Sunday, July 9, 2017

SKYLINE DRIVE, VIRGINIA

It is late -11.16 p.m. - but I wanted to share a few photos from our trip to Skyline Drive today.  It is about an hour-and-a-half from home, and is a very nice drive through pretty countryside.  Once we passed through the Thornton Gap entrance, it wasn't long before we stopped at an overlook.   We have never been to this one before. It is smaller with not as much space for cars, but it was perfect for us.  There was a short path beyond the wall.

  
A very pretty view which we all enjoyed after taking our selfie, and then one of Bill....


and next a candid shot of the two of them.


And now just the view.


There were a lot of pretty wildflowers blooming along the path.  I was particularly drawn to the milkweed...


and still want to plant some in our garden for the Monarch Butterflies.


There were lots of thistles also.  I am not sure exactly what type this was.


They made the bees happy.


We were heading to Big Meadows Lodge for lunch.  Bill and the resident bear got on very well.


We were too late for lunch in the main restaurant, but more often than not we make our way down to the Tap Room one floor below.  We did this today using the elevator which is located near the fireplace in the main room, but first we took a few photos inside and outside.  The following is a view looking back towards the entrance of the lodge.  The bear is still waiting to greet visitors.


Bill getting his camera ready to take photos on the balcony out back.  We were waiting for Gregg to park the car.  It was very busy that day but he didn't have a problem finding a space.


This lodge is in a wonderful location overlooking the Shenandoah Valley.


All along the railing are flower boxes full of flowers.


In the Tap Room the only part of the meal photographed was when Gregg took this one of Bill taking a photo of a dessert we ordered to share.  



It was a blackberry ice-cream pie with meringue on the top, and drizzled with deliciousness.  The young lady was kind enough to bring us three plates and three spoons.  We all had ordered a salad (aren't we good?  Ha!) and Bill had wings with his.  Gregg and I shared a meatball sub.


From the lodge Bill and I popped into the gift shop next door.  I always love browsing around it.  Most of the items are made locally, like the blackberry jam and some pottery that I enjoy looking at.  By the time we got out of there Gregg was waiting for us.


We popped into the museum next showing how Skyline Drive was made back in the day, and about the people who lived here.  It is located just across the road from Big Meadows.  These last few photos were taken in the museum.  I don't know if you noticed the one with the dog.  It is seated in a dog carriage which is fixed on the outside of that old car.  I have taken a photo of it before on a previous visit.  It is one of my favorites.


A cropped part of the photo above and I liked the one below also.


I will be sharing more from the museum another time.  Gregg and I enjoyed showing Bill Skyline Drive.  




29 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. It is one of our favorite places EC and we feel lucky it is only a relatively short road trip away.

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  2. Was that Jewell Hollow Overlook? It's one of my favorites. I love your bear shots!

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    1. Thank you Linda and sorry, but I can't remember the name. I will be sure to take more note next time.

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  3. We live very close to Big Meadows. But I have never been because I am so scared of heights. I adore the picture of the little dog in the car basket! The view is very pretty, too. And the three of you look so happy in front of it! I have never in my life seen a thistle like this, it is amazing! Your photo of the bee atop it is so good! I can even see the pollen sac in his leg! I have also never seen any real Milkweed. But now I know what to look for!

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    1. Hi Ginny, I find that as each year goes by the less I like heights :) Happy you enjoyed the post. I was hoping that at lease one bee photo would come out as I won't tell you how many blurry there were.

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  4. Bill's salad and wings sound right up my alley, Denise! The thistles are lovely! You get to see such beautiful and fascinating places! Thank you so much for sharing.

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    1. You are very welcome Linda, glad you enjoyed :)

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  5. that seflie of the 3 of you is really good, and I am glad to see you were not standing on the edge of a mountain drop off. love the petunia selfie in front of that stunning view. and the bear, and the cars and the dog... in fact loved each photo in this post.

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  6. It looks like you and Gregg are having a wonderful time with Bill, Skyline Drive is a great destination it appears, I love places like this.

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    1. That we are Jimmy and us too. We saw so many places in California on our trip to see Gregg's sister that we enjoyed exploring.

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  7. This looks like such a fun trip, thanks for taking us along. I love the elegance and romance of vintage cars, they don't build them like that any more.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. It was, so much fun :) and I agree about the cars. Denise xo

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  8. Hello, Denise! Wonderful series of images from Shenandoah. We went on Sunday, it was kind of crowded on the Skyline Drive. I love your shots of the milkweed and thistle. Great captures of the views, Bill and Gregg. The pie looks yummy. Happy Monday, Enjoy your day and the new week ahead!

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  9. Wow great photos and fabulous views. I just love the photo of the car and the dog on the side, good way not to get the car covered in dog hairs :-)) Bill is lucky you are managing to show him so many places. Keep well Diane

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    1. Thanks Diane, never thought about the dog hairs but it certainly would be great for that :) Lovely to have Bill as company. It gets us out of our normal routine and a change is as good as a rest so they say :)

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  10. These are fabulous. Ii can even feel a bit of the openness and relaxation that come over one in such surroundings! (Company included)

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  11. Amazing views from the drive! Thanks for sharing!

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  12. I love that last photo....but oh, she seen some wonderful views on that drive!

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  13. This is so neat. You and Gregg really gave Bill a great tour and fun experience.

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    1. We always enjoy showing family and friends around our area Kay, it is a win-win :)

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  14. Hello Denise!

    Congratulations on the photos and the beautiful action of accompanying and showing all these wonders to Mr. Bill and to us.
    The thistle that you do not know is a plant with several medicinal uses and is called Burdock (Arctium lappa L.). It is a plant originating in Europe that was introduced in America.
    The Velcro that is used to serve as a closure in many things was inspired by this flower. If you look closely you will find that your tiny spines are curved at the ends, just like one of the parts of the Velcro. When I and my friends were children, we picked up many of these flowers to shoot each other, because when they are thrown, they fix their clothes with their hooks. At other times, we would make the initial letters of our names on our clothes with these buttons.
    When going through such a plant, why not make an experiment? You'll see it's funny!
    Many hugs.

    Manuel

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    1. Thank you for these very nice comments Manuel. And thank you for the ID on the Burdock. Very interesting information which I enjoyed reading. I found it fascinating about the Velcro story. I can see these would make a great game with the children, and fun to see their initials designed in their clothing :) If I see any more I will do just as you suggest :))) Many hugs to you.

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