Bob's Skyline Drive & Blue Ridge Parkway Trip

[1978 NYB]

I took a nice trip on Skyline Drive & Blue Ridge Skyline. It was great until I ran in to some bad weather Monday afternoon. The fog was such a hazard that I had to kill the trip when I crossed into North Carolina. I just didn't want to have an accident.

 

[1978 NYB]

 

[1978 NYB]

 

[1978 NYB]

Then out of nowhere this gigantic black bear shows up. He could care less about me. He was munching away on berries. He had to of been at least 400 lbs if not more. He made me look tiny! I was within 3 feet of him. It was at daybreak at about the 33 mile marker on Skyline Drive, Virginia. There wasn't anybody else around so I was able to observe him for about 30 minutes. That is the first time I ever encountered a predator in the wild (except Hadji's in the Middle East). Yeah, I'm from Wisconsin. But I'm from Milwaukee so I never saw any bears unless it was on TV or in the zoo. So this was a cool experience I'll never forget. He got his fill of berries and wandered back in to the woods....

 

[1978 NYB]

Wow! What an experience seeing that bear was! The rest of the trip I saw herds of deer, a red fox, one skunk, herds of squirrels and a couple of chipmunks. Lol. I wonder how close I have come to other bears this weekend and didn't know it. Lol. These bears are silent and very sneaky!

 

[1978 NYB]

 

[1978 NYB]

 

[1978 NYB]

 

[polarus]

Thanks for posting, I was planning to go hiking at the Ledges in Western MA., then someone posted a photo of a black bear encounter on this trail, makes you think twice.

 

[mrfury68]

Thanks for sharing the pics of your road trip. The bear was cool. I'm a city boy too, so to see one in its natural surroundings is rare. Some beautiful scenery there.

 

[Newport 66]

We took a cycle trip to the Blue Ridge Mtns and Skyline Drive a few years back. The scenery was magnificent and it was like stepping back in time. This great nation of ours has so much to offer. We need to respect and treasure what we have. Once gone it's never coming back.
Thanks for sharing your adventure and encounter with the bear. That in itself was fantastic!

 

[300rag]

Nice trip, but I would have expected the Charger. Oh, and Dave is gonna have steam coming from his ears after the pic of the truck.

 

[mr. fix it]

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I enjoyed running the Skyline and Blue Ridge but these tunnels are dangerous in my humble opinion.

you go from sunny day to temporary blindness then back to blinding sun light

 

[1978 NYB]

Nice trip, but I would have expected the Charger. Oh, and Dave is gonna have steam coming from his ears after the pic of the truck.

Don't want to scare the bear! LOL

The truck is by far more comfortable. Can't pull over and take a nap in the Charger!!!!

 

[1978 NYB]

We took a cycle trip to the Blue Ridge Mtns and Skyline Drive a few years back. The scenery was magnificent and it was like stepping back in time. This great nation of ours has so much to offer. We need to respect and treasure what we have. Once gone it's never coming back.
Thanks for sharing your adventure and encounter with the bear. That in itself was fantastic!

The good people of the Depression built these magnificent parks in 1930's. Just beautiful is right!

 

[mr. fix it]

The good people of the Depression built these magnificent parks in 1930's. Just beautiful is right!

Part of the “Real Deal” if I recall history correctly

 

[The Goose]

Great pics!!! Looked like tons of fun.

 

[Turboomni]

In Western MA there are quite a few black bears wandering around. And Moose are not uncommon. I had a mama bear and her cubs one year going through my trash on the street on trash day. That was worrisome!
Great pics 1978 NYB. Thanks for sharing!

 

[bluefury361]

I'm glad you got to make the trip Bob. I've done it end to end a couple of times but usually jump on north of Asheville NC and take it to Front Royal. (My standard route to Carlisle). I've driven it in several different vehicles including a 64 D200 crew cab,twice. A 65 Coronet 500 convertible, twice. three times in Jazebelle, twice towing a pop up camper. My Ram towing Connie the past three years. Maybe the 67 Polara 500 vert next July.

I have been all over this country on secondary roads and parkways and the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline drive are right at the top of the most beautiful drives one can make.

Thanks for the great pictures.

 

[Joseph James]

I took a nice trip on Skyline Drive & Blue Ridge Skyline. It was great until I ran in to some bad weather Monday afternoon. The fog was such a hazard that I had to kill the trip when I crossed into North Carolina. I just didn't want to have an accident.

next time give a shout. I’ll buy you lunch.