The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s Kids in Parks program is among a select group featured as part of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) Foundation’s Inspired initiative. Inspired (www.inspirednc.org) is a web-based storytelling effort that spotlights the philanthropic works of nonprofit organizations and leaders throughout North Carolina who are changing their communities for the better.

“These are people and organizations committed to a bigger solution and they are working tirelessly to succeed,” said Kathy Higgins, BCBSNC Foundation president. “We are uplifted by their work on a daily basis and we wanted to create a venue to share their stories with others, todraw much needed attention to the impact they are having.”

The website features first-person accounts from those committed to finding solutions to some of today’s most pressing health issues, including access to dental care, childhood obesity and the uninsured, among others.

“It is humbling to be recognized for doing what we love, for our commitment to promoting children’s health and the health of our parks” says Jason Urroz, Director of the Kids in Parks program. “It is so rewarding to know that our story is being shared across the state, maybe across the country, in the hopes that it might inspire others to create positivechange for those around them.”

One of the most exciting elements of Inspired is the opportunity for visitors to the site to support the work of the BCBSNC Foundation grantees featured in the stories. Each time an online user shares a story through Facebook, Twitter or email, the BCBSNC Foundation will contribute $1 to a fund that will be divided among the nonprofits highlighted on the site. The goal of the campaign is to have stories shared 100,000 times resulting in up to $100,000 for these worthwhile organizations. The groups included as part of Inspired are:

• Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project
• Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation
• Charlotte Community Health Clinic (North Carolina Association of Free Clinics)
• Greene County Health, Inc.
• North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians
• North Carolina Council of Churches
• North Carolina Dental Health Fund
• North Carolina Parent Teacher Association
• Southside United Health Center
• Sparkplugs for a Healthy North Carolina (The Rensselaerville Institute)

The PISGAH TRACK TRAIL IS CLOSED until further notice. The Forest Service is working hard to repair the trail and hopes to have it re-open soon. We’ll let you know when that happens.

Vote today for your favorite photo! The People’s Choice Award is special honor  bestowed upon one of the talented finalists from the 9th Annual Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition. Voting will be open until March 30th.

The 9th Annual Appalachian Mountain Photography Exhibition will be on display in the Turchin Center of the Visual Arts beginning with a public reception on Friday, February 3rd, 2012 @ 7:00 PM. The exhibition will run through Saturday, June 2nd, 2012.

The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s Kids in Parks Program has received two large awards that are helping the program to expand their network of TRACK Trails: a $701,000 Grant from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation, and an endorsement from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

In 2008, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and the Blue Ridge Parkway partnered with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation to form the Kids in Parks initiative. With the initial investment of $204,000 by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation, the Kids in Parks program has been able to install 9 TRACK Trails, bring more than 35 partners together (including multiple state, federal and local agencies), and link public lands to each other and to the kids and families of the surrounding communities.

Because of the overwhelming success during the program’s first two and a half years, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation is reinvesting in the Kids in Parks program with a $701,000 grant for the next three years. This grant is going to enable the Kids in Parks program to become a national model for the “no child left inside” movement, as well as expand the program across the state of North Carolina and the nation.

Jason Urroz, Director of the Kids in Parks program, said “We’re so excited to partner with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation for another three years. This grant will enable us to expand the program both within the state of North Carolina, and nationally.”

“We believe that this investment will help us further our mission of improving the health and well-being of our fellow North Carolinians,” said Kathy Higgins, President of the BCBSNC Foundation. “It is important that we continue to support innovative and effective programs and services that help individuals and communities across the state.”

Superintendent of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Phil Francis said, “Thanks to the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation this grant will allow us to connect a new generation of stewards, while at the same time improving their overall health and wellness of those who participate.”

In September 2011, Kids in Parks staff gave a presentation to the American Academy of Pediatrics about the program and its ability to link various public management agencies in an attempt to create a network of opportunities for kids and families to become actively engaged in outdoor activities that foster a healthy lifestyle and connection to nature. Out of that presentation, came an endorsement of the Kids in Parks program by the AAP.

Eroll Alden, MD, FAAP, the Executive Director and CEO of the AAP, said in a letter to Olson Huff, MD, Chair of the Kids in Parks Advisory Board, “The AAP would be delighted to support the National Kids in Parks efforts to encourage more children and families to be involved in outdoor activities.”  Adding, that Kids in Parks should work with local chapters of the AAP where TRACK Trails have previously been developed.

Carolyn Ward, CEO of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, announced the endorsement at the America’s Summit on National Parks in Washington, DC last week saying, “This endorsement by the AAP is going to help us leverage site participation and funds that will help the Kids in Parks program expand nationally, becoming one of the leaders in the ‘park prescriptions’ and ‘no child left inside’ movements.”

