Shenandoah Mountains, Virginia

May 2009

I am not back into the swing of this… I will try to just recap in order to get caught up. That is if I can control myself. You know how verbose I can be. Lol.

I believe I missed telling you about the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Although it was short lived it was beautiful.

The 105 miles of Skyline Drive laces the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Unlike most national parks previously, this park was created by a campaign of land donations, purchases, and acquisitions of previously farmed, hunted and worked land. Over 465 families had to be relocated and quite a few mountaineers were able to just live out their days and eventually their cabins were converted to park buildings, some in the near-backwoods are rentable for vacationers …. Very cool.

RVers note: Although no hookups, most of the campgrounds were accessible and could accommodate us. (37ft motorhome)

Although the “relocation” sounds a bit controversial it really wasn’t. Most people moved volunteering to avoid the construction and influx of people to the area. The real controversy didn’t come until the park was completed and the Park Deputy Director suggested that accommodations should be created for “colored guest” in 1932. It took another 15 years of struggle for “separate but equal” accommodations… sort of… but by 1950 Shenandoah became the first desegregated national park in the country… not separate but complete access.

The day we was gray and dreary, we were able to drive about ½ of it and stop in some of the visitor centers. The sun did peak out here and there and "Spring" would just jump out at you.

Sign of the day: On a semi-truck on the highway, 2 Guys and a Truck Movers (and a Woman to make sure they do it Right)

After a day we received a call from my family to come to Cleveland. My brother David had passed and our visit was cut short. We have every intention of revisiting this Park in the future, but until then this is all we have.

Ohio

We came across a great find in Berea, Oh. The Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds is open for RV camping when not in use with other events. We drove through the historic rod iron archway hearken back to by gone days. We camped next to the Grand Stands with the remnants of last year’s Halloween Haunted Houses as our neighbors and an Alien as our night watchman.

Ohio was all about family of course (see pictures) followed by a short visit to the Amish country and more pictures. Most amazing to me was the incredible craftsmanship of the Mennonites and Amish, whether it is wood, leather, cheese, or quilts. It was also good to visit with Sam, Stan, and Jess.

New York

No blog would be complete without a golf game. Applegate in NY was a nice break from the road. My game, as well as the gentleman Vince that we were paired up, provided quite a few laughs.

Sign of the day: Fresh Eggs from Dick's Chicks

In the next blog we are onto New England and our home for the summer Bar Harbor Maine.

Until then... Peace, Love, and all the Hope the Spring can bring.