As a principal for Nexant Inc. in Washington, D.C., Rebecca Gaskin Gain consults with the federal government on financial transactions with African nations. While on vacation, Rebecca Gaskin Gain and her husband enjoy hiking off the Blue Ridge Parkway, which traverses the Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina and Virginia.
The idea of the Parkway originated in 1933 with President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and road-building began in 1935. Because of the Great Depression and World War II, construction proceeded sporadically. Although it was nearly complete in the 1960s, the last section - an engineering marvel known as the Linn Cove Viaduct - was not finished until 1987.
The scenic two-lane winding road is designed for leisurely travel. Large trucks are banned and the speed limit is 45 miles per hour. Along its 469 miles are many attractions, such as:
- Mount Mitchell State Park. At 6,684 feet, Mount Mitchell is the highest peak east of the Mississippi. The park, accessible from milepost 355.4, offers splendid views of the Appalachians from its 360-degree observation deck. Visitors can also enjoy camping, hiking, and a natural history museum.
- Linville Falls. Located in a gorge nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the Southern Appalachians, the falls are arrayed in three separate plunges. Trails overlook the falls in four places. The visitor center is at milepost 316. The area is a popular campsite and features the Parkway’s only group camping facilities.
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