Facts and Folklore between milepost 216 - 248

• Where the Parkway Began...Cumberland Knob in Alleghany County was where ground was first broken in the construction of the Parkway in 1935.
• The Lost Province - Alleghany County was known as the "lost province" because of its isolation. Nowadays the county is referred as the "unspoiled province" because of its preserved, scenic beauty.
• The Old "New" - Did you know that The New River, which flows through Alleghany County, is the second oldest river in the world? This billion years old river was named an American Heritage River in 1998 by President Clinton who visited the area to present the designation. The New is also the only river in the eastern US that flows northward to the mid-west. The River was named in honor of the ferry operator Mr. New.
• Alleghany - The word, "Alleghany," is said to come from an Indian word meaning, "a fine stream."
• White Lightning - Did you know that still made whiskey (aka moonshine, corn likker, or white lightning) was heartily made in Alleghany County--first by pioneers, and then by locals during the Great Depression who bartered with the moonshine to buy staples like flour, sugar, etc. Back then, a moonshiner making whiskey to raise money to feed his family was not thought of as a criminal. Today, though, stiff penalties including jail time are given if caught selling moonshine.
• Minerals - During the Civil War, many minerals including iron, were mined in Alleghany County.Other minerals such as copper and gray granite were also plentiful.

Birds You Might Spot From Milemarker 216-248

• Downy Woodpecker
• Eastern Wood Peewee
• Eastern Phoebe
• Great Crested Flycatcher
• American Goldfinch
• White-breasted Nuthatches
• Indigo Bunting
• Carolina Wrens
• Red-eyed & Solitary Vireos
• Hooded Warblers
• Black-billed Cuckoos
• Scarlet Tanager
• Wood Thrush

Wildflowers You Might Spot From Milepost 216-248

• Skunk Cabbage - Feb-Mar
• Dwarf Iris - Mar-April
• Serviceberry Sarvice - Mar-May
• Dwarf Iris - Mar-April
• Buttercups - Mar-June
• Wild Strawberry - Mar-June
• Crested Dwarf Iris - Apr-May
• Pinxter Flower - Apr-May
• Trillium - Apr-May
• Carolina Rhododendron Late Apr-June
• Dogwood - May
• Flame Azalea - May-June
• Allegheny Blackberry - May-June
• New Jersey Tea - May-June
• Bittersweet - May-June
• Fly Poison - May-July
• Phlox - May-July
• Catawba Rhododendron - June
• Goat's Beard - June
• Butterfly Weed - Jun-Aug
• Mountain Laurel - June-July
• Sourwood - Jun-July
• Tall Coneflower - Jul-Aug
• Pokeberry - Aug

