Thursday, November 5, 2009

Day II Skyline Drive & Blue Ridge Parkway

All I can say is that today was filled with more exclamations of beauty than I've ever heard in my life. Our hotel was minutes from Skyline Drive and we were up and out early to begin the day. After a lovely greeting and welcome at the Ranger Station we were on our way....within a very short distance we began seeing deer everywhere. The foliage is still lovely in many spots and especially an unknown tree specie which is glowing gold late into the Fall. The red bud trees are still lighting the forests with their almost blue-red leaves. The vistas were amazing and we stopped at almost every one, taking many photos....to come later for your viewing pleasure. Again we had a nice picnic while looking down over a pretty valley.

We did some walking, Kristi found some "treasures" at a park gift shop and we reveled in the fact that there were VERY FEW cars on the road, no traffic lights and the peaceful beauty enveloped us in healing peace. After the 105 miles on the Skyline Drive, we began 200 miles on the Blue ridge Parkway which brought us thrills a minute. We got up to more than 3600 ft and with no guardrails, walls or fences, it was thrilling to look straight down. These mountains are aptly named Blue Ridge. They are as blue as the sky! I am sure it helped that we had a perfect day....warm and sunny. Tonight we are at Hillsville, VA, very tired and sort of in shock to have to leave the total peace of the National park area, and return to the world of traffic lights, noise and glitz. Oh well, tomorrow we will be back on the Parkway to Asheville, NC and have a nice overnight visit with my "other brother" David. I am sure it will be a delightful visit.
I think we can sum up this day without any exaggeration by saying it was awe inspiring, beautiful, spectacular, unforgettable, and profound.
To be continued.....

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

well shucks...sorry you didn't enjoy your trip over the mountains! Now you know why I love to go to the mountains so much. So much beauty and peace and quiet and deer and eagles - heaven is what it all is! I must tell you today was a great day for Bob and I!! So glad your having a good trip!...debbie Drive Safe!

Kittie Howard said...

Yes, yes, Skyline Drive is magnificent -- live a couple of hours from there, will visit friends for Thanksgiving there -- Susan's been telling me how gorgeous it is -- thanks for being more descriptive, can't wait for
Thanksgiving! (Verrrrry happy you're enjoying your trip!!!!)

MsGraysea said...

Glorious

Kittie Howard said...

I showed my husband your photo of Ms Graysea -- he brought over a photo our Chena, also a Russian Blue, and Ms Graysea brought miles of smiles. Our Chena crossed the Rainbow Bridge two years ago this January--but is still loved.