Wildflowers in Shenandoah National Park along Skyline Drive

Bacon Hollow Overlook mile marker 69

Located 40 minutes from Charlottesville, the Shenandoah National Park is a treasure for all to enjoy. Skyline drive is 105 miles long and the only road that traverses through the park from South to North. Driving the posted 35 miles per hour, it will take 3 hours if you put your blinders on and don't stop anywhere along the route. An impossible feat for even the most hard hearted.

Sassafras is easily identified

There is a park entry fee and if you go often it can begin to add up. There are several passes that can help you avoid or reduce your fees (if permanently disabled, a veteran, or a senior). When I turn 62 I want a Senior Pass for my birthday present! If you are in a vehicle with one holding one of the passes, you too can gain free access. There are also annual free for anyone days scheduled each year.

Golden Alexander

Because we currently don't have any special passes, I always jump on any chance to get free access. A visiting friend purchased a 7 day pass to the Shenandoah National Park and only used the first day. It is permissible to use a pass purchased by another person so my husband and I went the next day and explored the southern trail section starting on top of  Afton Mountain at mile marker 105 and ending north at Swift Run Gap mile marker 65. It was a perfect picnic day and we mainly ate our way up Skyline Drive veering off at all the overlook points. We did walk a few segments of the Appalachian trail observing wildflowers, birds, and trees.

Mountain Laurel

There are over 850 flowering plants documented in the park. Golden Alexander was in full bloom in the southern areas of the park this time of year. The bloom can best be described as a yellow Queen Anne's Lace. The Spring Ephemerals have nearly bloomed out. The Mountain Laurel is just now starting to bloom at the lower elevations. The full show will occur in June and is a beautiful time to come to the park. White flowering Viburnum shrub was often spotted in the woods.  Also quite common along the roadway is Golden Ragwort which could best be described as a 2' tall miniature Sunflower. It seemed to be more plentiful North of Big Meadows.

We had a wonderful afternoon exploring and getting to know one section of the large park. It took about 4 hours for us to leisurely drive up half of the park but would take a lot longer if any serious hiking would be planned.

~ Rebecca 

Lewis Ginter Butterflies Live Exhibit FREE DEALS DAY

Free Coffee at Starbucks to start the trip in full gear.

My husband and I took our annual July 4th road trip to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.  We departed at 8:30 am planning to hit the Butterflies Live exhibit before the lines got really long.  Because July 4th is always FREE ENTRY DAY at Lewis Ginter, it is guaranteed to be busy.  Our first stop was Starbucks to get their July 4th FREE CUP OF JOE Deal.  No lines and no strings attached, picking up a Blonde and a Dark Roast, we were on our way. 

Amazingly we hit NO red stop lights leaving Charlottesville until we arrived in Richmond!  We wondered if possibly an alien space ship was hovering and had commandeered the traffic lights or our vehicle.  No lines at Starbucks and then no red lights --- QUITE STRANGE indeed.

We arrived an hour later at Lewis Ginter and there was already a line formed for the Exhibit.  We waited about 30 minutes and then entered into the warm moist Butterfly Sanctuary.  Over 250 Butterflies emerge during the span of the Exhibit.  It was so fun watching kids interact with the butterflies and adults trying to photograph that perfect shot.  If you have never been to a Butterfly Conservatory, YOU MUST GO! 

Husband in Loblolly Pine grove in the shade!

The good part about Lewis Ginter is that you can find shade and A/C along your trek so we lasted much longer than planned - 5 hours!  There is so much to explore botanically and they even have a Sprinkler Cool Off Area for the kids (I was ready to go in clothes and all). 

Entomologist, Laura Garrett Exhibit

A companion Butterfly Exhibit by Laura Garrett is located in the Library Building corridor.  I have to say that after seeing them flutter alive it was a bit unnerving but the coordination of the frames with the Butterflies was quite interesting.  Also it gives you a close up view of each Species... most not from our area. 

Veggie Pita w/BEST EVER Sweet Potato Fries

We searched the net to find a new place to eat in Richmond but were so hot and hungry that we ended up at the Lewis Ginter Tea House.  Surprisingly it was delicious.  I had a Veggie Pita Hummus Sandwich with a side of crispy steak size Sweet Potato Fries.  A fast meal in nice surroundings and decently priced, the perfect lunch spot!

After picking up a discounted library book about Shrub Species (a great find at $2.00) we headed to the Chinese market to grab some Ginger (another great deal).  Back to reality, our alien space ship no where to be found, hitting mostly red stop lights in Cville, we were home.

-Rebecca

Time to Travel

As you can see - my relatives are animal lovers!

My blog has been quiet for nearly a week now.  I just returned from traveling from Virginia to North Carolina to visit with relatives.  It was a very nice trip.  My father and I visited with his two sisters and their husbands and several of their children and one soon to be a relative "fiance", and their pets.  I also had lunch with an old friend, Ed.


Driving down into Charlottesville on I-64 overlook



The fall colors are PEAKING in Central Virginia.  It's just now coming on as you drive down South so you're not too late to hit the road.

The view on Forsythia Hill is changing as it gets cooler.  We were wearing shorts in North Carolina but it's back to jackets now.  Enjoy the wonderful fall colors - Get out and take a drive!   Rebecca