Points of Interest - Milepost 249 to 263

• Northwest Trading Post - Located at MP 259, the Northwest Trading Post offers a large selection of handmade crafts, homemade jams and goodies, quilts and other fine wares.
• Glendale Springs- After you tour the Northwest Trading Post, turn in beside it and visit the cozy mountain corner of Glendale Springs. While you're in Glendale Springs, you might decide to stay a spell. Hospitality is their middle name and relaxation is their priority in Glendale Springs.
• Zaloo's Canoes - The best way to see Ashe County is on the New River! Canoe the New with Zaloo...only a ½ mile from MP 259 on Highway 16. (800) 535-4027 or www.zaloos.com
• Mountain Music Jamboree - Milepost 261 (Glendale Springs). On Highway 16. Mountain Music Jamboree is open Saturday nights from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m (Friday nights starting in June). Enjoy square dancing, flat-footing and clogging. Since no alcoholic beverages are allowed on premises, this is an ideal outing for the whole family! 800-803-4079 or www.MountainMusicJamboree.com $
• Churches of the Frescoes- From Milepost 259, turn toward Glendale Springs, pass the first stop sign, turn right and drive for ½ a block to the Holy Trinity Church. The "Last Supper" covers an entire wall of the Church. Across the street, on the grounds of the Mission House the pavilion is perfect for a picnic. (churches of the frescos are opened 24 hours a day and admission if free). As you leave the church , turn left on Glendale School Road, then at the intersection turn right on West Reno Road. Cross the low water bridge and proceed to Highway 163. Drive for about 4 miles to the intersection with 221. Go through the traffic light and take the first left to Beaver Creek School Road. In less than a mile on the right is St. Mary's Episcopal Church. The 3 fresco paintings are the "Mystery of Faith", "John, the Baptist" and "Mary, Great with Child". Notice that the beams of the church are incorporated into the fresco. Also, notice that there is a bumble bee that is immortalized in the John the Baptist fresco because it "bugged" the artist so much while he was painting! FREE
• Jumpingoff Rocks Trail - A forest path to a great view. 1.0 miles, Easy. Located at MP 260.3 FREE
• Downtown West Jefferson- Great shops, boutiques, antiques and restaurants set against a picturesque mountain backdrop. Stop by the Visitor Center at the Ashe Chamber of Commerce. 336-246-9550 or www.ashechamber.com
• Buffalo Creek Weavers- See 19th Century Looms in operation. 6th generation Goodwin Family of Weavers. Coverlets, throws, tote bags, pillows, etc..., woven in 1700 & 1800 patterns. Official licensed producer of Mossy Oak woven products. Open for Tours. Located in Warrensville.336-384-3632
• Sally Mae's Emporium- in Downtown West Jefferson-The High Country's newest Emporium located in beautiful Ashe County. Featuring original art and handcrafted items from local artists, unique gifts, and gourmet coffees and food. Open 7 days ! 336-246-9069
• Frasers Restaurant and Catering- A full service restaurant located in the Art District of West Jefferson, NC. We offer a full range of sandwiches and salads for lunch and seafood and steaks for dinner. 336-246-5222 or www.frasersrestaurant.com
• Todd General Store & Historic Todd - On Highway 194, about 20 minutes from Boone. The general store is a true mercantile of days gone by and has been in operation since 1914. Displayed throughout the store are memorabilia from the early 1900s. On Friday nights, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. locals offer "homemade jam" but you cannot eat it. It is live music played around the pot bellied stove on fiddle, dulcimer, banjo or whatever other instruments the players bring. (20 minutes). Call 336-877-1067 for more details.
• Mount Jefferson State Park - the highest peak in the county. Take 221 toward West Jefferson then …turn right on Mount Jefferson State Park Road. 3 miles up the road will take you to the state park. Picnic areas, hiking trails and beautiful panoramic views of the New River. Be sure to visit it in mid to late June when the rhododendron are in bloom. Mount Jefferson State Park was once part of the Underground Railroad for Runaway Slaves. (ranger- 336-246-9653) FREE
• New River State Park - Canoe more than 26 miles of the National Wild and Scenic South Fork of the New River, the second oldest river in the world. Three access points for fishing, picknicking and picturesque scenery. Primitive camping, canoe camping, picnic area and shelter, hiking, fishing, boat access and educational programs. On NC 88 and SR 1588. 336-982-2587 FREE
• Shatley Springs - (5 miles north of Jefferson on Highway 16) spring "radium" water believed to possess healing power. Can be purchased or collected for free in your own container. FREE
• Greenfield Restaurant - Located near Mt. Jefferson State Park on Mt. Jefferson Road. Live music is performed Friday and Saturday nights for your dancing pleasure. 336-246-2900

Points of Interest - Milepost 264 to 276

• The Lump Trail MP 264.4 to hill top view; .3 Mile, Easy FREE

• Cascades Trail MP 271.9 self-guiding loop to view of falls; .5 Mile, Moderate FREE

• EB Jeffress Park MP 272 Picnic area, comfort station, trail to Cascades Waterfall. FREE

• Tompkins Knob Trail MP 272.5 to Jesse Brown Cabin; .6 Mile, Easy FREE

• Old Wilkes Jail - 30 min. - The historic Old Wilkes Jail was completed in 1860 and used as a jail until 1915. Located behind the old Wilkes County Courthouse in Wilkesboro, it has been restored and now contains a museum filled with memorabilia. Folk legend Tom Dooley was one of its infamous inmates. FREE

• W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir - 1 hr to a whole weekend! - Camping, swimming, fishing, boating. Enjoy Bandits Roost and Warrior Creek Park featuring paved access roads, campsites and shower facilities. Small-game hunting and fishing are permitted in restricted areas. $

• Tom Dooley Art Museum at Whippoorwill Academy - 1 hr - 45 paintings and drawings by Edith F. Carter on the life of Tom Dooley (Dula) who was convicted and hanged for the murder of his girlfriend, Laura Foster. Included in the museum are Tom's original tombstone, his war records, the door handle to his home and a lock of Laura Foster's hair.

