"Oh Shenandoah . . . " - Harrisonsonburg, VA - June 19th-21st

Our drive from Hickory, NC to Harrisonburg, VA was filled with the beauty of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

KYOTEE was hungry, so we fed him at the gasoline station below. It was only $3.49 per gallon. This is the first time we've seen this store name.  How would you pronounce it?

Daddy had one comment on this photo, "Virgina is for lovers."

Traveling is ruff on a little guy like me.  Remember the photo of all the trees in Oklahoma? Well, the scenery hasn't changed.



This is at the Natural Bridge Museum in Virgina. Daddy is such a good photographer, he can get anyone to smile.






Mommy is really a tree-hugger, but only because this one leans to the right.



Sometimes, it's hard to find the right words to describe the beauty we see. This is one of those times.



Look - we found a Waffle House!!!!!  There's even a PetSmart beside it.



We also finally found a good photo to show you of kudzu.  It is a VERY invasive vine that was brought to the United States in the late 1800's.  At that time, it was used to prevent soil erosion. Kudzu grows so fast, that in the South, you close the windows at night so the kudzu won't grow into the house - it grows at a rate of one foot a day.  Kudzu overtakes entire forests, killing all other vegetation. This is the thing of which horror movies are made.  On the other hand, it is used for animal feed, and handwoven baskets.  Medically, it is being studied as potential anti-inflammatory, cancer preventative, and anti-migraine drugs. 

Dotted across the landscape of back country roads are beautiful old barns.

We stopped at a National Park area where an old Grist Mill still existed. Here they ground flour (not gluten free).

Here's the mill. Daddy & I are standing to the left.

By the mill, I met another little furry taking the tour.

The song, "Oh Shenandoah", has a history that reflects back to the mid-1700's and the Indian Raids on the Scots/Irish Settlers. Other interpretations tell of a soldier in the Civil War longing for his home and his love.

It is a lovely song that tells of a beautiful valley that is rich in history. From 1861 to 1865, the Shenandoah Valley was wartorn with skirmishes and battles. Because of the rich agricultural areas of the valley, the Shenandoah was critical to both the North and South.  Mommy & Daddy said they have driven many areas and the Shenandoah lends a beauty that is unmatchable.  It was rainy and foggy the day they drove the Skyline Drive. Although the photos do not show the wide open grandeur of the valley, they show the mystical magic of the clouds and fog dancing off of the landscape.

The fog made for an interesting drive.

Remember the old "J&B - It whispers" advertisements?

As usual, Mommy has her head in the clouds.

Seen in the distance of these two photos, there are glimpses of the valley below.

After driving across the Skyline Drive, Mommy & Daddy toured the Luray Caverns. The caverns were discovered in 1878 by Andrew Campbell (no, not the one in Havasu). Public tours were started in 1878 for $0.50 per person. Mommy & Daddy had to pay $23 per person. 


If you look at the photo closely, you can see tiny holes and striations in the stone.

These are stalactites reflected in the water below.
Stalacites form at a rate of 1 cubic inch every 100-120 years.

In just a few million years, these tiny drops will grow downward to form a huge stalacite!  "I think I can, I think I can . . ."

The Mighty Samson holding back the walls of the caves.

Mommy used to take her High School students to climb through caves (called spelunking). They even slept in caves.  Daddy STILL can't believe she did that!

Is there room is the back seat for me?  Most of the cars in this museum were more than 100 years old.

A-maze-ing gardens.  Lots of pee-ing potential.

Daddy, Mommy & I went to downtown Harrisonburg, VA for dinner and touring. Dinner was on a roof top at Pennybackers. The restaurant was not puppy friendly, so I took a nap in the car. It was cool outside (upper 60's) with a light breeze.  I also had a wonderful bowl of cool water.  Then after dinner, we went walking around.

Daddy had a Snake Dog IPA and Mommy had Meritage wine from the Cross Key Vineyards in Virgina.

No matter where you are back East, treetops top roof tops.

There are so many interesting angles among the roof tops. Even in this photo, you can see the trees peeking above.

Daddy & I are looking for a new bike for him and a chariot carrier to attach to the bike for me.

What's the joke? Don't all dogs laugh?

KYOTEE was a cheap date in Harrisonburg. Dinner was only $3.29 per gallon.

Harrisonburg, VA has been a wonderful stop along our way.  The only thing that REALLY bothered me was a bird that dive-bombed me and pecked me on the tail every time I walked out of the hotel!!!!