Favorite Signs of the Blue Ridge Parkway

We are blessed to live near the Blue Ridge Parkway. The road courses through the highest mountains of the Eastern U.S. through Virginia and North Carolina.  I have posted some of the scenery and trails, but today I wanted to share the signs.  First, my favorite sign warning motorcyclists about the dangers of sharp curves:

Motorcycle Warning

Pretty clear, huh?

The second sign is a warning to those who are used to a gas station on every corner:

No gas

But with the first snow of the season this past week, our favorite signs started appearing:

Road Closed Ahead

Barricade Ahead

Road Closed Barricade

First, why does this happen?  The National Park Service budget is very tight, so there is very little money for snow removal.  So they simply do not bother to remove it from the higher elevation roads – like the ones that run around our house.  I am often asked by visitors why the road is closed when no snow is on the ground, but that is because the road runs up to 5000 or 6000 foot elevations where snow is on the ground.

Note – Visiting the area and want to know what sections of the road are closed?  Simply call the Blue Ridge Parkway information line at 828-298-0398.  Road closures are updated every day.

And why do we like it?  Because it makes a perfect road for dog hiking, running, or biking.  And walking in snow with the dogs!  The rangers are always amused to see The Herd trekking up the roads!

By the way, we were not the only ones enjoying the closed roads.  Check out who is trying to get some sun:

Snake in Road

7 Comments

  1. Thor and Marco Polo on November 6, 2008 at 7:28 pm

    WOO WOO

    Mom has visited the Blue Ridge Parkway but never when the closed signs were out. What kind of snake was that? Mom lets us shake the gartner and bull snakes until they are tired! We think walking on the parkway would be awesome! Lots of room to spread out!

    Hugs
    Thor and Marco Polo

  2. Dannan & The Girl on November 5, 2008 at 8:43 pm

    The Girl is still howling, I’m starting to worry! She says she loves the motorcycle sign the best! She also says that she’d like to someday be able to drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. She’s better mean “we”!

    Brown dog kisses,
    Dannan

  3. Steve and Kat on November 4, 2008 at 4:07 pm

    That motorcycle sign is very funny. There is a road here that doesn’t get plowed and we went snowshoeing on it a couple times last winter. It was tons of fun and I can’t wait to go back!

    Steve

  4. The OP Pack on November 2, 2008 at 4:15 pm

    Must be a friend of our Sammy Snake – we are all so glad he has left!!!

    So winter brings woo more good hiking spots.

    Woos, the OP Pack

  5. Desert Pups on November 2, 2008 at 3:30 pm

    Woof Herd,

    What the heck is a snake doing out this time of the year? Is that a Copperhead?
    Anyway, we hope you enjoy all of the road closures.

    Desert Pups

  6. The Army of Four on November 2, 2008 at 11:21 am

    That snake gave Mom the heebie-jeebies. Ha roo roo roo!
    Your mountains are so beautiful – I wish we had some here in Kansas. And an ocean. But at least we’ll have snow – eventually!!!
    Play bows,
    Zim
    PS: I like the motorcycle sign!

  7. Khyra on November 2, 2008 at 11:12 am

    I have snake on the road signs – aren’t they the skhwiggly ones?

    Have a great HERDday!

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra

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