Skyline to Blue Ridge

Skyline Parkway to the Blue Ridge Parkway
Well we certainly did not cover a great deal in the way of distance today but the views were absolutely fantastic and we had many, many, many, many stops to see all there was to see.
First of all the Skyline Pkw is part of the Shenandoah National Park which covers the Northern ranges of the Appalachian Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains. This stretches some 100 miles north to south and has views of the Shenandoah Valley to the west and to the east I am not sure. You wind from the east side of the ridgeline to the west side of the ridgeline thru the gaps in the mountains. These gaps were used by early settlers to cross these mountain ranges. The foliage is of oaks, chestnuts, elms, ash and other hardwood trees. The colors were not as vibrant as further north due to the dry season that they have had here but still it was wonderful to have a vast overhang of trees over the roadway.
We have not seen a great deal of wildlife but yesterday we did spot one black bear and today two white tailed deer. It took us something like 8 hours to cover all of the Skyline Pkwy between the two days that we travelled on it.
Next you no sooner leave the Skyline Parkway than you enter the Blue Ridge Pkwy. This national forest and park stretches for 500 miles north to south and covers two states (Virginia an Carolina) and was meant to be the eastern equivalent of Yosemite and Yellowstone Natl Park. The driving became easier here as the roads were built later (1930’s and 1950’s but still 30 miles an hour with many stops each hour make for a very long day. We did not reach our campground till after dark and that is not what I like to do. So much for letting Bev sleep in, in the morning.
The nights have been getting colder (in the 20’s now) and the days are sunny but still cool in the morning and do not warm up till the afternoon.
Tomorrow we will leave the Blue Ridge and Smokey Mountains and go west again. At Roanoke, VA my plans are to leave this slow pace and unfortunately head in a more westerly direction. You know eventually we have to get back to CA and family. This trip has defiantly been worth it but getting home will see to be a nice adventure also.
Well time for planning tomorrows drive and then bed so that is all for now. Hopefully within the next few day I will be able to post when I get internet service again.
1 Mary's tunnel (?)
2 Dark Hollow Falls
3-5 Fall colors and the parkway drive