Dear Friend,

On June 2, National Trails Day was enthusiastically celebrated across America. More than 1,000 events were held including trail maintenance and clean up projects, trail dedication ceremonies, trail festivals, and educational events and classes. Thousands of people enjoyed a great day of hiking and celebration!

Protecting hiking trails is a constant effort and requires on-going commitment. Your continued support of FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Inc. helps ensure that there are plentiful places along the Blue Ridge Parkway in which to hike and that these places are protected, maintained, and funded. Let's keep the spirit of National Trails Day going and ensure that these hiking trails will still be there generations from now.

I would like to donate to the Trails Forever Program.

Summer 2007 on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Twenty years from now will your children and grand-children reminisce about that great summer on the Blue Ridge Parkway? Did you take them camping at Julian Price Lake or Roanoke Mountain Campgrounds, hiking the trails at Craggy Garden or Basin Cove, dining at the Pisgah Inn or listening to bluegrass music at the Blue Ridge Music Center?

Memories are made on this road. If you enjoy nature of any kind, you need to take the time to travel the Parkway this summer. In addition to all the events and attractions, you can just get out of your car – take photos of the wildflowers and native trees or hit the trails. Dogwood, redbud, bloodroot, spring beauty, and a variety of violets highlight the forest in early spring. Trillium, flame azaleas, pink azaleas, and Catawba rhododendron make for a spectacular entry to summer.

Bring the kids. There are ranger-led programs from May through October on a wealth of subjects – related to the regional natural and cultural history of the area. If you get hungry or tired, the Parkway beckons with four lodges and six restaurants scattered the length of the drive – and they are open through the fall season of brilliant foliage and leaves. Or, step off the Parkway and check out the adjacent communities with their regional hospitality and cuisine.

Please read on for examples of the Summer of 2007 highlights on the Parkway. For more information about these and other events, check out the organization that provides funding for Parkway events and volunteers to work them. FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Inc. makes it all happen. For dates and directions to these events, check out their website at BlueRidgeFRIENDS.org.

Concerts. Roanoke Mountain Campground at Milepost 120 is the gathering place for an evening of music and friends every Sunday beginning June 3 and continuing through October 14. Free concerts begin Sunday evenings at 7:00 PM until Labor Day when the time shifts to 5:00 PM.

The summer concert series at the Blue Ridge Music Center will be offered on Saturday evenings June to early autumn. And, Grandfather Mountain, one mile south of the Parkway at Milepost 305, holds an all-day outdoors gospel sing and fellowship, Singing on the Mountain on June 24.

Floydfest 6 in Floyd County, VA at Milepost 170.5 is held July 26-29, 2007 showcasing the best in World, Bluegrass, Reggae, Folk, African, and Appalachian music as well as quality local arts and crafts.

Shows. Puckett Cabin at Milepost 190 is the site of "They Call Me Aunt Orlene". Enjoy this one-woman show on July 7, August 19, or September 30, 2007 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Tours. Flat Top Manor at Milepost 294 offers a ranger-led tour of the upstairs of the former home of Moses and Bertha Cone every Saturday and Sunday from 6/3/2007 to 10/27/2007. Brinegar Cabin at Milepost 238.5 welcomes visitors to the original cabin and site of Martin and Caroline Brinegar's homeplace.

Camping. Roanoke Mountain Campground at Milepost 120.4 offers Sunday night musical offerings of local groups featuring old-time, bluegrass, country ballads, and Celtic songs. Rocky Knob Campground at Milepost 167 and Doughton Park Campground at Milepost 240 offer campfire programs led by traditional rangers educating the gathering about plants, animals and the history that make the Blue Ridge Parkway such a unique place.

Cultural Programs. Mabry Mill at Milepost 176.1 offers mountain trades and crafts that the Mabrys and their neighbors performed in this area from the late 1800s through the 1930s. Daily demonstrations may include blacksmithing, wainwrighting, weaving, corn grinding, spinning, chair bottoming, and woodworking and more.

