Day 49 The Ultimate USA Road Trip Lewisburg Lynchburg
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert René Plücken (MRA Master)
Last edit: 23-01-2023
Route Summary
This is the forty-ninth route of “The Ultimate USA Road Trip”, a collection of routes based on the route created by scientist Dr. Randy Olsen algorithm to create the perfect USA Road Trip that covers almost every state of the USA and the main hotspots in the USA.I have further supplemented the Road Trip with even more special points that you can visit in the USA. Today we drive from Lewisburg in West Virginia to Lynchburg Virginia. We drive on beautiful roads through nature parks in the beautiful mountain area. We drive part of the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway, with some nice viewpoints to stop. It is a journey of almost 270 kilometers.
We drive on beautiful roads through a beautiful mountainous area in America with great panoramas and a number of beautiful stops. I rate this route with 5 stars.
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Animation
Verdict
Duration
10h 45m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
262.10 km
Countries
Arnold Valley
RouteXpert Review
On day 49 of “The Ultimate USA Road Trip” we drive from Lewisburg to Lynchburg. We drive through the Greenbrier Valley, which is known as one of the most beautiful landscapes in West Virginia. Here are rolling farmlands, forested mountainsides, small villages, and the Greenbrier itself, the longest free-flowing river in the state.The very luxurious Greenbrier Resort is also located along the river in a picturesque and picturesque setting and is therefore very popular as a wedding location. The resort in the Allegheny Mountains borders the east coast. In the early days before the Civil War, the American nobility was drawn to the cool summer breezes and the mineral water springs that bubbled up from these mountains. The stately grandeur of The Greenbrier is its unmistakable sprawling Georgian architecture with beautiful gardens. It is a timeless classic that maintains a high level of elegance, well worth a short visit to take some photos.
After crossing the state line between West Virginia and Virginia, we stop at the Humpback Covered Bridge to take photos. This wooden bridge is one of the few surviving covered bridges in the United States built higher in the middle than at either end, giving it a curved shape; hence the name "humpback". The bridge was built in 1857 and is also the oldest surviving covered bridge in the state of Virginia. The bridge spans a tributary of the Jackson River known as Dunlap Creek for 33 meters. The humpback whale is 4 feet (1.2 m) higher in the center than at either end.
We drive on beautiful winding mountain roads, sometimes of lesser quality, so be careful to the next stop at Roaring Run Furnace, it is a historic iron furnace in Jefferson National Forest near Eagle Rock. It was built about 1832 and reflects the national and rural economy of the iron industry in the 19th century. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. It's a short walk from the parking lot.
In Buchanan we cross the James River on the Buchanan Bridge, on the right side you have a view of the Buchanan Swinging Bridge of 110 meters long and 17 meters high. The Buchanan Swinging Bridge is a historic landmark and the only one of its kind to cross the James River. Parts of the large stone piers were built in 1851 for the Buchanan Turnpike Company's toll bridge. The toll for each person was five cents with an additional five cents for each horse, mule or oxen and five cents for each wagon. The Bridge is open to visitors and you can park across the street at the gas station if you want to take a short walk across this historic bridge.
We drive an approximately 32-mile loop on the Blue Ridge Parkway to enjoy the scenic views of the Great Valley. There are several viewpoints along this route to stop briefly for a photo. You should definitely stop at the Great Valley Overlook. Here, the valley is bounded between the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east and the Allegheny Mountains to the west. Both ranges are subsets of the larger Appalachian Mountain range that runs from Georgia to Maine. The view of the Great Valley Overlook here is a sweeping 180° view.
The lunch stop is scheduled at Peaks of Otter's Lake View Restaurant, a renowned restaurant on the Blue Ridge Parkway with spectacular views of Abbott Lake and Sharp Top Mountain. The restaurant has a menu featuring fresh and local ingredients and regional specialties and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily in season. Enjoy lunch on the terrace with a great view.
