resmarie

We decided we did so much yesterday we could sleep late today, and we also had milk in the fridge and cereals for breakfast! We planned to go to the Air and Space Museum in Washington but were so late we were afraid that the parking garage would be full.

Instead we took out another brochure we had found about the Blue Ridge Parkway. Do you remember John Denver and Country road, take me home etc? He sings about Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah River. Arvid had been talking about walking the Appalachian Trail and was keen on the park. Information www.nps.gov/shen.

The hotel reception told us to take the 28 south, continue on 66 and then take the Interstate 81. We took a short cut around Warrenton, it took about 1 hrs 45 min to reach the park. For 20 USD we were let in on the Skyline Drive, the Thornton Gap Entrance.

We stopped to look at the maps and find out what to do and met a Swedish family who had driven the other way, who gave us some useful information.

The Skyline Drive was constructed in the 30s for people wanting to make car excursions but also to enjoy nature. We could easily picture old cars and people agreeing to meet at the different viewpoints.

Since it was very foggy today the viewpoints did not offer any special sights. The scenery was nice but not extraordinary.

We stayed at Mile 39.1 an easy 0,9 round trip called Little Stony Man. A nice walk but the clouds were in the way when we reached the view point.

At Mile 41.7 we stayed at Skyland to eat and to do some shopping for souvenirs. Nice place and a good rest from all the driving.

A final stay at Big Meadows and Byrd Visitor Center at about Mile 53. We giggled when we saw the information since it is very different to what would have been presented in Sweden. Here all the men (not many women obviously) who made the park possible were introduced. Old songs were sung and the activities of man was well described. None of this would have been shown at home. Instead there would have been pictures of about three frogs, two birds and five plants that would be on the verge of becoming extinct. A full model of how the area was created and at what time in history. Maybe a date of when the park was started and nothing more about that. Leaving the area we discussed the different views on nature held by the Americans and the Swedes, if religion played any role in this and that kept us both awake until we left the park at Swift Run Gap Entrance.

Road 33 to the 81 and we stopped for coffee and books at Books-a-million, I think in Harrisonburg. Then the other way around, 66 East and 28 North to Subway and an evening meal. Arvid is now reading a new book about the Appalachian Trail and I am worrying about my camera that is completely dead. Since my phone was completely dead yesterday but has now returned, I hope for the same for my camera. If so, there will be some pictures on this blog.