Started the day with an odometer reading of 313969. Umm, "my" numbers are 1, 3, 6, and 9. Wonder what this day will bring!
When I first wake up and check the weather, Harrisonburg is getting a "Dense fog advisory", but I look out the window, and the sun is out, so it can't be that bad. 5 minutes later, I understand, because I can no longer see the end of the parking lot. Better be on my way and take it easy.
In the hopes that the fog will clear, I opt to take Highway 11 down through the Shenandoah Valley, rather than the busy interstate that runs parallel. It might be possible to stop and take some pictures? However, the fog only lifts a little ways, and doesn't provide any interesting fog, just haze and of course when it clears a little, the shoulders of the road are too narrow to pull over. I really must come back down here again some time though, because there are signs everywhere for interesting things to see and do, like caverns and historical landmarks and antique shops....
It strikes me that I am driving through the Bible belt on Christmas Day when I pass by a beautiful country home with a life-size nativity scene on the front lawn. I snicker when I see the next house adorned by a much larger-than-life-size inflatable dachshund in a Santa suit on the front lawn. Seriously. Or maybe not so seriously... The roadside signs identifying points and locations of historic interest are also intriguing, although many of the references are to events with which I am unfamiliar. One or two jump out, such as the site of Sheridan's last raid, and the Original African-American Cemetery (no stones are visible from the road however).
Finally, as I approach the point where Hwy 11 will merge with the interstate, I start seeing signs towards a village called Natural Bridge. I have to wonder if there is indeed a bridge formed by nature in some way, thus the name. Cool, the hwy actually passes right through there, and the fog has mostly cleared! And there is a large building with a huge parking lot, boldly announcing the Natural Bridge Park. So of course, pull in and get out to read the plaque and see what I can see from the parking lot (nothing). As I'm reading, I hear a vehicle pull up beside me, and a gentle voice with a dontcha-just-love-southern-drawls-kinda-drawl saying "Hi there!". A kindly gentleman explains that there will be admission to the site in about 20-30 minutes, and he highly recommends that I stay. He suggests I go over to the historic hotel and get a complimentary coffee while I wait, convinced it will be worth my time to hang around. What the heck, it's a chance to stretch my legs and maybe get some cool pictures. Here are a few, please note these are not the best ones photographically, but I haven't had time to do any touch-ups yet. It really was worth my time.
And.... that was the end of the clear skies for the day, until sunset. As I headed down the rest of the Valley, the fog rolled in yet again, and there was a sign indicating "fog ahead, adjust speed according to the weather", and yes, drove across the top of the mountains with fog and cloud below and above and all around. Shortly after coming through the fog, the rains started coming down heavy enough that I was glad I was on the mountain and not in the valley. Everyone was slowing down and putting on their hazard lights, it was really hard to see. Like a snowstorm. Sort of. And it didn't let up until I was almost in South Carolina.
Then the sun went down, the rain stopped, the roads were dry, the full moon came up, and it was about 22C. So the sunroof opened up, the tunes went on, and the rest of the drive to Charleston was largely uneventful. Except for almost running out of gas. But I didn't, I probably could have driven another 8 - 10 miles before going completely dry. (Phew) The forecast here for the next two days is partly cloudy and high of 73 F, which to me sounds like it's time to stop for a day or two and take in the sights in this area. I'll see what's on the nightside table...
Highlights of the day:
1. Driving through Staunton, VA, and see a whole bed of yellow pansies in full bloom, on Christmas Day.
2. Interesting road names, like "Rockin Way" and "Possum Hollow". For real.
3. Several log cabins that appeared to be still habitable, and inhabited.
When I first wake up and check the weather, Harrisonburg is getting a "Dense fog advisory", but I look out the window, and the sun is out, so it can't be that bad. 5 minutes later, I understand, because I can no longer see the end of the parking lot. Better be on my way and take it easy.
In the hopes that the fog will clear, I opt to take Highway 11 down through the Shenandoah Valley, rather than the busy interstate that runs parallel. It might be possible to stop and take some pictures? However, the fog only lifts a little ways, and doesn't provide any interesting fog, just haze and of course when it clears a little, the shoulders of the road are too narrow to pull over. I really must come back down here again some time though, because there are signs everywhere for interesting things to see and do, like caverns and historical landmarks and antique shops....
It strikes me that I am driving through the Bible belt on Christmas Day when I pass by a beautiful country home with a life-size nativity scene on the front lawn. I snicker when I see the next house adorned by a much larger-than-life-size inflatable dachshund in a Santa suit on the front lawn. Seriously. Or maybe not so seriously... The roadside signs identifying points and locations of historic interest are also intriguing, although many of the references are to events with which I am unfamiliar. One or two jump out, such as the site of Sheridan's last raid, and the Original African-American Cemetery (no stones are visible from the road however).
Finally, as I approach the point where Hwy 11 will merge with the interstate, I start seeing signs towards a village called Natural Bridge. I have to wonder if there is indeed a bridge formed by nature in some way, thus the name. Cool, the hwy actually passes right through there, and the fog has mostly cleared! And there is a large building with a huge parking lot, boldly announcing the Natural Bridge Park. So of course, pull in and get out to read the plaque and see what I can see from the parking lot (nothing). As I'm reading, I hear a vehicle pull up beside me, and a gentle voice with a dontcha-just-love-southern-drawls-kinda-drawl saying "Hi there!". A kindly gentleman explains that there will be admission to the site in about 20-30 minutes, and he highly recommends that I stay. He suggests I go over to the historic hotel and get a complimentary coffee while I wait, convinced it will be worth my time to hang around. What the heck, it's a chance to stretch my legs and maybe get some cool pictures. Here are a few, please note these are not the best ones photographically, but I haven't had time to do any touch-ups yet. It really was worth my time.
And.... that was the end of the clear skies for the day, until sunset. As I headed down the rest of the Valley, the fog rolled in yet again, and there was a sign indicating "fog ahead, adjust speed according to the weather", and yes, drove across the top of the mountains with fog and cloud below and above and all around. Shortly after coming through the fog, the rains started coming down heavy enough that I was glad I was on the mountain and not in the valley. Everyone was slowing down and putting on their hazard lights, it was really hard to see. Like a snowstorm. Sort of. And it didn't let up until I was almost in South Carolina.
Then the sun went down, the rain stopped, the roads were dry, the full moon came up, and it was about 22C. So the sunroof opened up, the tunes went on, and the rest of the drive to Charleston was largely uneventful. Except for almost running out of gas. But I didn't, I probably could have driven another 8 - 10 miles before going completely dry. (Phew) The forecast here for the next two days is partly cloudy and high of 73 F, which to me sounds like it's time to stop for a day or two and take in the sights in this area. I'll see what's on the nightside table...
Highlights of the day:
1. Driving through Staunton, VA, and see a whole bed of yellow pansies in full bloom, on Christmas Day.
2. Interesting road names, like "Rockin Way" and "Possum Hollow". For real.
3. Several log cabins that appeared to be still habitable, and inhabited.
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