Easter Vacation – Day 3 of 5: Blue Ridge Parkway (James River to Humpback Rocks)
Bob and I spent three nights (April 17-20) in Waynesboro, Virginia. Waynesboro is located near where the Skyline Drive ends and the Blue Ridge Parkway begins. Our original plan was to stay in Waynesboro for four nights, but we departed a day early. I will explain why we left Waynesboro a day early in a future blog post.
The highlights on Day 3 (April 19) of our Easter vacation included a visit to Natural Bridge, walking on a swinging bridge in Buchanan and driving the Blue Ridge Parkway. Thursday’s blog post (4/24/2014) provided photographs and details about our visit to Natural Bridge. Friday’s blog post (4/25/2014) was about our brief stop in Buchanan VA. From Buchanan we took Route 43 to the Blue Ridge Parkway. We entered the Parkway at Milepost 90.9, Bearwallow Gap, and exited at Milepost 0, Rockfish Gap. Our 90-mile drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway yielded many photographs. I am sharing those photographs via four separate blog posts. In Tuesday’s blog post (4/29/2014) I shared photographs from Milepost 90.9, Bearwallow Gap, to just before Milepost 63.8, James River Visitor Center. In yesterday’s blog post I shared photographs that were taken at the James River Visitor Center. In today’s blog post I will share photographs from Milepost 63.8, James River, to just before Milepost 5.8, Humpback Rocks.
By the time we left the James River Visitor Center area it was well past noon, and we were hungry. We ate lunch at a Parkway picnic table along Otter Creek.
Lower Otter Creek Overlook, Elevation 680 feet
Otter Creek
After lunch we stopped at several scenic overlooks, as we made our way to the north entrance of the Parkway.
View House Mountain, Elevation 3, 612 feet; Elevation Here 2,498 feet.
View Irish Creek Valley 1,500 feet below, Elevation here 2,660 feet.
View Irish Creek Valley 1,500 feet below, Elevation here 2,660 feet.
Somewhere along Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia)
20-Minute Cliff
20-Minute Cliff
20-Minute Cliff
Most places we stopped along the Parkway were designated scenic overlooks. Here is one stop, where we just pulled off the side of the road so that I could take a picture.
Bob took this picture of me, as I was taking a picture of the view.
The drop off the Parkway was straight down!
This is the picture that I took alongside the Parkway.
Ravens Roost Overlook (Elev. 3,200 feet) was the last overlook that we stopped at before reaching Humpback Rocks.
Ravens Roost Overlook, Elevation 3,200 feet 1,800 feet above valley.
This broad rock ledge is a typical raven’s roost. Although we saw none, ravens and buzzards are frequently seen from this point.
Bob took this picture of me at Ravens Roost Overlook.
Ravens Roost Overlook
To the right of the rock ledge is a scenic overlook of the Shenandoah Valley, 1,800 feet below.
We reached Milepost 5.8, Humpback Rocks, at approximately 3:15 PM. It took us about 4 3/4 hours to travel 85.1 miles on the Parkway.
Fence across Parkway from Humpback Rocks Visitor Center
The Beauty Around Us 
4 Responses to “Easter Vacation – Day 3 of 5: Blue Ridge Parkway (James River to Humpback Rocks)”
Oh how I love that area!!!! Thanks for the memories… We remember so much of what you have photographed… Love it!!! Sounds like you had a fabulous trip.
Hugs,
Betsy
What fun views Linda, really great choices.
I’d say you did pretty good taking less than 5 hours to go that distance. I’m not sure we do it that quickly; there are just too many good places to stop for photos. I like the barn you captured.
Great photos Linda, love the look of this area and always enjoy seeing photos of you and Bob.