Skyline Drive
This week Mersad asks us, "What is your favorite road or street from your town?" I puzzled over the question for a while and started scrolling through pictures when it jumped out at me: Skyline Drive! It doesn't exactly run through our town, but it starts at the Front Royal's southern town boundary. The town shares several miles of boundary with Shenandoah National Park. Long distance hikers on the Appalachian Trail walk through town all the time, picking up supplies or enjoying a restaurant meal and perhaps even a hotel room with hot showers.
The drive runs 105 miles, the length of Shenandoah National Park. It is known for it's scenic beauty and recreational opportunities, particularly hiking. It is primarily a park road, not a commuter route. The speed limit is 35 miles per hour, with slower limits at sharp curves and busy recreational areas.
We are privileged to be able to live in such a beautiful area.
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The final photo is from March and I took it from Strasburg. I want to show it to you because the snow reveals the road cuts along Skyline Drive. See the white lines on the mountain? Those are snow-covered rocks which were cut and blasted when the Drive was constructed in the 1930's.
I have looked out from one of the overlooks, most likely on one of those white lines that you see here, and have seen a line of buildings in Strasburg in the far distance. The line is vague and usually hazy, but pictures I took on a clear day can be enlarged until I make out the shape of a hotel that I recognize. It's not very far from the Denny's parking lot where I took this picture. Anyway, those lines show you where Skyline Drive runs along the Blue Ridge. This is just a small portion of the road; my guess is that it is part of the first seven miles. Around milepost 8 the road crosses to the east side of the mountain for about 6 miles. After that it twists and turns in various directions and I lose track, but you can't get lost on the road because access is limited.
Did I tell you I love Skyline Drive? I've visited it many times starting when my parents took me there as a child. We lived in Northern Virginia and it was an easy day trip. Now it's so close I go up just to have a snack, take in a few views, and listen to the wind.
...I was on this road only once and it was so foggy that I couldn't see a thing.
ReplyDeletewhat a nice road to have so close
ReplyDeleteLovely Linda ...
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind driving that road myself!
All the best Jan
We love this in the spring. Often visiting our friends in Maryville, Tenn. Then take head north the long roundabout way home to Minnesota...:)
ReplyDeleteWow, great photos from famous places - I would like it too (wish, I could travel)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend, thanks for joining
You are privileged to live in this beautiful area -- and it is our privilege that you share it with us! We took a lot of pictures on our one and only visit through this NP and I wish we could go back.... but meanwhile there are your pictures. (And that Senior NP pass is the best thing in the world!).
ReplyDeleteSkyline Drive has it all. The views you have shown previously are always breath taking. I can see why this is your favorite.
ReplyDeleteI have driven along Skyline Drive and it is just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWe loved it two, though we've only visited twice. I think I even recognize that curve in the road!
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely views. You are lucky to be able to visit there often.
ReplyDeleteThat part of the country has fabulous scenery and you captured it so well!
ReplyDeleteGrand views from there!
ReplyDelete