Shenandoah Fall Foliage Ride

For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to see the fall foliage in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I have lived near the Blue Ridge Mountains for over 23 years and not once have I made a trek to see fall along the parkway! This year, my dream came true. I rode 32 miles one day, hiked 3.5 miles, drove along Skyline drive and followed that up with a 56 mile ride the next day. I even added another National Park to my list! Shenandoah National Park is beautiful.

Saturday morning October 15th, we pulled up to an old building in Middlebrook, VA. A cute old man welcomed us, “If there are more than three cars in Middlebrook, it’s a traffic jam. The town has a population of 208. Well, that sometimes fluctuates by 1 or 2. There are more cows in Middlebrook than people.”

I can attest to the fact that there are more cows in Middlebrook than people. Cows everywhere along the countryside as we rode our bicycles. I have a GoPro, but can never seem to get it to work with my voice commands. If I stopped for every awesome picture I wanted to take– I’d still be there right now. We live in an amazingly beautiful country—once you get off the highways.

Another bear ran across the road in front of us as we were driving along Skyline drive. Skyline drive begins where the Blue Ridge Parkway ends. We hiked Doyles River Falls Trail. It was pretty brutal after having pedaled my bike 32 miles. <laughter> I am glad I went, though. The colors of fall in the mountains are so amazing. It literally takes my breath away.

Since the ride, I have kayaked on the Dan River, and rode 42 miles on the New River Trail. This fall has been glorious. The best fall of my life. I have gotten to see so many amazing, beautiful things– God’s Creation is beautiful.