One of my favorite things about DC ever since moving here in 2007 is not only the wonderful park space within the city (Meridian Hill, Rock Creek, …), but the close proximity to the beautiful Shenandoah Valley and National Park. A one and half hour drive west puts one up at 4000 ft on the Skyline Drive, alongside the Appalachian Trail, overlooking the vast countryside and countless vineyards of northern Virginia. And until my dream of owning a small mountainside cabin comes true, a weekend getaway from the city will more than suffice!
A few weeks back, Aida and I headed due west . . . windows down and sunroof open on this fine Saturday morning. Visited a few vineyards at the foot of the Blue Ridge mountains before heading north to pick up the start of the 105 mile Skyline Drive. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect, nor the company.
Afternoon in the vineyards . . .
The sun hung high in the sky as we drove south along the mountain crest, through the forests and past the expansive views as the car hugged the dramatic rocky road curves. Eventually leaving the drive, we descended to Luray Town (est 1812), just west in the valley bordered by the mountainous George Washington National Forest to the west and the Shenandoah National Park to the east. The historic town boasts a small town country charm and a relaxed pace so closely removed from the nation’s bustling capital.
Aida, feeling strange getting her photo taken ; )
Main Street, Luray Town
Candid and defenseless as the sun goes down
Sunday after a wonderful breakfast of croissant french-toast and fresh fruit, we visited the famous Luray Caverns, discovered in 1878 and the largest on the east coast. And large they were!! 4,000,000 centuries in the making and some rooms nearly ten stories tall. The one hour audio guided tour took us some 3.5 hours to cover the several underground acres of caverns with stalactites and stalagmites of mere inches to over a hundred feet. So very cool, and unbelievable to consider once back out in the parking lot, how much exists underground, and where other caverns may exist where we live and work, and we have no idea. Here are just a few of the incredible views! And for those of you in the DC area, I highly recommend a trip out to see them for yourselves. Then come back and buy a print. 
Cavern appreciation . . .
Yea, that's what he was looking at! CRAAAAAAAAZY. (Hint, it's called Dream Lake)
Giant's Hall
For charity. Every year the well is drained and the money collected for a different charity. Over $700,000 raised to date!
WOW! This is spectacular. I soooo missed out on going to those when we lived there. Rob’s not so much of a cave man (snicker) he kind of has that “if you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all” mentality. I should have gone by myself, it look’s awsome! If we get back that way this winter, I’m DEFINITELY going to make it a point to hit him with a club and drag him there!
Great photos!
Which wineries did you hit? There’s a neat little place out that way that makes mead. Very cool photo ops there, it’s very rustic, and the guy makes some sort of instrument (I can’t remember what) that he displays all over the cabin walls, they’re gorgeous, handmade wooden sort of violinish looking things. The mead wasn’t bad either…check it out if you get back that way again. It’s AWSOME in the fall with the color change.
Stacie
Ha, thanks Stacie! Yea, you’ll have to “B.A.” Rob to get him out there. (B.A. as in A-Team where they’d knock Mr. T out before flying
)
Gray Ghost Winery was first, then Rappahannock Cellars – also nice places, but yea, will look out for the mead. Definitely heading back in the fall!
These bring back a lot of memories. I haven’t been there in almost 20 years. Do they still have that massive pipe/stalactite organ?
They sure do, largest musical instrument in the world!
excellent work..lovely awesome full of energy..raw life..masterpieces..grand work Seth
Thanks Allan, great to hear from you!
I must agree with you in this well written blog entry – a drive through Shenandoah Park and exploring its neighboring charming towns like Luray makes for a great (romantic) weekend getaway destination. Bicycling from one vineyard to another with a tent in our backpack maybe be our next trip?
Wonderful writing, love the photos ( especially my fav. Dream Lake) woow!
A.
Hmmm… that’s an idea! Bicycled from hilltop town to hilltop town (minus the tent) in Tuscana in 2008, it was incredible!
I’ll see if I can find my photos and info on the mead place. It was VERY rustic and inside lots of treasures to photograph. His handmade instruments were fascinating to me. I’ll send you the info if I can remember this week. Rob didn’t care to much for the mead if I remember right, but I thought it was good. Of course, we have VASTLY different tastes in adult beverages so take that for what it’s worth..
Yea, he sure does love his wine coolers!