Shenandoah Park

So my brother and I went to Shenandoah Park to see the changing colors of the trees for autumn. Here is a background of the park from Wikipedia. Shenandoah National Park encompasses part of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Piedmont region of Virginia. The national park is long and narrow, with the broad Shenandoah River and valley on the west side, and the rolling hills of the Virginia Piedmont on the east. Almost 40 % of the land area i.e. 79,579 acres (322 km²), has been designated as Wilderness and is protected as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. The park is best known for Skyline Drive, a 105 mile (169 km) road that runs the entire length of the park along the ridge of the mountains. The drive is particularly popular in the fall when the leaves are changing colors. 101 miles (162 km) of the Appalachian Trail are also in the park. In total, there are over 500 miles (800 km) of trails within the park. Of the trails, one of the most popular is Old Rag Mountain, which offers a thrilling rock scramble and some of the most breathtaking views in Virginia. There is also horseback riding, camping, bicycling, and many waterfalls. The Skyline Drive is a designated as a National Scenic Byway and an All-American Road. budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

The Color of Autumn in Shenandoah Park

Shenandoah Park-The Entrance

Entrance to the park from March thru November is $15 per vehicle, $8 per pedestrian and bicyclist and $10 motorcyclist. Commercial buses are also subject to entrance fees. Your entrance permit is good for seven consecutive days. An annual Shenandoah Passport costs $30. A 12-month Golden Eagle Passport, good at any national park or national recreation area, costs $65. Pick up either of these passes at park entrance stations. A Golden Access Passport is free to U.S. residents with lifetime disabilities, and a Golden Age Passport is available to U.S. residents 62 or older for a one-time, $10 fee. You can get Golden Eagle, Golden Access or Golden Age Passports at any national park, monument or recreation area that charges entrance fees. Shenandoah Park,road trip, budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

Shenandoah Park -Skyline Drive

This is the Skyline Drive which stretches 105 miles and runs the entire length of the park along the ridge of the mountains. The drive is particularly popular in the fall when the leaves are changing colors. I told you it is long. With twists and turns. That we stop from time to time to admire the views from different elevations. Shenandoah Park,road trip, budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

Shenandoah Park - Camp Trail

There are about five hundred miles of trails that campers, backpackers and mountain climbers can enjoy. Shenandoah Park,road trip, budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

Visitor Center in the Park

There are visitor centers in the park where one can take a break. One of these is this store where books about the camp, wilderness and plants can be purchased. Lots of souvenirs too. There is a logbook where one can write about his/her wild animals sightings while in the park. Infront the visitor center is also a good view of the ridges. Harry F. Byrd, Sr. Visitor Center (Milepost 51) Directly across from Big Meadows. Shenandoah Park,road trip, budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

Sunset and the Ridges

Looking westward during sunset in autumn. Shenandoah Park,road trip, budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

Another Visitor Center and Restroom Area

This is another visitor center stop. The trees in the parking area are of different colors. This is another tree in the same area. Notice the color the of the leaves of the trees. Shenandoah Park,road trip, budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

Trees in Autumn

Afternoon sun lit tall trees during autumn. and not so tall trees as well but with the same color of leaves. Yellow. Shenandoah Park,road trip, budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

Fallen leaves , tree trunk and vines in Autumn

Fallen leaves mixed with drying leaves of creeping vines and dry trunk tree are common sights during Autumn. Shenandoah Park,road trip, budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

Tulip Poplar Trees

The tall symmetrical cones of light golden yellow foliage that puctuate the red, browns, and greens of many fall hillsides of the southern Appalachians are Tulip Poplars. This species has one of the most distinctive leaves of any of our trees, 8-20 cm (3-8") long or wide and broadly notched at the apex. After yellow, the leaves become brown. Shenandoah Park,road trip, budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

Beauty in Dried Twigs, Branches and Trunk of Trees

You can find beauty in the park even in the dried brown leaves, twigs, branches of once beautiful blooming trees. This is the close-up of the core of a trunk of a tree. Shenandoah Park,road trip, budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland

Trees in Hillsides During Autumn

Trees in hillsides against a backdrop of late afternoon sun in Autumn. Shenandoah Park,road trip, budget+travel,Italy,Rome,Vatican City,Switzerland,France,Tower of Pisa,Eiffel Tower,Golden Gate ,Universal Studios,Disneyland