The day begins with with a reminder that my Journalism degree still has currency. Sort of. After quite a few years as an “ink-stained wretch,” one develops a nose for news.
Why is this important? You may recall that Saturday evening on Waynesboro’s Main Street, I snapped a photo of the Blue Ridge Soap Box Derby. This wasn’t just any small town event. It was huge news.
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Yesterday, we completed the Blue Ridge Parkway. Today, we ride the 105-mile Skyline Drive, which winds its way through Shenendoah National Park.
The speed limit on Skyline Drive is 35 mph, which reminds me of a story. As you know, I’m riding this week with Ray Sanders. Ray’s wife, Tina, is Sarah’s cousin. The Harley I’m riding is actually Tina’s; Ray and Tina were gracious enough to grant me “saddle rights” for my Harley Hillbilly Holiday.
Well, it turns out this isn’t the first time Tina’s Harley has been to Skyline Drive. Did I mention that the speed limit in the Park is 35 mph? If you saw all the tight curves on Skyline Drive, you’d understand why.
Well, some years ago, on a ride with Ray, Tina managed to crank her Harley up to 70 mph. In the Park. I never felt safe above 45 mph, but Tina is obviously built for speed. You go, Tina!!! Ray says it was an expensive ticket 🙂
No tickets today, but we did have a fun ride, stopping along the way to appreciate many vistas and overlooks. At milepost 77 (we started at milepost 105 and worked backwards toward 0), we pull over for a shot of Rocky Top Overlook.
A few fun facts about Skyline Drive: It has 70 overlooks in 105 miles. Highest point is 3,680 feet. Construction began in 1931, ended in 1939, and cost $50,000 per mile.
The Northern entrance to the Park is in Front Royal, Virginia — only 70 miles from Washington, DC.
For more on Skyline Drive, click here. And for more on Shenandoah National Park, try this.
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We leave the Park, and work our way South to Staunton, Virginia, just a few miles from Waynesboro, where we stayed last night. Tonight we are in Staunton, second night in a row at a Comfort Inn. We are truly living large.
For a guy who grew up in Kentucky and lives in Tennessee, Ray loves riding in Virginia.
What will tomorrow bring?
Riding With Gary 