The tunnel, constructed in 1932, passes through 3514' tall Mary's Rock. It is 610 feet long and was engineered to avoid making an unsightly road cut.
Showing posts with label Skyline Drive. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Skyline Drive. Show all posts
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Mary's Rock Tunnel on Skyline Drive
Shenandoah National Park's Only Tunnel in the Snow
The tunnel, constructed in 1932, passes through 3514' tall Mary's Rock. It is 610 feet long and was engineered to avoid making an unsightly road cut.
The tunnel, constructed in 1932, passes through 3514' tall Mary's Rock. It is 610 feet long and was engineered to avoid making an unsightly road cut.
Monday, September 30, 2013
The Summit of Stony Man in Shenandoah
Taking in the View from the Top of Stony Man Mountain
Sunlight breaks through the clouds...
...as hikers enjoy the view across Page County.
Sunlight breaks through the clouds...
...as hikers enjoy the view across Page County.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Driving Rainstorm on Skyline Drive
Impressions of a Summer Storm...
Pouring rain distorts the view of the Drive...
...and that of the trees...
...as seen through the windshield.
Pouring rain distorts the view of the Drive...
...and that of the trees...
...as seen through the windshield.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
A Morning in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Early Morning Visit to Shenandoah National Park
Sugar Hollow as seen from Skyline Drive. You can see Charlottesville's reservoir in the distance.
A trip to the mountains was way overdue. It doesn't help that fellow blogger Lynn Mitchell [click to read] was describing her latest journey to Shenandoah in delicious detail. I had a full day of work Saturday so I arose early and decided to get up to the mountains in the wee hours of the morning.
Deer were everywhere as I drove to one of my favorite secret places. I saw a wild turkey up on a dark hillside. Bunnies were out everywhere. Rounding a corner of Skyline Drive, I saw the face of a bear peering out from the thick brush. I quietly eased the car onto the grass and set out to get a better look, but the bear saw me and I heard him clattering down a steep riprap embankment.
Later another bear dashed across the drive. I watched with wonder how such a large animal can run like a fine steed through thick brush and uneven terrain. The morning was refreshing and I headed back to work with a refreshed sense of wonder!
I saw two black bears. One was peeking out through thick brush, the other running fast. This photo is from another trip when the bear actually stood still for me!
The only animal I actually photographed this time was this bunny on an overlook wall.
Sugar Hollow as seen from Skyline Drive. You can see Charlottesville's reservoir in the distance.
A trip to the mountains was way overdue. It doesn't help that fellow blogger Lynn Mitchell [click to read] was describing her latest journey to Shenandoah in delicious detail. I had a full day of work Saturday so I arose early and decided to get up to the mountains in the wee hours of the morning.
Deer were everywhere as I drove to one of my favorite secret places. I saw a wild turkey up on a dark hillside. Bunnies were out everywhere. Rounding a corner of Skyline Drive, I saw the face of a bear peering out from the thick brush. I quietly eased the car onto the grass and set out to get a better look, but the bear saw me and I heard him clattering down a steep riprap embankment.
Later another bear dashed across the drive. I watched with wonder how such a large animal can run like a fine steed through thick brush and uneven terrain. The morning was refreshing and I headed back to work with a refreshed sense of wonder!
I saw two black bears. One was peeking out through thick brush, the other running fast. This photo is from another trip when the bear actually stood still for me!
The only animal I actually photographed this time was this bunny on an overlook wall.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Snowy Skyline Drive Sunday
Scenes from Shenandoah at Swift Run Gap
A clear snowy day along the Skyline Drive...
...and trees along the Drive.
A clear snowy day along the Skyline Drive...
...and trees along the Drive.
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Christmas Color on the Appalacian Trail
Sumac Berries on Bear Den Mountain in Shenandoah
Sumac Berries on Bear Den Mountain overlooking Crozet...
...are just a short walk along the AT...
...from Beagle Gap.
Sumac Berries on Bear Den Mountain overlooking Crozet...
...are just a short walk along the AT...
...from Beagle Gap.
Monday, January 2, 2012
The Taking of Shenandoah National Park
The Dream and Displacement that Built Skyline Drive
The flamboyant promoter George Freedman Pollack owned the Skyland Resort and was one of the park's biggest supporters. His resort was preserved as a visitor lodging facility while Blackrock Springs resort in the Southern District and other private businesses were closed.
