BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — About 20 miles.
That's all that is open to the public on the North Carolina portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway. But even with this small stretch open, so many people have been out here taking in its beauty.
It's hard to find views like this anywhere except The Blue Ridge Parkway.
"It's a pretty view. It's really immersive. I just enjoy driving the parkway. i come up here literally just to do that. it makes for a happy day when I'm able to drive the parkway," said Cary resident and parkgoer, Jim Dolle.
WFMY News 2's Amber Lake drove the opened portion on Tuesday.
From one road-blocked sign to the other, people were out taking pictures, biking, even having picnics, just trying to get back to some sense of normalcy.
"We are just up enjoying the weather and the sites and getting ready to go to a soccer game on Thursday," said parkgoer Dianne Dolle.
"I love hiking the Blue Ridge and I heard the ruffage area was opened from the hurricane and I kind of just wanted to check out the fall colors," Kendal Godfrey
The stretch of open road from milepost 285.5 to 305 is now accessible, including the Linn Cove Viaduct.
For the people visiting today, it's things like driving the Blue Ridge Parkway and eating in local towns that are open that will help get western North Carolina back up on its feet.
"Supporting small businesses is the best thing we can do for surrounding areas," said Godfrey.
"The people are friendly. They are glad to have the business. They are happy to have people come and support the area and the locals that have had a tough time," said Jim Dolle.
Parkway officials say there are still thousands of trees down, and crews are working as fast as they can to clean them so more of the parkway can reopen in North Carolina.