MAY 2004

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. We decided to treat ourselves to a stay at one of the old lodges in the Shenandoah National Park and were not disappointed. Our room at Skyland Resort overlooked the Shenandoah Valley several thousand feet below, and the birdlife was the best we've ever seen (or heard!) Almost as soon as we settled on our patio to watch the sunset, the deer wandered by...very tame. Delightful weekend! We hiked to Dark Hollow Falls, the nearest waterfall to the road (0.6 miles), and Chris did the hike (4.6 miles) to the White Oak Canyon falls while I drove to the Big Meadows area to do a less strenuous walk around the meadow that is so prominent in the park. The weather was cloudy, raining, sunny...we had it all...I'd HIGHLY recommend this park as even a day trip up from the I-81 corridor. The food in the two lodges was excellent and reasonable which surprised us since we were a captive audience anyway! Off season is the best time to come...I wouldn't want to visit it in the Summer, I hate to say. Enjoy the photos...

Mabry Mill in late May

Below: Shenandoah National Park

L-R: Big Meadows after a shower, the view from our room looking into the Shenandoah Valley, another view off Skyline Dr. in Shenandoah NP, Wild Geraniums that were blooming. Dark Hollow Falls (about 71 feet high), view from Skyline Dr.

Below: Blue Ridge Parkway, VA, in mid-May