Leafing in Shenandoah National Park

Dickey Ridge to Pass Mountain

Today I had a one o’clock appointment in Front Royal, so afterward I checked out the fall colors in Shenandoah National Park. (It is literally within walking distance of the town, but it’s mountainous so I drove.) I knew I barely had time to drive the length of the northern section and still get back on time to pick up Charlie from daycare, so I didn’t stop at many overlooks. I know that section fairly well because I go there often. I enjoyed the drive.

I ate my lunch at Dickey Ridge and made it a point to stop at Low Gap to photograph the tall golden trees.

Time was passing quickly, so I only made brief stops after that. The weather was mild, and the sunshine was glorious.

The yellow leaves are at their peak of color. Many of the reds are muted this year, probably because of the drought.

The park is extremely popular in autumn, so it’s best to go on a weekday. If you must go on a weekend, get there early because the traffic gets heavy in the northern section before noon. Today was Thursday so I only had to sit in line about 15 minutes to get in. On Saturday, it could take hours. I hear the southern entrances are not as busy. 

Oh, and get your pass ahead of time. Expect lines at the restrooms and parking problems at the overlooks and visitor centers. Pack a picnic and snacks including water. Don’t expect an internet connection up there. 

More Pictures from a Busy Week

Over the past week, I took a lot of pictures because my sister was visiting. We went to Shenandoah National Park twice, once from the Thornton Gap entrance and the next day from the Front Royal entrance. Then on Thursday, we had a picnic with Lynn before going to the Quilt Museum. 

These are various pictures, mostly from SNP. 

In the visitor center at Dickey Ridge, I found the plaque from King Charles’ visit.

Sharing with Mosaics

Taking Peggy to the Mountains

My sister said she misses the mountains, so of course we went to Shenandoah National Park. 

Here she is at Dickey Ridge. I liked the pose so much I switched to “Portrait mode” and stepped closer.

We went in the Visitor Center so she could buy a postcard and were lucky enough to catch a screening of a film about the CCC. Then we looked at the exhibits, plus we caught part of a ranger talk.

Models of birds include a ruffed grouse, a screech owl, and a falcon.

I did not get pictures of real birds except for one flying in the distance. I think it was a crow.

I was delighted to see a monarch butterfly.

As usual, I took too many pictures for one post, so I’ll close with a trio of wildflowers. 

Sharing with Mosaic and Bird Linkups

Theme Day: The Subject is Sky

When I first learned that the City Daily Photo theme for June 1st is “Sky,” I thought, “Oh that’s easy!” But then I realized that I have already used my dramatic sky shots for the weekly Skywatch linkup. I made an effort to get some more sky pictures today, but they weren’t very interesting. 

I decided to post this picture from Saturday, taken at Dickey Ridge in Shenandoah National Park. Shooting into the sun is generally considered a no-no in photography, but I do it all the time. Shade the lens to protect your eyes and electronics. I usually just stand in the shade.

These folks were members of a family, apparently from the Middle East. Others were doing prayers behind me on prayer rugs, but I did not intrude by taking pictures of them. A mountain top is an inspiring place to say prayers.

Later, one of the young men asked what breed of dog was Charlie. I told him beagle, and he smiled and said “Nice!”

A Royal Beagle Report

Hi, I'm back already with a critter report. I've been hearing about a king with a name like mine. I wonder what it would be like to be King Charlie.

The King of England visited Front Royal, which is not too far from here. I’ve been there a few times, and sometimes Mom goes there without me because she has to go to a dentist and a foot doctor there.

There was a picture on Mom’s phone of King Charles with a lamb. I’ve seen lambs but not as little and cute as that one.

Also, he went up to Dickey Ridge on Skyline Drive. I’ve been there too, and I saw deer. I don’t know if he saw any.

That’s enough about him. I’ll tell you about what I saw at the County Park this week. I saw a pretty dog, but we did not get to play.

I saw some men with a Frisbee, but I did not play with them either.

Here I am watching for Miss Deborah to come with Sadie so we could take a walk together. There was a truck in front of my house and some men were working across the street. They blocked off part of the sidewalk and now I can’t walk there.

Today I went for a ride with Mom and Miss Deborah. Look what I saw in Mount Jackson! It’s a goat, and its name is Billy.

Billy did not wanna play either. Luckily, we went back to Miss Deborah‘s house and I got to play with Sadie. I hope you got to play this week.

A Second Week of Cold Snow

Charlie is not happy with this snowy weather. Here’s how he looked this morning after we tried to take a walk. There was fresh snow and ice and the temperature was extremely cold. I was trying to find the safest path down the slippery driveway but we only made about ten steps before Charlie turned around and headed back to the house. After letting him back inside, I spread some ice melt crystals on the driveway and then joined him indoors for a while.

We did go back outside for a short walk a little later, and then again after lunch to fetch the mail. In late afternoon, we visited Sadie because it was too cold to go to the park. We are lucky that Deborah and Frank like Charlie and put up with his shenanigans.

There were a couple of afternoons when the temperature hovered slightly above freezing, and that was enough of an improvement to spend a little more time outside. On Tuesday afternoon, we went to the state park and walked around the parking lot. The trails were full of snow and I wasn’t about to trudge through it with my dog pulling on a leash. 

Wednesday was my dental appointment so I left Charlie at daycare. As I posted a few days ago, I went up to Skyline Drive for a brief visit. Here are more pictures of the deer that I saw at Dickey Ridge.

Most of them marched off after they saw me, but one stayed and let me drive closer. It looks familiar, and I like to think that it recognized me from previous visits.

Last week we didn’t see any cats outside. This week they finally ventured out. 

Well, Charlie has gone to bed and it’s time for me to do the same. Good night!

Snowy Views from Skyline Drive

 Shenandoah National Park

Yesterday I had a dental appointment in Front Royal. Afterwards, I checked to see if Skyline Drive was open. The National Park website said it was still closed due to snow and ice. I went to several stores and then had lunch. As I was leaving Wendy's, a text came through saying that Skyline Drive had just reopened from Front Royal to Swift Run. All right! Fifteen minutes later I was at the entrance station.

Two other cars arrived at the same time. The park ranger commented that it looked like we all got the message. He checked my pass and handed me the winter newsletter.

It was already 3 o’clock, so not many other people showed up. I didn’t have much time because I needed to get back to Woodstock by five to pick up Charlie from day boarding. I set my phone to remind me to leave at four.

The visitors center at Dickey Ridge is closed for winter. I noticed that the roof replacement has not been finished. No doubt there have been many days that workers could not even get there due to the weather. Skyline Drive is mostly a recreational road, so it does not get plowed as quickly as commuter routes, plus storms tend be severe up there in the mountains. There are usually branches and trees down on the road after a storm. 

Skywatch

View Toward High Knob and Remount Road

I only drove as far as Gooney Manor Overlook, but I felt satisfied. 

I turned around and headed back toward Front  Royal. I passed deer on Dickey Ridge and took quite a few pictures. I’ll share more of them later, probably on Saturday.