Well, I was feeling unwell and fell asleep while blogging. I didn't get to finish telling you about Day 9, Sunday, September 27. One of our destinations was the Linn Cove Viaduct and Visitor Center.
Linn Cove Viaduct is a 1243-foot concrete segmental bridge which snakes around the slopes of Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina. It was completed in 1983 at a cost of $10 million and was the last section of the Blue Ridge Parkway to be finished. It is said to be the most complicated concrete bridge ever built.
The viaduct was needed because of the damage that a traditional cut-and-fill road would have caused to Grandfather Mountain. The viaduct was designed by Figg and Muller Engineers, Inc.; construction began in 1979. It is 1,243 feet long and consists of 153 segments weighing 50 tons each. The bridge's segments were precast at an indoor facility at the south side of the parkway. After being transported to the bridge site, each section was lowered into place by a custom crane placed on either edge of the existing structure. The only work done at ground level was drilling for the seven footings which support the viaduct. In particular, there was no access road other than the Blue Ridge Parkway itself. The bridge has received eleven design awards.
The National Park Service maintains a visitor center and bridge museum at the south end of the viaduct. Walking trails that originate at the center travel under and beside the viaduct and connect with the Blue Ridge Parkway trail network.
This huge photo of the Linn Cove Viaduct is featured in the Linn Cove Visitor Center.
This large model of the construction of the viaduct is the centerpiece of the visitor center.
I found this in the Linn Cove Visitor Center. This emblem is featured on stickers, hats, shirts, zipper pulls, and more. I think it's funny...Sid doesn't. He looks a bit ill when he sees it. He wouldn't let me buy the sticker.
The visitor center was a confluence of motor vehicles, cyclists (bicycle riders), and serious hikers. It was really busy. There seemed to be an organized bicycle ride/race happening. The cyclists and hikers have legs of steel! I felt like a slacker riding on a motorcycle. I wonder how those softies in the cars felt...stepping out of their cocoon-like cars in their shirtsleeves (no jackets!), carrying their pet dogs, strolling in to the center to pick up maps, primping in the restrooms to make sure their hair and make-up look perfect. Humph!
Here we are looking ahead on the Linn Cove Viaduct. The fall colors are really evident up here at 4,100 feet at the edge of Grandfather Mountain.
I turned around to shoot this view of the viaduct as we drove over it. Look at that cloud in the curve. Whoa!
As we continued north on the parkway, I captured this view between the trees from a neighboring mountain. Keep in mind that the last three photos were taken from the back of a moving motorcycle.
Soon after this, we left the parkway to head for North Wilkesboro to attend the final afternoon of the
Carolina in the Fall Music Festival. Noted mountain musicians performed on the hills of the Shepherd farm. It was interesting, and the music was good. Sid became weary and we headed back to the Williams Motel near the hospital in North Wilkesboro. This older motel has been run by Eric Williams for the past 30 years. Eric's father built the motel many years ago. Eric and his family live in quarters that extend from the office area to an upstairs area over the office. We were delighted to find they had a kitten in the office. The motel also includes weekly rental apartments where Steve (Eric's childhood friend) stays when he is in town.
Later in the evening, we gathered in the office/lobby with another motel guest. Eric pulled out his guitar and entertained us with many songs (including Folsom Prison!). Between songs, he and Steve told wild tales of their teenage lives during the late '60s. It was a memorable and unexpected end to a long day. We plan to be back on the parkway for Day 10.
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