Many statues at the National D-Day Memorial recall the horrors and heroes of war.
out the windows of your vehicle, parkway information suggests dozens of popular destinations along the route. Inquire at one of the 15 visitors’ centers for more input. Favorite Stops My nephew Warren Litten recently traveled the entirety of the parkway and has photographed his favorite destinations. Many of his amazing photos are included in this feature. “The Blue Ridge Parkway is a great weekend trip,” he said. “There’s plenty of history and sights to see along the 469 miles. After a day of exploring there are plenty of places to camp for the evening. If you’re not into camping, there’s lodging in nearby towns just off the parkway. It’s well worth the trip. Just be sure to bring your camera because you never know what you might see.” James River MP 63.7 is the parkway’s lowest elevation (650 feet above sea level) and a historic transportation route through the mountains. The river represents a major geological (water gap) and cultural component of the Blue Ridge section of Virginia. The 3.5-mile Otter Creek Trail follows the creek from the Otter Creek Campground down to the James River Visitor Center. The trail can also be accessed from overlooks at MP 61.4, 62.5 and 63.1.
At the visitor center, the James River Canal Trail will take you to the restored James River and Kanawha Canal Lock that was built between 1845-51. When completed, the canal had 90 locks and went from Richmond to Buchanan, Virginia. Area hikes include: Trail of Trees, Otter Creek, Otter Lake Loop, and James River Canal Trails. Peaks of Otter: Explore the three mountain peaks that are Peaks of Otter at MP 85.9 overlooking the town of Bedford. They include Sharp Top (altitude 3,875 feet); Flat Top (4,004 feet) and Harkening Hill (3,375 feet). It's all here from a leisurely stroll around Abbott Lake to a challenging hike up Sharp Top Mountain, to night skies viewing and special events. There is something for everyone at Peaks and the surrounding regions. Not everyone can hike a nearly 4,000-foot mountain, but it would be a shame to deny anyone the view. Transportation is provided to within 1,500 feet of the scenic summit. National D-Day Memorial: Nearby the Peaks of Otter, veer off the parkway to Bedford, Virginia, and visit the National D-Day Memorial. On June 6, 1944, United States soldiers, in one of the most pivotal battles of World War II, invaded the French coastline in order to propel German soldiers out of Western Europe and
BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY
COAST TO COAST SPRING MAGAZINE 2019
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