Month: December 2025

Returning to the motor home following the hike to Wigwam Falls, we continued south. Needless to say, there was a lot of traffic on the Parkway. Much of it was motorcycles.

Like always, we pulled over at scenic spots.

We stopped at a roadside pond to relax for a while. This was not a race. We took our time savoring the sights.

Then on and on.

We stopped at MM61 at Otter Creek Campground, but it was closed. Surprise, surprise. We drove on across the James River. We stopped at MM86 at the Peaks of Otter Lodge and learned where the campground was. We exited the Parkway and got a site at Peaks of Otter Campground.

We roamed around the campground the rest of the day.

Next American Location 10: A Detour to Stone Mountain State Park

Rested up after lunch and a short rest in the Hunchback Rocks picnic area, we continued south on the Parkway. We stopped frequently for overlooks.

Across the way, these homes have a good view of the Parkway.

I like this photo looking back at the road we had just driven.

We exited the Parkway to see a lake, but after 5 miles or so gave up and drove back up onto the Parkway. Resolved not to do this again. It was too difficult, and took too long, driving down from and then back up to the Parkway. We continued south, and the views just kept coming.

We stopped at MM34 at Yankee Horse Ridge to take a short hike up to Wigwam Falls. The trail began by crossing old railroad tracks fallen into disuse.

We followed a trickle.

Up to Wigwam Falls.

Next American Locations 9: On to the Peaks of Otter

We got a late start in the morning. We drove out of Waynesboro onto the northern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway. At MM5 we stopped to walk through the restored pioneer houses.

Driving on, we stopped to hike Humpback Rocks.

Connie gave up before half-way. It was too rough.

It got much rougher.

I was exhausted by the time I reached the top.

I didn’t quite make it to the very top, like that couple in the center left.

But I got close.

Close enough for some great views.

Naturally, it was much easier coming back down.

Once I got back to the motor home, we drove a short ways to the Humpback Rocks picnic area for lunch. And a brief rest.

Next American Location 8: Continuing on the Blue Ridge Parkway

We left Big Meadows Campground early in the morning. We drove the rest of the Skyline Drive, stopping at several overlooks. At first it was as foggy as usual.

Eventually, the fog began to lift.

I like this photo. You can see how homes have been carved right into the mountainside.

In this one you can see a small lake below.

Later in the day the fog moved back in.

The clouds had settled really low in this valley.

We drove down off Skyline Drive and out of Shenandoah NP into Wanyesboro, where we treated ourselves to lunch at McDonalds. We set up in a private campground with hook-ups and WiFi, so I got caught up with my emails and everything else.

Next Location: Starting the Blue Ridge Parkway