The South Side

We wanted to go back to Shenandoah National Park (Skyline Drive) in two weeks. On our first visit (on October 1), the leaves had just started to change. In another two weeks (more like 12 days), we thought they'd be at their peak. They weren't. They were further along, but still not at their peak. Regardless, the park (drive) was still beautiful. 

Rockfish Gap Entrance

Two weeks made a difference

Mom and I 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 I-80 and had been delayed by an accident (long story). 

Water below

Still mostly green

Across the landscape

Red leaves

At one of the turn-outs, 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, seemingly without a worry in the world. He looked on the thin side. You could see his ribs. I thought he should have been fat from the grass. 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 he was a he.

White tail deer

Panning the landscape

Light effects

Many branches

Our roadside friend

Two trees

It was near sunset when we reached the Route 33 exit, our planned departure from the park. We ventured past the exit and stopped at a few overlooks to enjoy the sunset. That was pretty awesome. While there hadn't been much traffic in the park, many people had stopped at the 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 was at a Cracker Barrel. We got home late, about 10:30 pm. The animals were hungry. 

Big Boulders

Sun going down

Sunset in the park

Sun's down

NORTH AND CENTRAL PART OF PARK