Autumn in North Carolina. Blue Ridge Highway (Blue Ridge Parkway)

Command USS ship The Blue Ridge (LCC-19) is the lead of a series of two Blue Ridge-class command ships and the flagship of the US 7th Fleet. It is also the third ship of the US Navy, which is named after the Blue Ridge (Blue Ridge) - a chain of mountain ranges and massifs in the eastern United States, along the southeastern outskirts of the Appalachians. The second ship in this series is a command ship, commissioned on January 16, 1971.

The construction contract was awarded on December 31, 1964 to the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, located on the Delaware River. Currently located here Technical base naval center surface ships.

The ship under the name "Blue Ridge" (AGC 19) was laid down on February 27, 1967. On October 01, 1968, the tail number was changed to LCC-19. Launched on 04 January 1969. The godmother was Gretchen T. Byrd (Gretchen T. Byrd), wife of Senator Gretchen T. Byrd (Harry F. Byrd) of Virginia. November 14, 1970 put into operation. The original home port was naval base in San Diego, California. Since July 17, 1979, the port of registry has been the naval base in Yokosuka, Japan.

Main characteristics: Total displacement 19609 tons. Length 194 meters, width 33.9 meters, draft 8.8 meters. Travel speed 23 knots. Cruising range 10000 nautical miles. The crew consists of 52 officers and 790 sailors.

Armament:

Artillery: 4 x 25 mm M242 Bushmaster cannons, 8 x 12.7 mm machine guns.

Anti-aircraft artillery: 2 x 20 mm Phalanx CIWS guns, Mark 36 SRBOC mount.

Aviation group: 2 Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk helicopters. There is no hangar.

On April 9, 1971, she arrived at her home port of San Diego, California, after completing a two-month passage from Philadelphia. October 11 arrived at the Long Beach Navy Yard for repairs.

January 7, 1972 left San Diego for its first deployment in the western part Pacific Ocean from which he returned on 18 August.

On February 24, 1973, she left San Diego for her second deployment to the Western Pacific, from which she returned on October 23.

On October 18, 1974, she left San Diego for her third deployment to the Western Pacific, from which she returned on May 22, 1975. October 31 arrived at the Long Beach Navy Yard for an eight-month overhaul. July 02, 1976 returned to the port of registry of San Diego.

On September 25, 1976, she left San Diego for her fourth deployment in the area of responsibility of the US 7th Fleet, from which she returned on March 08, 1977.

On August 24, 1977, she left San Diego for her fifth deployment to the US 7th Fleet area of responsibility, where she resumed duties as the flagship of the 7th Fleet, from which she returned on November 20.

On August 03, 1978, she left San Diego for her sixth deployment to the Western Pacific, from which she returned on November 06.

March 31, 1979 completed the planned repairs, which lasted about three months. July 17 arrived in new port home base Yokosuka, Japan, completing a two-week voyage from San Diego. She left Yokosuka on October 22 for her first patrol in the Western Pacific after changing her base, from which she returned on January 09, 1980.

On September 03, 1980, she left her home port for a six-week patrol in the Western Pacific Ocean, from which she returned on December 02.

On April 07, 1981, she arrived in drydock No. 5 at the Yokosuka Naval Shipyard for her fourth dock repair, which she left on May 21.

January 07, 1982 left the home port for spring patrols, from which he returned on June 26. August 19 released on sea trials after completion of 8 week repair.

On May 12, 1983, she left her home port for routine patrols in the Western Pacific Ocean, from which she returned on November 20.

During 1984 - 1989 he performed routine tasks in the Western Pacific.

On August 14, 1990, she left her home port for deployment in support of Operation Desert Shield in the Persian Gulf. On May 24, 1991, he returned to his home port after completing deployment in the area of responsibility of the US 5th and 7th Fleets.

During 1992, performed routine duties in the Western Pacific. On September 15, she arrived at dry dock No. 6 of the Yokosuka shipyard for a five-month repair. December 02 left the dry dock. February 13, 1993 went on sea trials, after which he began to perform routine tasks in the Western Pacific.

On July 26, 1996, he made his first four-day visit to Vladivostok, Russia, to take part in the celebration of the 300th anniversary Russian fleet. On August 9, 2002, he arrived in Vladivostok for the second time. May 7, 2010 arrived in Vladivostok to participate in the celebration of Victory Day.