• Wilkes Playmakers, Inc. - 20 miles from Milepost 276.4 - 300 D Street, N. Wilkesboro-Wilkes Playmakers is the home of "Tom Dooley: A Wilkes County Legend" performed each year in July and August. For information on our season contact us at 336-838-7529 or www.wilkesplaymakers.com

• Overmountain Victory Trail - 2 hrs. - The historic trail follows the route of assembly of the American Patriot army which defeated an American Loyalist army at the battle of Kings Mountain in South Carolina. The trail, which covers about 220 miles from Abingdon, VA, through Eastern Tennessee, over the mountains of NC, across the Piedmont of NC and SC to Kings Mountain. A 70-mile branch from Wilkes-Surry joins the main rout near its center at Quaker Meadows in Morganton. FREE

• MerleFest - All Weekend! - Held the last weekend of April each year, MerleFest is one of the largest country music/bluegrass festivals in the United States. Named for Doc Watson's late son, Merle, MerleFest features big name talents like Doc Watson, Ricky Skaggs and other well-known artists and draws more than 65,000 music enthusiasts for the four day festival each year. 800-343-7857 $

• Rendezvous Mountain - 1-2 hrs. - Follow the "Talking Tree Trail," where the trees talk and tell their own story and the story of the forest's history...or take the Forest Demo Trail to learn about forestry practices. Also learn about logging at the sawmill exhibit. Picnic areas and amphitheater available for groups. FREE

Birds You Might Spot From Milepost 264-276.4

• Red-tailed Hawks
• Chestnut-sided Warblers
• Canada Warblers
• Slate-colored Juncos
• White-breasted Nuthatches
• Rose-breasted Grosbeaks

Wildflowers You Might Spot From Milepost 264-276.4

• Buttercups - Mar-June
• Wild Strawberry - Mar-June
• Crested Dwarf Iris - Apr-May
• Flame Azalea - May-June
• Fraser Magnolia - May
• Catawba Rhododendron - June
• Mountain Laurel - June-July

Points of Interest - Milepost 277 to 291

• Grandview Overlook - Gorgeous view--as the name implies! Located at MP 281.7 FREE

• Daniel Boone Trace - The rich history of our area includes many visits from pioneer Daniel Boone. In the mid 1700s, Boone had a camping cabin in Boone (where ASU is now located) and regularly hunted the area. At this stop, (MP 285.1), there is a monument and a roadside picnic table. FREE

• Raven's Rock Overlook- Views of valley surrounding the Watauga River. No picnic access but great place to pull off and tailgate while enjoying the view. MP 289 FREE

• Thunder Hill Overlook- View overlooks Yadkin River valley. Can see Hickory & Lenoir. Great views during the day and particularly at night. Also great place to pull off to tailgate. MP 290 FREE

• Downtown Boone - 2 Hrs. - Featuring charming and distinctive shoppes, antique markets, boutiques and restaurants. From MP 276.4, take Hwy. 421 North until it becomes King Street - and you're there! Be sure to see all the stores on Main Street like Old Boone Mercantile, but also turn on Depot Street and then right onto Howard to visit that area as well.

• An Appalachian Summer Festival - The High Country's Festival of the Arts featuring the finest in music, dance, theater and visual arts during the month of July each year. Sponsored by and held at Appalachian State University. From MP 276.4 take Hwy. 421 North until it becomes King Street. Turn left at Daniel Boone Inn Restaurant and then right onto Rivers Street. Events are held at various venues on campus. Call 800-841-ARTS or 800-438-7500 for a calendar, times and venues. www.appsummer.appstate.edu

• Magic Mountain Mini-Golf & Gem Mine - 1 to 2 hrs. - A challenging and fun-filled course set on a mountainside amidst the beauty of nature and waterfalls. Mine for gems in NC enriched ore. All equipment provided. From MP 276.4, take Hwy. 421 North into Boone. Turn left on Hwy. 105, go through the 321 intersection. Magic Mountain is less than 1 mile from intersection on left. 828-265-4653 $

• Daniel Boone Native Gardens - 30 minutes to 1 hour - Featuring a collection of NC native plant material in an informal landscape designed for education and preservation. See the wrought iron gates made by Daniel Boone VI, a direct descendent of the great pioneer. Seasonal operation. A great place to go before you hike so that you can "name that vegetation" along the way! From MP 276.4, take Hwy. 421 north to Boone, turn left onto Hwy. 105, turn right onto Hwy. 321. Turn right in between funeral home and Pizza Hut onto Horn in the West Drive. From MP 291.9, take Hwy. 321 into Boone, go through large intersection and turn right in between funeral home & Pizza Hut onto Horn in the West Drive. 828-264-6390 $

