ItÃ¢Â€Â™s Not Too Late for a Mountain Drive!

The government shutdown has created more opportunities for less traffic on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's still possible to get out there and see the Fall colors before they are gone for good. <br /><br />Parkway Travel has been Held Up<br /><br />The government shutdown forced the closing of the Blue Ridge Parkway  visitor centers, bathroom facilities, campgrounds, and picnic areas. As another "added benefit," The Great Smokies National Park has also been shut down for sixteen days. When the shutdown started, all of the rangers there were immediately put on Furlow. There was just a bit of good news in that the park had an infusion of 75K from North Carolina and 305K from Tennesse. This allowed the Great Smokies National Park to open up for five days. <br /><br />Push Your Trip Back to Late Fall<br /><br />So what's the best thing to do? Well, there are parks that are still open, however, our suggestion is to wait and do a visit in later autumn. Let's diverge for a bit and dicuss science. Be taught more on an affiliated link - Click here: [http://buynewhomes.weebly.com/1/post/2013/11/boone-offers-amazing-new-homes.html jump button]. Nights have been so mild that trees are still producing chlorophyll, the chemical that makes plants green. The situation here that develops is that the remainly chlorophyll in the leaves covers up carotenoid (chemical that makes the orange hue). So when the temperatures drop enough, the chlorophyll will disappear and the yellow and orange shades of fall foliage will shine through on the mountaintops.<br /><br />Visit Mount Pisgah and Other Higher Elevations<br /><br />DonÃ¢Â€Â™t worry if youÃ¢Â€Â™ve planned a trip to see the autumn colors soon though. ThereÃ¢Â€Â™s still plenty to see at higher mountain elevations, where the cooler temperatures allow leaves to change sooner. All of the parks and State forests are still open. So you can go on a drive to Mt Pisgah and do a fun hike. A drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway will yield varying elevations and provide the most diverse views of the fall colors. It's really a great idea to bring a thick coat or sweater because there's usually a 25 to 35 degree difference. Of course, you really should be wearing polarized sunglasses while driving. Do you have a great camera? Be sure to bring it to take fabulous pics! One of the most fun things to do is simply drive to a rocky overlook and snap pictures of friends and the scenery, whether itÃ¢Â€Â™s on a smart phone or nice camera. The setting makes everyone look good!.<br /><br />Experience Beautiful Mountain Scenery<br /><br />The mountains are really amazing. Many times, people are in love with this place after they return home.Are you interesting in moving to the area? If so, we suggest that you checkout the Blue Ridge Mountain Club. This is an amazing mountain community that's location on Six Thousand acres in the Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and Boone area. And another thing - this community has is own hiking trails so that you won't have to worry about the Government Shutdown.