The Lost Provinces

The region used to be so remote that people called it The Lost Provinces. Most people traveled through Virginia to get into this area, in order to avoid the bad wagon tracks that climbed up the Blue Ridge from North Carolina.

The Blue Ridge Parkway follows the crest of the Blue Ridge along the eastern edge of the Lost Provinces.

Construction on the Parkway started here, at Cumberland Knob, in 1934. At the time, this was one of the most remote places in the East.

The Brinager Cabin shows how folk lived around here in the 1930's — and much later. Sitting beside the parkway, the cabin has regular weaving demonstrations.

As the parkway weaves along the crest of the Blue Ridge, its western views over the Lost Provinces show rich, pastoral countryside — but its eastern views, towards North Carolina, show a wall of rugged, forest-covered mountains dropping below.

The Lost Provinces host two handsome little county seats: Jefferson in Ashe County, and Sparta in Alleghany County (and yes, that's how it's spelled).

Reputed to be the second oldest river on Earth, the New River flows for 90 miles through the heart of the Lost Provinces — a supurb canoeing stream, noted for its shoreline camping and great views.

Fine farmlands such as this line the valley of the New River.

The rugged east face of the Blue Ridge produces many impressive waterfalls, such as this one by the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Just west of the Blue Ridge Crest, the rough, hard-boned forests give way abruptly to wide wildflower meadows, such as this one along the parkway.

Religion still plays an important part in people's lives here. This 19th century church survives in a state park, where it is still in use.

Rising in the middle of the New River Valley, Mount Jefferson makes for an impressive view from the Blue Ridge Parkway, and furnishes some impressive view of its own from its rocky ridgeline. It's preserved as Mount Jefferson State Scenic Area.