I'm considering making this trip some time in October, as I have vacation to burn.

Anyone done this route? Tips, ideas, etc? What is a realistic amount of time to traverse the first two parkways? Is inexpensive lodging easy to find?

What is the weather like this time of year? Still good enough to camp when able?

I would love to hear of must stop photography locations.

Any thoughts or suggestions are very welcome!

 

depends when in October...it can get pretty cold (for camping)up in them thar hills. I suggest you do some Google research as to accomodations.

 

Looks like average highs in the mid 60s, and average lows approacing 40. That's perfect camping weather for a Minnesota boy!

 

+1 here! The weather is perfect for camping. :yup: Use a sleeping bag and you'll be fine.:yup: Camp fires help to toast your toes before nighty night time if it's just a bit chilly. Don't forget to pack the marsh mellows, gram crackers and Hersey's bars. You've got to do the Smores thing you know.

You may run into the seasonal traffic on the Parkways. Many people hit these roads during the fall to see the landscape putting on it's Fall Show with all the colors. Your trip will surely be a beautiful one.

 

Great time of year to be down there. I'll be down there the middle of October. We are roughing it at the Blue Water Lodge. Watch out for the silver crested leaf peepers.

 

October is a beautiful time to visit the BRP and Skyline Drive areas. But, it is also the busiest time of the year, due to the changing colors of the leaves.

I'm not sure when "peak color season" will be this year due to our drought situation, but it usually falls around the 2nd and 3rd weekends in October. During those weekends, traffic is pretty heavy. Since you have the time to burn, do it during the week and you'll be OK.

To do the Skyline and BRP, you're looking at 4 or 5 days, depending on how many stops you make along the way. But take your time, and enjoy the drive and plan on the 5 day trip. The weather in October can be either really nice, with nice warm days and cool nights, or down right cold. Camping may be questionable in the later parts of the month. It gets really cold at night, especially on the BRP from Boone, NC to Asheville, NC.

If you travel on the weekend, and plan to stay a night in the Boone - Blowing Rock area of NC, check a head to make sure you can get a motel room. Being college football season, if Appalachian State (yes that little school from the sticks that kicked the big boys butts) is playing at home, you won't likely find a motel room for miles.

I got some info around here somewhere on an annual trip that the local PT Cruisers do. It has hotel info, stops, food, etc... I'll PM you the info once I find it.

Since your looking at October, you've got time to kill, and haven't set a date yet, why not do the Fall Dragon Run with the North Carolina group on 11/2 thru 11/4. You'll be in the general area once you get to the western end of the BRP.

Here is a link for more info on the Fall Dragon Run: http://www.tarheelminis.org/forum/showthread.php?t=731

Here is a link to the PT Cruiser Parkway Tour info. http://www.ptcruiserclub.org/forum/T...07_P209547.htm

 

I did that trip three years ago on a motorcycle.I left from Baltimore on the first day . I made it all the way through Skyline Drive and took the B.R. Parkway to Roanoke,VA. Second day, I finished the Parkway ,went through the tourist trap known as Cherokee,NC and stayed at the next town. On the third day, I rode the Dragon and surrounding roads.
That trip was in the summertime.I had more daylight to travel in and getting to the Dragon was my first priority. When I do it in my MINI, I will plan at least one more day for the ride down and stop more for photo ops and overlooks on the way down.
Enjoy your trip.

Bill

 

It looks like this will be a go! Work approved the time off. Leaving 10/6, returning 10/14.

I will start planning in earnest after my son's wedding tomorrow.

 

I'm looking for some feedback on two routes.

A) Columbus, OH, take Hwy 33 SE to Hwy 50. Continue on Hwy 50 through WV, until reaching Winchester, VA. Then on to Front Royal.

B) Louisville, KY, take Interstate 60 to Charleston, WV. Take Interstate 79 to Hwy 50 (Bridgeport). Continue on Hwy 50 through WV, until reaching Winchester, VA. Then on to Front Royal.

Option B offers camping for the first night. It is only 3 hours longer than option A.

Any other route recommendations coming from Mpls, MN?

 

Ive done it a couple ways. The easiest for me was to take 94 to Rockford Ill, then head over to Gary Indiana and head south the Indianapolis. Spend the night there. Then take 65 to Louisville, then 64 to Lexington. From there head down 75 to Knoxville. SHould be able to pick up US 129 in that area, just do'nt remember the details.
Once there Fontana is a cool place to stay. We stayed for a week the last time we were there and had a blast tearing up the roads. Funny thing, I was in a Miata last time, but the day we left Mini's at the Gap was starting. Funny how things work out.

 

Aww, I'm jealous!

I wanted to do this drive from DC back in April 2006 when I had to go to Pensacola, FL for a half-year (work related). I managed to get 2 weeks off to make the drive before I had to be in P'cola. Unfortunately, the weather ended up being too foggy and wet to bother with the scenic roads. I still got to have a clear day at the Dragon though! And to make up for it, and since I had a week to kill, I ended up taking the extra-log way to Pensacola by making a pit-stop in Orlando!

Hope your luck is better than mine, and have fun!


-Paul!

 

WooHoo!! One more day!!!