Skyline Drive- Those Mountains Really Are Blue!
November 14th, 2007 Categories: The Native Tourist, The Road Less Taken
It’s that time of year when those of us who don’t hike or camp love to escape to Skyline Drive for a scenic drive of the changing leaves through the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Shenandoah National Park. I grew up in NYC – my idea of camping must include an indoor bathroom!
About 70 miles west of Washington, DC the native tourist can enjoy this cornucopia of nature. Skyline Drive, the Appalachian Trial, Harpers Ferry and the Blue Ridge Mountains–are all close to DC. Whether you want to partake in a some outdoor fun or just take a scenic drive through the two lane byway through mountain tunnels, it’s a great escape for a day, overnight or weekend getaway. It is a real jewel in this part of the east coast.
Skyline Drive is a National Scenic Byway through the Blue Ridge Mountains starting in Front Royal, Virginia continuing 105 miles south to Waynesboro, Virginia. The Blue Ridge Parkway continues through the Blue Ridge Mountains down to Cherokee, North Carolina.
This park is rich in American history, rich in things to do and rich in wild life. And if none of that tickles your fancy, you can just drive and stop at the many scenic overlooks.
When I was riding motorcycles, we used to love to ride these winding roads. It’s a joy to escape around a curve only to see the edge of the road– it’s the closest any human will get to flying while still on the ground. A true break away from the daily grind of traffic around the beltway. Here are some good tips for driving on Skyline.
Whether you want to enjoy the fall colors, the hiking trails or just the quite- you’ll be sure to see some wild life. There is no hunting in the park, so the white-tailed deer or even the black bears are not afraid of the people or the cars. 
They will not see you and run. Although I wasn’t fast enough with my digital camera– it may seem like these buck and does are running away from me, I was stunned by their quite elegance that we locked eyes before I got the camera up to shoot. (I don’t recommend looking for the black bear when you are on a motorcycle!) We didn’t see any on our day trip last week– I’m sure they are already tuck in for the winter.
I love the Blue Ridge. As you head west from DC, you will come over a ridge whether you are on Route 50, Route 7 or Route 29 or even I66 and suddenly, this line of blue is in the distance. It takes a moment to realize that it’s the mountains and not the sky. Just the sight of them will calm your soul, make you take a deep breath and forget that Washington DC is behind you.
This is the last week to enjoy the colors in their brilliance. We are having a late fall here in the DC area. Snow is in the forecast for the mountains soon. Get out and enjoy our own little treasure. Because its Thanksgiving next week and the kick off of all that holiday craziness. Take some time to enjoy the view. Discover that they really are blue.
What beautiful pictures.
My friends and I were planning on going camping this weekend, however, 25 degrees didn’t sound appealing.
You are making me regret our choice.
Stephanie
http://www.makethegreatescape.org/
Stephanie- thanks for stopping by. It really is a beautiful park- the pictures don’t even capture it.
Hike during the day- and stay at one of the inns over night- that would make it worth the trip! Save the camping for another time.
Hi Mary,
Skyline Drive and the blue mountains sounds like a wonderful escape from DC. We traveled from Raleigh to Gettysburg a few months ago and took 64 out of Richmond over to 81 to avoid the DC traffic. Boy were we glad we did that! The drive by Shenandoah National Park was awesome!
Love the pictures… maybe you’ll get brave and snap a few of the black bear next time
You must have had a great day to get this post…This is real resource to your region, folks moving to Arlington - Northern Virginia take notice! No reason to be afraid of bears Mary–they are just after the food. I’ll tell you my true Shennandoah bear story another time. Terry McDonald,Charlotte NC
Hi Mary,
Your blog theme is all about being on the move, travelling, you sound like a very active kind of person. Good to see you make time for touring and getting into nature being a busy Arlington Virgina Real Estate Expert. Cheers!
Hilary Shantz, Oakville, ON, Canada
Mary,
I really love those Blue Ridge Mountains! Your pictures from your trip are amazing. I didn’t realize that they were such a short drive from the Washington D.C. area. I am sure that when I say that you would agree, that the Blue Ridge Mountains are some of the prettiest hills in the world! Thanks for sharing your time there. I love them so much I think I will just move there. Oh wait, I have always lived there!
-Chad-
Chad: you are at the other end of the Blue Ridge- and get to see the Smokey Mountains- which just may beat the Blue Ridge- so hard to decide! Thanks for stopping by.
Hilary: I love making the escape to Skyline. It’s a great treat.
Terry: I don’t want the black bears to think of me as food! The wild life in this park is so used to people- they will come right up to your car. When you’re in a car- you can roll up the window- on a motorcycle- not so much!
Bob- I64 to I81 is the best way to Gettysburg. Next trip - you can pick up the end of skyline from I64. You can jump off half way thru and pick up I81 or Rt 17 to 81. It’s worth the detour!
[…] of mountains, Mary of Beltway Ramblings has a post about the Blue Ridge Mountains and Skyline Drive. Great pictures […]
Mary- your pictures of the Blue Ridge Mountains are positively breathtaking– I especially love the first one! It looks like fall in the DC area is a sight to behold.
My daughter spent the summer working for the Park Service at Shenandoah National Park. She saw more bears there than she ever saw at home in Alaska.
She loved the Blue Ridge Mountains and the countryside. From your photos I can see why.
Gorgeous…love this place…just need time to visit.
Mary - Sounds like a great escape from DC living. Like you, I require an indoor bathroom. Not a great camper:) - Paula