Cultural Demonstrations. Humpback Rocks Pioneer Farm at milepost 5.8 offers livestock exhibits and demonstrations.

Craftmanship. Folk Art Center in Asheville acknowledges the accomplishments of the Southern Highland Craft Guild through a broad range of media that includes ceramists, weavers, quilters, woodworkers, metalsmiths, dollmakers, basketmakers, and other artists using craft media.

Workshops. Humpback Rocks at Milepost 5.8 holds basket, ballad, and dulcimer workshops as well as events featuring Percheron horses.

Horseback Riding. In the Roanoke area and at the Moses H. Cone Estate, horseback riding trails are available.

Phil Francis
Superintendent
Blue Ridge Parkway

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History Comes to Life Along the Parkway

There's no question that the Blue Ridge Parkway offers one of the most scenic drives you'll find anywhere. There are also hundreds of miles of trails to hike and a variety of wildlife to observe. But, did you also know that history comes to life during the summer along the Parkway?

Moses H. Cone Memorial Park
Visit this 3,600 acre grand estate that was once the home to Moses H. Cone, owner of a textile empire that was at one time the leading producer of denim in the world. Moses and his wife Bertha built a manor house known as Flat Top Manor at the turn of the 20th century. The Cones had a deep appreciation for the natural beauty around them and constructed trails and carriage roads, as well as two lakes, on the estate. They planted extensive white pine forests and hemlock hedges.

Hike the trails or stroll along one of the beautifully manicured carriage roads. Take a walk around Bass Lake or seek solitude at Trout Lake. Ranger led walks and talks and craft demonstrations are offered frequently during the summer. Join rangers for a tour of the second floor of the Cones' former home. Tours are held on Saturdays and Sundays and last about 30 minutes. Tour times: Sat. and Sun at 10 AM, 11 AM, 2 PM, 3 PM, and 4 PM. Reservations are required. Call (828)295-3782 or sign up at the NPS information desk at the Manor House.

Puckett Cabin
Visit Puckett Cabin at Milepost 190 in Carroll County. The one room cabin was home to John and Orlene Puckett from 1844 to 1939. It's a standing monument to Aunt Orlene, a midwife known for helping with over one thousand births. People came from many miles away for Aunt Orlene to help with the delivery of their children. The site, with its split rail fencing, helps to interpret and preserve the folklife and folklore of the region.

On Saturday, July 7, and Sundays August 19 and September 30, 2 PM, see actress Phyllis Stump present "They Call Me Aunt Orlene", a one-woman show about the life of this Southwest Virginia midwife who has become a local legend. The preserved cabin is the site of this special 90 minute presentation. Be sure to bring your own chair.

Humpback Rocks
Visit examples of early European pioneer structures (Milepost 5.8) at Humpback Rocks Visitor Center and Mountain Farm exhibit. A self-guided tour takes you through a collection of 19th century farm buildings. Learn about the Blue Ridge region with stories about early housing, community, entertainment, and transportation at the Visitor Center. Cultural demonstrations take place at the Humpback Rocks Pioneer Farm on Saturdays and Sundays, 11 AM to 3 PM through October. See livestock exhibits the first and third Saturdays through October. For additional information on events, demonstrations, and music at Humpback Rocks, go to the FRIENDS website.

FRIENDS Provides Support
With budget cuts, lack of resources, and staff, how is the Blue Ridge Parkway still able to provide a wealth of events, activities, and demonstrations at no cost to its visitors? With the support of FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Inc. FRIENDS’ membership dues help provide funds for actors, demonstrators, musicians, and the cost of workshops. Help FRIENDS continue its support of these special activities and events by making an additional donation this summer.

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FRIENDS Sells Go Blue Ridge Card

FRIENDS just announced an agreement with Boston-based Smart Destinations, a provider of destination marketing, to offer the Go Blue Ridge Card, a multiple-day attraction pass that includes admission to more than 25 of western North Carolina's most popular attractions at one low price.

