PARKWAY

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 98 variety of scenery to take in. The drive weaves in and around the mountains, taking you from views that extend for miles to trees and foliage that tower over the road.

The next major exit is at the intersection with Highway 221. Here you can travel north toward Boone or south toward Blowing Rock. Smaller and quieter than Boone, Blowing Rock is a popular destination for tourists to experience mountain life.

Sticking to the Parkway, one of the Parkway’s major attractions is just a few miles from Blowing Rock. Moses H. Cone Manor is a historic estate that preserves and presents the legacy of Moses Cone. A textile entrepreneur, conservationist and philanthropist, Cone has played an important role in North Carolina’s history.

The mansion, known as Flat Top Manor, was built in 1901 as a summer retreat for Cone and his wife, Bertha. The bright white 20-room mansion sits atop a hill overlooking Bass Lake and downtown Blowing Rock.

The family donated the estate to the National Park Service in 1949. This attraction is free and open to the public and offers a variety of hiking trails for visitors to bask in the beauty of the Appalachians.

The next famous stop along the way is Julian Price Park at MP 297. The name comes from the park’s former owner who bought the 4,200 acres as a recreational retreat for his employees. After his death, the park was donated to the National Park Service in 1946.

Price Lake is the central attraction in this park where visitors can go canoeing, fishing or hike around the lake. There is also a primitive campground that visitors can stay at to spend a night under the stars.

Continuing farther down the Parkway, visitors will be able to drive along the eastern side of Grandfather Mountain. This was the last section of the Parkway to be completed and took years of negotiating and planning.

The owner of Grandfather, Hugh Morton, opposed the construction, as it would pose a threat to the delicate ecosystem on the mountain. Once Morton and the architects reached an agreement, they designed a one-of-itskind bridge that flows in unity with the landscape.

The bridge, known as the Linn Cove Viaduct, marked the completion of the Blue Ridge Parkway. This famous bridge is marked at MP 304 and is a popular attraction as its breathtaking views draw in thousands of visitors each year.

After cruising past Grandfather Mountain, there is an exit point to US 221 that heads toward Linville. Driving this curvy mountain road will take you past the entrance to the Grandfather Mountain attraction where you can experience the western face of Grandfather from the famous MileHigh Swinging Bridge. There is a fee to enter the park and more information can be found online at www.grandfather.com.

Staying on the Parkway, visitors will come upon the Linville Falls area at MP 316. This stop includes a visitor center, hiking trails, a campground and a picnic area. Hikes in this area venture in and above Linville Gorge. Known as the Grand Canyon of the East, Linville Gorge is an incredibly unique landscape.

Continuing south, the Parkway winds through the lovely mountain town of Spruce Pine. At MP 331 the Museum of North Carolina Minerals is open to visitors year-round. Here, you can learn about the history of mining in the area and explore the hundreds of minerals and gems on display.

The Parkway continues for another 140 miles where opportunities for overlooks, hiking, picnic spots and camping are abundant. Cruising the Blue Ridge Parkway is truly a oneof-a-kind experience. The diverse ecosystem that surrounds the Parkway is a beautiful thing to take in.