Grandfather Mountain and Blowing Rock – July 2022

Grandfather Mountain and Blowing Rock – July 2022

by Kim · Published August 4, 2022 · Updated July 17, 2024

Grandfather Mountain and Blowing Rock – July 2022

We left Asheville July 30 and headed towards Woodbridge, Virginia. On the first day of the trip we stopped at these three iconic Blue Ridge Parkway sites.

Grandfather Mountain - The guy with the can behind Dale was holding up the flow of people. If you drive to the top parking lot, you can then take an elevator to the bridge and cross the bridge pretty easily. There were small children, pets and even a lady in a wheel chair. The rocks on the other side were only for those with a bit of courage.

Grandfather Mountain - Dale enjoys the view.

Grandfather Mountain - Once you cross the bridge, you can continue to this outcropping with a beautiful view.

Grandfather Mountain - The clouds are about to envelope the bridge! We have to cross that bridge to get back to the trail back down.

Grandfather Mountain - On the suspension bridge. It is advertised as being a mile high, but it is actually about 85'. The bridge is a mile above sea level. Marketing spin!

Grandfather Mountain - This crevasse, located on the trail to the top, was actually pretty deep. If you scoot back and turn of the light, you're invisible. A few kids have probably scared their parents doing this! ha

Grandfather Mountain - After all of our adventures on the mountain, we had our picnic on a ledge with a scenic view.

Grandfather Mountain - This is the beginning of the trail from the parking lot to the top of the mountain where the suspension bridge is located. You could also drive to the top but this trail was only about 20 minutes and just a little steep.

The popular Linn Cove Viaduct can be seen from the top of Rough Ridge Lookout Trail. This part of the Blue Ridge Parkway is very popular with photographers, especially during the Fall when leaves change.

At the top of the Rough Ridge Lookout.

At the top of Rough Ridge Lookout Trail. It was really a nice place to be. Just a couple of other people were there.

This neat bridge was on our walk up Rough Ridge Lookout Trail.

Blowing Rock - Trying to stay dry! It was also foggy, as you can see.

Blowing Rock - You can't really tell it in this photo but it was raining. Dale avoided the rain by tucking into this rocky overhang. I had an umbrella.

Grandfather Mountain - I thought this old photos was pretty cool. Grandfather Mountain does have enclosures for several animals, including bears. We saw two bears, two eagles, an otter and a couple of elk.

Blowing Rock: Dale is shooting video of himself for his full-feature film (haha).

The Blowing Rock Cat kept an eye on us. She has her own little house and cat door inside the small display center they have that describes the history of Blowing Rock.

I wish I had taken this photo! It's actually courtesy of the NPS.

Diner or dive? Both.

Our room for the night.

View from our accommodations.

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