Once a year we attempt to go on vacation. Big, small, far, near….it matters not. What counts is that we try to get a break from the normal day-to-day and do things that are new. Last year, we went on a big road-trip to Ohio, Pittsburgh and then Richmond. This year we wanted to repeat that fun and plan another road trip.
I saw in a Southern Living magazine that during the fall, the Blue Ridge parkway is one of the best scenic drives…and since it was going the general direction that we were headed, we decided to make that one of our points of interest.
Let me tell you, it was like a Mel Gibson movie and did not disappoint.
Our route started relatively flat and calm.
a few times there would be evidence that fall was coming…
but nothing exciting till we started seeing the mountains at the end of the Appalachains.
Once we actually entered the parkway, I was all too excited and told Jer that we should stop, get out and look around….and when I say “told” I mean, swerve the SUV into the nearest flat area next to a drop off railing and pull the baby out.
It wasn’t the most scenic place to stop but that’s okay…Will needed a break anyway.
The crazy part about driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway in October was the trees. Literally all the trees were gold…or orange…or multicolored. It was like driving inside a rainbow.
Oh and did I mention the tunnels? There were tons of tunnels…and so I got lightheaded because I hold my breath going through them. Yes I am 30 years old and hold my breath in tunnels.
Once we got near the top, it really started getting gorgeous. I can only liken it to being in a carpet factory when they are putting the carpet through rigorous quality testing and washed it and then layed it out to dry. That’s my interpretation for it.
Oh and the summit was crazy. Windy and COLD.
You can’t really tell it’s windy unless you look at the leaves or my crazy hair.
We also stopped for me to run up this little path. The view wasn’t spectacular but the path was adorable.
Oh and the sunset was cool too.
As soon as it started going down, the shadow was crazy and bold. It totally gave new meaning to being in the valley with the shadow of death. EEKK!
Jer scored a really nice place for us those first two nights. Here’s where we called home…
It had a separate master and kids bedroom and bathroom…
gorgeous views too.
All in all – great first day…oh and here’s a slideshow with more photos and scenic views. Be warned…there’s a whole lotta trees so if those aren’t your thing…well, wait for day four…it’s a monumental city day 🙂
WOW! Absolutely gorgeous. I drove from Nashville to Chattanooga this past weekend and the drive over Monteagle was gorgeous but NOTHING like this. Can’t wait to see more pics!
Awesome! I can’t wait to see the pictures from the whole trip. We have to travel just to see these beautiful fall colors. We don’t get much “fall” here in Pensacola. Oh, and your credits actually made me laugh out loud here at work. Thanks for those. And bacon.
Aww! It looks down there like it did up here a few weeks back. We still have some changes, but most trees have dropped their colors by down and are hunkering down for a chilly winter. I’m on the other end of the trail (about 2 hours away from it) so I’ve only seen it from our end. Blue Ridge is just as beautiful as I’ve heard! I hope we can get down there someday.
Autumn has always been my favorite season because of all those changing colors. Whenever I see pictures like these though, I am reminded of how much God loves us because He created these beautiful landscapes for us to enjoy. Thanks for sharing Katie!
Great views! Looks like a fun trip.
Beautiful pictures!!! Love the fall but especially love fall in the south. Those views are spectacular.
Katie-
I LOVE that you document all of your family milestones!! Can you please tell me any secrets that you may have for dealing with a husband who doesn’t like it when the camera is always on? Every time my dslr comes out…my husband hides!!!
Jeremy & Will always seem so photogenic!
Love the photos! We actually live in the Asheville area so we can frequent the parkway just about when ever we want…which is never nearly enough. But we have been up a couple of times this fall and I sort of smiled at some of your photos…as I had pretty much the same shots….looking down the road at all of the leaves, going through a tunnell, etc. Glad you all had fun up here; it really has been a beautiful fall season, although I’m currently dreading the raking of ALL of the freaking leaves that will be falling in our yard.
Love reading your blog, you always make me laugh! Enjoy the rest of the season!
It’s so funny when you read about something or hear about something, and think to yourself, “isn’t it funny how we all run around doing our own thing, not knowing that there are other people doing the exact same thing!”. I had to smile, remembering our 5th wedding anniversary this April…no presents because we were taking a trip…and then seeing Wicked for the first time! My husband was going to be out of town on business for our anniversary in London, so I hightailed it on a plane to London, and then we visited Paris. Now I’m back to everyday life (took me awhile to come down from that high) and back to pb&j sandwiches for lunch with my wild 2 year old boy, and rocking some Target clothes! But anyway, we also decided to hop in the car with our little guy to visit the Blue Ridge Parkway last weekend, and saw some almost identical scenes! We did find a picnic area perfect for kids to run around in, with tons of shallow creeks – one even with a stepping stone “bridge”. I know that Will would have loved that as much as our son! I’ll have to look up the name and remember it for future trips…
Wow! Gorgeous! Looks like so much fun!
I laughed out loud at the credits. And your stream of conscious. And how funny it was. And thanks for that. And bacon.
Great photos!! I can’t believe how clear they all came out (assuming some were taking while you were moving in the car). Can’t wait to hear about the rest of your trip.
Beautiful! We live in Charlottesville, right by the Blue Ridge. It is so beautiful here this time of year! Glad you got to enjoy it too:)
Looks like a great trip. Love the picture of you squeezing a pouting Will. So cute!
This post makes me homesick! My husband and I have a little house on a farm a mile off the Blue Ridge Parkway, about an hour from Boone. We are currently in Colorado while he finishes flight training. I’m missing fall in NC this year bad! Thanks for sharing your pics. I’m glad you were able to experience the beauty of the mountains I call home.
