Shenandoah National Park/Blue Ridge Parkway
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October 22nd, 2008
Shenandoah National Park/Blue Ridge Parkway, VA
We decided it was time to travel to Shenandoah for a mid-week vacation. We figured fall in mid-week was the best way to see the fall colors as well as beat the crowds. So our trip was Tuesday through Thursday.
We had done everything we wanted to almost on our first day except the mountain hike. We found out there is much more to see after we came back. I guess we didn't plan well enough but some of it was quite far, as the Blue Ridge Parkway is hundreds of miles. There are many things like the Civil War place known as "Harper's Ferry". We also did not have time (too far) to see Natural Bridge and the "Endless Caverns" and there is a Corn Maze and an Indian Village up there as well. Maybe next time. There were 6 waterfalls in the mountains which we intended to hike to. Alas, it was so cold and we had no hats and gloves. It was in the 70's in the towns we went to and we'd no idea it'd be like 40 degrees in the mountains. We took jackets because we knew it'd be cooler, but we had NO idea it'd be THAT cold. The wind was whipping and I wasn't out of the car a minute when I felt like my ears were frozen stiff. So I recommend to bring hats, gloves, good hiking boots, a walking stick and a backpack for your water/food. If you choose to do the waterfall hike, you'll be out there hours. We were going to see the first falls and walk back. That would have been a 3 mile total trip give or take a tenth mile or so. Not all the trails are easy either. They are pretty steep and can be slick. What we learned is there's not much up in those mountains! There was ONE stop we saw with a restaurant and cabins and I couldn't see where the restaurant was (probably a small sandwich shop or something and probably looked like one of the cabins.) So don't rely on the mountains/parkway for food, water or GAS. Fill your tank to the brim because gas stations can be far and few in between. In addition, bring a good meal and some snacks/water and be prepared with toilet paper. I didn't see outhouses/porta potties etc. You may have to go in the woods if you are there all day. Be careful of bears, snakes and other creatures. Bears are a frequent sight I hear (though we weren't there long enough). We did see two deer which was awesome, as one was so close to me and he jumped over the wall in front of the car to the other side of the road. It was a cool sight to see (he went to be with his mate who was on the other side).
There is a cost to get into the park. I think it was 15.00 or so for the week/weekend. I think there are no discounts, but you can buy passes for a couple days or for a longer period and then keep coming back; so save the passes. You will come to a gate shack where you'll pay before entering the park. The drive is beautiful, with viewing spots ever mile to 3 miles. Many stops with varying views. It was quite nice.
We weren't there long and Scott wanted to explore the OTHER direction but I was a little nervous about the mountain driving (scary winding roads) and we hadn't filled the gas tank to full and didn't know when we'd have the chance to refill, so we left after driving 30-40 minutes and seeing the deer. However, it was quite lovely; a must do for nature lovers.
1) Tunnel through a mountain 2) Views 2) more views and Scott's head 4) Mountain tops
2) This was of a wildflower growing in the wall 2) Beautiful fall foliage 3) Mountain views 5) View of the valley
1) one of the deer we saw. The other is camouflaged.
Informative or interesting links:
Luray Caverns (the Car and Carraige Museum is on the Caverns Site)
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