Olson Huff, MD, respected pediatrician and Chair of the Kids in Parks Advisory Board, said of the endorsement, “We couldn’t be happier with the AAP’s decision to think outside the box and support a program like Kids in Parks. We are going to use this endorsement to partner with local pediatrician offices to help educate their clients about the need for nature play and the Kids in Parks program.

The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s Kids in Parks program works with partners across the state and nation to get kids unplugged and outside. With the support of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation and endorsement by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Kids in Parks program is ready to expand their network of TRACK Trails and get kids and families “un-plugged”, outdoors and connected to nature for their health and the health of our parks.

Which way is north?

My motorcycle riding friend, Steve Coy, and I began our ride on the BRP Tuesday morning from Cherokee, NC. We spent the first night in Boone after riding through a “cloud” where we could barely see the road in front of us. We left the next morning in the rain and stayed the night in Roanoke, VA after an afternoon of clear, sunny skies. The morning of day 3 we headed north, finishing the BRP at I64 east of Waynesboro early in the afternoon. We continued north on Skyline Drive, finishing our ride in Front Royal, VA. I had only owned my motorcycle for a few months and have since decided that riding the BRP was an excellent way to break it in and to experience for the first time the pleasures of cross-country touring.

- Mark from Peachtree City, GA

The start of the long and winding road.

The journey actually started on Sept. 3 when we rode my motorcycle from High Point, NC up to Staunton, VA. It was in the high 80′s so we were packed for a rather warm ride. We woke up Saturday morning to a brisk 45 degrees. We had breakfast and hit the road We headed out I64 east and came to the northern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway and started a journey. We stopped shortly after we started and got a map of the parkway. The map was great and showed where we could get off and get gas along the way. This is very helpful on a motorcycle.

We stopped at a few of the vista’s along the way. Our first long stop was at the Peaks of Otter Lodge for a quick nature break and to stretch our legs for a while. It was a really nice place that we both agreed we would like to come back to when we had more time.

Back on the road as we were trying to do this whole trip in a long weekend. Our next stop was lunch at a small place in Meadows of Dan, VA. It is a nice little town at the intersection of VA route 58 ant the Blue Ridge Parkway. Stopped again at Orchard Gap for gas and a bottle of water. There are some nice cabins on the hill behind the store that we stayed at last year. Then on the road again. Finally back into North Carolina. We stopped for a light supper at the Station’s Inn a place we have been to many times in the past for their live music on Sundays. It is a place the caters to motorcycle riders. It is at mile marker 248 in Laurel Springs, NC. We figured it was time to look for a place for the night. Talked to Mike the owner and got a deal on the two bedroom place above the store and bar. It was time for me to buy a long sleeve shirt considering all I had was short sleeve T-shirts and a wind jacket. At least Sandra was a little better prepared with sweatshirts and a heaver jacket. So a few cold beers and a good nights sleep. We got up early and had a small breakfast in the store and then it was time to get back on the road.

Came down through the town of Blowing Rock. This is one of my favorite towns in NC. The quaint downtown area has a lot of things to offer just about any taste. My favorite place to eat there is the Canyons restaurant on 321 on the south side of town. Good food and a great view. It seems like you can see forever on a clear day. If you are there for a weekend Live bands and night and a live jazz band for Sunday brunch. Well this trip no time to stop.

As we follow the Blue Ridge Parkway further south we come across a few other interesting places we have stopped before and will get back to. Like the tiny town of Little Switzerland. Make sure you stop for lunch at the Switzerland Cafe and General Store. Before coming into the Asheville area you pass Mt Mitchell State Park. If you have time take the ride to the top. This is the highest point in the US East of the Rockies. We stopped for gas again just outside of Asheville and got back on the road. The southern part of the parkway from here to the end has some very interesting views. It also has a lot of tunnels some of which are on turns. This proved interesting as it was a very sunny day and the tunnels were dark. I had to keep flipping my sunglasses off my eyes to see in the tunnels.

Here you are in some of the highest parts of the parkway. We stopped at the Pisgah Inn which is right on the parkway. It is a restaurant and hotel that sits right on a cliff with great views. We were going to stop for lunch, but the wait was way to long and we needed to make it to the end before dark, so we pressed on. We stopped at one of the little stores along the parkway and got a small bite to eat. We knew we were getting close and was looking forward to a nice dinner, cold beer, and a comfy bed to lie down in.

