For the first time since 2002, the number of people who drove the Blue Ridge Parkway's scenic stretches increased in 2006.
The National Park Service released visitor numbers for 2006 that showed 20.9 million people drove the parkway in 2006, a 6.5% increase over the 19.6 million visitors in 2005.
In 2002, the parkway had a record year with 23.5 million visitors.
Source: Martinsville Bulletin, January 15, 2007, Page 3A