I grew up loving Shenandoah National Park. My Mother had hiked White Oak Canyon and Old Rag Mountain as a girl and I inherited her wonder at this beautiful world of natural splendor. Mom also went to school in Criglersville with schoolmates who's families had been removed from the land that was to become Shenandoah.
This week Lynn writes about Shenandoah's History [click to read]. Her story, accompanied by wonderful photos, is great reading.
I find the abuses of eminent domain in the park's aquisition troubling. The handful of residents who refused to leave could have been handled much more humanely. Indeed, the park's mission might have been better served in the long run had the State of Virginia created a 'Park Zone' and offered the option of life tenancy where it did not compromise preservation of irreplacable natural resources.
Shenandoah actually did allow life tenancy in a few instances. The last resident, Annie Shenk, lived in Shenandoah through the 1970s.
The flamboyant promoter George Freedman Pollack owned the Skyland Resort and was one of the park's biggest supporters. His resort was preserved as a visitor lodging facility while Blackrock Springs resort in the Southern District and other private businesses were closed.
I grew up loving Shenandoah National Park. My Mother had hiked White Oak Canyon and Old Rag Mountain as a girl and I inherited her wonder at this beautiful world of natural splendor. Mom also went to school in Criglersville with schoolmates who's families had been removed from the land that was to become Shenandoah.
This week Lynn writes about Shenandoah's History [click to read]. Her story, accompanied by wonderful photos, is great reading.
I find the abuses of eminent domain in the park's aquisition troubling. The handful of residents who refused to leave could have been handled much more humanely. Indeed, the park's mission might have been better served in the long run had the State of Virginia created a 'Park Zone' and offered the option of life tenancy where it did not compromise preservation of irreplacable natural resources.
Shenandoah actually did allow life tenancy in a few instances. The last resident, Annie Shenk, lived in Shenandoah through the 1970s.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Big Meadows Lodge on Skyline Drive
Hospitality in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia
The dining room at Big Meadows Lodge.
The Lodge, designed by Richmond architect Marcellus Wright...
...overlooks the Valley of Virginia.
Dining room menu from 1949.
The Gift Shop.
The dining room at Big Meadows Lodge.
The Lodge, designed by Richmond architect Marcellus Wright...
...overlooks the Valley of Virginia.
Dining room menu from 1949.
The Gift Shop.
Monday, April 18, 2011
The View fron Turk Mountain
A Fairly Easy Mile Hike from Skyline Drive
Mountaintop View from Turk's summit.
Lichen on the rocks.
Monday, January 24, 2011
A Walk to Blackrock on a Cold Day
Shenandoah's Rocky Outpost Offers Great Views
An earlier hike to Blackrock, in warmer weather.
More Pictures [click to view] are to be seen in Hiking in the Blue Ridge [click to read].
Snow on the trail to Blackrock.
An earlier hike to Blackrock, in warmer weather.
More Pictures [click to view] are to be seen in Hiking in the Blue Ridge [click to read].
Snow on the trail to Blackrock.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Fall Color Unfolding
Brilliant Maples Show their Colors
Last week this tree was still green...
...but what a difference a week makes!
Oak leaves.
The view from Raven's Roost.
Skyline Drive...
...and the view from an overlook.
Last week this tree was still green...
...but what a difference a week makes!
Oak leaves.
The view from Raven's Roost.
Skyline Drive...
...and the view from an overlook.
Monday, April 26, 2010
A Walk on Wildcat Ridge Trail
An Afternoon Walking in Shenandoah Park
Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly [Papilio troilus] on Mountain Laurel.
Laurel blossoms form a star pattern in a Divine design.
Showy Iris along the trail...
...and a toad.
Showy Iris.
Mountain Laurel about to blossom...
...and in full bloom.
New green leaves...
...and moss.
Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly [Papilio troilus] on Mountain Laurel.
Laurel blossoms form a star pattern in a Divine design.
Showy Iris along the trail...
...and a toad.
Showy Iris.
Mountain Laurel about to blossom...
...and in full bloom.
New green leaves...
...and moss.
A Photo Journey Along Skyline Drive
Virginia's Unique Mountain-Top Experience
An ice storm turns the Drive on High Top Mountain into a Winter wonderland.