Travelers can purchase their Go Blue Ridge Card in advance. The card is designed to help travelers plan their trip down the Blue Ridge Parkway without all the worries and concerns of waiting in line to purchase admission tickets. Shopping and dining discounts also make the Go Blue Ridge Card appealing to all Parkway visitors.

The Go Blue Ridge Card comes with a pocket-sized, full-color guidebook filled with attraction locations, hours, descriptions, directions, maps and points of interest and can be purchased in 2, 3 and 5 calendar day increments. Once activated, the card is valid for access to the included attractions for the number of days purchased. The card is priced for adults at $79, $109, and $159 for 2, 3 or 5-day passes, respectively, and for kids (ages 3-12) at $49, $79, and $119.

FRIENDS receives a commission on every Card sold from our website or printed literature. To purchase a card or see a complete list of participating attractions visit www.goblueridgecard.com/friends. A link to Go Blue Ridge Cards can also be found at the FRIENDS website, www.BlueRidgeFRIENDS.org.

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FONSI issued for Repair of Unstable Roadbed at MP 270.3

(Asheville) The National Park Service, Southeast Regional Director has approved the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Repair of Unstable Roadbed at Milepost 270.3. This document records the decision of the National Park Service to repair of approximately 200 linear feet of unstable roadbed on the Blue Ridge Parkway (Parkway) at Milepost 270.3 in Wilkes County, North Carolina, with an anchor block system, as described under Alternative B in the Repair of Unstable Roadbed at Milepost 270.3 Environmental Assessment.

The National Park Service has determined that the proposed project will not significantly affect the human environment within the project area; therefore, an environmental impact statement will not be prepared.

The recently approved EA and FONSI are available by visiting the National Park Service's planning website. These documents have also been posted on the Parkway's website: http://www.nps.gov/blri/parkmgmt/planning.htm. Click on the FONSI link. A limited number of printed copies are available at Parkway headquarters, located at Milepost 384, just north of US 74A.

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Restoration of Split Rail Fencing Begins

FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Inc. gathered volunteers at Milepost 155 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, on May 15, 2007, to learn how to repair and replace split rail and snake fencing. Volunteers from three chapters worked along side National Park Service personnel digging holes, sinking posts, and replacing broken fence rails. The Parkway has the necessary materials – poplar rails and locust posts – but no funds to hire the workers. Now that volunteers from the Roanoke Valley, Rocky Knob, and Fishers Peak chapters have participated in the training, the plan is for chapters to put together teams of at least 7-8 volunteers to begin repairing fences in their area. It is helpful if at least one person on each team is chain saw certified by the National Park Service. If you would like to join a team, contact:

Dottie Bramley, Fishers Peak Chapter: pdbramley@valink.com, 276-236-7658
Gloria Hilton, Rocky Knob Chapter: gjhilton1@yahoo.com, 540-593-3081
Mark McClain, Roanoke Valley Chapter: markmcclain@adelphia.net, 540-387-0930

If you would like to participate in chain saw certification training, contact the FRIENDS office, 540-772-2992 or 800-228-7275.

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Rocky Knob Chapter Formed

A new FRIENDS chapter steering committee met in Meadows of Dan May 2, 2007. Their first item of business will be the collection of the donation box at Mabry Mill. In addition, they attended National Park Service training on how to repair and replace split rail fences in areas of the Parkway that are in a bad condition. They will continue to form groups to continue this valuable project as well as paint the milepost markers from Orchard Gap to marker 155. This energetic group of FRIENDS wants to make a difference on the Parkway. However, they need more members to continue these projects and take on others. If you live, work, or vacation in the chapter's area and would like to become a member of the Rocky Knob Chapter, please call Gloria Hilton at 540-593-3081 or email her at gjhilton1@yahoo.com. She looks forward to hearing from you.

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Second Annual Photo Continues to Accept Entries

After a few bumps in the road with software problems, FRIENDS is accepting online photo entries from now to September 30, 2007. Categories are flora (including landscapes), fauna, friends, and family. The competition is open to amateurs, including a youth category (ages 6-15). All photographs must be taken within the boundaries of the Blue Ridge Parkway, and each photographer may submit no more than three photos for consideration. To register your photo for the contest please click on Entry Form.

