After the midnight news of the federal shutdown, parts of the nation’s capital are shuttered and empty today. And forget a stay along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The 469-mile parkway itself is open, but sites and attractions along the road like Peaks of Otter Lodge were given 48 hours to clear out all guests. The shutdown also includes Mabry Mill, the Blue Ridge Music Center, and campgrounds.
Employees and managers said the shutdown comes at the worst possible time.
Managers say the lodge can usually generate about ten to twenty thousand dollars a weekend during the season when foliage is prime and crowds flock to the mountains. But of course, the longer the shutdown lingers, the more money attractions like Otter Lodge will lose.
