Advice Wanted From Our American Readers

[MightyGem]

Hi guys, I'm off to Kitty Hawk in December and then taking a 2 day drive back up to Washington. I was thinking of going back through the Shenandoah Valley. Does anybody have any tips on places to visit and stay at on the way?

Many thanks

[Flying Lawyer]

Are you interested in advice from a British reader? ;)

The Shenandoah Valley and adjacent Blue Ridge Mountains are very beautiful, and well worth visiting.

There's a road which runs along the top of the mountains called Skyline Drive. (See 3rd picture) It's a few hundred miles long, but you can join and leave at various access points. Stunning views across the mountains and valley, and a chance of seeing wildlife. Waiting while a black bear played around in the road ahead of the car and then watching him (her?) climb up a bank into the forest is the sort of hold-up I can cope with. Amazing experience!

When planning time/distance along Skyline Drive, bear in mind you'll want to stop frequently to look at the view/take pictures, it's one lane in each direction, a winding scenic road with limited scope for overtaking.
You can alternate driving through the Shenandoah Valley and along the roughly parallel Skyline Drive. The northern end of the Drive is about 1½ hours from Washington DC.

Shenandoah Valley
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/FlyingLawyer/ShenandoahValley.jpg

Blue Ridge Mountains with the Valley in the distance
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/FlyingLawyer/B47ShenandoahValley.jpg

SkyLine Drive along the Ridge
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/FlyingLawyer/SkylineDrive.jpg

The pics are a little hazy - the blue haze which gives the mountains their name. Visibility was good on the day. The haze shows more in photographs.

These links are a good start:
Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive (http://www.blueridgeskyline.com)
Visit Shenandoah.com (http://www.visitshenandoah.com)


We stayed at Skyland Lodge (http://www.nationalparkreservations.com/shenandoah_skyland.php?gclid=CMmfw7bEi6sCFQYLtAod1kT6sw). It's at the highest point of the Drive, roughly abeam Luray.
Stunning views. Fairly basic 'mountain lodge' style rooms but clean, perfectly adequate and not expensive. I think it was about $80 per night per room. American hotels are so cheap compared with the rip-off prices we pay here. I'd definitely stay there again and recommend it. I rang them, but you can book on line. Make sure you ask for a view over the valley - not all rooms have them.

You may want to get away from helicopters, but the aerial views are wonderful. Blue Ridge Helicopters near Winchester have a Bell 47 @ $250 pr hr. They'll take two pax on a sight-seeing tour, or one if you want to fly - which, not flying for a living, I naturally did. The owner/instructor took the pictures. He flies a B407 for Fairfax County Police Dept so perhaps he'll give you a discount. :)
Blue Ridge Helicopters (http://www.blueridgeheli.com/home.html)

Hope this helps. If you want any more information, either ask here or you're very welcome to e-mail me.

Tudor

[RDRickster]

I highly recommend spending a day or two in the park; however, it is a bit chilly this time of year. If you do stay, reserve a cabin in advance so that you can enjoy the scenery from a wood burning fireplace.

The leaves have already turned and most are probably on the ground, now. Shenandoah usually turns mid-October... slightly before the rest of the area. It's not really high elevation (3000' plus or minus), but the wildlife is impressive. Expect to see black bear, turkey, deer, hogs, eagles, hawks, and other little critters (rabbits, etc, etc). The snakes have probably packed up shop this time of year. Also, there are many waterfalls and trails right off Skyline Drive that are very dramatic.

If you want to fly some nestalgic aircraft, I recommend two places. Blue Ridge Helicopters (click here) (http://www.blueridgeheli.com/home.html), recommended by FL, is located just minutes from the entrance to Skyline Drive. You've probably flown a B47G2 already, but at least you'll get to view the valley from the air before driving in the woodlands.

Since you'll be at Kitty Hawk, I recommend East Carolina Helicopters (click here) (http://www.eastcarolinahelicopters.com/), located in Washington, North Carolina (not the District of Columbia). If you haven't flown a Brantly B2B before, it is a real experience you shouldn't miss out on. See this thread (click here) (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=103975&highlight=brantly) for a review of the B2B.

Also, check your PM's.

[deeper]

Hi Flying Lawyer,

Good to see you were in a 47 without the doors.

The worlds greatest off road vehicle.:ok: :ok:

[Flying Lawyer]

Doors??? Chuck and Pete didn't have doors! ;)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MightyGem

Some other ideas -

Monticello (http://www.monticello.org/) - Thomas Jefferson's house at Charlottesville, VA isn't far off your route from the Carolinas to Shenandoah.
Nick Lappos suggested we went there and it's worth seeing if you have half a day to spare. The house is unique. It's on an old southern slave plantation set on top of a hill so you have wonderful views for miles - December weather permitting.
If you're there at lunchtime, go to the old Michie Tavern. (http://www.michietavern.com) It's a tourist trap but serves good southern food. Their Southern Fried Chicken is delicious.

Kitty Hawk is about 50 miles south of the Virginia border so you'll pass near Richmond, VA. If it's a choice between the two, I'd recommend Monticello - but I find American history very interesting.

Tudor

[MightyGem]

Tudor, many thanks for your comments. I had considered the Skyline drive, but was wondering whether it would be open/passable at that time of year. I shall certainly check out those links. :ok:

RD, thanks also, check your e-mail.