Mabry Mill is an iconic site on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Meadows of Dan, Virginia. The mill has been featured on postcards from many other locations across the United States.

Farther north, Rocky Knob offered an overlook of the fall colors along the Parkway. Photo date: October 20, 2016.

Rock Castle Gorge is one of my favorite hikes. It’s an 11-mile loop that cuts through woods, across balds, and along stony ridges. The diverse terrain is simply beautiful. Just be sure to start at the bottom and hike counterclockwise toward Rocky Knob. The first two miles are a brutal 1,900 foot elevation gain but well worth the effort. The rest of the hike is moderate, and it must be trauma on the knees to take such an elevation going down.