After lunch we continue this drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The first stop is at the Falling Water Cascades. From the parking lot, you can hike the Fallingwater Casades Trail, a 1.5-mile loop trail to the falls. If you like, you can also hike the Fallingwater-Flat Top National Recreation Trail, which is a 6.5-mile hike that takes you past more small waterfalls.
After about 32 kilometers of driving we arrive at the Otter Creek. This is an artificial lake formed by damming Otter Creek. It is a popular tourist attraction as both the lake and the dam are very beautiful. The Otter Lake Loop Trail is a 1.6 km (1 mile) trail that goes around the lake in 45 minutes.
After this stop we drive to the Lynchburg, the end point of this day. Depending on the time, you can visit the Lynchburg Museum in the Old Court House. The museum shares stories about the people and fascinating events that shaped the region. Exhibits include antique toys, military items from all wars, fine art, furniture and silver made in Lynchburg, costumes, historic photographs, sports and music memorabilia, three media programs, and much more. The Maier Museum of Art at Randolph College is also recommended. It houses an excellent collection of American art, mainly paintings, works on paper and photographs from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. Located on the Randolph campus and open to visitors year-round, the museum serves both the academic community and the general public, offering rotating exhibits, rotating displays of the College's permanent collection, and educational programs.
We will stay overnight at the Craddock Terry Hotel, once a turn of the century shoe factory, now transformed into a unique luxury hotel in downtown Lynchburg, of course there are other hotels as an option, but this will be a great experience. Another Lynchburg must-visit is the iconic Depot Grille in downtown Lynchburg. This restaurant was converted from Lynchburg's own freight train station in 2004. The Depot Grille offers a wide variety of handcrafted cocktails, wines by the glass or on tap, and fifteen local craft beers on tap! Enjoy a menu that offers everything from crab dip to pork ribs that fall off the bone.
Humpback Bridge
Harry Flood Byrd Memorial Bridge
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Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
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West Virginia
About this region
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian, Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered by Pennsylvania to the northeast, Maryland to the east and northeast, Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, and Ohio to the northwest. West Virginia is the 41st-largest state by area and ranks 40th in population, with a population of 1,793,716 residents. The capital and largest city is Charleston.
West Virginia became a state after the Wheeling Conventions of 1861, at the start of the American Civil War. Delegates from northwestern Virginia's Unionist counties decided to break away from Virginia, which also included secessionist counties in the new state. West Virginia was admitted to the Union on June 20, 1863, and was a key border state during the war. It was the only state to form by separating from a Confederate state, the second to separate from a state after Maine separated from Massachusetts, and one of two states (along with Nevada) admitted to the Union during the Civil War. Some of its residents held slaves, but most were yeoman farmers, and the delegates provided for the gradual abolition of slavery in the new state constitution. The state legislature abolished slavery in the state, and at the same time ratified the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery nationally on February 3, 1865.
West Virginia's Northern Panhandle extends adjacent to Pennsylvania and Ohio to form a tristate area, with Wheeling and Weirton just across the border from the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. Huntington in the southwest is close to Ohio and Kentucky, while Martinsburg and Harpers Ferry in the Eastern Panhandle region are considered part of the Washington metropolitan area, between Maryland and Virginia. West Virginia is often included in several U.S. geographical regions, including the Mid-Atlantic, the Upland South, and the Southeastern United States. It is the only state entirely within the area served by the Appalachian Regional Commission; the area is commonly defined as "Appalachia".The state is noted for its mountains and rolling hills, its historically significant coal mining and logging industries, and its political and labor history. It is also known for a wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities, including skiing, whitewater rafting, fishing, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and hunting.
Other nominated names for the state included Vandalia, Kanawha, Appalachia, and Western Virginia. The capital was originally Wheeling, before switching to Charleston, moving back to Wheeling, and finally back to Charleston. While it is now a solidly Republican state, it was Democratic from the Franklin D. Roosevelt era to the 1990s. The first governor was Arthur Boreman.
