Blue Ridge Parkway

Last Christmas my family and I vacationed in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, and it was my first time in that part of the country.  I was totally taken aback by the beauty of the area.  The trees, rocks, streams, and, yes, blue hue of the mountains were really something to see.

And the best way we found to see them was to take the Blue Ridge Parkway.  The parkway is a road that runs for nearly 500 miles through Virginia and North Carolina; often very high up in the mountain range.  This height affords some fantastic views.  Here are just a couple of examples:

This shot conveys just how much altitude there is on the Parkway

Here is just one of dozens of streams that we encountered

 Another great example of the height of the Parkway

In case you wondered how the Blue Ridge Mountains got their name

This is just another example of the diversity and beauty of the United States.  If you happen to ever be in the area, I strongly recommend a quick run along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  It will be worth the trip.