Heading to the mountains for a fall excursion? Charlotte’s own “American Road Trip Expert” Tamela Rich is offering a free guide to the Blue Ridge Parkway for those planning to visit “America’s Favorite Drive” this autumn.

"I've traveled all 469 miles of the Parkway several times, but most Charlotteans will not travel the Parkway end-to-end on a single drive or even a single weekend," Rich observes. "With so much to do on and near the Parkway, research can be daunting. My six-page guide is the perfect starting point."

Rich’s guide is arranged by the four official regions of the Parkway from north to south: Ridge, Plateau, Highlands and Pisgah. She then uses the Parkway’s Milepost system to feature key properties on and near each Milepost with their websites. “The Milepost system makes it easy to cluster your activities and lodging,” says Rich.

Why use a simple guide when the Parkway covers a vast territory? Rich says, “Most people overplan and over schedule their vacations, leaving little time for serendipity. Once you zero in on a region and some key properties, hit the road and enjoy what comes your way. You can’t go wrong on the Parkway.” She reminds visitors that the Parkway enforces a 45-mph speed limit which is why she suggests visiting no more than two or three destinations per day.

No registration is required for the free guide, which can be downloaded at http://tamelarich.com/downloads/22. The guide includes emergency phone numbers for Parkway incidents and a number for information, weather, road conditions and closures.

The Blue Ridge Parkway connects the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Virginia's Shenandoah National Park and skirts hundreds of towns and villages along the way. All the attractions on the Parkway are designated by a Milepost, from 0 in Virginia to 469 in North Carolina.

About Tamela Rich

Charlotte, N.C. resident Tamela Rich is an award-winning author, storyteller and adventurer. Known as the “American Road Trip Expert” with a passion for solo travel, she inspires people to live their best lives through her books, speeches and website. Her motto is to “Pack Light. Travel Slow. Connect Deep.” For more information, visit http://tamelarich.com/.