Slowing Down


Friday, May 17, 2019

Last evening was the first time on this adventure that we were able to comfortably sit outside.  We actually stayed awake until after dark.

After a leisurely pack up this morning, we were headed down the road by shortly after 8:00.  I am not so sure that Sue saw it as ‘leisurely’.  Once again, we tackled the hills and curves of the the Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park.  This is truly one of the most challenging drives that we have ever faced, definitely a rival for our experiences in Australia.  We stopped for a one-mile hike before leaving the park.  (Imagine it had the nerve to rain for the whole 30-minute hike…the only rain of the day.)

We have now arrived at our original destination, the Blue Ridge Parkway.  It is another challenging driving experience, a motorcyclist’s dream.  It is narrow, hilly, full of curves, and completely void of signs warning of an upcoming sharper curve.  The lack of signs, we are told, is so that the natural environment is not interrupted.  Once again, the highway is a highlight to drive.

We have slowed our pace considerably.  We are camping in Otter Creek National Park Service Campground.  It is located just outside of Lynchburg Virginia.  It is a primitive campground without showers and cell phone service.  Maybe that is why we are 1 of 3 campers here so far.  (That and the warning from the guy at the gate that Bears are guaranteed to wander through the campground.)  We plan to spend tomorrow exploring some Civil War history in Lynchburg.

Distance Traveled = 204 km.  Wildlife Sightings = Deer, Groundhog, Yellow Swallowtail Butterfly, Black Swallowtail Butterfly, Eastern Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Magnolia Warbler, Red Eyed Vireo, American Redstart, Indigo Bunting, Scarlet Tanager, Pileated Woodpecker.


Black Rock Summit, Shenandoah National Park


Sunrise at Big Meadows Campground


Deer blocking our path while hiking





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