Thursday, 9 Sep 2010, Natural Bridge, Virginia

(Video at bottom of this blog)

As much as we hated to leave the wonderful KOA in Fancy Gap, we knew we had to get on the road. I want to be in Lurayy, Virginia by the weekend as they are having a big battle re-enactment which will (hopefully) close the door on my mini Civil War fetish.

The Blue Ridge Parkway runs for 500 miles; it's a narrow 2-lane highway that snakes up, down, and around the mountains and in some spots, it not for the faint of heart. However, it's one of the most, incredibly beautiful drives in the world. Spring and early summer here must be beyond imagination as there are 20 and 30 miles stretches where wild rhododendrums line the road!! I can't imagine the sight!! These are trees, not bushes and they are not just along the road but all through the underbush. As often as we get to see some of these wonderful places, it nearly always happens that we say we need to come back at a different time to see the area when it's wearing a different set of colours. Needless to say, this spot is most popular in spring and fall.

The Parkway was started in the early 1930's and is very well maintain and is pristine in it's cleanliness. No highway litter here, or any other type of natural litter that would take away from the beauty of the drive. Little, old log cabins that were used by the early settlers have been moved and re-erected at some of the many overlooks that line the road. There are spots where you have an unobstructed view of the landscape for hundreds of miles..it's pretty impressive.

As beautiful as this drive is, it can be a bit exhausting for the driver (E-Wayne) as the last 50 miles to Natural Bridge were nothing but steep S-curves, both up and down. No commercial vehicles are allowed, which is a blessing, but by the time we pulled in here at 7 pm, we were tired.

I often joke about my battle with hot flashes but for Wayne it's no joke. Why is it that after 40+ years of me freezing and him dying of the heat, the scenerio totally changes. Now I have the big air conditioner going full tilt, the window above my head open to catch any snatch of breeze, and the little fan blowing on me? When he gets up in the morning, his teeth are chattering and I'm still tossing the covers around.

We are clean little campers so the laundry bag that is now overflowing tells me a wash and clean clothes are the order of the day. It's about 130 miles to Luray so we do our chores and then hit the road. It's another beautiful, sunny day.

Till next time, hugs and kisses to all. xxx