Tanks for the Memories: Get To Know Ya Shenandoah
- Lindsay Britts
- Aug 3, 2017
- 3 min read
Getting inspired to do a little cruisin’ of your own? Ready to hit the road for a weekend ride to a place you’ve never been before? We can show you the best trips in your neck of the woods and you won’t even have to stop to fuel up. Each week, we pick a starting city and plan a getaway to some of the most charming, energetic, and just plain fun places that you’ll only need one tank of gas to reach. When it’s all over, you’ll be able to say… TANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!
Starting City: Washington, D.C. Destination: Shenandoah National Park Distance: about 90 miles
Hello, Cruisers! Let’s face it: politics is everywhere these days, so getting out of Washington D.C. and leaving it all behind must sound like a dream come true. Luckily there’s a place nearby devoid of donkeys and elephants-- but not bears or turkeys-- where you don’t have to really lie about spotty cell reception. Leave the breaking news and tweetstorms behind and head east to the Blue Ridge Mountains where you’ll find Shenandoah National Park.
Source: Wikipedia
The Shenandoah Mountains have been a place of retreat even during the Civil War. The park itself was established in 1935 and much of its development was accelerated thanks to the newly-formed Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. Forty percent of the park’s land is wilderness and is under the care of the National Wilderness Preservation System, protected from development or human intervention. Skyline Drive is one of its most popular attractions and was designated a National Scenic Byway in 2005. There are 105 miles of beautiful roads with 75 scenic overlooks; get a good look of the mountains from overlooks like No Name, Old Rag View, Bacon Hollow, and Riprap. There are several things to view in the park, including many waterfalls and native flora and fauna (including bears!). If you feel like letting go of the wheel for a while, there are shuttle excursions where you can sit back and enjoy the Skyline without having to worry about driving off a windy road.
Source: Wikipedia
There are several special events held by the park, including ranger programs and festivals. The second annual Night Sky Festival is being held over the same weekend as the Great American Eclipse this year at the end of August, and the festival motto spans that quite well: “Come for the sun, stay for the stars!” A speaker from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab will be giving astronomical talks all weekend, and starlit hikes will let you see the night sky far away from city lights. While the park won’t see the eclipse at 100%, 85% isn’t bad, either, and you’ll get to view the sun’s darkness in the company of astronomers and new friends.
Trade in your Stars and Stripes for stripes of stars in Shenandoah!
STRETCH YOUR LEGS: Pickle Bob’s is a shop located along Route 66 in Haymarket, Virginia that, by its name, can only sell one thing… Ice cream! Aside from delicious soft-serve, you can also buy shakes, cakes, and brownies. You can find a statue of an ice cream cone with a big pickle in it out front, so snap a picture with it for Instagram.
LEARN MORE: http://www.goshenandoah.com/
https://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm
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