Sunday Drive

[rootofnewt]

Today we wanted to go to the mountains, but had some housestuff to do first. After the mowing was done and lunch was eaten, we headed out. We're both too tired to hike, so we just decided to drive from Rockfish Gap to Swift Run Gap on Skyline Drive. Forgetting that it's now October (peak tourist season), we ended up waiting in line at the entrance station for 15 minutes. Fortunately, we have a pass, which means those folks behind us lucked out since we were at the window for about 30 seconds.

Out West, the National Parks all require photo ID with the parks pass. Back here in Virginia, they don't give a damn. They *do* have a card reader here (to swipe it), but the magnetic strip on my card is faulty, so it has to be keyed in. The parks out west didn't have card readers. They just looked at my card and stared at my driver's license. Weird.

Anyhow, it was a pretty day for a drive. The black walnuts are starting to turn red, but most other trees are still green. The higher elevations (3000'+) show a bit more color variance, but not much. In another couple weeks, I imagine the upper elevations will be pretty bright. By the end of the month, it should be gorgeous.

We got out to sit a couple of times, just enjoying the afternoon. We came back through the countryside in the foothills, via Dyke and Free Union. It was lovely.

Comments

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

Out West, the National Parks all require photo ID with the parks pass.

And then there was my arrival at the north rim entrance to Grand Canyon NP after 9pm in early October a couple of years ago. The entrance station was already closed, so I just drove on in.

[krasota.livejournal.com]

I'm just talking about the manned stations. The Badlands entry stations were occasionally unmanned. As with Shenandoah, this means you drive right in.

[sajego.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the report :) I want to see the leaves soon.

I'll probably send my parents up there before they leave. Dad has an disabled Access pass and can get in free.

[krasota.livejournal.com]

Do your parents like barbecue? The Blue Ridge Pig in Nellysford has some of the best, I'm told (I can't eat it). It's not exactly a fine dining environment, but it's certainly cozy and quirky. And the proprietor is very nice (and usually exhausted from his constant duties in the smokehouse).

Nellysford is on route 151 in Nelson County. There are various ways to get there.

The central section of Shenandoah national park is at a higher elevation and would likely have more color.