Staunton, VA - Day 2

I’m not sure if it’s age or just forgetfulness. I believe I said in yesterday’s blog that we had traveled some of the Blue Ridge Parkway, which runs from northern Georgia to Pennsylvania. I must have been thinking about the Appalachian Trail which runs along the Appalachian Mountains from northern Georgia to Maine.

Today we elected to explore a section of the Appalachians just east of Staunton VA. As it turns out, when we exited I-64, we found ourselves at the end of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the beginning of the Skyline Drive. The Blue Ridge Parkway runs south from here for 470 miles and the Skyline Drive runs north for about 100 miles, ending at Front Royal, VA, just west of Washington, D.C.

Like the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Skyline Drive runs right along the crest / spine of the Appalachians with frequent overlooks. Like the Blue Ridge Mountains, this section of the highway has a fair amount of haze, so the distant ridges are bluish. I believe the only time of year this isn’t the case is in the winter – maybe spring.

We decided we would take a “short” hike at Blackrock Summit along the Skyline Drive. It was only 0.9 miles round-trip, but a fair climb up and down-hill returning. The photos above are from that hike. We can now report that we have hiked a portion of the Appalachian trail (yes, only 0.5 miles) but we were there! Margaret didn’t like any of the photos I took of her, but this one proves she was on the Trail. The capital A with a T imposed is on a series of concrete posts along the trail so folks will know where they are.

We are staying in an RV park called Walnut Hills RV Park. Not fancy, but close to the interstate and Staunton, VA. We’re not sure what we’ll do tomorrow. Probably worry about Tropical Storm FAY, but there’s not much else we can do, is there?

p.s. If you happened to read this blog earlier and notice a change. Margaret insisted on pain of death that I take out her picture. She didn't like it. sigh...