Read more on Wikipedia
West Virginia became a state after the Wheeling Conventions of 1861, at the start of the American Civil War. Delegates from northwestern Virginia's Unionist counties decided to break away from Virginia, which also included secessionist counties in the new state. West Virginia was admitted to the Union on June 20, 1863, and was a key border state during the war. It was the only state to form by separating from a Confederate state, the second to separate from a state after Maine separated from Massachusetts, and one of two states (along with Nevada) admitted to the Union during the Civil War. Some of its residents held slaves, but most were yeoman farmers, and the delegates provided for the gradual abolition of slavery in the new state constitution. The state legislature abolished slavery in the state, and at the same time ratified the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery nationally on February 3, 1865.
West Virginia's Northern Panhandle extends adjacent to Pennsylvania and Ohio to form a tristate area, with Wheeling and Weirton just across the border from the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. Huntington in the southwest is close to Ohio and Kentucky, while Martinsburg and Harpers Ferry in the Eastern Panhandle region are considered part of the Washington metropolitan area, between Maryland and Virginia. West Virginia is often included in several U.S. geographical regions, including the Mid-Atlantic, the Upland South, and the Southeastern United States. It is the only state entirely within the area served by the Appalachian Regional Commission; the area is commonly defined as "Appalachia".The state is noted for its mountains and rolling hills, its historically significant coal mining and logging industries, and its political and labor history. It is also known for a wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities, including skiing, whitewater rafting, fishing, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and hunting.
Other nominated names for the state included Vandalia, Kanawha, Appalachia, and Western Virginia. The capital was originally Wheeling, before switching to Charleston, moving back to Wheeling, and finally back to Charleston. While it is now a solidly Republican state, it was Democratic from the Franklin D. Roosevelt era to the 1990s. The first governor was Arthur Boreman.
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5
Amount of RX reviews (West Virginia)
174
Amount of visitors (West Virginia)
23
Amount of downloads (West Virginia)
Route Collections in this region
Ultimate USA road trip part 05
Michel van Hagen challenged me to follow the Roadtrip of Dr. Randy Olsen as a basis to create the Ultimate USA Road Trip for the MyRoute app RouteXpert Library. I took up that challenge and started in February 2022.
The scientist Dr. Randy Olsen, who became known for using his knowledge of algorithms to find 'Waldo' in the well-known American 'Where's Waldo' book series, has been challenged by Tracy Staedter, from Discovery News, to use the same algorithm to create the perfect Road Trip by creating the US, which will visit almost every state in the US. Alaska and Hawaii are not included in this Road Trip due to their geographical location.
The following three requirements formed the basis of the route: In all 48 countries there must be at least one stop at famous points, monuments, historical sites, national parks, etc. I have added additional interesting points, beautiful tours and routes.
After more than 26 months, the job is finished and, with a lot of support from Nick Carthew, I have created 129 routes that run through the 48 states of the USA and part of Canada. This is the fifth collection that takes you from Cocao Beach in ten days through Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia to Kill Devil Hills in North Carolina.
The scientist Dr. Randy Olsen, who became known for using his knowledge of algorithms to find 'Waldo' in the well-known American 'Where's Waldo' book series, has been challenged by Tracy Staedter, from Discovery News, to use the same algorithm to create the perfect Road Trip by creating the US, which will visit almost every state in the US. Alaska and Hawaii are not included in this Road Trip due to their geographical location.
The following three requirements formed the basis of the route: In all 48 countries there must be at least one stop at famous points, monuments, historical sites, national parks, etc. I have added additional interesting points, beautiful tours and routes.
After more than 26 months, the job is finished and, with a lot of support from Nick Carthew, I have created 129 routes that run through the 48 states of the USA and part of Canada. This is the fifth collection that takes you from Cocao Beach in ten days through Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia to Kill Devil Hills in North Carolina.
View Route Collection
10 Routes
3057.64 km
104h 3m