On Friday I took the day off and went over to Luray Caverns just as they opened. I was very grateful to see that the place was essentially empty when I pulled in, because I was only going to be comfortable going into the caves if there were not crowds of people. They mandated masks, but I can't imagine that cave ventilation is very good!
I walked through the caves on my own, and it was really a sight to see. Going through the caves alone was also fairly eerie to begin with, but once I got used to the place it wasn't bad. The immensity of the cave was incredible, and so beautiful!
After seeing the cave I went up to Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park and drove 2 out of the 3 sections of the park. It was a beautiful day, but it was a tad chilly. Between getting a bit cold and tired, I headed back through Shenandoah valley home for the day.
On Saturday, I went back to up the National Park and did a hike along the Appalachian Trial from the Pinnacles parking area to St. Mary's peak. Round trip I did about 8 miles and it was a really awesome hike along the ridge-line of a lot of the mountains in that area.
After that hike I stopped by Skyland for lunch (takeout from their dining room and ate on a random rock overlooking the view). Non-COVID this looks like it would be an awesome place to stop and have lunch and a beer in their dining room, and meet some other people enjoying the park! Sorry to miss out on part of the experience, but their food was great and some peaceful time to eat and enjoy the view was also a great experience.
I finished off Saturday by driving the 2nd and 3rd sections of the park down to the start of the Blue Ridge Parkway, and wound back to the campground along the valley again. This day I was much better prepared for the chillier temperatures along the ridges with some motorcycle pants that kept me warm the whole day.
Full pictures: