Preparing to Drive the Parkways

Sunday October 26th

Television personality Ben Mulroney is getting married next week. And here I thought he was married to his own reflection in the mirror.

Man charged with attack on Oasis' Noel Gallagher due in Toronto court. And here I thought that was Liam's job.

And so ends my commentary on the world at large.

Spent part of today reading up on the Skyline Dr and Blue Ridge Parkway. Apparently we owe the workers of the Civilian Conservation Corps formed under Roosevelt's New Deal during the depression for the existence of these trails and their facilities. I doubt whether the majority of those 3 million workers looked as sexy as Iron Mike, whose statue unveiled in 2006 honours their work. Anyone who has watched The Waltons got a contrarian's view of this program from Grandma and a particularly sour take on the project from their backwoods cousin who was forced off her land by the building of the parkway. In an age in which people take being transferred and moving from city to city; province to state; and even country to country in stride it is hard for most to understand the affinity those raised in the backwoods had for the land on which they were raised, tended all their lives, and upon which they depended for their livelihood. For those who are close to the land their piece of God's Earth informs their being and is a part of them as much as their homes and families. The springs, nut trees, hunting grounds, fertile soil, berry patches, mushroom picking sites, maple tapping woods, caves, and vistas infuse their souls and support their physical being. This is what it is to be one with the land.

But I digress. The area to which I'm headed is the backdrop for the TV Series to which I refer. There really is a place called Rockfish and Charlottesville is nearby.

Tuesday, October 28th

In the past couple days I've driven by signposts marking many of America's most historic sites and am parked tonight not far from Washington DC.

Martins Food in Front Royal, Virginia was a revelation. I wish I could get boneless chicken breasts in Oakville that were air-cooled, lacked fat hidden in the packaging, and had all the sinews removed. Buying beer and wine with your groceries is also a unique experience as is being asked for the date of your birth at the checkout. Front Royal RV Campground is accessed through an actively grazed pasture via a narrow single lane paved road with two Texas gates. A failed KOA its free Wi-Fi works at bytes a second. They do have water and electricity but the oriental owners barely speak English.

Skyline Caves was an interesting hour-long diversion this morning. Being led through a former underground river by a young man clad in Blue suitcoat and tie was novel.

Get your gas before you enter the Skyline Drive—it's 80¢ a gallon more expensive in the Park. The climb up to the ridge made my gas gauge visibly sink. Driving the winding hilly roads makes me feel right at home as on the backroads of Lunenburg County. After being overhauled for days by impatient truckers it's heaven to be on a road where the required speed limit matches my sensibilities. The snow dusted on the high places was an eye-opener and the gale-force winds and temperatures hovering around freezing made going outside for hikes less than pleasant. Despite the weather fall colours are just beginning to peak in this area so for once I've timed it right. The vistas viewable from the overlooks are panoramic and I'm thankful my vehicle affords a good view without my having to get out and risk being literally blown away. The Audio Guide I picked up at the visitor's centre was well worth the investment.