Woooo - We are walking in the road!
Normally, we walk on the Blue Ridge Parkway road itself only in the winter when the road is closed with snow and ice. But many sections of the road are still closed due to all of the damage caused by the winter storms. Our good neighbors over at Mountain Musings recently posted about the damage, but we spent Sunday morning up at the Mt. Pisgah area. We have posted about this area many times (such as this), but this was a very different trip. Remember that hurricane force winds on the ridges are a common occurrence and this winter was particularly harsh. Nature is amazingly resilient and this area will look great this summer, but the damage now is hard to imagine.
A very common sight on the Parkway right now.
Cars are prohibited, though pedestrians are certainly allowed.
*
The crystal clear blue skies over Mt Pisgah hint at peace and tranquility.
Though the damage from the winter storms surrounds our walk.
The Park Service is working hard to clear the roads.
The sign marking the area is even surrounded with downed branches.
Even the warning sign for the Buck Springs Tunnel fell victim to the winter storms.
Not that anything slowed The Herd down as we entered the tunnel.
The Road might not be open for cars.
But that never slows The Herd on our hikes.
I really do forget how much winter weather occurs at elevation south of the Mason Dixon line. I thought broken trees were unique to those of us in the north country save for the rare ice storm.
I hope for your sake that things can be cleaned up in a hurry. What an inconvenience!
wow! feels like being stranded. how exciting! reminds me of my time on the east coast. oh wait, we have our fair share of downed lines, closed roads, mud slides, not to mention trees that fall on NitWit Bridge. and ONLY from the RAIN. Californians and its landscape are such pansies!
did the herd WOO WOO going thru the tunnel?!
tula
We usually have that kind of devastation here during tornado season, but once in a while we have a winter storm bad enough to do serious damage. The Herd doesn’t seem to be too deterred by any of it, though! Somehow, I doubt that anything deters them!
Gosh it’s really a shame about all the damage caused by the winter weather this year. But it made for an awesome hiking trail – the road itself!
We get our fair share of wind damaged trees too, but we have never gotten to walk through a tunnel! Wow. How cool is that?
Kisses,
Emma Rose
Dear Herd -
Your plan is working…
I’ve seen what The Hu-Dad posted on FB about wearing woo out…
Time to spring into akhtion!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
PeeEssWoo: Nice pikhs!
It must have felt very odd to hike through the tunnel!
Imagine the trails – last April, almost exactly a year ago, we got 4.5 ft of heavy snow. The tree damage was unbelievable. We lost lots and lots of trees on our property alone. It took until about Sept for all the trails to be cleared since the forest service has no money for that kind of work. The locals did all of it, a little at a time.
MAXMOM wants to know if the herd’s leas are attached to a human on a skateboard?!
It seems a long walk you had! I wish our roads/parks department was as efficient as yours!
Lotsalicks
MAXDOG IN SOUTH AFRICA
The Herd shall overcome!
Winter WAS rough in your area! Hope the Park Service gets all that downed timber cleared before the peak of fire season! Of course, nothing stops the Herd! You all look so focused on your hike…hope it was a great walk.
FULL SPEED AHEAD!
We are so glad that the damage didnt slow woo guys down at all!
Wags and Woofs,
Mack and Mia
Good to see nothing stops the Thundering Herd on their mission!
Lots of damage!
xxx
Woooos! As if anything could slow that herd down…..
~husky kisses~
-Kira The BeaWootiful
Wow! Was going through the tunnel cool!?!? I’d love that kind of thing!
Play bows,
Zim
Its almost sad how much damage the weather causes every year
A tough winter certainly but good to see that nothing stops your hike!
Wow! Can’t even imagine the winds that came through there. Besides the damage and storm reminders, what a fantastic private road you have there!
Hugs and snaggle-tooth kisses,
Sierra Rose
That must have been quite the winds to do all that damage. We were a little worried there when all we saw was the black and white team – whew – glad you ended with the reds. Mom says she isn’t sure she would like going through that tunnel:)
Woos – Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara
furry much scawy all the twee branches but my do you guys look so full of the gorgeousness
pibble sugars
the pittie pack
Great hikes!
I am again housebound due to lack of motivation of Mother Dearest! She is useless!
I’m happy someone is getting out and about!
Koda MD
A rough winter, hope all is cleared soon. But what a treat to be able to walk on the parkway! Even though you knew it was closed, did you still feel a bit of trepidation going through the tunnel? I think I might!
Was it scary & cool(at the same time) going thru the tunnel?? How many miles a day do ya’ll make your humans walk (we think it’s way more than we make ours walk..so we may have to up the walking time)?? Maybe we should call the BR Parkway the Siberian Parkway now (atleast that section of it anyway)…..Just a thought……
Licks & Nibbles,
Kody & Nia
So sorry that there is so much wind damage, but at least you still can have your walkies there! Looks like a beautiful day for walking too!