The mountains were calling

By Lynn R. Mitchell

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.” –Psalm 121:1

I had a million things to do today. I should have gotten my work done. But I couldn’t get my mind off a friend in Richmond who is going through some serious health issues and is back in the hospital for a third time. I could have done any one of the many items on my list today but sometimes it seems life is too short.

The mountains were calling.

So we dressed warmly and headed to Shenandoah National Park where all facilities will close down for the season at the end of next week. For today, a trip along Skyline Drive and lunch at Skyland Resort sounded like the perfect way to spend our Friday by enjoying the winter woods and views, the sparse visitors, a last chance to visit Skyland and sit at a window table and talk over a club sandwich and quesadilla, browse the gift shop, and be outdoors in the cold late-autumn air.

Sometimes, even when it’s too cold for them to be around, you have to stop and smell the roses. Today was just such a day.

See also Photos … Skyline Drive in late November 2014.

I love the winter woods because they open the view to as far as the eye can see.

As we rolled along Skyline Drive, radio station 93.1 serenaded us with non-stop Christmas music.

My view out the window from our table while eating lunch at Skyland Lodge.

For anyone who may be interested, Skyland Resort is open until Sunday, November 30, and will be serving Thanksgiving Buffet on Thursday from noon until 7:30. Reservations for dinner and/or a room can be made at the website (see Skyland Lodge website).

Looking into the Page Valley.

I’m here to tell you that I almost froze to death on this ledge. The temperature was 22 degrees and the wind was blustery. It was so cold all day in the Park that you could see your breath. It was exhilarating but it felt good to get back in the warmth.

 

See … told you it was cold!

Big Meadows Lodge has already closed for the season so the deer have taken over. We must have seen a dozen deer in and around the lodge including this lady who was relaxing in front of rooms 9 and 11 beside the main entrance.

The snow sticks are up throughout the park.

Somewhere down in the Valley was Polly Campbell. I think of her every time I go to Big Meadows and Skyland, and her story of growing up in the shadow of Big Meadows Lodge and witnessing the dedication of the Park as a little girl (see Polly Yager Campbell … growing up in the shadow of Shenandoah National Park and Lunch with Polly Campbell … surprise presentation of RPV resolution and Resolution honoring Polly Yager Campbell for 50 years with Republican Party of Virginia).

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
November 21, 2014

Cross-posted