posted 08-09-2001 07:20 AM                  

1. Skyline Drive in VA. It's right along the ridgeline of the mountains for about 100 miles or so.
2. Harper's Ferry, W.Va. - Antietam, MD..Civil War area and great mountain roads, views
3. Beach ---any beach, Chesapeake Bay

Any suggestions?

posted 08-13-2001 05:59 PM                  

Harpers Ferry sounds good, but very limited parking and not much their.

Gil

posted 08-14-2001 09:01 AM                  

This 100-mile, two-lane road snakes along the entire length of the park, riding the spine of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. This is the scenic drive against which all others are measured, with scores of pull-offs for you to enjoy the panoramic views, grab a bite, or take a hike. The best place to start is at the beginning, in Front Royal, Virginia. Drive the first third, 29 miles south to Beahms Gap. There's plenty to see and do along the way, and if you want more, there's nothing to stop you from going all the way.

Five Best Overlooks from Skyline Drive
Nonstop drivers can cruise the whole of Skyline Drive in three hours, but they won't get anything but a glance from their cars. The are many overlooks, picnic areas and waysides, so stop, look and listen. Skyline Drive is marked by posts giving the exact mileage of where you are. Use these posts to find overlooks, which are also signed.
Picking the five best overlooks along the parkway is challenging and sure to spark spirited discussions of each person's favorites. Here are the five I believe to be the best. Take Skyline Drive for yourself and see if you agree.
Range View Overlook
This overlook, at mile 17.1, offers a view down the length of the Blue Ridge to Stony Man Mountain. Looking south from 2,810 feet, the viewpoint stretches from Jenkins Mountains to Gimlet Ridge, Massanutten Mountain and the Alleghenies beyond.
Hogback Overlook
I like this overlook because it is the longest in the park. You can't take it all in without getting out of your car or driving a bit to the other end of the vista. From here, at milepost 20.8, you can see the Shenandoah River below, the two ridges of Massanutten Mountain and the Alleghenies. In the foreground is the valley of Overall Run, Mathews Arm and Gimlet Ridge.
Spitler Knoll Overlook
Here, Skyline Drive curves, and the overlook, at milepost 48.1, curves along with it. Page Valley and the Shenandoah River lie below. The small town in the Page Valley is Stanley. Blackrock Mountain is near to the left. Massanutten is the long, nearly level ridge across Page Valley.
Big Run Overlook
The valley of Big Run is one of the park's most scenic. From here, at milepost 81.2, the vista opens into the depths of the park's largest stream. On one side of Big Run is Rockytop Ridge and the other side stands Rocky Mountain and Brown Mountain. On a clear day the quartz outcrops on Rocky Mountain are visible. Brown Mountain Overlook is visible in the foreground.
Crimora Lake Overlook
Crimora Lake forms the centerpiece of this expansive view. It is framed by Turk Mountain to the left and Rocks Mountain to the right. From 2,985 feet, here at milepost 92.6, you can see the strewn rock slopes of Rocks Mountain. Also in the picture is Wildcat Mountain. Crimora Lake is on the eastern edge of the Shenandoah Valley. The lake is a mining relic. This area had more manganese extracted from it than any other mine in America.

Places to Stay Overnight!

Hotel-style overnight lodging can be had at Skyland Lodge (Mileposts 41-43) and at Big Meadows Lodge (Mile 51.2). You can rent cottages at Lewis Mountain (Mile 57.5). Call (800) 999-4714 to make reservations.
Food service, gift shops, service stations, and facilities for campers -- such as grocery and camping supply stores, laundry, and ice and wood sales -- are at various points along Skyline Drive. Horseback trips are offered at Skyland Lodge. All facilities are open in summer, some are open in spring and fall, and most are closed during January and February.

Places Nearby!

The legendary Shenandoah Valley stretches down to the west of Shenandoah National Park. Almost European in texture, the valley offers history, scenery, nature, poetry. (O Shenandoah, I long to see you. . .) The town of Staunton is known as its Queen City. Staunton is a hilly city, full of interesting Victorian architecture. It also has excellent restaurants, first-class lodging, and carriage rides. In short, a fine place for romance. But if you really want history, Lexington has it. Both Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson called this town home for a while. The downtown area has two historic universities: Washington & Lee and Virginia Military Institute, a great old cemetary, a decent museum, and many find old buildings. Bridgewater is a venerable small farm town, dating back to the 1750s. Today, it's a bed and breakfast, antique store kind of place. But interesting, and worth the stop and maybe event he overnight stay.
The area's caverns are a special attraction. The Shenandoah Valley karst, or water-soluble rock, geography is riven with caverns. Some of the most famous are the Grand Caverns near Grotto, the Shenandoah and Endless Caverns near New Market, and the Natural Bridge Caverns. But you don't have to go out of your way. Some of the most spectacular show caverns can be found in Luray, near the park's headquarters, and at Front Royal, near the Park's north entrance. The Front Royal caverns are named, fittingly, the Skyline Caverns.
The George Washington National Forest covers the western ridge of the Valley. This million acre treasure, along with its sister , the Thomas Jefferson National Forest, are two of the most recreationally-minded forests in the system. Both forests feature knowledgeable staffs overseeing terrific biking and hiking trails, and lakes and streams for boating and fishing.
Move on to Shenandoah National Pa

posted 08-14-2001 10:18 PM                  

aug 25-26 hot rod power fest Maple grove raceway. Reading pa

aug 25. cruise night at gap park. party at my house too

sept 7-9 big m birthday bash. churchville md

sept 8 super cruise leisure lanes lancaster pa

and for any that are intrested there is a big trophy race at maple grove raceway in redding on oct 28 I believe. its all street cars and the winner gets a 6 foot trophy and the runner-up four foot. anywya I might be running the prowler and some other cars in it. if anyone is intrested let me know.

posted 08-15-2001 03:51 PM                  

------------------

Dave

posted 08-15-2001 09:22 PM                  

Coohemi - In the Harrisburg area there are 6 of us who cruise or do some of the shows in Carlisle,York and Hummelstown fairly regularly. If you like - I will copy you next time we plan on getting together.

posted 08-16-2001 02:35 PM                  

Vote for Sat. 22nd or 29th.

I don't have a long range weather -or- foilage guess, so either week is OK with me.

Let me know!

posted 08-16-2001 05:34 PM                  

Gene, how far down Skyline are we going?

Brian, maybe you can swing by here (Warrenton) and we'll follow each other to Front Royal.

Gil

posted 08-20-2001 08:04 AM                  

Gene