Lesson 703: Shenandoah

 Good morning, Readers!

Eloise and family have returned from a nature excursion to

Shenandoah National Park.

With all players on Eloise's team vaccinated,

we were long overdue for getting out

and seeing something new.

I read in several travel articles it was deemed 

one of the most underrated parks in our national system.

The cicadas and I agree!

We encountered the noise from these insects mostly

at the PA/MD border while on a stop for lunch.

They did not seem to inhabit the park a bit further south.

Less than 6 hours drive from Erie,

a normal family could leave at 6:00 am,

stop to pee,

and arrive at the park by lunchtime.

It takes my gang a bit longer--

travel issues present with six adult sized travelers

with big appetites 

and tiny bladders.

Oh yes,

and two pit mixes.

Shenandoah is pet friendly

and dogs are allowed on all but 4 trails.

For the following photos,

give credit to daughter Ellen Louise.

She had time to sharpen them up so you can truly appreciate

the beauty of the park.

Eloise came home with a hair-hitch hiker--

this Lone Star tick.

Either this dotted female,

or the medicine they have me to treat the bite,

gave me an allergic reaction 

and a headache of the century.

To give you some idea  of the level of the head pain,

I couldn't even write this blog on my typical Friday night.

The light from the screen was too much to handle.

Feeling better this morning,

so here are some of Ellen's pics to admire.

If you are motivated to travel to Shenandoah and see it 

for yourself,

I have a great, pet-friendly hotel recommendation,

with an outdoor pool and free breakfast for $99 a night

 for the standard room--

Clarion Pointe Hotel in Harrisonburg.

Thanks, Ellen Louise for the photos

FYI--Natalie and Hubby were there, too,

but would not go near the edge of an overlook.

Skyline Drive is windy and beautiful.

It boasts 75 overlooks that span the 105 miles of roadway

that runs vertically through northern Virginia.

We stayed in Harrisonburg, VA for two nights,

which was enough to experience Shenandoah.

Most travel blogs I read had noted

"best two day vacation place"

or

"weekend getaway to Shenandoah."

The park entrance was more natural and less commercial

than the entrances to the Smoky Mountains.

Nearby we checked out the Luray Caverns--

another excellent outdoor spot for families easing into travel this summer.

We explored historic Harrisonburg,

which I didn't know when planning this,

was nestled along Route 33.

We also entered the park near the middle at mile marker 65

and traveled north to Mary's Rock at mile marker 32,

then looped back.

33 miles of the park traveled.

The campus of James Madison University was amazing!

White Oak Lavendar farm was equally impressive,

complete with a large barn painted in the perfect shade of purple,

 full of my favorite animals for petting.

If a six hour trip is a bit much for you this summer,

take an afternoon and check out Warren, Kinzua, and the Allegheny Forest.

Momma stared us down,

then called her fawn across the road.

Little Marienville,

the home to our new cabin,

is the only town in Forest County without a single stop light.

But it did pay tribute to Big Foot.

The town had its first Big Foot Festival,

and I doubt it will be its last

judging from the size of the crowd.

People gathered 'round the town Gazebo

to hear eye witness accounts of encounters with sneaky Sasquatch.

When the speaker asked the captive audience 

how many had seen UFO's also,

many a hand shot into the warm forest air.

Stories are important.

Making YOUR story full of unique and important happenings

is essential.

Thanks for the reminder,

Harrisonburg Public Schools.

Homework for the week (3 assignments):

Name this man and understand his impact.

Memorize this quote and make meaning of it daily:

Listen to this song:

CLICK HERE for Country Roads, Take Me Home

Eloise