BYWAYS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 100 get to know North Carolina’s people and communities and see the diverse beauty the Tar Heel state has to offer – from the high peaks of the Appalachian Mountains to the fertile hills of the Piedmont to the marshes, sounds and beaches of the Coast Plain.

In the High Country, several byways offer peak viewing opportunities, whether it is the greenery and lush vegetation and historic sites during the summer months, or even a return trip in the fall to see the kaleidoscope of autumn colors and leaves on a leisurely drive in the back country.

The byways in some cases traverse through major thoroughfares of rural communities, while others take travelers through roads less traveled. Following the byways, motorists will see some of North Carolina’s most breathtaking scenery, from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the fertile plains of the Piedmont to the crystal blue shores of the coast. The routes are clearly marked with N.C. Scenic Byways signs, and motorists are encouraged to follow maps and route descriptions carefully.

NC Department of Transportation notes that portions of some routes are not suitable for various types of vehicles, and also states that a few routes may be briefly interrupted by commercial or municipal areas. In such cases, the scenic byway may temporarily end, but directions are available to help drivers resume the route.

N.C. Scenic Byways vary in length from 1.5 to 170 miles and in character from curvy mountain roads to ferry rides across coastal sounds. If following the byways in reverse order from the descriptions given, please keep in mind that the directions will be used in reverse order as well.

The following are a number of NC Scenic Byways that traverse through the High Country of Avery, Ashe and

Watauga counties.

Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway is often referred to as the original “scenic byway.” The parkway’s 252 miles in North Carolina are recognized as an “All American Road” by the Federal Highway Administration. The route provides spectacular mountain and valley vistas, quiet pastoral scenes, sparkling waterfalls, and colorful flower and foliage displays. Construction began in 1935 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal program. During President Ronald Reagan’s administration, the last mile was completed around Grandfather Mountain. An effort of 52 years, nine presidents, and $130 million resulted in the 469 miles that connect the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina.

Mission Crossing

Mission Crossing byway guides motorists through Avery and Watauga counties along NC 194 through North Carolina’s ski country and along the northern range of the Roan Mountains in Pisgah National Forest before descending into the Watauga River Valley, the name of which is derived from the Native American word for “beautiful water,” and ending in the community of Vilas. Before leaving the valley, be sure to visit the Mast Farm Inn and Mast General Store, an authentic general store that opened in 1882. The farm, established in 1812, is one of the best preserved 19th-century farms in Western North Carolina and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. After leaving Valle Crucis, notice the unusual barn on the right while climbing out of the valley. The Baird Barn, built in the late 19th to early 20th century, is an excellent example of a transverse crib barn.

Little Parkway

Little Parkway byway begins at the intersection of US 221 and NC 105 in Linville. Follow US 221 (Blowing Rock Hwy.) for 18.5 miles to the intersection with US 321 Bus (Main Street) in Blowing Rock where the byway ends.

Little Parkway traverses through Avery, Watauga and Caldwell counties. Built in 1889 by men and mules as a toll road, Little Parkway, also known as Yonahlossee Trail (one of many privately-owned roads in the state), winds its way along the side of Grandfather Mountain and served as the link between Blowing Rock and Linville before the completion of the Blue Ridge Parkway in 1987. Linville, established in 1883 and designed by Samuel T. Kelsey of Kansas, is located on the Linville River. South of Linville are Linville Falls and Linville Gorge. All were named for William and John Linville who were killed below the falls by Native Americans in 1766. The upper and lower falls, accessed from the Blue Ridge Parkway, are 12 feet and 90 feet tall, respectively. Linville Gorge is among the nation’s largest gorges and is located in one of the wildest uninhabited areas in the Eastern United States. While traveling from Linville to Blowing Rock, watch for signs marking the Eastern Continental Divide, an invisible line that separates the waters flowing to the Atlantic Ocean from those flowing to the Gulf of Mexico.

New River Valley Byway

New River Valley Byway begins at the intersection of US 421/US 221 and NC 194 in Boone. Follow NC 194 north for 17.8 miles to the intersection of NC 194 and US 221 in the Baldwin community where the byway temporarily ends. Turn left onto US 221 and follow for 3.5 miles to the West Jefferson town limits. Continue on US 221 for another 4.5 miles through West Jefferson and Jefferson to the intersection of US 221 and NC 16/NC 88. Follow NC 16/NC 88 straight for another 3.1 miles to the intersection of NC 16 and NC 88. (This section is not part of the designated scenic byway.) Continue straight on NC 88 for 10.1 miles to continue the designated byway to the intersection of NC 88 and NC 18 in Laurel Springs where the byway ends.

Venturing through Watauga and

Ashe, the New River Valley Byway allows motorists to experience some of the most beautiful mountain scenery and the largest concentration of Christmas tree farms in the state. The route travels north from Boone to Laurel Springs through the Stone Mountains, which forms a common boundary between North Carolina and Tennessee. The byway bends and turns as it crosses mountains and passes over rivers and streams through the New River Valley. As you travel on NC 194 along what was once called the “Old Buffalo Trail,” imagine buffalo herds using this route as a migration path like they once did. The route provides access to areas that are popular for hiking, white water rafting, and canoeing as well.

Us 421 Scenic Byway

As the US 421 Scenic Byway travels across Watauga County through the Blue Ridge Mountains, it offers sweeping views of the valleys, woodlands, and mountains between the towns of Deep Gap and Boone. It also runs near the home of multiple Grammy Award winner and cultural icon Doc Watson. Near the beginning of the route, you will see where the Blue Ridge Parkway crosses US 421 on a bridge covered with native stones to reflect the beauty of the area. As the byway ascends the ridge toward Boone, the home of Appalachian State University, motorists are provided with panoramic views of Snake Mountain and Elk Knob, which are a part of the Amphibolite Range. Along the way, motorists can take in views of the area’s hardwood and mixed forests, as well as horse and cattle farms. Also visible are a number of Fraser Fir Christmas tree farms. Watauga County is a leading national producer of these firs.

Big Horse Creek Byway

In Ashe County, Big Horse Creek Scenic Byway highlights the rural life in the beautiful mountains of Ashe County. The county was once known as one of North Carolina’s “lost provinces,” a remote, inaccessible county cut off from

SEE BYWAYS ON PAGE 104