Blue Ridge Parkway---on the motorcycle

[NCN]

Jumpin' Off Rocks - elev. 3165' (Milepost 260.0)

GrannySue, if you walk the trail at this overlook, when you get to the end at the little rock wall, you can look to the mountains on the far right and see a clearing (a place where the trees have been cleared); that is where my father spent his childhood. His Dad owned a little farm there.

I am not talking about the jumping off rocks, I am talking about the far away mountains.

If you look straight across at the mountains, you will see a really small dirt road. That is the road that leads to the Northwest Trading Post. I have traveled that road many times. That road is Old North Carolina 16. The commercial bus used to travel on that road from North Wilkesboro to West Jefferson. The curves were so deep that at some points the bus had to go halfway around a curve and than back up a little to make it all the way around, according to my mother who had ridden on the bus. At that overlook you will have passed by N. C. 16, but if you go to the Northwest Trading Post and turn left, that road will take you to the church in Glendale Springs that has the Lord's Supper on the wall and the Baptist Church next door to that church which have graves of many of my family. Keep on N. C. 16 to get to the New River and Shatley Springs Restaurant. You may want to stop at the Northwest Trading Post and they will direct you. They are a friendly bunch and some of them may be people I know. The little service station right before you get to the famous church is where we used to go to get gas and little treats such as pop corn and cheese crackers and RC Cola.

Sorry, I know this is too much information. I am missing my grandfather. His birthday was this time of year and we used to go to his home the Sunday before or after his birthday for a family reunion birthday dinner for Grandpa.

[rxpwas]

Where along the Parkway do you see the "Brown Mtn Lights"? On a somewhat related note, one time driving the Parkway not far from Blowing Rock, I heard a train whistle, scared the pee out of me for a second, knowing no railroad was along the Parkway, then I realized the train whistle came from Tweetsie Railroad Amusement Park (the sound must have carried pretty good that day).

[Granny Sue]

Originally Posted by rxpwas

Where along the Parkway do you see the "Brown Mtn Lights"? On a somewhat related note, one time driving the Parkway not far from Blowing Rock, I heard a train whistle, scared the pee out of me for a second, knowing no railroad was along the Parkway, then I realized the train whistle came from Tweetsie Railroad Amusement Park (the sound must have carried pretty good that day).

Blue Ridge Parkway - Home

I requested a info package from this website a couple years ago and it's packed full of things to see along the way. I'm going to order a new one about January.

I've been taking all these hints from others and making notes on the map.

NCN...never fear...what wonderful memories you have!

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by rxpwas

Where along the Parkway do you see the "Brown Mtn Lights"? On a somewhat related note, one time driving the Parkway not far from Blowing Rock, I heard a train whistle, scared the pee out of me for a second, knowing no railroad was along the Parkway, then I realized the train whistle came from Tweetsie Railroad Amusement Park (the sound must have carried pretty good that day).

You have to be lucky to see them at all - as they are mythical and unexplained

The link below says you can see them at mile marker 310 -Lost Cove Cliffs Overlook Located on the Blue Ridge Parkway 2 miles north of the NC highway 181 junction

We like to look for them at the overlook on hwy 181 just northwest of the city of Morganton.
http://www.westernncattractions.com/BMLights.htm