Experience the Mountains First Hand - Get out and Drive!
The government shutdown has created more opportunities for less traffic on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's still possible to get out there and see the Fall colors before they are gone for good. The Goverment Shutdown is Making Mountain Travel Difficult Sadly, the Goverment Shutdown has caused a lot of chaos on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Specificially, the Parkway has had to closedown all of the picnic areas, visitor centers, and even campgrounds. As another "added benefit," The Great Smokies National Park has also been shut down for sixteen days. When the shutdown started, all of the rangers there were immediately put on Furlow. There was just a bit of good news in that the park had an infusion of 75K from North Carolina and 305K from Tennesse. This allowed the Great Smokies National Park to open up for five days. Learn extra resources on our affiliated URL by going to blowing rock nc real estate. Push Your Trip Back to Late Fall So what's the best thing to do? Well, there are parks that are still open, however, our suggestion is to wait and do a visit in later autumn. Here’s your science lesson for the day. Nights have been so mild that trees are still producing chlorophyll, the chemical that makes plants green. Chlorophyll covers up the carotenoid, which colors leaves yellow (and actually gives carrots their orange hue). As the temperatures drop down into the 40's and 50's, the chlorophyll will disappear. At that point, the orange and yellow shades will show up and we'll have the amazing Fall season. Visit Mount Pisgah and Other Higher Elevations If you do have a trip that you've planned to see the leaves, don't worry yet. You'll still have a lot of opportunity to see the leaves, especially at the higher elevations where the folliage changes earlier due to the cooler weather. State forests and parks are still open, so Mt. Pisgah would be a fun hike, with available picnic spots. Everybody loves a great drive along the Parkway because, as you drive along, you'll see a wide range of different types of fall colors. It's really a great idea to bring a thick coat or sweater because there's usually a 25 to 35 degree difference. Of course, you really should be wearing polarized sunglasses while driving. If you have a good camera, take some pictures too! One of the most fun things to do is simply drive to a rocky overlook and snap pictures of friends and the scenery, whether it’s on a smart phone or nice camera. The setting makes everyone look good!. Try This Local Community Many people fall in love with the mountains after a trip here during the fall.Of course, we are in love with this place because we live here! If you'd like to live in an area with amazing Autumn scenery, look into the Blue Ridge Mountain Club. Blue Ridge Mountain Club is actually a huge 6,000 acre community in the Boone, NC and Blowing Rock NC areas. And yes, they have their own amazing hiking trails so you don't have to worry.
Explore Your Beautiful Mountain Community with a Drive on the Parkway
