanks,
Bill
.....you said......... I said............
>>>>> If you can, drive a few miles late at night VERY VERY slowly
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>(like under 5MPH) with your lights out. The stars above and the lights below
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>make it seem like space travel.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
GBinNC
wrote:
>I have a 5th. wheel RV.... the height is close to 13'6" with the vent
>covers.... and the length of the camper is 37'... most major highways
>are at least this height.... are there tunnels on these scenic routes
>that are under the 13'6"?????
Yes.
Go to www.blueridgeparkway.org and read the FAQ. Note the fourth
question and click on the link for tunnel info.
GB in NC
Claude Marcil
portion from Asheville to Great Smoked Ntl Pk. There are a few low tunnels
there.
"Speezack" <spee...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
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