Skyline Drive in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Skyline Drive is a 105-mile road that runs the entire length of Shenandoah National Park in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.  We started the drive at Rockfish Gap and ended in Front Royal.  There are 75 overlooks which provide photo opportunities, and I think we stopped at almost every one!  There are also trails for hiking (including a portion of the Appalachian Trail) and horseback riding along with a couple of gift shops and sandwich counters. There are deer, black bears, turkey and other wildlife in the park.

Marys Rock Tunnel

High on a ridge--don't backup!

We got out to stretch our legs on a trail.  I jokingly asked a couple of people if they had run into any bears and one person said he had.  He was going to tell me where he saw it because he thought I wanted to see one too.  I told him that was okay, I'd go in the opposite direction!

No bears on this trail!

We drove through Front Royal, Virginia on our way back to the campground and enjoyed the quaintness of this small valley town.

Next, it's on to Baltimore, Maryland!

Shenandoah Valley, Verona, Virginia

We arrived at Shenandoah Valley Campground in Verona, Virginia on Friday, April 14.  The drive was scenic with mountains in the background, flowering trees, and farms on rolling hills.

On the way to campground

Flowering dogwood trees

Flowering redbud trees

Road leading to campground

We were surprised at how crowded the campground was when we arrived. By Saturday the campground the full. Fortunately most of the campers were there only for Easter weekend and by Monday afternoon the place was nearly empty.  Ah, the quiet!  Notable was the fact that campers at this campground really enjoyed sitting around their campfires from breakfast to bedtime.  Saturday night the smoke was so thick outside that it was irritating my eyes INSIDE our RV (we had some windows open).

Crowded!

It was difficult to get a picture of our site

Now this is more like it!

The campground was nice. Lots of trees and a river for tubing alongside the property.  It even had a waterfall!

There was also a stocked lake for fishing, heated swimming pool, hot tubs, games to play, a small café with ice cream, and pet rabbits running all over the place.

The rabbits liked to be fed

We drove into a neighboring town to buy supplies and on the drive we passed many houses with beautiful flowering trees in their yards.  Beautiful--even on a cloudy day!

While in the Shenandoah Valley we spent a day driving on Skyline Drive.  More on that in the next post.

Savannah, Georgia

Savannah is Georgia's oldest city.  It was a strategic port city in the American Revolution and during the American Civil War.  Savannah's downtown area, which includes the Savannah Historic District, Savannah Victorian Historic District, and 22 park-like squares, is one of the largest National Historic Landmark Districts in the United States.  The downtown area largely retains the original town plan and many streets have the original cobblestones.

We took a 1 1/2 hour cruise from Hilton Head to Savannah and spent an afternoon exploring the downtown area, enjoying the shops, architecture, and town squares.

Heading for Savannah

On our way to Savannah!

It's windy at the front of the boat!

As we approached shore, we could see City Hall in the distance with its shiny gold dome.  City Hall was built in 1905.  The original copper dome was gold leafed in 1987.

We walked around the City Market which consists of several blocks of shops and restaurants.

We went into a candy shop where they toss freshly made taffy to the customers!

We stopped for a cold beer on River Street, a riverfront shopping and restaurant area.

Cobblestone street with stone retaining wall

Among the many historic churches in Savanah are St. John's Episcopal Church and Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.

There are many downtown historic houses that have been renovated.

The many town squares provide opportunities to stop and rest and enjoy the fountains and scenery.

Time to take the 1 1/2 hour boat ride back to Hilton Head.  We're ready for the rest!

The lighthouse is a welcome sight

Since we had only 4 hours to tour Savannah, we walked at lightening speed so we could see as much of it as possible.  It is a beautiful historic city and was worth the visit!

Next up is Skyline Drive in Virginia!