Known as "America's Favorite Drive," the beloved Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia and North Carolina winds 469 miles through some of the most spectacular scenery in the nation.Described by historian Harley Jolley as a "grand balcony," the Blue Ridge Parkway offers unmatched vistas, as well as a view into history and the opportunity to experience the region's diverse mix of wildlife and plant life.Blue Ridge Parkway Simply Beautiful features 159 of the finest images of the parkway by photography team Pat and Chuck Blackley, from grand scenics of the Peaks of Otter to close-ups of delicate trillium.Cara Ellen Modisett's inspired writing offers insight into the history, culture, and natural beauty of a place she has visited since her youth.Witness a sunset at Twenty-Minute Cliff. Wander through forests tinged with autumn color. Watch a swallowtail butterfly alight on a Turk's cap lily.Sit back and experience Blue Ridge Parkway Simply Beautiful.AWARDS: First Place, nonfiction book category, Virginia Press Women 2009 Communications Contest.