Day 9: An unexpected stay on Skyline Drive

Today we continue our journey along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Yet again, the weather is superb and provides beautiful views and excellent opportunities for taking photos. We work up an appetite winding through the parkway and we find a beautiful spot along the James River for a short hike and then a picnic lunch.

After lunch, we connect to the Skyline Drive and take in more spectacular views. While we initially planned to leave the drive and stay the night in Harrisonburg, we are enjoying the Shenandoahs so much we decide to change our lodging and stay along the Skyline Drive. We are fortunate to find a room with a view at the Skyland Lodge.

We check in to the lodge and head out for a hike along the Stony Man trail. The trail leads to a breathtaking view of the Shenandoah valley as you stand atop Stony Man's forehead. We finish our hike and have a relaxing dinner at the lodge while overlooking the mountains. We end the day with a beautiful sunset and then some star-gazing. This is our last night on the road. Tomorrow we head home for Bensalem.

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