It was wise to drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway between the parks. But the main thing is that the Blue Ridge Parkway is not just a picturesque road along which you can slowly drive through the mountains and enjoy beautiful panoramic views. Along the Blue Ridge Road there are many viewing platforms and there is whole line interesting hikes to the waterfalls. In the article I will tell you how best to drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, so as not to waste a lot of time and see the most interesting.

Blue Ridge Parkway) is a 755 km long road running along the crest of the Blue Ridge ( Blue Ridge Mountains, which in turn is part of mountain system Apalachian, stretching from south to north on the East Coast of the United States. The road began to be built in 1935 under President Roosevelt, and at first it was called the Appalachian Scenic Road. During the Second World War, construction was suspended, and it was completed only 52 years after the start.

Description of Blue Ridge Parkway

Tunnels were dug along the Blue Ridge Parkway, bridges and viaducts were built. The purpose of the construction was to fight unemployment and help people during the Great Depression. Subsequently, the Blue Ridge Parkway became the most visited tourist scenic route (Scenic Route) in the States.

The Blue Ridge Parkway has the status of a national park and is specially protected by the state. By at least almost all the rules and restrictions apply here, as in others, however, no fees are charged at the entrance to it, since it is a public road. At the same time, the territory is looked after as if it were a national park, and money for this is allocated from federal budgets.

For all official information about Blue Ridge Parkway, please visit www.nps.gov/blri

Related article:

The Blue Ridge Parway begins at the south entrance of Shenandoah Park and ends at the east entrance of the park in North Carolina. Or vice versa, depending on where to go.
Road speed limits are 45 miles per hour (70 km/h) and below.
Cyclists are often found on Blue Ridge Parkway, who are allowed to ride on a par with cars.

Due to the fact that the road is mountainous, some parts of it may be closed in winter due to snow. A good time to travel the Blue Ridge Parway is from spring (May) to autumn. But the best is in October, when the leaves on the trees turn yellow and red, making up a delightful landscape. This short moment of time is better to specify in advance, but usually it falls on the period from 10 to 25 October.
Traveling around the Blue Ridge Parkway can take anywhere from 1 to 3 days, depending on your interests.
Blue Ridge Parkway is not one continuous road, but several sections built in different years and connected together. From the road, there are many exits to small towns along the entire length of the road. So you can always go to civilization and spend the night in one of the cozy hotels, and then climb the Blue Ridge again.
Most comfortable big cities for an overnight stay along the Blue Ridge Parkway - this is Roanoke, Asheville.

We decided to drive a section south of the Blue Ridge Parkway near the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains. We traveled at the end of May.

When we arrived at the visitor center Waterrock Knob, then we barely saw him in a continuous fog

Main Attractions Blue Ridge Parkway These are viewing platforms for mountains and waterfalls. Since upon arrival in the Great Smoky Mountains we settled in the Balsam Mountain Campground, which is conveniently located very close to the Blue Ridge Parkway, we drove along this road almost every day. And descending from it at the intersection with Route 19, which leads to the city of Cherokee, we immediately saw the entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

This is a drogue sign - Blue Ridge Parkway

Soco Falls

One of the first iconic waterfalls Soko Falls (Soco Fall s) is located very close to Route 19 just near the entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is important not to miss it, as the parking there is very small (for three cars), and there are no signs, only a small sign that you still need to make out. It is better to look at the navigator.

The hint is this: if you are driving from west to east, then as soon as you see the turn sign for Blue Ridge Parkway, then everyone missed it, you need to turn around. And if, on the contrary, from east to west, then when you see a turn onto a scenic road, you should slow down and look at a small parking lot by the side of the road on the left. You have to drive 2.2 km.

A narrow path with a small staircase leads to the Soko Falls waterfall. The observation deck is quite small. However, the waterfall itself is extremely picturesque and pretty.

Look how handsome Soco Falls is!

We were not very lucky with the weather at first. Visibility was not very good, all the mountains were in a haze. But this is not surprising, because these mountains are called the Smoky Mountains - the Great Smoky Mountains. And the foggy road even had its own charm. However, nothing was visible from the viewpoints.

On the way we stopped for tea. special place for a picnic—the fog was just beginning to dissipate. And although the picnic table was wet after the rain, we still drank fragrant tea in the fresh air and admired the beautiful views of the mountains in a foggy haze.

Second Falls and Upper Falls

From Soko Falls to the next waterfall, Second Falls, we drove about an hour. Between them - almost 60 km. At the same time, we also had breakfast on picnic tables at the Rabb Knob Overlook.

