Layers and layers of colors ending in blue. — Photo by Pat Bean
“Heroes take journeys, confront dragons, and discover the treasure of their true selves.”
—Carol Pearson
Adventures with Pepper: Day 29
The wildflower season along Skyline Trail had ended, but their were still a few flowers, like this small beauty with drops of rain still coating its leaves, to be seen. — Photo by Pat Bean
While the rain had stopped, the morning was still overcast. It was going to be a dreary drive through Shenandoah National Park, I thought.
But then Mother Nature took pity on me. I had just barely started my day’s drive down the park’s 105-mile Skyline Trail when the sun came out and bathed the landscape with its light.
Rain drops on leaves glistened in the sunlight and the passing foliage took on a warm glow.
The leaves of the maples, oaks, elms, beeches, aspens and many others, were a variegated palette of color. They reminded me of the mixed-color yarn my mother often used in making afghans. If she were using Mother Nature’s half-summer/half-autumn colors this day, her crocheted blankets would range in hues from green to lemon yellow with shades of orange, plum and scarlet in between.
Rag Mountain framed by an old dead tree I found interesting. — Photo by Pat Bean
Shenandoah National Park is a long, narrow mixture of lands and forests woven together in a landscape protected for both its beauty and its wildness. Its Skyline Trail is a narrow, winding, hilly road with a 35 mph speed limit designed as the way for people in cars to enjoy it.
With 75 overlooks – I know I stopped at least half of them – and inviting trails leading away from the smell of the road, Pepper and I found many reasons to at least briefly abandon Gypsy Lee, out home on wheels. .
It took me over seven hours to get through the park. It would have been longer if I hadn’t have wanted to get off the road and Gypsy Lee hooked up to civilization before dark.
Book Report: Just to keep it moving forward, I added another few words, bringing Travels with Maggie up to 56,103. I think for the next two weeks, until I get off the road for a bit, the book is truly going to be moving at a snail’s pace. I have writing commitments for Story Circle Network of which I’m a board member and other priorities this coming week, plus other priorities on this current journey. I hope I’m not just making excuses.
The Wondering Wanderer’s blog pick of the day
Bean’s Pat: Unusual Travel Tradition http://tinyurl.com/9f3amqx This blogger sees the funny side of travel. A new find for me.
Pat Bean's blog 