Live Music & More at The Historic Orchard on the Parkway MP 328.3

July 29 at the Historic Orchard at Altapass on on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 328.3. Live music and mountain dancing, storytelling and hayrides, monarch butterfly raising, naturalist tours and birding walks, arts and handwork demonstrations, book signings and more. Every week, Wed-Sun.
http://www.altapassorchard.com/

Biological Diversity abundant in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for its biological diversity with over 10,000 documented species of plants and animals. The Smokies have such a great diversity because of the range in altitude, the abundant rainfall and glaciers that invaded the continent over 10,000 years ago. These glaciers didn’t reach as far south as the Smoky Mountains, and many species from farther north found refuge here.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has been designated an International Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations

Canoe Excursion at Lake James State Park

July 25 Lake James State Park. Join a Park Ranger for a leisurely afternoon paddle along the shores of Lake James. Dress appropriately and bring water, snacks and sunscreen. Canoes, paddle and life jackets provided. Participants limited to 12. Only those registered may participate and no chlidren under the age of 7 are allowed to participate. Free; meet at the Lake James State Park office at 2 p.m. For more information or to register (by noon July 25)
Call 828-652-5047.

Smoky Mountain national Park Visitation Up For 2009 Season

Visitation Up with June Park visitation up 11.1%. Year-to-date an increase of 6.2 % - which comes out to 228,000 visits YTD. July-October are expected to be the same if not higher.

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY 75TH ANNIVERSARY WEBSITE LAUNCH

Blue Ridge Parkway 75, Inc., the organization tasked with planning and producing the various projects related to the Parkway’s 75th Anniversary in 2010, has launched the official 75th Anniversary Web site: http:www.blueridgeparkway75.org

Reminder of Park Road Closures and Delays

Milepost 269.8 - 280.9 - Blowing Rock Area

Roadway fill repair at Milepost 270.3 will close the Parkway until November, 2009.

For southbound traffic, exit the Parkway at Phillips Gap (Milepost 269.8) to Phillips Gap Road (NC 1168) to Idlewild Road (NC 1003) to US 221 south to US 421 south back to the Parkway at Deep Gap (Milepost 276.4).

For northbound traffic, exit the Parkway at Parkway School (Milepost 280.9) to Old US 421 south to New US 421 south to US 221 north to Idlewild Road (NC 1003) to Phillips Gap Road (NC 1168) back to the Parkway at Phillips Gap (Milepost 269.8).

Milepost 285.5 to 291.8 – Blowing Rock Area

Goshen Creek Bridge repair has closed the Parkway between US Route 421 east of Boone, NC and US Route 321 south of Boone. The detour will begin for visitors traveling south at milepost 285.5, Bamboo Gap. Visitors will follow state road (SR) 1514 Bamboo Road to Deerfield Road, following the detour signs along US Route 321 south of Boone then connecting back to the Parkway at milepost 291.8.

Visitors traveling north will begin the detour at milepost 291.8, intersection US Route 321; follow the detour signs along US321 to state route 1514 Deerfield Road to Bamboo Road which will bring them back to the Parkway at milepost 285.5. The total detour is estimated to be approximately 8 miles.

Bridge repair is anticipated to be complete by late summer or early fall 2009.

Other construction areas to be aware of...

Some short construction delays of 10-15 minutes or one-lane traffic may occur at the following areas during the summer...Milepost 359-375 north of Asheville, and Milepost 401 near Mount Pisgah. Some old pavement in this area is rather rough so bikers beware!

The Historic Orchard at Altapass at MP 328.3- Live Music July 15th

July 15 Little Switzerland / Spruce Pine area. Live music and mountain dancing, storytelling and hayrides, monarch butterfly raising, naturalist tours and birding walks, arts and handwork demonstrations, book signings and more. Every week, Wed-Sun. The Orchard is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 328.3.
http://www.altapassorchard.com/

NC Parks: Winged Creatures of the Night Twilight Tour

July 11, 7:30 - 9:30 PM Brevard NC, Cradle of Forestry. Winged Creatures of the Night Twilight Tour in the Pisgah National Forest, $6.00 for adults, $3.00 for youth ages 15 and under.
Please call 828-877-3130 for details.

54th Annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games July 9-12

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and Scottish Clan Gathering.
July 9-12 Linville/Blowing Rock area, Grandfather Mountain. Brawny athletes, delicate dancers, noisy bagpipe band parades, rocking Celtic music and a spectacular highland setting makes this colorful celebration of Scottish culture the "best" highland games in America. Admission charged. $25 adult, $5 child per day$55 adult four-day advance ticket$25 child four-day advance ticket. http://www.grandfather.com/

Blueridge Parkway Bluffs Lodge- Who's Working This Job?

RANGER PROGRAMS AT BLUFFS LODGE – Mile Post 241
FRIDAY 07/10/09 7:30 PM
WHO’S WORKING THIS JOB ANYWAY?
Sorting out the CCC, WPA, and the rest of the “alphabet
soup” of groups who built the Blue Ridge Parkway.

4th of July Celebration Fun at The Chimney Rock Park

July 4th at Chimney Rock
July 4 - 5 Chimney Rock Park. Celebrate Independence Day at Chimney Rock! Free family fun series at 2pm Saturday and Sunday (weather permitting). Learn about some of the critters that call Chimney Rock home. At Grady's Animal Discovery Den. Climb our 32 ft climbing tower.Just $3 a climb! Receive a FREE climb if you make it to the top. Saturday and Sunday only. Cook out on the Sky Lounge patio. Get a hot dog, chips and a drink for just $5.