When it comes to famous scenic spots in the United States, many people will definitely think of the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, Niagara Falls, Florida Beaches and so on. The name Blue Ridge Highway may be unfamiliar, because I just went there on October 17th, so today I will introduce you to this place that is called "America's favorite highway".
Below the text introduction, you'll enjoy the view of the Blue Ridge Highway in Duotu.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is 469 miles (about 750 kilometers) long, stretching from Shenadu National Park, one of the least visited national parks in the United States, in the north to The Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited national park in the United States, spanning Virginia and North Carolina.
The Blue Ridge Highway winds between the Blue Ridge Mountains, which are part of the famous Appalachian Mountains. Here, because the hydrocarbons produced by the forest float into the air, refracting the light into blue, and the distant mountains are shrouded in a faint mist released by the plants, as if covered with an indigo filter, like a fairyland, which is the origin of the "Blue Ridge".
In fact, compared with the majestic mountains of the western United States, the landscape of blue ridge mountains is not so spectacular. The most attractive thing here is the Blue Ridge Highway.
The road in the famous American country ballad "Take Me Home, Country Road" is the Blue Ridge Highway.
There's a reason the Blue Ridge Highway is called "America's Favorite Drive." I've only been there three times, and I've only walked one of them, but I've already appreciated some of its uniqueness.
First, on this long road of more than 750 kilometers, spanning two states, there are no restaurants, shops, gas stations, residents' homes on either side, and even the most common billboards on both sides of the general road. Driving in the middle, as far as the eye can see, only trees, rocks and distant mountains, here to present people with the most simple, pure natural landscape.
Second, the scenic spots along the way abound, with mountainous valleys, imposing waterfalls, or mirror-like lakes. Although the Blue Ridge Highway is long, there are nearly 200 parking spots planned on both sides of the road, and there are observation decks and parking spaces on the side of the road for a few minutes of driving, and there is no pressure to stop and go. Visitors can stop at any time, stop at the observation deck, and quietly appreciate the gifts that nature has given us.
Third, this highway is of a tourist nature, is directly managed by the National Park Service, and does not allow commercial transport vehicles to pass. So there are no huge trucks on the road.
There are no traffic lights on the entire road and do not cross with any road. The full speed limit is below 45 miles. Here people drive not to hurry, but to "ride", to feel the pleasure of blending in with nature.
You may ask, what if people only plan to visit for a while, or want to go down to eat and rest?
Although the road does not intersect with other highways, there will be a small intersection every other section, and it will be connected to the much faster interstate highway by turning around and driving a short distance.
Fourth, there is no charge for the whole road, but there are many regulations: you can't swim, hunt, light a campfire, and now there's one that you can't use drones.
Autumn is the most beautiful season in the Blue Ridge, and the end of September to the end of October is the best time to enjoy the autumn colors. During this time, the vehicles on the Blue Ridge Highway can be described as a continuous stream.
The Blue Ridge Highway receives more than 20 million visitors each year, ranking first among U.S. national parks and surpassing the famous Yellowstone Park.
The Blue Ridge Highway is the most scenic highway unique in the United States.
Here are my photos of the Autumn Colors of the Blue Ridge Highway.
My photography level is limited, and I specially searched for a few photos from the Internet that can reflect the beauty of the Blue Ridge.
The picture above is a must-beat punch card on the Blue Ridge Highway, the Lynn Bay Viaduct.