April 2, 2026
Recently, I took a trip down Virginia's beautiful Skyline Drive with my two granddaughters and their friend. I always enjoy driving down the Drive, which meanders through the Shenandoah National Park. The views are spectacular, no matter what time of year, but especially in the Fall. One can see views from approximately 1,000 to approximately 3,000 feet in altitude and take in mountains miles away and farms, homes, and other buildings on the Shenandoah Valley floor to the West and the Piedmont of Virginia to the East. From time to time, various kinds of wildlife can be seen, including deer, groundhogs, squirrels, vultures (buzzards), and other birds. Crows are common, and I think I once saw a raven. Black bears also live in the area, though I have not had the privilege of seeing one near the Drive. The mountains and valleys are resplendent with green vegetation in the spring and summer and beautiful colors as the leaves change in the Fall. Even in the…
