Road trip! Even after driving from Florida to Virginia, Karen got behind the wheel, once again and off we went to Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive for a Sunday leaf peepin’ day. This is a road trip we were unable to make during our last Virginia residence so we wanted to be sure to see it and hopefully some fall colors.

We started at Front Royal entrance, closest to us, where the colors were basically green and brown. Our first stop was at Apple House for some apple cider donuts. Still mildly warm, we sat on the back of the car and enjoyed them with the Virginia sun on our faces. This was a nice stop before continuing on to the park. Restaurant had a wait line a mile long. Clean restrooms with interesting things to read on the walls. Pretty great gift shop – but I felt the prices were a tad high.

My National Park Senior Pass saved us $30 in entrance fees and we bypassed the long line of paying visitors. The winding roads of Shenandoah reminded us a little bit of the Road to Hana in Maui, Hawaii. Lots of curves left and right, hairpin curves and switchbacks to traverse. The fall colors started to show up around Thornton Gap. There’s plenty of places to stop and enjoy the overlooks. Also plenty of restrooms along the drive. We stopped for a late lunch in Skyland, the highest point in the drive. Another entry into Karen’s Beers of the World file, with a local beer, was made.

The weather was windy and cold for this Florida blood. I can see I need to dress warmer! The day started out with sunshine and then became overcast. But we, of course saw several people in shorts and t-shirts. Karen jumped out of the (parked) car and was ready to take some pictures. A few pictures are ‘window shots’ as she drove along. She does a great job capturing all types of things, from leaves to fence posts and scenic shots too. All told, between 35mm and iPhone, 177 pictures! This was her first time on Skyline Drive. I remember a family vacation many years ago, when we visited the area and took the drive through the park. It’s always a different perspective to see something through adult eyes.

Lots of “Halloween” trees throughout the area. I can just imagine them with spider webs and ghosts! The fall colors weren’t like you sometimes see in published pictures, but they probably will pop in the next couple of weeks. Maybe next year! Note: Best viewed when the sun is shining!

Shenandoah Fun Facts:

1. Skyland Resort has hosted weary urbanites for long stays since the late 1800s.
2. Presiden Herbert Hoover and First Lady Lou Henry Hoover built their Rapidan Camp as a retreat to escape the stress of work andsummer’s heat and humidity in the Nation’s Capital.
3. Mary’s Rock Tunnel was built in 1932 and cuts through 600 ft. of mountain.
4. Rangers are available for impromptu talks. We learned that approximately 600 black bears have been recognized as residents of the park.

Your favorite explorers are back at it again. More travel blog posts to come!

Go forth and see nature’s beauty every chance you can!

Sadly our time in Florida has come to an end. We had such grand plans when we moved here, but COVID had other plans for us, along with many others. A very short 3 weeks after making the move from Virginia to Florida, the world went into lockdown. We seem to have a penchant for leaving one place for another just before disaster strikes. The Houston floods come to mind. As well as hurricanes from our previous Florida residency.

Issues with our current apartment had us looking for another apartment in the area. We were on our way to sign the new lease when Karen received a text from a former colleague in Washington, D.C. asking her if she would consider coming back to work there. As is said…timing is everything. One hour later and it would have been too late!

So once again, we find ourselves packing up our worldly and not so worldly goods, making arrangements to turn off and on utilities, and planning a quick road trip from Florida to Virginia to meet the movers at our new, unseen (except for a walk-thru video) apartment. Hopefully, we can put our Florida plan into action in Virginia.

I am looking forward to being where the temps are breathable again and the seasons change. Just not really ready for the cold temperatures, coat, hat, gloves, scarf, boots part. Hopefully the fall leaves will be beautiful on our drive there. Peak season is predicted the weekend we will arrive in the Washington D.C. area. We are excited to continue to explore the area with our day trips and long weekend get-aways. We are also excited about seeing ‘old’ friends again and being a bit more social with anticipated events.

I’m hoping that this is the last move for a while. Not sure how much more abuse our household items and family treasures can take from movers and moving. Ultimately, a stand-alone house, white picket fence and a dog are the goal. And of course a pleasant work place for Karen is a must.

On the road again…

Photos by Karen Rosington