Easter Vacation – Day 3 of 5: Blue Ridge Parkway (Bearwallow Gap to James River)
Bob and I spent three nights (April 17-20) in Waynesboro, Virginia. Waynesboro is located near where the Skyline Drive ends and the Blue Ridge Parkway begins. Our original plan was to stay in Waynesboro for four nights, but we departed a day early. I will explain why we left Waynesboro a day early in a future blog post.
The highlights on Day 3 (April 19) of our Easter vacation included a visit to Natural Bridge, walking on a swinging bridge in Buchanan and driving the Blue Ridge Parkway. Thursday’s blog post provided photographs and details about our visit to Natural Bridge. Friday’s blog post was about our brief stop in Buchanan VA. From Buchanan we took Route 43 to the Blue Ridge Parkway. We entered the Parkway at Milepost 90.9, Bearwallow Gap, and exited at Milepost 0, Rockfish Gap. Our 90-mile drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway yielded many photographs. I will share those photographs via four separate blog posts. In this blog post I will share photographs from Milepost 90.9, Bearwallow Gap, to just before Milepost 63.8, James River Visitor Center.
The Onion Mountain Overlook is located at Milepost 80.
A short trail guides you through rhododendron and mountain laurel.
This trail would be much more pretty in early June,
when the rhododendron and mountain laurel are in bloom.
Onion Mountain Overlook (Elevation 3,195 feet)
The Blue Ridge Parkway reaches its highest point in Virginia on Apple Orchard Mountain at Milepost 76.5.
High Point on the Parkway in Virginia
Apple Orchard Mountain, elevation 3,950 feet
Apple Orchard Mountain, elevation 3,950 feet
At Milepost 76 is the View Arnold Valley Overlook. The elevation here is 3,700 feet. Arnold Valley is 2,900 feet below.
The Alleghenies are seen in the distance, with Arnold’s Valley at the foot of the mountains.
There is a second Arnold Valley Overlook a little farther north on the Parkway.
The elevation at this overlook is 3,510 feet, with Arnold Valley lying 2,710 feet below.
Peek-a-Boo, Bob! I see you!
Bob took the next two pictures of me with his phone camera.
Arnold Valley Overlook
Arnold Valley Overlook
We saw a deer, while driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The deer was kind enough to pose for me!
We began our approach to Milepost 63.8, James River Visitor Center, at approximately noon. It took us about 1 1/2 hours to travel 27.2 miles.
The redbud trees are beautiful!
The Beauty Around Us 
5 Responses to “Easter Vacation – Day 3 of 5: Blue Ridge Parkway (Bearwallow Gap to James River)”
Wonderful captures Linda. What a fun trip.
gorgeous views! i think i know that deer!!
I recognize most everything you have shown today… We just LOVE driving on the parkway –and stopping at all of the overlooks. No matter what time of year, there is just so much beauty.
Hugs,
Betsy
I think we stopped at all of these overlooks as well. We seem to stop at every overlook every time we drive the Paarkway. I’ve got a picture of Betsy at Arnold Valley Overlook that I’ll try to find and post.
Must have been a great trip from your photos Linda. Loved looking at them.