Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Skyline Drive (Virginia)--Part II


If you missed Part I of my post showing Skyline Drive, Click HERE. Today I will share with you some more pictures from the overlooks along the Skyline Drive. We pulled out the tripod at Milepost 20 to get some pictures of the two of us. Pignut Mountain is in the distance behind us.




Have you ever heard of "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine"? This was a book written by John Fox Jr. --who was from my hometown of Big Stone Gap, Virginia. The novel was made into several screen and stage plays through the years. Anyhow--this little lone pine reminded me of that!!!!! This picture was taken near the Pinnacles area (3350 feet) at milepost 36.7.






I took this picture to show you one of the other overlooks along the Skyline Drive. This picture was taken at milepost 17.1 which is the Range View Overlook (2810 feet).






For some reason, both George and I took pictures of some of the dead trees along the way. They just stood out as if they were the KING of the Skyline!!! I'm not sure this one is dead --but there wasn't a leaf on it!!!!! Neat picture, huh, with that blue sky and puffy clouds behind it???? This picture was taken at milepost 13 and the overlook is the Hogwallow Flats Overlook (2665 feet).






There are two things I like about this picture... One is the big rocks just below the overlook, and the other is all of the shadows from the clouds in the sky. This picture was also taken from the Range View Overlook (2810 feet) at milepost 17.1





'
This is a view of the Shenandoah River and Shenandoah Valley. There is one overlook where all 11 bends of this beautiful river are visible --but it has to be on a very clear day (and it was too hazy when we were there). To see all 11 bends, go to the Hogback Overlook located at milepost 21. This particular picture was taken at the Gooney Run Overlook (2085 feet) at milepost 6.8. Dickey Ridge is to the right.



++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I'll close by bringing you back to our yard in beautiful Fairfield Glade, Tennessee. This is our Confederate Jasmine bush in our front yard. The butterflies love it. I took this picture on August 20. This particular butterfly was a little tattered --but pretty nevertheless.

One more thing: In yesterday's blog, I asked you to guess which woodpecker Woody Woodpecker is patterned after... It is the Red-headed Woodpecker.

Have a great day!!!!
Hugs,

55 comments:

NENSA MOON said...

Ohhh Betsy,
I really love to see you and George in the top pictures...
You both are wonderful!!
Wearing the same costum...with the smile and happiness shone from both of you...
wonderful...!! your beautiful trip during this time must be inspiring so many people...

Thanks for always sharing with us!!
hugs,
nensa

Jane said...

Good morning Betsy - More gorgeous pictures as always. Where are you and George going to travel to this weekend?? I am glad that your knee is better!

Jane

Darla said...

Such gorgeous scenery and I love the rolling hills!

SquirrelQueen said...

Wow, those are gorgeous vistas. The view from those overlooks is amazing. I like to take photos of dead trees also, there is just something special about them.

I love your photo of the butterfly on the jasmine.

Neal said...

My mom loved that book...it was just so so to me. I love your pictures....makes we want to go back.

Kirigalpoththa said...

Wow .. what a vantage point! You can see miles and miles! Great!!

Ginny Hartzler said...

Well now, I did mention the red headed in my comment, but not in that context, so didn't get it! My two favs are the bare tree and sky and the view with the river, so pretty! I think the butterfly is a black swallowtail, we have lots here, and I've never noticed black butterflies till this year!

pam said...

All your pictures are great, but that first one of you two is just wonderful!

Connie said...

Such lovely views,Betsy! Everything around here is pretty much flatlands, so it is always neat to see skylines like that. :)

Susie said...

God certainly gives us beautiful country to look at. Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

Anonymous said...

Your photographs along Skyline Drive are making me want to make a return visit. I've been on that drive twice in my life -- once with Mom and once with Bob. The last trip was a number of years ago. When Bob and I went for a ride on Skyline Drive I carried a large notebook that contained information about each overlook. I had printed the information from the Internet. I still have that notebook.

Mary said...

Lovely! I need to email you something I thought of when I read this....it's too long for a comment box :-)

Karin said...

Ok, now I'm humming - Shenandoah!!! What beautiful views - love the one with the shadows of the clouds! That dead tree is sure a stark contrast against the lovely blue sky and the puffy clouds! Thanks for the tour! So glad you're feeling better. That a great pic of the two of you!

Dorothy said...

Seeing all of your pretty pictures of the mountains is just making me want to go back up there this Fall!
It's really glorious in it's Fall colors!

PCovi said...

So pretty and fun!
I came to show you a photo I found :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnfish/4573952330/in/pool-498395@N23/

Arkansas Patti said...

Dorothy brought up a good point. As beautiful as the views are now, how incredible would they be in the fall.
It is so cool you and George dress alike. Makes the other easy to find if you get separated.
Once I get the West off my bucket list, will have to give the Skyline Drive another go.

MadSnapper said...

all the photos are beautfiul but my favortie is the dead tree. when i am in a wooded area my camera seeks out dead trees. i have a passion for trees, dead or alive, but dead ones are like art to me. i like those sunny gold shirts the two beautiful people have on, matches the sunny background perfectly and say HAPPY

Rose said...

good morning the area you went to is so beautiful. i love the mountains and the views you get to see. the oicture of you and your husband is great, have it framed. rose

Fred Alton said...

Great pictues Betsy! Love the orange matching shirts you and George are wearing and love the pictures of the scenery from any part of the Parkway.

Sunny said...

The scenery is beautiful. I really like the dead tree against the lovely blue sky and the cloud shadows.
☼ Sunny

Busy Bee Suz said...

Absolutely beautiful photos from your drive...love the 'nekkid' tree as well.
You two always look so happy and JOYFUL in your photos!!!

