IN THE SHADOWS OF SHENANDOAH

By Barry Zander, Edited by Monique Zander, the Never-Bored RVers

A continuing saga, which I call “Micro-Blogs” …

In the uplands, the trees were just starting to come into their spring greenery.  In the valleys, the bright yellow forsythia, white and pink shrubbery and wildflower blossoms and lush green everywhere kept us enchanted for mile after mile (much akin to fireweed in the Yukon Territory).

So Babcock, West Virginia, was a pleasant enough state park, but it wasn’t in its glory when we visited in mid-April.  Nor was Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park, one of the most visited national parks in America.  The rhododendron bushes were leafy but have not yet bloomed, so we missed out on their rich hues, but the Shenandoah Valley is a place of beauty.

Once we arrived at Shenandoah River State Park, Virginia, we were surrounded by healthy forests that we always enjoy, sprinkled with colorful trees, butterflies and the beautiful Shenandoah River.

This valley is a tourist’s paradise, with its abundant caverns open to the public.  We picked the most renown, Luray Caverns in Luray, for a trek underground.  We seem to gravitate toward caves in our travels, having gone underground in at least a dozen and maybe closer to two dozen — that makes us expert cavern tourists.

Luray is among the best we’ve seen for the grandeur of its formations and use of lighting to highlight the interior.  It doesn’t have the variety of geologic features of some we’ve toured, but that didn’t make it any less interesting.  We were surprised when our guide said we were at the last stop.  Had it been an hour already?  Yes, a very quick subterranean hour.

Since these “Micro-blogs” focus on our travels, I am compelled to dwell a bit more on the journey:  specifically what our attention is drawn toward as we ply the wide and narrow highways.  MANSIONS, set back a quarter-mile off the road, separated from the white fences by lawns as big as several football fields.  Perfectly mowed, often with flowering trees and always with bright flowers in season.

BYWAYS, narrow roads that wind through woods and pastures, 55 mph or less speed limits until we hit the 25 mph “radar in force” small towns, not built for 18-

wheelers and often a challenge for motorhomes that seem to avoid them.  SMALL TOWNS, featuring picturesque bungalows, neighbors to 70-year-old two-story red brick buildings that serve the rural communities around them.  LIVESTOCK, probably not too different from what you see around your place, yet, for us as we motor along, we breathe in the serenity of the scenery. FOOD OUTLETS, like McDonald’s practically everywhere, of course, and Cracker Barrels along interstates except in California; Subways, Waffle Houses and Sonics.

NATIONAL AND STATE PARKS, all different, almost all worth visiting.  Great places to take the youngsters or grandchildren to nourish their love of nature.

You’ve seen all or most of these in your travels.  I hope I’m building your enthusiasm for getting out on the road as soon as convenient.  It all adds up to a great way to live, and we RVers are certainly fortunate to have America at our proverbial fingertips.

We’re now spending a week visiting Washington, D.C.  If there’s anything worth Micro-blogging about, I’ll be sure to let you know.   I have to mention that I crossed paths with President Obama this past weekend, but he probably doesn’t remember me.

For many of us, it’s really hard to pack up and leave home just when our gardens are coming to life.  Those irises and tulips that bloom each year and the

pansies you want to plant this week are begging you to stay around.

The beauty of spring was on our minds when we departed our mountain cabin; that’s why I had to keep telling Monique it’ll be beautiful wherever we go.  The wooden swing in our yard will be there next year and the flowers will grow again.  There are tough choices to make in this RV World.  Trite sayings like “different strokes for different folks” or “You gotta do what you gotta do” ring in our ears when people tell us, “Oh, I could never leave now!”  For us, the more important adage, “You’ve gotta do it while you can.”  So here we are:  Birds chirping, flowers smiling, seafood aplenty.  It’s a great time to travel.

From the “Never-Bored RVers,” We’ll see you on down the road.

COMMENTS to previous blogs

From Larry Nutter:  I am so happy that you were able to enjoy the place I lived and worked for over 20 years. I worked at the Yorktown Sheriffs office for many years.  I have also RVed at the Ft Monroe rv park when it was still active Army. You have brought back some great memories.

Thank you.

From Patricia O’Connell — Barry, this is Patricia From The Colonies RV and Travel Park at Fort Monroe.  Thank you so much for doing such a wonderful job with the article you wrote on your blog.  Pat [Patrick] and I appreciate your activity in helping us advertise our beautiful park.  We love it so much and want people to come and enjoy it also.  Thanks again and please come back and see us. NOTE: you can access the park’s website at www.thecoloniesrvandtravelpark.com .

Because of the numerous Spam comments on this site, the comments section has been deactivated.  Please email us at neverboredrvers@gmail.com and I will pass along your comments.  I invite you to visit my website, ontopoftheworld.bz, especially if Alaska is on your bucket list. You can also access some nice photos from our travels.

© All photos by Barry Zander.   All rights reserved