The Baalands: The South Side

I vowed to return to Shenandoah National Park (Skyline Drive), two weeks after our first visit. Two weeks ago, the leaves were starting to change. I thought they might be at their peak two weeks later (more like 12 days). They were further along, but still not at their peak. Regardless, the park (drive) was beautiful.

Rockfish Gap Entrance

Two weeks made a difference

We entered at the Rockfish Gap Entrance (Mile 104.6/105.4), along Skyline Drive, near Waynesboro. We saved another $30 with my senior park pass. It was a long day. We had visited the Natural Chimneys on the other side of I80 and had been delayed by an accident (long story). It was near sunset when we reached the Route 33 exit, our planned departure from the drive north. We ventured past the exit and stopped at a few overlooks to enjoy the sunset. After the sun was behind the mountains, we backtracked to the Route 33 exit and began our journey home. Dinner at Cracker Barrel.

Water below

Still mostly green

Across the landscape

At one of the pull-offs, there was a white tail deer. He didn't run. He didn't seem afraid of my car. We observed him for awhile. I stayed in the car and took pictures as he grazed away, without a worry in the world. He looked on the thin side. You could see his ribs. I hope there wasn't something wrong with him, that that was just the way they looked in the wilds. I wondered why he didn't have any horns. I saw him pee, so I knew it was a he.

White tail deer