Blue Ridge Mountains PA MD WV VA

May 25, 2021 Leave a Comment

May 2020

Road Trip Tally

States: PA MD WV VA
Miles: 416
Total_Miles: 916
MPG: 17.8
Keeper Photos: 76
Total: 228
New Species Added: 10
Total Road Trip Bird List: 71

This was jumping all in, a trip of over a thousand miles. I checked my prep list several times and simply went for it. The T@B was very well-behaved on the road, even on the hills and through the twisting ribbons of asphalt roads winding their ways through the Appalachian landscape.

*The Orange T@B at the first stop, Sherando Lake in Virginia.*

The upper lake was just 50 yards from my camp site, so I hiked around the lake the first afternoon. The steep hill to the trail around the lake provided a panoramic view of the campground Loop C, where I had set up camp. I had done a little grocery shopping on the way in, and after the hike I was ready to eat. I decided on my best spin on authentic Maine Italians for lunch/dinner.

*If you look very closely, just behind the RV and screen house on the left, you will see the Orange T@B tucked away in the shade.*

In Maine, these are Italians, a very specific sandwich that you can pick up at pretty much any mom and pop carry out in the state (Google Maine Italian sandwich). Important: no lettuce or mayo! That is not an Italian. I am missing the black olives.

As evening approached, it got chilly very quickly. I had decided earlier that I would try to catch a sunset on the lake trail, and maybe stick around to try some night photos of the lake, despite the half moon that I knew would be in that sky snuffing out the starlight.

NIGHT SCENES: Click the four images below to see them full screen.

What is it like to hike in the Appalachians at night? It is about the sounds! I have included this short video snippet, which isn’t much to look at, but listen to the three whippoorwills. One of them allowed me to nearly step on it as it belted its persistent song right from the middle of the footpath on which I walked. At the last moment I could see the bird in my flashlight beam, just three feet away, giant black eyes looking back at me just before it softly fluttered away, moth-like on noiseless wings. Also, listen for dozens of spring peepers and American Toads.

*Last image before putting the camera away for the evening.*

The following morning, my first adventure was to fire up the propane cooktop in the T@B, and then to determine whether or not the Folgers Singles were going to cut it for coffee. Well, they aren’t exactly Starbucks or Dunkin, but I think they will do for now.

*First attempt at cooking in the camper.*

On the Blue Ridge Parkway just up the hill from the campground, the Rhododendron periclymenoides, (a pink azalea also called the pinxter flower) shrubs were in bloom.
point c on map

This morning began with a short hike to the other end of the lake, followed by a drive on the Parkway. I took a few pictures of Pink Azaleas and an abandoned logging railroad a short hike from one of the roadside pull-offs. The gallery below shows some of the morning highlights.

*Click the photos in the gallery above to see the full screen.*

I returned to the Parkway later in the afternoon to try and grab some sunset photos. I had scouted out the 20-Minute Cliff view early in the day as having some sunset potential, depending on what visual interest the weather provided.

The cliff beneath this view was used by the people of White Rock as a way of measuring time. In the summer, the sun drops behind this mountain 20 minutes after striking the cliff face.