virginia blue ridge parkway are endless. After your fill-up, take a walk across the Buchanan Swinging Bridge. Its story originates in 1851 as a covered toll bridge which cost five cents per head and five cents per wagon to cross. That would be 20 cents for two mules pulling a wagon with one person at the reigns. It costs nothing to cross the bridge these days. 90.9-136 (US 221) MP 176 | MABRY MILL NYE SIMMONS Detours are in place around Roanoke, specifically between MP 91 and 105.8 for a landslide and between 121.4 and 135.9 for slope failure. When the Blue Ridge Parkway is fully accessible, this stretch breezes travelers around the eastern side of downtown Roanoke. A Parkway Highlight: Just off the parkway at MP 115 is Explore Park, a destination for outdoor recreation. Families enjoy the trails for hiking and Gem HIDDEN MP 90.9-136 (US 221) OFF THE PARKWAY: To experience the second highest waterfalls in Virginia, exit the parkway at MP 136 and head south on US 221 and turn right on Virginia 644 after a half-mile. In just over a mile, take a slight right onto Virginia 669. It's a total of 4.4 miles to reach Bottom Creek Gorge Preserve. The easy four-mile loop trail offers a view of the 200-foot tall Bent Mountain Falls. Bottom Creek is closed to fishing as it is a habitat for rare species of fish including the orangefin madtom, the bigeye jumprock, the riverweed darter and the Roanoke darter. FROM MP 136 | BOTTOM CREEK GORGE PRESERVE NATURE.ORG 16 BLUE RIDGE PARKWAYhttp://www.NATURE.ORG