Virginia Is For Lovers

After a week in the Keystone State and Gettysburg area, our travels took us to the Shenandoah Valley area of Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley Campground.

 Shenandoah Valley Campground in Mt. Jackson, VA just a few miles north of New Market, VA right off interstate I-81 so a bit of road noise but otherwise a very nice campground.

This new campground with very helpful owner/hosts is nestled in the heart of Shenandoah Valley with Blue Ridge Mountains to the east and Allegheny Mountains to the west.

Skyline Drive – 105 miles along the crests of Blue Ridge Mountains – provided great views of mountainous terrain and the Shenandoah Valley below from more than 70 overlooks along the parkway.

 We saw Betty’s Rock and Hughes River Gap. Virginia also has Smith Mountain Lake. We questioned why we never saw Rabalais namesakes in Virginia – perhaps because Virginia is for lovers, not Ragian Acadians?

Maybe this black bear cub, two siblings and a mama bear spotted on the parkway are Cajuns

Luray Caverns were a delight for Michael and Darlene. For Bettye and Earl it was been-there-done-that scenario.

Virginia Civil War Museum in New Market was enjoyed as well by Michael and Darlene while once again for Bettye and Earl it was been-there-done-that scenario.

Shenandoah Caverns were within walking distance of the campground, so Darlene took advantage and enjoyed these caverns as well.

After a week in the Shenandoah Valley where Bettye was plagued with back and hip afflictions, she and Earl returned to North Carolina for a respite from travels while Michael and Darlene continued their travels along Skyline Drive and sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway with an overniter in Asheville, NC before returning to Tennessee.

As Mrs. Leach used to write in the society section of the Carroll County Democrat, the Smiths and Rabalais’ visited from out of town and “a fine time was had by all.”

We will squat in the respective states for eight weeks or so before winging and winding our way to Florida for the winter.

 Until further travels, happy trails!