Blue Ridge Parkway Day #9
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Although we label this Day #9, it was actually the 10th day of our trip. Day 9 was spent in the towns of Boone and Blowing Rock, NC. It was a complete rain out with downpours all day long. However, we were still able to get in a stroll at the Moses H. Cone Manor and grounds; as well as a wonderful time strolling the streets and shops of Blowing Rock. For years, I have viewed a live webcam of downtown Blowing Rock and dreamt of the day we would finally visit. Despite the absolute downpour it was still a great visit and we will do it again when the weather is better.
Heading out the next morning, the rain had stopped but the clouds were still low-hanging over the mountains. This is a view from Grandview overlook just north of Blowing Rock, NC.
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Still threatening rain, but we made the hike around Price Lake.
From ChatGPT:
Price Lake on the Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic 47-acre mountain lake inside Julian Price Memorial Park near Blowing Rock, North Carolina. It’s known for easy hiking around the lake, canoeing, fishing, picnicking and camping, all framed by forested hills and views of Grandfather Mountain. The Parkway crosses the dam providing a classic scenic stop.
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One of the most truly iconic images of the Blue Ridge Parkway is the Linn Cove Viaduct. However, a grand photo of this iconic structure was thwarted by the heave cloud cover that day.
From ChatGPT:
The Linn Cove Viaduct is an iconic 1,243-foot long concrete segmental bridge on the Blue Ridge Parkway in western North Carolina, hugging the side of Grandfather Mountain in a graceful “S” curve. Built between 1979 and 1983 and opened in 1987, it was the final link completing the 469-mile parkway. Designed to protect the fragile mountain environment, the bridge was constructed from the top down with 153 precast segments and minimal ground disturbance. An engineering marvel and National Civil Engineering Landmark, it combines utility, beauty, and environmental sensitivity, offering breathtaking scenic views along this beloved scenic drive.
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A car making its way south down the Blue Ridge over the viaduct.
The amazing infrastructure and feat of engineering that went into this viaduct - and the entire parkway for that matter - was incredible!
In the short time we visited the viaduct, the clouds pushed back in to the point were we could barely see the far end. There was no point in making the trip to the top of Grandfather Mountain this time - maybe on our next visit.
The Loops overlook. We are now entering the part of the parkway that was most effected by hurricane Helene.
From ChatGPT:
Hurricane Helene struck North Carolina in late September 2024, bringing heavy rain, flooding, and wind that devastated western NC and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The storm caused dozens of landslides, downed trees, road washouts, and major infrastructure damage, forcing long closures of significant stretches of the Parkway. Recovery has been ongoing with phased repairs and partial reopenings, but some sections remain damaged months later as crews work to stabilize and rebuild affected areas.
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This is the view from our room at the Alpine Inn. It is a quaint little mom-and-pop inn in the town of Little Switzerland. Unfortunately, the inn suffered severe damage from the hurricane. They lost two entire buildings down the side of the mountain. They were only left with about six functional rooms, and the night we stayed there we were the only guests. Sure feel sorry for these folks - they have really suffered. It was good to give them some business since the surrounding closures on the Blue Ridge have seriously limited their traffic in the past year.
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The building on the left of this image shows what remains of the Alpine Inn’s common area and some rooms. This building has been condemned and is to be torn down. On the ground where this photo was taken, once stood another of the inn’s buildings that collapsed down the mountain. You can see some of the debris left behind.
From ChatGPT:
The historic Alpine Inn in Little Switzerland, North Carolina, was severely damaged by Hurricane Helene in September 2024 when heavy rain and landslides caused part of the property to slide down the mountainside. One of its buildings and the deck collapsed, leaving rubble where rooms once stood. The owner and guests escaped safely, but the inn’s future and rebuilding efforts remain uncertain amid financial and insurance challenges, though there’s hope to restore it someday.
Another view of the some of the remains from the building that slid down the mountainside. You can appreciate the steepness of the mountain better in this view.
The Corps of Engineers brought in these boulders to reinforce the road and mountainside where the Alpine Inn building once stood.
When we left the following morning, we had to take this road (226A) to bypass about 20ish miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway that remain closed. We were told that there are still about 17 landslides which took out the parkway over the span of these 20 miles and they have not yet been repaired. This was the only significant stretch of the parkway which remains impassable.
Although we couldn’t travel this section of the Blue Ridge, it was fun to have the “toy car” on NC Route 226A.
From ChatGPT:
North Carolina Route 226A is an alternate state highway in western North Carolina. The main stretch near the Blue Ridge Parkway is popularly known as “The Diamondback” by motorcyclists and driving enthusiasts because of its steep elevation changes and more than 190 curves on the mountain-route between Woodlawn and Little Switzerland.
