SHENANDOAH PARK SKYLINE DRIVE & BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

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So, our first few days in the Appalachian Mountains are already 'under our belt' as they say out here . The scenery is spectacular, long sweeping roads with viewing points at regular intervals of parallel ridges of tree clad hills and sweeping vistas of the Shenandoah valley spreading out for miles in a shimmering blue haze.

We have on our first day already seen a black bear and its cub foraging on the verge within 6 feet of us, the same with deer and turkeys (we had close encounters with the latter two, which is why the speed limits are set at 35 and 45 in Shenandoah and the Blue Blue Ridge). Here in contrast to the other roads the authorities maintain an almost impeccable environment.

The road surfaces themselves are mostly without damage, and sweep gently through trees and over high ridges with little traffic to compete for road space. Travellers stop at one of the regular viewing 'pull ins' and automantically say hello and enquire where we are going (weer yaaal fruuum?) There are several visitors centres, lodge accomodation and camp sites. All discretely placed and designed using local materials.

We have stayed in some really interesting b&b's, our favourite so far was in a 1914 Victorian style mansion with a pool and our own tea lounge and balcony . The hostess and husband (Nickie and Bill) regaled us with colourful insights and stories of American life and history, and advised us on places to travel to.

Yesterday we stayed in a lake side lodge, walked around the lake and stood by a group of deer who grazed around us no more than 10 foot away. Then we had dinner in the lodge restaurant with a panoramic they of the lake, just as a heron flew over it, then a deer walked by as finally a thunderstorm ruffled the waters and mist swirled down off the local mountain. People are so used to seeing such sights they almost didn't notice. Not us.

Today we lost time having the bike sorted for a brake light fault, so got back on to the Blue Ridge Parkway 3 hours later. Even so we managed to visit an old mill site, have dinner and sample a local dish - which was a pork and corn mix between two large pancakes. Sounds strange but was very tasty and filling. Now we are staying in a old farmhouse mansion with sweeping views from its upper balconies of the Blue Ridge hills and surrounding pastures. There's no sound and the air is so clean. As I write the sun has just set over the trees after a long ride in the cool of the early evening. Bliss.

We saw our first ground hogs today. We have film footage of the bears and stills of many other creatures

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Photos

SHENANDOAH SCENES
View of the Skyline Drive

SHENANDOAH SCENES
View from an overlook

SHENANDOAH SCENES
Carol at a waterfall in Shenandoah. We had to sweat over 1/2 mile in motorcycle jeans for this - then a steep climb back - I was bullied into it.

SHENANDOAH SCENES
The view is nearly always obscured by haze - partly because of the distance from our viewpoint and humidity, but mostly because of man made smog

SHENANDOAH SCENES
A bear forages only 10 foot away from our position oblivious to all (see the video sequence if it manages to get uplaoded)

OVERNIGHT IN WAYNESBORO W VA
One of our best B&B's - a grand Victorian style mansion

OVERNIGHT IN WAYNESBORO W VA
We had our own balcony, lounge complete with tea making facilities

OVERNIGHT IN WAYNESBORO W VA
Where Carol relaxes ....

OVERNIGHT IN WAYNESBORO W VA
After a swim ....

WAYNESBORO OVERNIGHT
...in the house pool

WAYNESBORO OVERNIGHT
Our hosts were a charming knowledgeable well travelled couple

WAYNESBORO OVERNIGHT
After a good nights sleep and hearty breakfast (including fresh blueberry pancakes mmmm!)

WAYNESBORO OVERNIGHT
We were ready for the next leg of our journey ...

ENTERING THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY
We entered the Blue Ridge after our overnight in Waynesboro' VA. It's actually part of the same range as the Shenandoah - but is not an 'enclosed' park but a 'Parkway', and as sch is more open - interfacing with local roads

OVERNIGHT IN PEAKS OF OTTER
View of the Peaks lodge houses - the facility is run as a franchise for the Park Service - no frills allowed TV, no cell signal or much else but does have a passable restaurant on site

OVERNIGHT IN PEAKS OF OTTER
View across the lake from the lodge house

OVERNIGHT IN PEAKS OF OTTER
View from our room

OVERNIGHT IN PEAKS OF OTTER
Deer grazing on the lakeside footpath

OVERNIGHT IN PEAKS OF OTTER
Carol watches cavorting bull frogs

Comments

[Jackie]

Hi
What a beautifully written piece. So descriptive. You should be an English teacher. I hope you were both poised for a quick escape on the bike when you came across the bears. I wouldn't have stopped...but that's why you took Carol and not me! Enjoy, enjoy.