Color along the highways
How about a round of applause for the N.C. Department of Transportation's wildflower program?
My drive on I-40 west from Winston-Salem to Morganton this weekend was brightened in a couple of dozen places by patches of red, white, yellow, pink and violet. Poppies are the most common flowers seen, but plenty of varieties are represented.
Our state also does a fine job keeping rest areas clean and green.
We may have high gas taxes, but we do get a nice ride along much of our highway system.
Among the interstates, I'm particularly fond of I-40 west of Winston, I-77 north of Statesville and I-26. All offer some nice scenery - spectacular in places - and the wildflowers provide an extra attraction.
Comments (5)
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No offense meant to Doug or North Carolina.
But...
I've taken a ton of interstate trips up and down the east coast and I'd have to say my favorite is 220 North (a beautiful ride) to Roanoke then hitting I-81 North, then riding through Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. I'm not from Virginia - nor prejudiced for the state in any way - but it's a relatively easy drive, beautiful taken at sunrise or sunset. Much easier than a drive through the beautiful (yet tiring to drive through) mountains of West Virginia, the hustle of the New Jersey Turnpike, or any road in Pennsylvania. If we're talking the south, I-85 is nice -- when it gets into South Carolina.
Posted on May 9, 2005 11:06 AM
TS,
No offense taken. I was limiting my comments to highways in North Carolina, but I certainly will grant you that I-81 through the Valley is a great drive. As far as Virginia goes, I also like 29 all the way up to Charlottesville and beyond. And, when going to Richmond, I always take 29 to Danville, then 360 to Richmond, rather than I-85/ 95. I find 360 to be a really pretty route.
Posted on May 9, 2005 12:22 PM
Doug,
I would have waved if I knew it was you. I, too, traveled I-40 west this week end and saw the same patch of wildflowers.
You might also try 421 from Winston to Boone. Since the "new part" opened last year, you don't have to worry about driving off the shoulder or any other 2 lane road hazards.
Posted on May 10, 2005 4:16 PM
MD,
You're right about 421. And how about 321 from Lenoir to Blowing Rock?
As long as we're talking about mountain roads, U.S. 276 between Waynesville and Brevard is worth going out of your way.
Posted on May 10, 2005 4:53 PM
Of course flowers immediately draw attention and come in all sorts of colors, shapes, and price.
Posted on March 13, 2006 4:21 AM