Stretching almost 500 miles along the crest of the Appalachian mountains through North Carolina and Virginia, the Blue Ridge Parkway is the longest road planned as a single unit in the United States. Stretching far off its shoulders, the park protects a continuous series of panoramic views, excellent habitat for plants and wildlife, and encompasses some of the oldest settlements of both Native Americans and early European settlement. Those are just a few reasons why it’s known as one of the best drives in the world. Photo by Norman Lathrop (www.sharetheexperience.org).