We were thinking about driving the Skyline Drive this summer

[tigereye]

Virginia mountains, I think.

Any interesting sights along the way?

[DebJ]

1. Maybe Cicadas??

[Amerpie]

2. You can hike

Portions of the Appalachian Trail.

Also, Front Royal, VA at the North end of Skyline Drive is a cool town to poke around in. When you get there, you are only a couple of hours from Harper's Ferry

[tigereye]

4. I have always wanted to see Harper's Ferry!

I am kind of a history nut.

[Carni]

8. I have been to Front Royal MANY times

Do you live in the area Amerpie?

I have relatives in Bentonville which is very close to FR.

[Amerpie]

9. Answer

I live in Fayetteville, NC but my father owns a mountain home near Front Royal.

[DancingBear]

3. Blue Ridge mountains

Beautiful scenery, incredible traffic. If you do it, you'll get unhurried views of both the National Park (which Skyline Drive runs through) and the huge RV with "There Go The McCrackens!" stenciled on its spare tire cover, which will be in front of you the entire way, going 7 mph.

[tigereye]

5. oh, hadn't considered that.

[NewHampshireDem]

6. I'll be driving part of it this summer myself ...

I've actually done both the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway a couple of times. I've never really encountered serious traffic problems, except for the one time we tried to get off in Pidgeon Forge, Tenn. That was not prudent ... so we just got right back on.

If you are worried about getting stuck behind someone going 7 miles per hour, you don't really want to drive it--it isn't an interstate, its a Sunday drive. Besides, there are so many beautiful spots to pull off and take a brief hike or take in the view or have a little nap that you won't really be behind anyone for so long.

You might try the "Off the Beaten Path" guide for Virginia, or a hikers' guide for that part of the state.

I'm going down there in July, but we'll be heading off toward Charlottesville then on to Williamsburg. If you want to take a more extended trip, go down into NC and visit Asheville, which is one of my favorite small cities.

Good luck and have fun!

[DODI]

7. I am boycotting Virginia due to HB 751

When this new law is removed from their books and I will be on Skyline Drive quicker than you can say "equal rights for all"

"A civil union, partnership contract or other arrangement between
persons of the same sex purporting to bestow the privileges or
obligations of marriage is prohibited. Any such civil union, partnership
contract or other arrangement entered into by persons of the same sex in
another state or jurisdiction shall be void in all respects in Virginia and
any contractual rights created thereby shall be void and unenforceable."

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040525/ap_on_re_us/virginia_gay_marriage_1

[Xandor]

10. Sure, many things to see...

Do the Drive, and don't worry about the 7 mph RV's. It's a twisty mountain road, and the speed limit is twenty-something. You won't want to be going fast. Besides, there are scenic viewpoints every mile or so, and you can bet that RV will be stopping at the very next one. Just pull on past when he stops to gawk. While you're on the Drive, you can hike parts of the AT (as someone said); do some awesome flyfishing for native brook trout, if you're so inclined; stay overnight at a cool place like Skyland (a resort on the Drive that predates the establishment of Shenandoah National Park, which the Drive is part of. Get reservations before you go), keep an eye out for deer, turkeys, bobcats, bears... and most of all, take in the incredible views from the ridgetops. Years ago, it was said that you could sometimes see the Washington Monument from the Drive on exceptionally clear days. That doesn't happen anymore -- too much smog. But even so, the view is wonderful.

If you want to spend a little time pursuing your history interests, come down off the drive occasionally and spend a little time in the adjacent Page and Shenandoah valleys. LOTS of Civil War sites, charming small towns, etc.

[DancingBear]

11. I'm sorry - the traffic IS a concern

I live a half an hour away from Front Royal, and 40 minutes from the access road that gets into Skyline Drive and the park. Summer traffic is UNBEARABLE - every person there will be stoping at the scenic overlooks, looking for animals, admiring the view, etc.

Trust me - NO local would venture up there from June 1 on - and forget what passes for "foliage season" around here. It's a 50 mile parking lot.

Also, West Virginia is a haven for northern VA residents - they all own weekend retreats there. Factor that traffic in as well.

Not trying to discourage you, just trying to paint a realistic picture of what you'll encounter.

[supernova]

12. Luray Caverns

are worth a look.

[EstimatedProphet]

13. It's beautiful

especially in the fall when the leaves change. Summer is good too.

[DS1]

14. I would find out for sure which state they were in, before setting off

but that's just me.

[sundog]

15. rent a canoe

i went to jmu... in front royal there is an outfit called "downriver canoe" -- great way to spend an afternoon -- take some smoke & just drift away...