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Shenandoah National ParkOct 23, 2007
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Oct 23 50907 8:27
Shenandoah National Park, Skyline Drive
Shenandoah National Park was created in 1936 to preserve the natural landscape for future generations. Unfortunately that meant relocating about 2000 residence prior to the parks creation. 79 people were granted tenancy until they died.
The Civilian Conservation Corps, created by FDR was responsible for the creation of the many overlooks and the rock walls along Skyline Drive.
Skyline Drive is 105 miles long across the ridge of the Shenandoah Mountain. We stop at the first Visitor Center, watch the movie on the Park, get our stamp and buy the audio tour.
The audio tour tells us which overlooks to stop at and gives the history of the park and something about each overlook. Sometimes it is the flora and fauna in the area, why the trees are dead, famous people who visited the area or the fact that the roads through the gaps were part of the Civil War trail.
The forecast is cloudy and showers and when we start the fog is real heavy is some spots. When the skies do clear the foliage is beautiful, this is the best color we have all trip.
In spots the fog is so heavy you can barely see the road signs even when you are right on top of them.
We stop at any overlook where the view is not hidden by the fog and take lots of pictures.
The 105 miles takes us 5 hours to complete and once off the Skyline we fuel up at a 7-11, only $2.89 for diesel and then head down to Buena Vista our stop for the night.
We are staying at the Glen Maury Park, a city park with water and electric for $23.98 a night, we do get the senior discount.
The temperature is in the mid 70's and while watching the news we find out that the East Coast has broken high temperature records all over today.
When we head to bed at 11:00 it is still above 70 outside.
