On my way to camp last night, I saw a black bear bound across the road, which has been the highlight of the trip so far. I woke up this morning and drove into Parsons, West Virginia, where I had breakfast at the old bridge. The clerk at the convenience store asked me, “What you into today besides your socks?”
“Going to Virginia.”
I took Route 48 through the Blue Ridge Mountains, crossed into Virginia, and arrived at Shenandoah National Park. I took some time to enjoy the one and only road, Skyline Drive, and take in the scenic overlooks. Each one sits thousands of feet above the valleys below, and are excellent spots to look at tiny people through binoculars. Despite the occasional trickle of rain, I also made time to hike the Stony Man trail and came to the second-highest peak in the park. You can see all the way to the Alleghenies.
Rain’s moving in, so I’m calling it an early night tonight. Tomorrow I have a permit to hike Old Rag, the park’s most esteemed trail—then we head south!
Your pictures, Jake, are such a good way of sharing what you are seeing along the way. The old bridge where you had breakfast, and the beautiful view from Stony Man Summit. Jeff and I drove down Skyline Drive and then the Blue Ridge Parkway years ago and stopped along the way just as you are doing. And I wanted to do it because my parents had driven it years before I did and enjoyed it so much. Generations! I hope you will leave the rain behind on Day 4 and enjoy hiking Old Rag. Looking forward to your next posting and more pictures. Love, Grandma
I’m going to have to remember to ask people what they are into today besides their socks…I like that odd little phrase. Follow up question – were you even wearing socks?
Absolutely
Our family used to have a cabin in Parsons!