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Published: July 15th 2013
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Charlie's adventure road
the picture is blurry because the road was bumpy 15 July, 2013
Sunday morning we left Chester Frost and drove north on I-75, east on I-40, then north again on I-81. Doesn’t that sound boring? Interstates are fairly dull (not exciting like stump grinders, but then we are fairly easily entertained.)
We decided to get off the interstate and go east to the Blue Ridge Parkway and camp for the night at the Peaks of Otter campground. The exit I planned for us to take for the road I wanted us to drive was not there. It was on the state of Virginia’s official road map and on our official road atlas, but not on I-81. So we took the next exit, which was for a minor “all weather” road that was at least twice as far as the road I preferred. So, anyway, the road was a bit narrow, but very pretty and only a little bumpy, at least at the beginning. It wound around into the National Forest with a pretty little stream gurgling alongside, first on one side of the road then the other. Kerry started laughing about my choosing an “adventure road” when we all know that adventure roads are Kerry’s forte. I
along the adventure road
it was a very pretty drive... responded that at least it was paved. Wrong thing to say, I knew it as soon as the words left my mouth. Sure enough, another mile or so later the road became gravel, and narrower, and more winding, and steeper. Then there were the ruts, first little washouts along the edges, then bigger washouts across the road where the rains had run across. Meanwhile, the road became even narrower, with no room for another car to pass, and the ruts became bigger. We weren’t laughing as much now. We stopped and asked a boy fishing from the road if this would eventually end up at the Blue Ridge Parkway. After thinking about it, he said yes. Well, it finally did, and we were very happy to arrive at the Parkway, and then Kerry turned south instead of north. So we had to go south until we found a place to turn around.
We arrived safe and sound at last at Peaks of Otter and found a campsite and got set up. I climbed the hill to the restrooms and found that I had to share it with a snake. He was just a little guy, but he sure seemed
mountain view
from the Blue Ridge Parkway to like it in the ladies room doorway.
It was so dark and quiet in the campground. We had all the windows open all night and the temperature was just right. It was a most pleasant night.
This morning we drove up the Blue Ridge Parkway about 30 miles before cutting off to get back to the interstate. And the road we took west? Yep, twisty, winding and 8% downhill grade. So the rest of the day was I-81, but we had our fun roads. Kerry didn’t think there were any adventure roads in the east. Now we are set for the night in Jonestown, PA, where it is 95 degrees. We have been in four states today, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and now Pennsylvania.
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barbara
non-member comment
lots of beautiful scenery!!!!!!!!