What is this fall you speak of? I live in very desert Arizona where fall means the scenery goes from brown to brownish, tan. I love it though, and I can experience fall through your pictures! P.S. What a little man Will is turning into! So handsome!
I was tickled to see the Haw Creek Valley sign! We were just there on Saturday (after visiting nearby Sky Top Orchards which I do recommend, just not on a SATURDAY, they were insanely busy!) Anyway, the parkway is quite long, so I thought it was funny that I also stopped and took a picture of the same sign, probably a few days after you I’m guessing. 🙂
Ah!! I just moved from Boone to GA. It’s beautiful in those mountains. Great pictures- made me miss it!! 🙂
Are all those shots from the Blue Ridge Parkway? I didn’t realize it was a 2-lane road in parts, thought it was all interstate. Even more reason to take a trip down there. The colors are amazing!
LOVE the pictures! This looks like the perfect fall trip. I’m in Nashville and I just want to jump in my car right now and drive over. Beautiful!
I’m so glad I’m not the only one who holds their breath going through a tunnel… Glad you had such a good time!
the photo of you squeezing/hugging Will on the slideshow is priceless. I imagine that same face will appear again as you hug him when he’s a teenager 🙂
Love your blog- just found it via younghouselove. I always love finding another homeschooler.
Quick question- what is that font you use for the “the” and “parkway” in the first blue ridge picture? Its exactly the type of font I’ve been looking for.
Thanks!
Beautiful pictures! We drove the BRP two weekends ago and also headed into Boone and up to the top of Grandfather Mountain. I’m definitely a coastal girl, but now that I live in Charlotte, I miss my New England falls and a fall trip the mountains definitely makes up for it! Did you go to the Daniel Boone Inn? If not, stop there to eat next time you’re in Boone.
I live just south of the Parkway so I am very excited about this post! Thanks for the reminder to never take the beauty of God’s handiwork for granted.
I love the blue ridge parkway since I partly grew up there and my parents live up there. I loved your slideshow although I have to admit I just danced around my kitchen not looking at most of the photos.
those pictures are beautiful!
i wish my husband loved road trips.
i just wanna hug those trees! so beautiful
Gorgeous!! We toured the Blue Ridge Parkway for a week in July this summer, and while it was stunning, now I feel like we picked the wrong time to go!
Looks like yall had a wonderful time! Can’t wait to hear about the rest of the trip!
It’s so beautiful down there! Can’t wait to hear about the rest of the trip! Also, I’m going to miss your hair after you cut it off; love the crazy wind photos. 🙂
That’s totally my stomping ground! I grew up not 5 minutes from the parkway in Southwestern VA. I’m glad you guys had a great time enjoying the park’s beauty!
It’s called Pea C-Squared and its a free handwriting font. I’m sure it is findable via google 🙂
xo – kb
Oh yes it goes down to two lanes for a big part of it…and it is scary if you look over the edge! All the photos are from that day too…it’s amazing the colors went through to make this gorgeous canvas 🙂
xo – kb
These photos are loveley…and the trees are beautiful. What a great time to go on a roadtrip!
I live about an hour and half from Boone. We go to the area pretty frequently and love driving on the parkway! So excited that you had such a good time and got to experience some of the wonders that NC has to offer!
I was going to ask about that font as well! Thank for the info Katie. I LOVE the Blue Ridge Parkway, especially Asheville. It is so beautiful this time of year. Did you stop and hike to the top of Mt Mitchell?
This has been on my to-do list for a looong time! So jealous!
Emily
PS There is a tunnel on our way from Rochester to Philadelphia (Lehigh Tunnel on I-476 in PA) and I always hold my breath. Jerry joins me sometimes which makes me feel less foolish. Oh, and not to brag or anything, but it’s just under 4500 feet and I can hold my breath the entire time! 12 year-old me would be pleased to know that. 🙂
So cool, I LOVE Wicked and my baby sis just scored a part on the West End version. Makes me wish I still lived in England-sigh
I hold my breath in tunnels too! My hubs thinks that I am superwoman when we go through a really long tunnel and make it the whole way. I’ve got breath holding skillz.
thank you for this post! i grew up near the br pkwy and it makes me a bit homesick to see it! so pretty this time of year! thanks for sharing and helpin me relive the good memories!
So stunning!! My husband and I visited the USA (from Australia) during summer and I so wanted to drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, but we ran out of time :(. We’re hoping to come again next year (fingers crossed!!) during fall and now after seeing your pictures I even more want to drive along there. Oh the colours!!
So glad you got to enjoy the parkway! That’s my neck of the woods & I’m out there every chance I get this time of year!!
I’m so excited that y’all went to Boone! I live in Raleigh now, but ASU is my alma mater and I am convinced that there’s no other town quite as incredible as Boone in October. 🙂
Ahhhh…that’s the sound of my contented little soul after watching your slideshow. I grew up in NC and we used to go on homeschool field trips all up and down the parkway in the fall. I live in Cleveland, TN now and it doesn’t look like my hubby and I will get to go to NC this year until Christmas.
Therefore, my heart thanks you for the stunning pictures.
In my mind I’m goin’ to Carolina… 🙂
Where’d you get Will’s green t-shirt? I think Charlie needs it.
It’s from Children’s Place I think ….I love that place 🙂
xo – kb
Gorgeous pics!! Hope you stopped into charlottesville 🙂
Yay!! I drive right by the BRP (going “over the mountain” by Shenendoah Natl Park from Charlottesville) often for work– your pictures look like my commute lately. I have often wished I could take pictures but that is hard to do while driving. Now I can just stop by your blog! Thanks for the beautiful photography!
Omg, this was one of the most beautiful road trips ever that I took back in college days and now you totally made me want to do it again with my hubby and busy 4-year old on the back seat.. Just beautiful..