The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina / Linville Caverns

 The Blue Ridge Mountains are a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian Mountains range. This province consists of northern and southern physiographic regions, which divide near the Roanoke River gap. 

The mountain range is located in the eastern United States, starting at its southernmost portion in Georgia, then ending northward in Pennsylvania.

To the west of the Blue Ridge, between it and the bulk of the Appalachians, lies the Great Appalachian Valley, bordered on the west by the Ridge and Valley province of the Appalachian range.








The Blue Ridge Mountains are noted for their bluish color when seen from a distance.





Trees put the "blue" in Blue Ridge, from the isoprene released into the atmosphere, thereby contributing to the characteristic haze on the mountains and their distinctive color.

Within the Blue Ridge province are two major national parks: the Shenandoah National Park, in the northern section, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in the southern section.

The Blue Ridge also contains the Blue Ridge Parkway, a 469-mile (755 km) long scenic highway that connects the two parks and is located along the ridge crest lines with the Appalachian Trail.

　
Although the term "Blue Ridge" is sometimes applied exclusively to the eastern edge or front range of the Appalachian Mountains, the geological definition of the Blue Ridge province extends westward to the Ridge and Valley area, encompassing the Great Smoky Mountains, the Great Balsams, the Roans, the Brushy Mountains (a "spur" of the Blue Ridge) and other mountain ranges.


　
The Blue Ridge extends as far north into Pennsylvania as South Mountain.

While South Mountain dwindles to mere hills between Gettysburg and Harrisburg, the band of ancient rocks that forms the core of the Blue Ridge continues northeast through the New Jersey and Hudson River highlands, eventually reaching The Berkshires of Massachusetts and the Green Mountains of Vermont.

The Blue Ridge contains the highest mountains in eastern North America south of Baffin Island. About 125 peaks exceed 5,000 feet (1,500 m) in elevation. 




The highest peak in the Blue Ridge (and in the entire Appalachian chain) is Mt. Mitchell in North Carolina at 6,684 feet (2,037 m).

There are 39 peaks in North Carolina and Tennessee higher than 6,000 feet (1,800 m); by comparison, only New Hampshire's Mt. Washington rises above 6,000 feet (1,800 m) in the northern portion of the Appalachian chain.

In many places along the parkway, there are metamorphic rocks (gneiss) with folded bands of light-and dark-colored minerals, which sometimes look like the folds and swirls in a marble cake.  What an amazing day you will have should you decide to view these grand mountains.


　

The Linville Caverns

Linville Caverns are privately owned active limestone caverns located in northern McDowell County, North Carolina, just south of the village of Linville Falls, on U.S. Highway 221.

Deep inside of Humpback Mountain lie the Linville Caverns, North Carolina’s only caverns. These caverns were first explored by the white man over 100 years ago.

It is said that in 1822 a fisherman noticed trout swimming in and out of the mountain and he began looking for a way to see where they were going.  While visiting the caverns you can experience the awe this fisherman felt upon viewing the inside of his discovery.

The caverns are open to the public year round for guided tours. Linville Caverns have been open for tours since the late 1930s and remain the only show caverns in North Carolina.






Half hour guided tours escort visitors through the caverns with information about cavern history, resident creatures, and the formations viewed along the walls and ceilings of the cavern.   

Formed in a deposit of Shady Dolomite at the base of Humpback Mountain, Linville Caverns offer an environment for the public to explore the subterranean world of the Blue Ridge Mountains.


Visitors hear the lore surrounding the caverns, including the tale of the Civil War deserters who used the caverns as a hideout, as well as the geology of the stalactites, stalagmites, and other formations found on the tour route.

In the fall and winter months, cavern visitors may be able to view the caverns' most popular residents, the Eastern Pipistrelle and Little Brown bats. These insect-eating creatures hibernate in the caverns from late fall until early spring.

Linville caverns remain active as mineral deposits continue to form the stalactites and stalagmites. The water, produced by this mountain, with it’s carbon dioxide created the caverns by dissolving limestone and dolomite thus creating natural passageways into the mountain. 

During the winter and early spring you may get to view an Eastern Pipistrelle Bat, which hibernates here, hanging from the ceiling, but be sure you don’t disturb it because this would be fatal to the bat.

For More Information Call: Toll free 1(800)419-0540 Local (828)756-4171
Open: November-March 9:00-4:30 April, May, Sept., Oct. 9:00-5:00 June 1 - Labor Day 9:00-6:00 Dec., Jan., Feb. Weekends Only Visit the Linville Caverns web site at www.linvillecaverns.com



Sometimes when you travel and see things that you never saw before, you are amazed. Today it was not where I went or what I saw that made it so much fun.  As always, my wife Sondra accompanied me and we had an awesome time. 

I do not always tell the world what a wonderful lady or best friend I have so I want to take a minute to tell everyone who reads this, when you travel and it is with your spouse and or best friend, be sure to let them know how much fun things are with them and how it would just be a regular trip without them.

Make him or her feel good and always take the extra minute to hold his or her hand, assuring him or her that the bond you had many years ago is still there and your heart is still very much in love with them. I enjoy every day with my wife and I will cherish each and every adventure we take on.   I hope everyone gets to see this beautiful place but if you don't, a walk in a park, or a walk around the block means just as much when you are holding the person you love the most.

Have a great day and a better tomorrow!!