Last updated: May 6, 2024
Article
Enjoy the View Like Olivia Burke
How do you enjoy the view?
The Enjoy the View Like Us series invites National Park Service employees to share their stories about their favorite park views. The ways to enjoy the view are as unique as parks and their visitors. We hope these stories inspire you to enjoy the view! Learn more about scenic views in national parks.
Photo by O. Burke
Photo by O. Burke
"The view is never the same even though the mountains and valleys are always in the same place. The colors, the sky, even the atmosphere always produce something magical."
This is how Olivia Burke describes her favorite view at the Linn Cove Viaduct on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Olivia works as a Lead Ranger in the Interpretative Division at the Blue Ridge Parkway. Her journey began with the National Park Service as an intern at Cape Cod National Seashore- which is also the place Olivia calls home. It was exhilarating to be able to educate and inspire visitors in a place that meant so much to her. That passion has carried over to the Blue Ridge Parkway. For Olivia, it is a privilege to be able to communicate the purpose and values of the Parkway to visitors while helping show them the mountain views, seasonal changes, and exciting recreational activities it has to offer.
What makes this view so special?
Olivia says, “The Viaduct shows the Parkway's interest in preserving the landscape that it goes through. This project took a lot of time, effort, and funding to protect an ecosystem that really only exists in this part of the world. It is also a testament to the ongoing and future commitment by all the hardworking Rangers that keep the Parkway an amazing place for recreation, reflection, and endless wonder. Driving on the viaduct feels like you’re a bird flying over the mountain tops!”The Linn Cove Viaduct is a marvelous feat of engineering and environmental protection. It is 1,234 feet long while boasting 153 concrete segments that weigh 50 tons each. Although you can’t walk along this structure, there are several overlooks and trails that provide wonderful views to capture this magnificent bridge.
“People think that the Parkway is just a road,” Olivia says, “but it's so much more. There is always something more to explore, learn or discover- no matter activities you love to do.” One of Olivia’s favorite quotes from Stanley Abbott’s, the landscape architect who designed the Parkway, principles emphasize this:
“Variety is the spice of the Parkway.”
- Stanley Abbott
Photo by O. Burke
What should visitors know?
We really want our visitors to understand the importance of recreating responsibly. This covers all avenues such as planning ahead, being respectful of wildlife and driving safely. We all share in the stewardship of the parkway and its resources, so be prepared, leave it as you found it, carry out trash and stay on trails.With 16+ million visitors a year, it is up to all of us to keep this place wild and pristine. Learn more about the Linn Cove Viaduct at milepost 304 and its history of completing the 469-mile roadway we know today. Visit Blue Ridge Parkway’s website for more information about America’s Favorite Drive.