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scrivi al direttoreTravels in America di James Weaver
Virginia, the Blue Ridge Story
Nuovo viaggio alla scoperta degli States con James Weaver. In questa puntata il famoso giornalista americano ci porta in Virginia per conoscere la storia dei suoi Parchi Nazionali.
Seventy five years ago, the nation was in the midst of the Great Depression. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was desperately looking for ways to put men back to work. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was one of his best programs designed to do just that. The national park system was just being established.
The Shenandoah National Park, in northwest Virginia had been operating since 1926, but the Great Smokey Mountain National Park had just opened. Government leaders in Virginia were able to convince President Roosevelt that a road should be built connecting the two parks (about 500 miles apart) along a scenic mountain ridge.
The road would be designated the Blue Ridge Parkway and CCC workers would build. Construction work began 75 years ago, although the project was not complete until the early 1980s. Today, it is one of the most popular scenic roadways in the world with millions of visitors each year.
The narrow winding two lane road with a 35 mph speed limit is not what you want if you are in a hurry to get somewhere, but if you are looking for exceptional scenic views at every turn, in all seasons, than the Blue Ridge Parkway is your kind of road.
Part of the Parkway’s great attraction is also what there is along it. Travelers need several days to drive the road and to visit the many attractions nearby. We began at Wintergreen, a spectacular year-round resort community high in the mountains that offers great skiing in the winter and great golfing in the remainder of the year.
You can rental a full size vacation home or condo apartment here or buy one, if you prefer. Wintergreen also has a fine restaurant and a luxurious spa. Learn more at www.wintergreenresort.com.
Lexington, Virginia, is a historic town just off the Parkway, best known as the home of the Virginia Military Institute and Washington & Lee University. It’s possible to tour both schools and well worth the time.
There is a walkable downtown district with a number of interesting shops, but the highlight of my visit to Lexington was dinner at The Red Hen.Learn more at www.redhenlex.com and wwwlexingtonvirginia.com.
Where you find mountains, its likely you’ll also find caverns. There are several in the area, but one of the best known is Luray Caverns. See www.laurayvaverns.com.
The world famous Natural Bridge is located here too. In fact, the Parkway runs right over the top of it. Its an interesting natural rock formation and worth visiting. Perhaps the best part of this attraction, however, is the Indian Village located there.
Its an authentic representation 18th century Indian camp site hand built by local tribal members who have gathered the materials in the area and constructed the site as it would have been in centuries past. The interpreters are Native American and excellent. See www.naturalbridge.com.
The City of Roanoke was my next stop. Once a major railroad center, its now an economically diverse vibrant urban center. It’s newest attraction is the spectacular Taubman Art Museum. Its futuristic architectural design dominates a new city skyline.
The museum’s exhibits and permanent collection are exceptional and the gallery space is outstanding. Its a must see when you visit Roanoke. View www.taubmanartmuseum.org and www.visitroanokeva.com
Our next stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway was in Floyd, Virginia. Floyd County is the “Cradle of Old Time Appalachian Music” and in no place is this more evident than at the Floyd Country Store.
A jamboree is held here every Friday night that attracts many hundreds of musician, dancers, and followers of this American musical form. Crowds spill over into the streets and parking lots nearby and the event takes on a life of its own. There are also concerts on Saturday and Sunday here.
Although, there is only one traffic signal in the entire county, the place attracts numerous tourists in the summer. There is a new hotel, several good restaurants, and a couple of quality craft and art galleries.
Another Floyd County stop worth visiting is Mabry Mill, Its a picturesque old mill in operation 1910 to 1935 and made famous by artists and photographers the world over. A trail takes visitors to the gristmill, sawmill, and blacksmith shop. Old-time skills are demonstrated in the summer.
Western Virginia is wine country and there are numerous wineries along the Parkway. One of the very best is Château Morrisette located near Floyd. Both the wine and the restaurant are exceptional. See www.thedogs.com.
Near the Parkway and just a few miles from North Carolina is Olde Mill Golf Resort. The spectacular mountain setting offers one of the most challenging and beautiful golfing experience to be had anywhere. There’s also a fine restaurant, fitness center, indoor pool, tennis courts, pro shop, plus luxury rental and purchase condos and vacation homes. See www.oldemill.net.
Charlottesville is located near the northern end of the Parkway and an important travel destination in itself. Three of our nation’s “Founding Fathers” lived nearby and you can visit their homes. Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello is the best known and has a fine new visitors center. James Monroe’s Ash Lawn-Highland home is far less grand, but still worth your time.
James Madison and his wife Dolly’s home, Montpelier, is more than an hour drive north of Charlottesville, but well worth the trip. A major restoration project is nearing completion and the historic home has been returned to the way it was when Madisons lived here. See www.montpelier.org. Also see www.pursuecharlottesville.com.
The Blue Ridge Parkway region is exceptional wine country with about twenty wineries located near Charlottesville. The best way to visit them is to take a wine tour and one of the best tours is operated by Arcady Vineyard. See www.arcadyvineyard.com.
To learn more about the Parkway see www.blueridgeparkway.org. Begin your trip to Virginia at www.virginia.org.
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