Shenandoah National Park Part Deux

We left Loft Mt CG on Tuesday about 11:00 and headed north on the Skyline Drive. We only had about 30 miles to our next destination, so we took it easy and stopped at several overlooks. We quickly learned that overlooks on the west side of the road tended to have a good internet signal, likely because they had good line-of-sight to the Shenandoah Valley and I-81. We pulled off at one nice spot and did some internet chores.

Eventually we arrived at Big Meadows CG, EL ~3550'. We had site F-199 reserved, but we soon discovered it was not very attractive. We went back to the ranger and asked if there was a better site available, particularly one that had open sky for good solar gain. He said all of the sites in C Loop were non-reservable (meaning we could pick any vacant site, without the risk of someone reserving it and having to move later), and were very open to the sky. C-137 was perfect, so we set up for our 3 night stay.

C-137.  Our home for 3 nights

The Big Meadows area is about half way up the Skyline Drive and is a very popular spot. It is characterized by a big meadow (duh!) that is about 138 acres in area. The meadow used to be larger, but the woods have encroached over time. Presently, the NPS maintains the meadow, mowing 1/3, burning 1/3 and leaving fallow 1/3, each year, so it is not likely to change much in the future.

The Big Meadow

A curious but cautious fellow

We are still in a fairly sedentary mode. There are tons of good trails, here but my knee hurts just walking on flat pavement, and I don't really want to go hiking on rocks and roots just yet.

I wish our coach were powered by Tesla

We have attended a few ranger talks: 1) The eastern coyote 2) Raptors, specifically owls and 3) Fungi.  Dorcas took a ranger-led evening meadow walk.

This talk was about birds of prey, but specifically the Eastern Screech Owl

A cute little guy

There is fungus among us

We drove north a few miles to the Skyland area, the site of historic resort homes prior to the establishment of the park in 1935. On the way we saw a black bear off in the woods: Unfortunately, it was a poor photo op. They say there are a lot of bears out this year, and I overheard several people say they saw one.

The CCC was crucial in developing the Skyline Drive and the park facilities.

A memorial to the CCC boys

The weather continues to be fantastic. The days have been warm but pleasant, and the nights have been in the 60s. There have been a few light evening thunder showers. I will hate coming off the mountain.

On Friday we checked out at Big Meadows and headed north on Skyline Drive.  The weather was very cool, in the mid sixties.  When we got to Front Royal, the northern terminus of the Skyline Drive, the temperature was in the mid-eighties.  We continued north towards Harper's Ferry as the temps rose into the nineties.  We sure have been spoiled by this cool mountain weather.

A view from Skyline Drive

Check out this video for a real white knuckle thrill ride.  Click here.

We love our Honda Element.  We would buy another one in a minute if they still made them.

The final reason I hate leaving the Shenandoah National Park is I have finally learned how to spell “Shenandoah”.