Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Dark green spruce-fir trees begin to dot the landscape at Linn Cove Viaduct, which hugs Grandfather Mountain.
9.
Groundhog Mountain
While you may spy a groundhog (or woodchuck) in the meadow here, the chubby little
critter isn't this spot's main attraction. Rather, it's an exhibit of three of the most popular
types of split-rail fence, the rustic enclosure that once graced so many farmsteads in the
Appalachians. Snake, buck, and post-and-rail fences border an observation tower that was
built to resemble a tobacco barn; they're part of more than 300 miles of wooden fences
along the length of the parkway.
JustamiledowntheroadisthelogcabinofAuntOrelenaPuckett,oneofthelegendary
characters of the Blue Ridge. She bore 24 children, but tragically, none lived beyond the
age of two. Later in life she devoted herself to helping others secure what she couldn't
have: she became a midwife and delivered more than 1,000 babies in the area around
Groundhog Mountain, venturing out in all kinds of weather whenever the call for help
came, and never charging more than six dollars. Her last “bornin' ” was her own great-
grand-nephew in 1939—the year she died, at an age of nearly 100 years. Continuing along
the route, drive southwest from Groundhog mountain a few more miles and you'll come to
the Blue Ridge Music Center.
Search WWH ::
Custom Search