Close to waterfalls Second Falls (Second Falls) and Upper Falls (Upper Falls) there is a fairly large parking lot and a toilet. Several fairly popular trails start from the parking lot.

Second Falls, also known as the Second Falls (or maybe there is the First Falls somewhere else?) is a nearby waterfall. To find it, you need to go down a convenient wooden trail, cross the bridge and go along the trail to the right at the fork. Only 400 meters.

But the Upper Falls, Upper Falls, is located at a distance of 2 km from the turn (and you need to turn left). And it leads there dirt road which erodes after rain. We've just had rain and another one is on the way. So I regretfully abandoned the idea of going to the Upper Falls.

And now we are moving to the Pisgah National Forest ( Pisgah National Forest), on route 276, which is part of the scenic road Forest Heritage National Scenic Byway. It is about 10 miles (about 16 km) to drive along it to the first waterfall.

Looking Glass Falls is the most popular waterfall on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Looking Glass Falls

Waterfall Mirror, Looking Glass Falls (Looking Glass Falls) is the most famous waterfall in this part of the Blue Ridge Parkway, as well as the most easily accessible waterfall. We immediately appreciated its popularity when we began to look for a parking spot along Route 276. Entrance to the waterfall is free.

This waterfall got its name from Mount Looking Glass, which in winter becomes a mirror because of the water freezing right on the rock. Such an icy mirror looks very impressive. The waterfall just flows through this mountain.

By this time the sun had come out, and we were delighted: it means that we will see everything in a beautiful light! They say that the best time for photographing the Mirror waterfall - the middle of the day or a cloudy day. So we wouldn't go wrong anyway.

There are two viewing platforms near the waterfall: the upper one at the parking level and the lower one, where the stairs lead.

Moore Cove Falls

Moore Cove Falls (Moore Cove Falls) is located at a distance of 1.5 km from Looking Glass, if you drive back towards Blue Ridge Parkway. The trail to the waterfall is almost 1 km long one way. The entrance is free.

First we crossed the bridge, and then went deep into the forest. I had to cross Moore Creek a couple of times. This waterfall is called a hidden gem. national forest Pisgah.

People like to hide in an alcove behind the waterfall and its transparent jets that fall from the cliff.

And behind the waterfall itself, the trail continues, there is a campsite and another waterfall, but access to it is much more difficult.

Further down the road is Sliding rock. This is not quite a waterfall, but gently sloping stones with a slight slope, over which water rolls. People use this place as a slide from which they ride on the priest. I immediately remembered a complex in Peru, where there are also rock slides, though without flowing water. Entrance fee - 1 dollar. Don't forget to bring your swimsuit and swimming trunks.

Since it was quite overcast while we were driving along the road, we decided to return to the Blue Ridge Parkway and ride the same road back to try our luck at the lookouts, hoping the sun would not hide again.

We saw Mount Looking Glass towards the clouds. This is the same mountain that turns into a mirror and along which the waterfall of the same name flows. Doesn't it look a bit like a lonely mountain in Sri Lanka?

We also visited the high point Blue Ridge Parkway - 1844 meters

My Review of Blue Ridge Parkway

Summing up, in general, I will say that the Blue Ridg Parkway is unusual for us. american adventure. Of course, we have already traveled around, but only here, on east coast, faced with. that the road can be monotonous on the one hand, and very beautiful on the other. It seems the landscape is the same in blue mountains(as in), and the eye rejoices.

And again, I caught myself thinking that, being in such states as Virginia and North Carolina, we seemed to have traveled through the endless ones, as if we had gone once again from the town to our beloved. The same milky mountains, green waves of mountain forests and serpentines.

So I advise everyone to drive at least along the southern part of the Blue Ridge Parkway, if there is not enough time for all 755 km.

Blue Ridge Parkway Map

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The Blue Ridge Parkway is a protected parkway that stretches for 755 kilometers through the states of Virginia and North Carolina. The road is known for its beautiful views, which are especially good in the first half of autumn.

Americans have turned their nature into a tourist attraction. Nature is looked after here, protected, and at the same time creates comfortable conditions for tourists who come to admire this nature. Blue Ridge Parkway is no exception - along the entire route there are a huge number of observation platforms where you can stop and enjoy the views.

All sites have special informative signs about the area that tell its history and where to look to see good view.