For complete details, visit our website at www.BlueRidgeFRIENDS.org.

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Parkway Seeks Input for Control of Hemlock Wooly Adelgid

(Asheville)—The Blue Ridge Parkway is seeking public input, through July 2, to identify issues and additional study that will be needed to develop an Environmental Assessment for control strategies of Hemlock Wooly Adelgid (HWA) along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia and North Carolina.

Parkway officials said that a long-term management strategy that would preserve hemlock forests by minimizing the impact of hemlock woolly adelgid at the Blue Ridge Parkway is needed. HWA is a non-native insect pest that is quickly decimating hemlocks in the eastern United States.

The project scoping phase, now underway, is the initial step in the development of an Environmental Assessment that will analyze alternatives and their potential impacts.

Those who wish to review and comment on this document may do so by visiting the Internet site http://parkplanning.nps.gov. Select Blue Ridge Parkway, "Plans/Documents Open for Comment" then click on the document link. (Direct link) Even though using this website is recommended, written comments may also be submitted to: Blue Ridge Parkway, ATTN: Suzette Molling, 199 Hemphill Knob Road, Asheville, NC 28803. Comments must be postmarked or entered via the Internet by July 2. Ideas and concerns expressed by those who comment will be used to prepare the final proposal and impact analysis.

Comments are typically treated as a public record and made available for public review. Individuals may request that the National Park Service withhold their name and address from disclosure. Such requests will be honored to the extent allowable by law.

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Adopt-A-Trail Groups' Trail Dates

FRIENDS' Fishers Peak Chapter
Maintenance on trails at Fisher's Peak is under way. Scheduled work days are:

June 23
July 7
July 21
August 4
August 18

Meet at the trail head parking lot on Foothills Road at 8:00 a.m. Tools are provided, but be sure to bring work gloves. Work will end at 1:00 PM each day, but any time you can work would be greatly appreciated. Work dates for the second half of the year will be scheduled at a future steering committee meeting.

Volunteers must sign up in advance by contacting: Dottie Bramley, pdbramley@valink.com Telephone: (276) 236-7658 Volunteers bring a sack lunch, if you would like to eat together after the trail work.

I would like to donate to the Trails Forever Program.

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Carolina Mountain Club News

Construction continues on the MST section between NC 16 and US 421 along the Blue Ridge Parkway on the second Saturday of each month through November, with the third Saturday as a rain date. Meet at 8:30 AM near milepost 262 just south of the NC 16 junction with the parkway (about 3 miles south of Glendale Springs). Look for orange "MST WORK" sign and vehicles parked on shoulder of the parkway. Some tools are provided but you may bring loppers, rakes and hand bow saws if you have them. Bring plenty of water, sturdy work boots, gloves, suitable clothing and raingear. Lunch, energy snacks and a light day pack with first aid kit may also be helpful. The worksite is near the parkway so access to your vehicle should be easy and nearby. For more Information: Jim Hallsey - (336) 877-8831 or jhallsey@skybest.com

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Visit our Online Store

For a complete listing of merchandise, visit our online store.

IMAGES OF THE Blue Ridge Parkway
Photography by George Humphries, Edited by Mary Best
$49.95

Click here to order.

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Donate or HELP Support FRIENDS

Help Us Preserve the Legacy

FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway offers young and old, together, the opportunity to connect with friends and family to save the Blue Ridge Parkway for their continuing enjoyment - and for future generations. The Blue Ridge Parkway connects the Shenandoah National Park with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is America's most scenic drive encompassing 469 miles traversing 29 counties in Virginia and North Carolina. Over 20 million people touch its borders annually - making it America's most frequented park treasure! By joining Preserving the Legacy you will be supporting projects that will protect this extraordinary Parkway and adjacent land and views for yourselves and for future generations. FRIENDS is an official National Park Service partner. Please join us by choosing one of our deserving Programs today!

Donation Page

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