Guide To the Blue Ridge Parkway by Victoria Logue, Frank Logue, and Nicole Blouin

» Authors: Victoria Logue, Frank Logue, and Nicole Blouin
» Pages: 160 pages
» Size: 9.1″ x 5.8″
» Format: Paperback
» Features: Third edition, color photographs, maps

Flowing among the beautiful mountains and valleys of Virginia and North Carolina, the 469-mile-long Blue Ridge Parkway is a true American treasure. The Parkway delivers unrivaled beauty to millions of motorists as they travel along the scenic byway. Whether going for the day or driving the entire parkway, visitors will want to grab a copy of the Guide to the Blue Ridge Parkway in order to aid their journey.

With a new cover and text design, this third edition milepost guide highlights the many significant points of interest located on and nearby the Parkway, including Mount Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi, Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, and Mabry Mill, one of the most photographed sites on the Parkway. Locations of tunnels, waterfalls, and overlooks, as well as key entry/exit points along the Parkway are noted in the guide as well. Also included in the book is an extensive wildflower bloom calendar, a look at the surrounding geology and human history of the area, and a brief history of the Parkway itself .

A national treasure that was designed to be enjoyed from the seat of a car, the Blue Ridge Parkway reveals the splendor and beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. You’ll want a copy of the Guide to the Blue Ridge Parkway if you are planning a visit in order to discover all that the Parkway has to offer.

This milepost guide highlights important destinations and attractions on the 469-mile Parkway, including remnants of historical Appalachia, cultural parks, and campgrouns and trailheads. Sidebars throughout the guidebook cover diverse subjects, such as the preservation of view sheds and the habits of animals that frequent the Parkway. And wildflower enthusiasts will benefit from the bloom calendar, which notes general locations of the flowers and peak bloom times.

Whether you tour the entire length of the Parkway or explore only a few miles , the Guide to the Blue Ridge Parkway will guarantee you get miles of enjoyment out of this American jewel.

About the Authors

Frank and Victoria Logue hiked the entire Appalachian Trail in 1988. They have returned again and again to hike its many sections on day and overnight hikes. Frank served on the Appalachian Trail Conference Board of Managers. The Logues live in Georgia where Frank works as an Episcopal priest while Victoria writes. They both enjoy sharing their love of nature with their daughter, Griffin.

Born in Florida, Nicole Blouin graduated from Appalachian State University in North Carolina, where she fell in love with the mountains. Presently, she lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and keeps busy with freelance writing, editing work, and managing a rock climbing gym.

Introduction
A Blue Ridge Sampler: Milepost 0-105
American Elk
Agriculture along the Parkway
National Parks and Forests
White-Tailed Deer
Hawk Migration
Roanoke and the Vicinity: Milepost105-135
Blight and Insects Plague Parkway Trees
Settlers on the Landscape: Agriculture and Rural Life: Milepost 135-292
Fences
Log Cabins
Mountain Ranges
Daniel Boone
Groundhog
Appalachian Cultural Museum
A House Divided
Grandfather and the Black Mountains: Milepost 292-380
Park Concessions
Waterfalls Along the Parkway

Building the Parkway Tunnels
The Decline of the Fraser-Fir Forests
Rhododendrons
Asheville and Vicinity: Milepost 380-390
Mountains-to-Sea Trail
High Mountain Wilderness Views: Milepost 390-469
Black Bear
Managing Views
Air Quality
Southern Appalachian Balds
Spring Houses
Appendices
Blue Ridge Parkway Bloom Calendar
Blue Ridge Parkway Contact Information
Trailheads on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Milepost Tunnel Guide
Index

Reader Reviews

This book was so much more than I expected. It is very detailed in any and all aspects. All sites along the drive are marked by mile markers right down to the tenth of a mile. There is a brief section that tells about the history of the area. Other sites, stops, overlooks and points of interest are well documented. There are also sidebars to the wildlife that are native to the region. There is a section dedicated to what plants and flowers are in bloom(Bloom Calendar)from Jan. through Dec. Campgrounds are marked by mile markers and they specifically tell how many tent and/or RV sites are available as well as the elevation. Trailheads are marked by state. Tunnels are also marked by mile marker and length. However, the height clearance was not. A must have book for first time and repeat visitors. I also recommend "GUIDE TO THE NATCHEZ TRACE PARKWAY". It is by another author but has the same format.

I was on the B.R. PKWY and needed something more than the simple park map to figure out where the interesting hikes and views were. This book does it and does it well. I have been on the pkwy many times, but some of the history had eluded me until I got to glance through this guide. My buddy liked it so much, he bought his own just because I was always reading it. If you are going to drive the pkwy, I would recommend this book to help you get the most out of your trip.