Input on Skyline Dr. / Blue Ridge Mtn Virginia Trip - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

tomk17 · 11-08-2007, 06:35 AM

My wife and I are cooking up a drive down through the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia this Spring or early summer (June?). Specifically, the famous Skyline Dr. route through the Shenandoah National Park. Read cool things about it.

Has anyone done this trip before and have any recommendations as to the weather in the different months (is May better that June etc?), potential B&B's to stay in, things to do or see, etc? We could time it to be there mid week to avoid traffic etc. Any feed back would be appreciated.

NickCats · 11-08-2007, 06:55 AM

Tom,

We did Skyline Drive the end of May 2002 on the way down to Washington DC for the Rolling Thunder rally ( Harley thing ). The weather was perfect.

Views :

http://www.geocities.com/nickcats/views.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/nickcats/back.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/nickcats/vegas.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/nickcats/smoke.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/nickcats/riding.jpg

Unfortunately, since DC was the final destination we stayed at the cheapest places possible on the way down, so I can't really recommend any lodging.

Great trip & beautiful country ! Have a great time...

Nick

tomk17 · 11-08-2007, 11:24 AM

Thanks nickcats

edevlin · 11-08-2007, 03:12 PM

Go this weekend, trees should be out, its a beautful drive and normally not that busy. We stayed at a B&B called the Acorn Inn that we like, up toward Wintergreen mountain, I am not sure how close it is to where you will be.

Ed

jwilson95 · 11-08-2007, 04:48 PM

Tomk17-

Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge parkway are nice and I would recommend May over June, but fall is typically the best due to fall foliage. This year the colors are pitiful due to drought.

Weekdays are better due to lack of traffic. Most of the parkway is 35 or 45 mph and is more for leisurely cruising vs. thrashing like at Tail of the Dragon. There are also occasional speed traps.

Several websites for B&B's out there and wineries, etc.

I'd be up for setting up a 986forum run there with an overnight sometime with you guys like at TOD.

der Geist · 11-08-2007, 06:22 PM

My wife and I did it some years back. We did it in the peak color season of fall and it was stunning. One of the best roads for a drop dop in the country. Enjoy the ride and try to make it as late as you can so you can enjoy the open air.

KevinH1990 · 11-08-2007, 06:58 PM

It is a great drive, but law enforcement seems to know where you will want to "enjoy" the drive a bit more.

I also recommend that you take at least one hike while you are in the area. For that purpose, May will probably be a bit cooler than June and thus more comfortable. Brown's Gap is a good area to hike with a waterfall that is not too far from the road, but there are many other trails in both Shenandoah National Park and the various stops on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Enjoy your visit to the Old Dominion.

j.fro · 11-10-2007, 03:59 AM

I live about 30 minutes East of the Parkway and Skyline Drive and get out there pretty often. They're a great pair of roads, but there area few things you might want to know. First, Skyline Drive is the northern part, and there is a fee for using that road. I think it's about $20. The Blue Ridge is the Southern part, and it's free. They split near where they intersect with Interstate 64. Both roads have a speed limit of 45 mph, and it is rigorously enforced! The police have no problem pulling over an entire line of cars at once. For "spirited driving", there are plenty of smaller local roads that meander around the slopes of the mountains. The Shenandoah region PCA has a lot of fun out there

. B&B's, restaurants, and curious little local shops are abundant; do a little searching and you'll find just what you are looking for. For any Porsche fan, one place that's a fun visit is G&W Motorworks in Staunton. G&W is a small vintage Porsche dealership, and they've always got some great cars to ogle.