Find your Journey. Then help protect it.

October 2016 - In this Issue of The Scenic:
Building Bridges Together
  
The newly opened Boone Fork Bridge on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail

Come join us to celebrate the opening of the Boone Fork Bridge on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail in the popular Price Lake Picnic Area, milepost 297, this Saturday, October 22, at 10 a.m. This 80-foot pedestrian span allows hikers to avoid wading across Boone Fork as they trek from the Boone Fork Trail to Shulls Mill Road, where the path continues to Moses H. Cone Memorial Park. The festivities begin with remarks from Kate Dixon, Executive Director of the Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail; Scott Crocker, Manager of the North Carolina Trails Program; Carolyn Ward, CEO of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation; and Matt Henderson with the Blue Ridge Parkway. The group will then set off on a 1.2-mile hike to the bridge for a ribbon cutting ceremony. Light refreshments will be provided at the picnic area. See you there!
Cutting the ribbon on Mount Mitchell's new TRACK Trail

More trails to blaze with Kids in Parks

With its cooler days and colorful foliage, fall is an ideal time to hike one of our Kids in Parks TRACK Trails. Now there are even more to explore. We've just added trails at Mount Mitchell State Park (off the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 355), Shenandoah National Park, and  Prairie Ridge EcoStation in Raleigh, North Carolina.

At Mount Mitchell, the hike starts at the upper summit parking lot. From there, hikers can quickly reach the top of Mount Mitchell or explore the trails that cut through some of the most unique habitat in the Southeastern United States. The peak is the highest point east of the Mississippi River at 6,684 feet. The temperature is often lower at this elevation, so bring layers of clothing.

Fox Hollow Trail in Shenandoah National Park is now outfitted with guides that lead hikers through the woods to discover the remains of the historic Fox family homestead. There are also Kids in Parks activity guides at Limberlost and Blackrock Summit trails.

The Prairie Ridge EcoStation TRACK Trail is an easy half-mile route that meanders through a variety of habitats including bottomland forest and prairie grassland. A diversity of plants, animals, and other life can be found among the myriad habitats, including a pond and stream.

Learn more about Kids in Parks
Last chance to catch a concert
at the Blue Ridge Music Center
  
Craver, Hicks, Watson & Newberry play the Music Center on October 29.


There is just one concert left before the Blue Ridge Music Center closes for the season. Craver, Hicks, Watson & Newberry will perform in the indoor theater at 5 p.m. Saturday, October 29. These four venerable musicians mix new and vintage old-time tunes, and fittingly throw in some Red Clay Ramblers songs for good measure. Bill Hicks, Jim Watson, and Mike Craver, all former members of the Ramblers, have gathered together in a new incarnation with Joe Newberry. Tickets are $15 and seating is limited. 

 
  
Music Center closing for the season
Next week will be your last chance in 2016 to explore the  Roots of American Music Museum and take in one of the daily  Midday Mountain Music sessions on the breezeway at the Blue Ridge Music Center. The Visitor Center and Museum close for the season on Sunday, October 30.
Road to the Past

Photo courtesy of the National Park Service

Did you know that Mount Mitchell was North Carolina's first state park? One hundred years later, we are celebrating the centennial anniversary of both the National Park Service and North Carolina State Parks. The view is just as majestic today as it was when this photo was taken in 1946. Click here to check out a live cam view.

Calling all photographers!

"Coming Down the Lump Hill" by Dianne Sherrill, a finalist in the 12th annual competition.

The annual Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition is accepting submissions! The theme of this year's Blue Ridge Parkway category is "Blue Ridge Parkway: A Place to Play." The photographer of the winning image in this category will receive a $250 cash award provided by the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and a camera from Nikon Professional Services. Photographers are encouraged to document how the Parkway offers many opportunities for people of all ages to enjoy outdoor activities and the park unit's natural bounty. The c ompetition is accepting entries through  November 18, 2016, at 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.appmtnphotocomp.org .

Order your North Carolina specialty license tag and help the Parkway.  For each attractive Blue Ridge Parkway license plate sold, $20 funds important projects on the scenic route. Get yours today!
 
 
Are you getting a head start on your holiday shopping? You can double your generosity when you shop by designating that a portion of proceeds from your purchases go to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. Signing up is easy: visit smile.amazon.com. On your first visit to AmazonSmile, you'll be asked to choose a charitable organization to receive donations. Simply select the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, and every eligible purchase you make will help fund crucial initiatives. If you already have an account, visit the Your AmazonSmile section under Your Account to designate the Foundation as your charity. Happy shopping! Click here to sign up. 

Your support matters
Join our Community of Stewards                           

 

As the primary fundraiser and trusted steward of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Foundation is forever committed to preserving the past, enhancing the present, and safeguarding the future of America's Favorite Journey™. Learn more about joining our Community of Stewards at BRPFoundation.org.


Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation
717 S. Marshall St., Suite 105B
Winston-Salem, NC 27101-5865
(866) 308-2773