Skyline Drive [click to read]. More photos of the Drive.
The original 'South end' of the drive was near this marker at Jarman Gap. You used to be able to cross the mountain by car on the Jarman Gap Road here. The 32 mile Swift Run Gap to Jarman Gap section was opened to the public on August 29, 1939. It was built for $1,666,528or $51,000 per mile.Skyline Drive from Jarman Gap to Rockfish Gap was originally constructed as the Northernmost segment of the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was completed on August 11, 1939 at a cost of $358,636 or $40,000 per mile. It was deeded to Shenandoah National Park in 1961 and the Jarman Gap Road crossing the Blue Ridge was abandoned on the West side of the drive. Today you can drive up the Eastern portion to a gate at the edge of the park.
Mary's Rock Tunnel on the Skyline Drive.
An ice storm turns the Drive on High Top Mountain into a Winter wonderland.
Skyline Drive [click to read]. More photos of the Drive.
The original 'South end' of the drive was near this marker at Jarman Gap. You used to be able to cross the mountain by car on the Jarman Gap Road here. The 32 mile Swift Run Gap to Jarman Gap section was opened to the public on August 29, 1939. It was built for $1,666,528or $51,000 per mile.Skyline Drive from Jarman Gap to Rockfish Gap was originally constructed as the Northernmost segment of the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was completed on August 11, 1939 at a cost of $358,636 or $40,000 per mile. It was deeded to Shenandoah National Park in 1961 and the Jarman Gap Road crossing the Blue Ridge was abandoned on the West side of the drive. Today you can drive up the Eastern portion to a gate at the edge of the park.
Mary's Rock Tunnel on the Skyline Drive.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
A Trip Along Skyline Drive
Our Amazing Mountaintop Road
As the 70th anniversary of the Skyline Drive draws near, I've tried to capture the feeling of the original design with a single white line down the center.
Ice on trees near High Top.
The Lawn at Dickey Ridge offers an inviting view of the Shenandoah Valley and an inviting place to relax after the hike as well.
A Trip Along Skyline Drive [click to view].
These photos copyright The Kirchman Studio.
As the 70th anniversary of the Skyline Drive draws near, I've tried to capture the feeling of the original design with a single white line down the center.
Ice on trees near High Top.
The Lawn at Dickey Ridge offers an inviting view of the Shenandoah Valley and an inviting place to relax after the hike as well.
A Trip Along Skyline Drive [click to view].
These photos copyright The Kirchman Studio.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Mountain Top Living
More Thoughts on the Village at Afton
Stratton Mountain Village.
Lynn [SWAC Girl] writes:
Bob, another thought. In your sketchings you had buildings that looked like apartments? If there was year-round housing there it would be more viable. I realize having a gas station and restaurant are seasonal if that's all that's there ... BUT ... if people lived there (and it's but a short hop down the mountain to Waynesboro or Charlottesville), those places would get year-round business.
There are SO many possibilities for Afton and you are correct ... it takes someone with a vision. I would think investors would back Mr. Delaney in this venture because so many people want mountain property.
It may have to wait a bit to get started due to the economy ... but that would give time for planning. I love it!
Stratton Mountain Village in Vermont.
Condominium interior at Wintergreen. Living at the Village at Afton could be very nice indeed!
Share Your Thoughts at Our Facebook Page [click to read].
What do you think the Village at Afton should include? Comment Here.
Stratton Mountain Village.
Lynn [SWAC Girl] writes:
Bob, another thought. In your sketchings you had buildings that looked like apartments? If there was year-round housing there it would be more viable. I realize having a gas station and restaurant are seasonal if that's all that's there ... BUT ... if people lived there (and it's but a short hop down the mountain to Waynesboro or Charlottesville), those places would get year-round business.
There are SO many possibilities for Afton and you are correct ... it takes someone with a vision. I would think investors would back Mr. Delaney in this venture because so many people want mountain property.
It may have to wait a bit to get started due to the economy ... but that would give time for planning. I love it!
Stratton Mountain Village in Vermont.
Condominium interior at Wintergreen. Living at the Village at Afton could be very nice indeed!
Share Your Thoughts at Our Facebook Page [click to read].
What do you think the Village at Afton should include? Comment Here.
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