Blue Ridge Parkway Day #7
Saturday, October 25, 2025
After an overnight in Lynchburg, VA, we were on the road early today and caught some low-lying clouds still hanging in the valley below.
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Next, we stopped at Peaks of Otter Lake. The Peaks of Otter Lodge is across the lake. A nice peaceful stroll around the lake on a paved trail.
From ChatGPT:
Peaks of Otter Lake (Abbott Lake) is a scenic 24-acre mountain lake on the Blue Ridge Parkway, set among the iconic Peaks of Otter with a pleasant one-mile trail, fishing, and picnic spots amid forested views.
Peaks of Otter Lodge is a historic Parkway inn overlooking the lake, offering 60+ rooms, a full-service restaurant, lounge, and nature access with easy hiking and tranquil mountain scenery.
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From Peaks of Otter Lake we hiked to the old Johnson homestead.
From ChatGPT:
The Johnson Farm near Peaks of Otter Lake on the Blue Ridge Parkway is a restored 19th-century homestead at Milepost 86 that interprets rural Appalachian life. Originally settled in the early 1800s and owned by the Johnson family from 1852 to the 1940s, it features a farmhouse and outbuildings preserved as they appeared in the 1930s, with costumed interpreters and gardens illustrating historic farm life.
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The view from Mills Gap overlook. Here, as in many other places along the Blue Ridge, the Appalachian Trail crosses the road.
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Appalachian Trail markers have the distinctive AT emblem and the white trail marker.
From ChatGPT:
The Appalachian Trail is a legendary 2,190-mile footpath stretching from Springer Mountain, Georgia, to Mount Katahdin, Maine. Completed in 1937, it winds through 14 states, crossing forests, ridgelines, and remote wilderness. Managed by the National Park Service and volunteers, the trail is famous for thru-hiking, scenic overlooks, shelters, and its deep connection to American conservation and outdoor culture.
A good representation of the AT which is well traveled. We met a couple who were doing a long weekend three day hike on the AT. They left one vehicle at the end where they planned to stop and another where they started. They were headed south-to-north on their journey.
Roanoke, VA from the top of Mill Mountain. Roanoke had a fun and vibrant downtown with pedestrian friendly streets packed with shops and eateries. Being a Saturday, things were quite busy and they had street vendors similar to our Thursday’s Downtown in Rochester.
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At the park atop Mill Mountain is the “Roanoke Star.”
The next photo provides some interesting details about the star. We were there when it was still light out, so we missed it being lit at night.
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