I have a jasmine type of plant, and it looks like big ants are eating the entire thing...making me crazy to get rid of them!

I Am Woody said...

Love that pic of the two of you!

When we were at the Grand Canyon, I kept taking pics of dead trees. Vol Fan thought I was a nut:)

Small City Scenes said...

Such beauty in our great country.
Wow you took some excellent shots. And I love the names, Pignut, Hogwallow flats, Gooney runs---too funny. thanks for the ride. MB

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

WOW!!! The scenery is just so gorgeous.SOmetimes I feel like I am right there with you as I look at these pictures.I smile at the names of the places,they are unique and I like that.The sky is so perfect,with just the right amount of clouds to make each scene spectacular.
Blessings,Ruth

Unknown said...

UGH! I didn't realize I was so far behind on reading all your posts! I had seen Proud Pappa, but I then proceeded to not read you blog for a few days! What beautiful pictures! My dad's favorite song is "Shenandoah." Your mountains are inspiring and make me want to be right on top of one so I can hear the wind and smell the pines.

Mister Bean said...

Good morning Betsy,

I like the dead tree picture; the contrast pulls one in...don't you think?

You and George enjoy your day!

Shelia

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Such beautiful photos, Betsy! Makes me want to go there soon. I bet it's spectacular in the fall.

I love how you and George wear matching shirts...so cute and your joy really shines through in the pix!

Have a great day,
Cheryl

Debbie Taillieu said...

Your birthday trip really was a fantastic one!
*sigh* It's just not fair that you get all the trees and I'm stuck in the desert......I am working on that though! :)

Have a fabulous day!

Diane said...

Looking at the Shenendoah River and Valley mades that song come into my head, I love the tree against the sky and that's a great picture of you and George. The butterfly is GORGEOUS! Diane

Glenda said...

You need to frame the great pic of you and George in that beautiful setting! Just looking at all those mountain scenes makes me feel a little cooler. Thank goodness, it is a bit cooler here; I can even feel a tinge of fall in the air!

Rose said...

I you could just click your heels together and set me down in either of the two photos above the butterfly one, I would be happy.

I have read The Trail of the Lonesome Pine several times...though it has been years since I last read it. I think I have two copies of it...or I did. I may have given one away.

KathyA said...

Your overlook photos are breathtaking!
You're from Big Stone Gap??? I guess you've read Adriana Triggiani's books then!!!??

Anonymous said...

Nope, I've never heard of that trail, but WoW! That Skyline Drive is much higher & much much more scenic that the one I showed the other day!!! Beautiful view

Jo said...

What quaint names of the different areas. Hogwallow flats overlook, Brilliant. And now I 've seen the Shenendoa river. Because I know you and you photographed it and posted it online. Lovely post. Thanks for visiting today. Kitty is fine and getting up to all sorts of mischief again. Have a lovely weekend. Blessings Jo

amelia said...

The scenery is breathtaking!! I had no idea there was such beauty in this part of the world..

Becca's Dirt said...

Beautiful mountains Betsy. Great photo of the two of you. You both look like you are just so happy to be there.

The Retired One said...

Super pictures Betsy! Loved the butterfly one too.

LV said...

Another beautiful showing of some a great scenes in our country. I see George still put that cap on.

imac said...

All great shots Betsy, and your 1st shot looks like you both have been Tangoed.lol.

Kay said...

Very scenic

Unknown said...

Spectacular photos you have here. These are great birds-eye-view of the place. Very inviting.

Anonymous said...

Thank you Betsy for sharing these lovely pictures. I agree that this is a great photo of you and George. I love it!

Deb from WhatsInMyAttic said...

When we lived in Front Royal for a few months, it was during the summer and we went tubing on the Shenandoah. Enjoyed your photos...and good for you for getting a picture of the two of you. All our vacations look like either LT or I had a great time, but not necessarily together! ha!

Lynda said...

Everyone has said it all and then some! Thanks again for sharing pictures of some of my favorite views on earth.

ruthinian said...

Betsy... I love the dead tree photo... it looks mysterious and interesting. nice shot.

Leedra said...

Like the first photograph. :) I also like the dead tree, they always catch my eye too.

penny said...

I don't think there is any drive more gorgeous that the Skyline Drive. There are beautiful view with every twist and turn of the road and your lovely photos show it all.
I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful journey, Betsy.
Hugs, back at ya ;)

Valerie said...

I love when you share photos of you and George together. You just look soooo happy!!

Love Of Quilts said...

All of your pictures were neat....I liked the one of you both. Trish

carolina nana said...

That is beautiful scenery. I planted a Jasmine bush several years ago and it died. Yours is very pretty. We got more rain today and it got kind of steamy this evening,reminded me summer's not over yet !
Have a blessed tomorrow
marilyn

cyclopseven said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Such beautiful photos! We drove along the Syyline Drive many years ago when we were first married. We took a small detour to go to visit Luray caverns. Such wonderful memories!

Fred said...

Love Skyline Drive. We are from New Jersey and went there last year and have been back 3 times in the last 3 months. Saw bears twice :)
Fred

Fred said...

Love Skyline Drive. We went last year and have been back 3 times. We live in New jersey and it's worth the 4 hour drive to get there. Stayed at Skyland twice and at Meadows Lodge once. Wish I could move to VA.. Saw bears and cubs twice too:)

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Thanks Fred..... We loved our drive up the Blue Ridge Parkway and onto the Skyline Drive... Such beauty!!!!! We stayed at the Skyland Resort along the Skyline Drive... Had a room with a view of the Shenandoah Valley below. Gorgeous.

Come back to my blog anytime.
Betsy