The weather is starting to demand Sunday drives with the windows cracked and after a long winter a little fresh air may do you good. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a great place to start. It is a 469 scenic highway connecting the Great Smoky National Park here in North Carolina to the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. There is something for everyone here, all ages and abilities. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy it from one of many amazing overlooks. Plan a day hike with the kids or an overnight backpacking trip with friends. You’ll also find that many of the areas to pull over offer exhibits with loads of information about the area. This is a great way to get the family out together and learn something too!

The Blue Ridge Parkway’s construction started in 1935 as a way to create jobs during the Great Depression. It was completed in 1983 and since has become a national treasure. The parkway is maintained by park employees and volunteers whose goals are the same, to preserve and protect the natural beauty surrounding the road.