This was actually our second end to end trip on the BRP. We camped along the way the first time in 2007 and during that trip thought it would be cool to drive the length in a convertible someday. During these 4 days on the BRP we had temps in the mid 90s and as low as 59.... which wasn't expected at all. We are proud to say that the top never went up until we got to where we were staying at night. We took the Auto Train from Florida to Virginia and completed Skyline Drive before hitting the Parkway. It was a great week and we hope to do this every year.
Started in Front Royal, VA on a beautiful sunny day and headed South. The weather became colder and windy as I went. By the time I hit the Asheville area I had my heated jacket liner and gloves turned on high! And while there was a lot of color still in the leaves in VA they were all nearly gone at the South end in NC. Want to to do this trip again but a little earlier in the Fall!
Thru my husband growing up enjoying camping in the Mtns and riding on the Parkway, he taught me the love and respect for it all, we have gone many a mile thru the NC mtns and a few years ago we drove it all the way up to Roanoke Va. and i will start talking him into a beginning to end trip real soon. We were just up there the week before Easter :)
Several friends and I rode the Parkway from end to end in July 1987, but the section around Grandfather Mountain was unfinished and we had to use the 221 detour. The section was to open after the Dedication ceremonies on Sept.11, 1987. I rode my Trumph Bonneville to work at Steelcase the day before the opening, and after work I rode to Grandfather Mtn. It began to rain when I got there and began to get dark....
