Took a quick trip today to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Shelly, Me, and Brianna. Mile 199 to 176. The trees are starting to turn, but many are already loosing their leaves. 
Lots of yellow color … they say it should peak next week… can’t wait! All my life I went to Skyline Drive in Virginia starting in Front Royal. Skyline Drive actually meanders along the peak… first on the east side, than on the west side, back and forth all along the ridge… one overlook after another. 
I always heard… “Wait until you see the Blue Ridge Parkway” … well… they must not have been talking about the section that we have been on. From mile 175 to 250 there is not much to get excited about…. at least in comparison to Skyline Drive. The rest may really be nice, but this section is rather uneventful. Very few overlooks (200-250) and only 1 (200-175), and that was almost completely obstructed by trees.
You are really driving atop the plateau, not the ridge or peak…. so it’s like driving on any other road here atop the mountain… ‘cept for the fact that there are no houses or businesses along the road. Still pretty… but if you are expecting to see lots of overlooks… you will be disappointed. One saving grace is the Mabry Mill (mm 176). It’s an old water powered mill that was used to mill grain and mill wood. It was built by Ed Mabry in 1910 and used until 1936.
It is billed as the highlight of this section of the parkway. There’s the mill, and all the water ways and raised water troughs that directed the water from 2 streams to the mill to power the water wheel….there’s also a 
blacksmith shop, and related out buildings that made up the homestead. The house was actually moved here from Galax… it was originally built in 1836 and was typical of homes from that time. There are also several old time horse powered tools to process sorghum ( molasses substitute) and tree bark for leather tanning stains. There’s even an old “moonshine still” that once helped to make mountain life a bit more merry. 
All in all a nice place to visit… well worth the trip…. a nice little day trip. It also has a nice little gift shop and restaurant.
Check out the Parkway Guide to overlooks & virtual 360 degree camera at :
http://www.virtualblueridge.com/parkway_tour/overlooks-2.asp
