We wanted to visit Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, and continue along the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina so we could experience much of the Appalachian Mountain range (but not in the way our favourite author Bill Bryson did in his book, A Walk in the Woods). However, due to the horrendous devastation caused by Tropical Storm Helene, we had a change in plans. We did, however, get to experience at least part of the Appalachians, and they certainly did not disappoint.
Weaving our way up 3000’ along the curvy, narrow highway through Shenandoah National Park, we couldn’t help but exclaim how the park road was aptly named Skyline Drive. The views were absolutely spectacular! D kept remarking how it reminded him of driving along the Oregon coast, and how there was a new, breathtaking vista around every corner.
We spent two nights at the campground in the park, and the good part of a day hiking in the area, along the Story of the Forest Trail and the Dark Hollow Falls Trail.
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| Dark Hollow Falls |
We then cut around and returned to the campground via the famous Appalachian Trail, though we did not see Bill Bryson. In fact, as busy as the other trails were, we did not see any hikers on the Appalachian Trail (just a group of teens in flip-flops out for who-knows-what).
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| In the footsteps of Bill Bryson on the Appalachian Trail |
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| Appalachian Trail marker |
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| Inside the historic Big Meadows Lodge |
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| Campground neighbours |
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