Part 2 of our RV road trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway and other destinations.
Tuesday, Oct. 15
Up and at ’em for breakfast in the RV, then southbound to the Blue Ridge Parkway. We stop at the Smart View picnic area located at milepost 154.5. The loop trail here offers lots of ups and downs with a mix of meadows, forests and a visit to an 1890s cabin. The picnic area is a shady resting spot nestled in the woods, with restrooms available. The main loop is a three-mile hike, or you can do shorter hikes of 2.1 or 1.7 miles by taking connector trails. Since this was not going to be our only hike of the day, we opt for just the 1.7-mile loop.
Our next hike of the day is below the Roanoke River Trail. This trail is a good one for upping your heart rate, birding and plant exploration. We consider it a challenge when the sign says it’s a 20-minute walk. That should mean ten minutes or less for us. We add the spur onto the Fisherman’s Trail to get down to the river and another spur at the top to the Roanoke River Observation area.
For lunch we drive to the Chateau Morrisette Winery and of course enjoy a wine tasting. The winery and beautifully landscaped grounds sit high in the mountains with a spectacular view. We previously didn’t know about Virginia grapes and wine making, so it’s a good learning experience. The wine is very good.
After lunch we are once again southbound on the Blue Ridge Parkway, with a stop at milepost 176 at one of the most picturesque places on the Parkway, Mabry’s Mill. This original sawmill and blacksmith shop were built in the early 1900s and offer a fascinating glimpse of a time gone by.
One of our next stops is the Blue Ridge Music Center, operated by the National Park Service.
Tuesday night we’re camped at Miller’s Campground RV park, a beautiful hillside spot just off the Parkway near Laurel Springs, NC.
