July 6, 2016 Part 2

Serendipity Again

First (overlooked this on first post)  Happy Anniversary Ken and Julie! A big one.

This morning we went to Mount Airy and visited numerous Mayberry sites.  When we finished Sue wanted to take a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  We have crossed it a number of times but have not yet driven it specifically.  We left Mount Airy and headed north up the freeway to catch a spot where we could get on the parkway.  Just after we started north it started to rain. Did I say RAIN.  We figured driving the parkway would not be any fun at all if we could not see anything so we returned to the campground.

About an hour later the rain let up. Typical of summer storms.  An hour after that sunny with partial clouds.  I suggested we might try again.  OK.

Up the freeway about 20 miles to Fancy Gap and then south on the parkway. The Blue Ridge Parkway stretches 469 miles along the crests of the southern Appalachians and links Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks. It is a typical parkway.  Limited access, no commercial development, good road, and beautiful scenery. Along the way are many points of historical interest, view spots and many picnic, hiking, and camping opportunities. There are several visitor centers along the length and a couple of museums.  About half way down the parkway is a center with a special emphasis. Fifteen miles into our drive we saw a sign for upcoming Blue Ridge Music Center.  We had started our drive without benefit of a map. The visitor center gave the opportunity to get one.  We found that this center is devoted to the unique folk music of the Blue Ridge Mountains and adjacent areas. Much of what we know as folk music had its origins in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  The small museum is very good.  Displays on history of the banjo and its use in music around the world.  Also Blue Ridge life from a music standpoint.  Many visual and audio samples of Blue Ridge style music. Displays tracing the progression of folk music in the area and in America.  The center has a summer program that includes live performances every afternoon by local folk music artists. We got there in time to enjoy the last half hour of the days performance.  Nostalgic sound and they even sang a couple of songs we know.

Amazing what doing things on a whim can turn up.