So excited
Today I would ride the Skyline Drive, about which I’ve heard a lot and couldn’t wait to see! I’m telling you, the beautiful things mother nature has to offer!
It rained a lot of the night.
And it looked like it was going to rain some more.
Ominous
The sky did not look promising, but by now, the rain was only troublesome at night. I packed up and got ready to go. Fred and Christie came and chatted a bit before they had to get to the farm chores and I had to hit the road.
Fog on mountain
I made my way to the Skyline Drive. While riffing there, I passed a flashing sign that said, “Caution Fog on Mountain.” I didn’t know what this meant, so I ignored it and continued to the park. I noticed the weather getting worse and the fog rolling in, but took my exit. As I wound up the road, the fog thickened and soon I couldn’t see anything.
In the thick fog, I missed the turn onto the Skyline Drive. Since there was road construction, I made a rather large circle to try and get back to the Drive, figuring i couldn’t miss it twice. Turns out I could. The fog was so thick, that even knowing where the road was priced to be no help.
I thought of looping around again to try to get there, but realized another white knuckle ride without anything to see, was not really anything I wanted to do. After consideration, I decided to go on. I was sorely disappointed that I couldn’t ride this bit, but felt it the smart thing to do. Disappointment happens and plans change, but best to get there alive.
Now what
I’m very lucky in that I get to meet wonderful people from all over. One of these I met in a class for work a few years back. We have casually kept in touch over the years and, when she found out I was doing this trip, she invited me to stay a night at her house. That was my destination for the day.
Now that I wasn’t riding the Skyline, and in the rain, I punched her address into my navigator. Turns out, when I wasn’t riding the Skyline, she wasn’t that far! I thought about taking back roads, but with the bad weather and fog, I decided on the quickest way there.
Not having anticipated skipping the Skyline, I really had no idea of the route I’d be taking. When the phone told me Welcome to West Virginia, I almost slammed on the brakes. NO, NO, NO! I did NOT want to go back there. Turns out though, you only get on the Interstate a little way before you get to Maryland.
Leaving West Virginia again.
It was a short skip to my friend Jolane’s and I arrived by 1230. It was an unintended short day, but at least the rain stopped!
Now to hang out and enjoy seeing my friend!