Days 26 and 27: Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park...Then HOME!



"Load the car and write the note.
Grab your bag and grab your coat.
Tell the ones that need to know -
We are headed NORTH!"

-I and Love and You by the Avett Brothers



After Nashville, it was finally time to turn north and start heading home.  We had one more destination we wanted to hit to finish up our trip, and that was Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park.  We drove from Nashville to Staunton, VA - over 500 miles and 7 hours - to be near the entrance to the park. The next morning, we had our last hotel breakfast of the trip (it's uncanny how similar each chain breakfast is!), and hit the road for our final national park of the trip and final day of sight seeing. 




Just like when we passed through Oklahoma and Arkansas, we continued to enjoy our newfound appreciation for green.  After spending more than two weeks of this trip in desert areas and coastal areas, the lush green of the eastern states in summer was a welcome sight.  The views from Skyline Drive are just beautiful, and there are plenty of lookouts to pull into and enjoy.  RJ made good use of his camera and practiced his photography skills on the beautiful views. 


Since this was a road trip, some of our destinations were for the purpose of an enjoyable ride.  We did some great driving in the Rockies and on Pacific Coast Highway out west.  But this was definitely great driving much closer to home.  The video above shows an easy but enjoyable stretch of the drive.  Lots of green, some gentle curves, and not too much traffic.  I think we will definitely be back with a motorcycle in the near future!


We even got treated to a little wildlife while we were in the park!  This little bear was enjoying the day right along Skyline Drive as we were nearing the exit.  Too cute!


Once we exited the park, we found a local place to grab a bite to eat before hitting the road for the final stretch home.  We passed through West Virginia and Maryland before finally crossing the border back into Pennsylvania 26 days after we started. 


 It was hard to believe the time had passed so quickly and the trip of a lifetime was now over.  We were sad to leave behind all the sights, the friends, and the experiences.  But we were glad to get home to our dog, Chase, and our family, and our own bed, and our garden.  Adventure complete!  (...Except...don't we need to make this a coast-to-coast trip?...)



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