Evening star., 1954-06-06
ROANOKE, VA.

The most popular Of all Ma
tional Park Service properties,
the Blue Ridge Parkway, has
been readied for the millions of
visitors who will drive to Vir-
ginia this year to travel this
mountain-top highway through
more than 400 miles of scenic
beauty.
The highway, free of CONNER
cial traffic, runs atop the Blue
Ridge Mountains from the Shen-
andoah National Park to the
Great Smokes.
q. s. $50 from Charlottesville
and the Skyline Drive lead right
to the parkway. But before
reaching the parkway, linger in
Charlottesville for a visit to
Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's
home. Ash Lawn, home of James
Monroe, and Niche Tavern. All
are on Route So, within two
miles Of Charlottesville's city
limits.
There Is a commanding view
at Rockf1sh Gap, the kickoff
point on the parkway. Near the
start is beautiful Swannanoa, a
marble mountain-top estate with
extensive collections. 1t is open
to the public, a fee being
charged.
Look Into the Post
Six miles from the jumping
off point on the parkway, the
motorist comes upon Humpback
Mountain. There, typical
farm group has been reproduced
to illustrate how mountain folk
Of a bygone era lived.
At 8.8 miles there is Green
stone parking overlook, the first
of many which offer long range
scenic views of the valleys and
mountains. Stone fences, the
remnants Of hog walls" built
by slaves, may be seen here.
In addition to the parkway's
beauty it has many recreational
facilities pareleling it. Sixteen
miles from the start, q George
Washington National Park fea-
ture. Sherando Lake, offering
swimming, camping and picnick-
ing, is reached by swinging OF
the parkway onto Virginia Route
814.
BY turning of on another Vir-
ginia route, Sc, about 10 miles
down the parkway, the motorist
may see a 1,400-foot-high cas-
cade off the top Of the noun
tain. 1t is called Crab Tree Falls.
One turns east, or to the left
going south, and proceeds about
six miles on Route Sc to view
this lovely spot.
There are distant views of the
fertile Break Basket Of the Con-
Iederacy" in the Shenandoah VAL
ley Of Virginia. This first sec
ton of the parkway is Spectacu-
lar where it crosses the high
cliff sections Of Humpback Noun
tain.
Natures Gardens
Botanical gardens Of natures
own planting are along this scenic
stretch, varying with the seasons.
Until mid-June. thousands flock
to see the purple rhododendron
and mountain laurel. From mid
May to July, the parkway sector
from Roanoke south Is a flower
lovers paradise. Last Of the ma
jor blooms is white rhododendron
in late June and early July.
Tinting the woods with q riot
of color in July are st. Johnswort
"a bright Yellow, Towering rasp-
berry and orange butterflyweed.
Giant hysop. ironweed, clematis
and Joe-Pye-Weed lend color to
August, while ripened rows Of
corn, buckwheat, cabbage, pota-
toes and beans complement the
scene. In the fall. the parkway
is a crazyquilt Of flaming color.
Farther on the motorist passes
within sight Of peaks with names
like "The Cardinal" The Friar"
and "The Bald Friar" and the
Priest" A turn OF the park
way to the west, or the right.
brings the car onto U. S. Route
so to make connection with an
other section of the parkway.
Route so passes through Buena
Vista and opens the way to points
Of interest in historic Lexington.
such a. Washington and Lee
University. Virginia Military In
stitute and burial sites Of Robert
E. Lee and Stonewall jackson.
Lexington Is reached by taking