Blue Ridge Mountains – Wandering Dawgs

Our latest road trip destination was southwest Virginia. The scenery was spectacular as we drove north from Georgia through the mountains of North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

20190416-Redbut-in-NC-(3) — Eastern Redbud at rest area in Western North Carolina

After an overnight stop in Asheville we continued to be awed by the scenery as we drove north through the Blue Ridge Mountains. The flowering eastern redbud trees added splashes of pink as we traveled to Southwest Virginia.

20190417-Blue-Ridge-Mountains-in-NC-(1) — View of the Blue Ridge Mountains from North Carolina Interstate Overlook

20190417-Tennessee-Welcome-Center-(1) — Tennessee Welcome Center between Asheville and and Virginia

20190417-Virginia-Welcome-Center-(6) — Virginia welcome center in Bristol

20190417-Virginia-Welcome-Center-(9) — At the Virginia Welcome Center in Bristol

On our way to see Luray Caverns we took a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

20190419-Blue-Ridge-Parkway-Virginia-(27) — Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia

20190419-Blue-Ridge-Parkway-IPhone-(1) — Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia

After we purchased our tickets at Luray Caverns we had a short wait before we walked down the steps to begin the 90 minute tour. We followed our tour guide and stopped a few times along the way to admire the spectacular formations (and of course take photos).

20190420-Luray-Caverns-(14) — Reflecting pool, Luray Caverns, Virginia

20190420-Luray-Caverns-(71) — Wishing Well, Luray Caverns, Virginia

Luray Caverns, Virginia

All three generations of our family enjoyed the caverns, even our two teenage grandchildren!

Located in the northeast Georgia near Blairsville, Brasstown Bald is the highest point in Georgia at 4,784 feet.

Just getting there is quite an adventure. We drove west from Dillard on beautiful Georgia mountain roads. The last few miles we drove on narrow Georgia Spur 180 with sharp turns, switchbacks, and steep grades before arriving at the parking lot for Brasstown Bald.

The parking lot is located .6 miles below the top of Brasstown Bald. We could either hike up a steep trail or take a shuttle. We chose the shuttle.

20181001Brasstown-Bald-(3) — The observation deck as seen from the parking lot

After the shuttle dropped us off at the top we walked up a few steps to the observation deck where the views were spectacular in all directions. On a clear day visitors can see 4 states. It was cloudy that day but we were able to see three states – Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina. We also toured the museum and watched a short film about the mountain.

Tag: Blue Ridge Mountains

Spring Road Trip

Brasstown Bald, Georgia’s Highest Point