I got a late start this morning, but in looking at the map for today’s drive, I realize I am paralleling the entire length of Shenandoah National Park. So I take a few notes from their website about visitor centers and campgrounds that are open and closed and get DD and myself together to drive Skyline Drive and maybe stay in one of their campgrounds tonight.
Most of the day I listen to the puzzling and sad details of the VA Tech shooting—truly a nightmare for the parents, families, and loved ones. So random and so senseless. My mind reels as I drive by the Virginia Tech exit off I-81 and listen to the story unfold on the radio.
Around 3 PM, I top off the gas tank, debug the windshield, and turn east on I-64. Twelve miles later, I turn north on Skyline Drive. Entering Shenandoah National Park through the unmanned contact station, a sign confirms that two campgrounds are closed and two are open with vacancies. The road is narrow, with no shoulders, but it is smooth and gentle—no harsh switchbacks or steep grades, at least in the southern district. It just follows the mountains contours in an unhurried manner (speed limit 35 MPH) but soon I am above 3,000’ (I think I was at about 1,500’ in the valley on I-81). I make it to Loft Mountain Visitor Center before ‘closing,’ but contrary to the website, the access road is gated closed. So I amble on to Lewis Mountain Campground. I do not overtake a single car in my direction; nor am I overtaken. In approximately 45 miles, I only pass about four opposing vehicles. Not very busy, here. The campground roads are very narrow for DD. I creep between the trees and try one “pull-through” site that is sloped too steep for comfort. I explore a little further on foot and find a better spot up over the hill and back around the loop—also a pull-through, which is
handy.
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