We got to the end…. mile marker 469. It was a long two days in the saddle. My Harley was none the worse for wear. We set off looking for a place to stay. Cherokee was not what we were looking for on this trip so we went a little farther down the road and came to Maggie Valley. This is where we were stopping for the night. We checked into the Best Western and while Sandra hopped in the shower to wash off the road grit I proceeded off to the store to find some beer for the room and to get ready for a relaxing night. The person at the desk assured me it was a 1/2 mile up the road. I decided to walk rather than take the bike. 2 mile later I cam across the store and bought us some beer and headed back to the hotel. I got back as Sandra was finishing up getting dressed. We put the beer on ice and went next door for a bite to eat. After dinner we went back to the hotel and relaxed out on the deck with a cold beer. We were lucky enough to be able to watch the fireworks from right there. Then off to a good sound sleep.

The next morning it was back on the bike. Straight to I-40 and highway all the way back to High Point. 3 1/2 hours later it was nice to get home. A day to do laundry and then back to work the next day.

If we decide to do this again. I am going to make ti a 4 or 5 day trip so we can enjoy more of the stuff we had to rush by to keep our timetable in tact. There are a lot of beautiful places along our great parkway, get out and enjoy it.

- Sandra & Jerry from High Point, NC

This was a repeat of my end-to-end motorcycle ride of 1996. This trip I also rode the length of the Skyline Drive before riding the Blue Ridge Parkway, north to south.

Interesting overnight stops were the Natural Bridge Hotel, and the Pisgah Inn.

We took a great a side trip to Damascus Virginia, on US 50 “the crooked road”, before returning to the parkway. We also took the side trip to Mount Mitchell and enjoyed a wonderful meal in the mountaintop restaurant.

- Russell from Bellevue, FL

On the morning of Oct 18 2009, after just moving here from Florida , we awoke to a light dusting of snow. Although originally natives of New Jersey, it had been 20 years since we experienced snow. So, we decided to take the Blue Ridge Parkway so I could photograph the beautiful, crisp, fresh fallen snow.

We started up the parkway, stopping to take scenes that I could save in printed memory. We reached MM 411.2 and that’s where it all happened! As we turned the curve, our front tire caught the light snow and we slid down the embankment, tossing and turning and rolling,until our car landed 15′ in the air on a large tree. We then dropped down 125′ to land, right side up in the cold wooded area.

My husband and I remained conscious and rational enough to actually converse with each other. He then began leaning on the horn with an S>O>S> which was heard by passer bys in a roadside overlook. They proceeded to follow the sound and arrived in time to climb through brush and bramble to rescue us.

The roof of the car came down on my husband’s hand and severed the tendons which were totally exposed. The rescuers called EMS but I was unable to move as my injuries were a bit more extensive. I had a lacerated liver, lung, 5 broken ribs, a mild concussion, torn Mcl in my leg and my shoulder was out of place. After 4 hrs, I was removed from the car by jaws of life and airlifted to Mission. All four hours,while I was so scared, my rescuers(folks from Greenville) stayed at my side and actually held my hand.

I feel the BRP is a Miracle place to us and because of that even opted to get BRP license plates for our cars. Of course my original car was totaled!  Today, we proudly display our plates showing the BRP where our miracle happened.

- Rita from Hendersonville, NC

The parkway’s deputy chief ranger Lena Koschmann has accepted the Chief Ranger position at Fire Island National Seashore in New York. Lena’s last day on the parkway is Friday, January 13, 2012. We wish Lena good luck and thank her for her contributions to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

On January 1, 2012, U.S. Park Ranger Margaret Anderson was shot and killed in the performance of her duties as a law enforcement officer at Mount Rainier National Park. Margaret Anderson was one of only 1,500 Law
North Carolina, Virginia

Enforcement Rangers around the country, and the pain of her death is felt around the Nation. She was the first female Ranger to be slain in the line of duty, the ninth Ranger killed feloniously since the National Park Service was established in 1916. Law Enforcement Rangers are highly skilled and well trained, attending basic law enforcement training along with all other federal law enforcement officers at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Ranger Anderson was known as a competent and skilled law enforcement officer, a friend, a coworker, a wife, and a mother of two. Her funeral service will be held in Tacoma, Washington on Tuesday, January 10th, 2012.

Rangers around the country, including those here at the Blue Ridge Parkway, are mourning Margaret’s death. In remembrance of her sacrifice, uniformed employees have been wearing a black mourning band over their badge since her death on January 1. In addition, flags at all Parkway offices are being flown at half staff on the day of her interment, January 10, 2012. At 4:00pm on January 10, as her funeral service begins in Tacoma, Washington, the Blue Ridge Parkway Dispatch Center will be broadcasting a last radio call, and asking for a moment of silence and a salute in her honor. Parkway staff around the park will pause in honor of United States Park Ranger Margaret Anderson, badge number 1074, that she is gone but never forgotten.