• Watauga County Farmers Market- 1 Hr. - The Watauga County Farmer's Market at the historic Horn in the West, Features the finest produce, fresh eggs, baked goods, crafts, cut flowers, garden and specialty plants. Open every Saturday May through October and also Wednesdays in July and August. Hours are 8:00 a.m. till noon. From MP 276.4, take Hwy. 421 north to Boone, turn left onto Hwy. 105, turn right onto Hwy. 321. Turn right in between funeral home and Pizza Hut onto Horn in the West Drive. From MP 291.9, take Hwy. 321 into Boone, go through large intersection and turn right in between funeral home & Pizza Hut onto Horn in the West Drive. 423-727-9370 or www.wataugacountyfarmersmarket.org

• Horn in the West - 2.5 Hrs. - The nation's third oldest outdoor drama telling the story of the Revolutionary War and warmly portrays Daniel Boone and his pioneer friends as they faced the danger of the British army and Cherokee Indians. in western NC. Open at 8pm nightly except Mondays from June-August. From MP 276.4, take Hwy. 421 north to Boone, turn left onto Hwy. 105, turn right onto Hwy. 321. Turn right in between funeral home and Pizza Hut onto Horn in the West Drive. From MP 291.9, take Hwy. 321 into Boone, go through large intersection and turn right in between funeral home & Pizza Hut onto Horn in the West Drive. 828-264-2120 or www.boonenc.org/saha $

• Howard's Knob - 1 Hr. - A great place for a picnic or to see Boone from above. Covered tables and spectacular views of the area. From MP 276.4, take Hwy. 321 until it turns into King Street, then turn right onto Depot Street at the Old Boone Mercantile. At the stop sign, turn left onto North Street and then shortly after, turn right onto Junaluska Rd. Take Junaluska almost to the top where it runs into Howard's Knob Rd. FREE

• Mast General Store - 1 hr. - Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the original Mast General Store is located in Valle Crucis. Once known for selling everything from "cradles to caskets," this landmark still carries nearly everything you'd need for life in the past century and most of this one. From MP 276.4, go north toward Boone on Hwy. 421, turn left on Hwy. 105 and go about 3 miles. Turn right at stoplight just after bridge onto State Rd. 1112/Broadstone Rd. Mast General Store is approximately 2 miles on right (you will also pass the Mast General Store annex and Mast Farm Inn on the way--stop there, too!) 828-963-6511 or www.mastgeneralstore.com

• Appalachian Ski Mtn. - Half Day to All Day! - Ski, snowboard and ice skate at Appalachian Ski Mtn. Featuring 8 slopes, 6 lifts, a 365' vertical drop and an elevation of 4,000 feet. Family-oriented fun with spectacular scenery! Open mid November through March each year (depending on weather). From MP 291, Appalachian Ski Mtn. is just a very short distance up Hwy. 321 toward Boone. Turn left onto Edmiston Road (there is a traffic light at Edmiston during the winter months) 800-322-2373 or www.appskimtn.com $

• Appalachian Heritage Museum & Native American Artifacts Museum - 30 minutes to 1 hour - The Appalachian Heritage Museum is housed in a 1903 house originally built by the founding father of Appalachian State University. It has been restored to portray the lifestyle of middle class mountain families from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. The Native American Artifacts Museum houses over 50,000 pieces of authentic Native American artifacts including arrowheads, effigy pipes, bowls, celts and awls. The largest collection of its kind in NC. From MP 291.9, take Hwy. 321 toward Boone and the Museums will be on the left beside Mystery Hill. 828-264-2792 www.mysteryhill-nc.com $

• Mystery Hill - 1 to 2 hrs. - Mystery Hill explores the relationship of science, optical illusion and natural phenomena in a hands-on entertainment center. Enter the Mystery House where a stronger than average pull to the north causes some basic laws of physics to work a bit differently than normal. Stand at a 45 degree angle and watch a ball roll up hill. Also enter the Hall of Mystery to have fun with interactive optical illusions, puzzles and life-size bubbles. Appalachian Heritage Museum and Native American Artifacts Museum also on site. From MP 291.9, its a straight shot up Hwy. 321 toward Boone. Mystery Hill is on your left. 828-264-2792 www.mysteryhill-nc.com $

• Tweetsie Railroad - 4-6 hrs. - Family theme park with three-mile train ride, crafts, live entertainment, Country Fair rides and a petting zoo. Featuring the Number 12 engine, part of the original "Tweetsie" which ran through the High Country--and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Open mid-May through mid-August every day and weekends from August through October. Featuring Halloween Festival on weekend evenings in October. From MP 291.9, go about 1.5 miles on Hwy. 321 and Tweetsie will be on your left. 828-264-9061 or www.tweetsie.com $