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.