Maryland Bound... Day Six

How did the Blue Ridge Mountains get their name?  They are neither blue nor mountains by western standards. There is, however, a ridge. According to the "source of all information", Wikipedia, they are a bluish color when seen from a distance. The trees release isoprene into the atmosphere which contributes to both the characteristic haze on the mountains and their bluish color.

It was a hazy morning as we left Roanoke, Virginia today and ventured out on the Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway. We only traveled less than 40 miles of the 469 mile long parkway (from Georgia to Pennsylvania) and it took us hours! The views were fabulous although neither of us thought the mountains looked blue- even from a distance.

We were wishing we were in the Miata for this curvy road!

You can see how hazy it is- Roanoke is in the valley in the distance. We finally used the tripod to take a picture- didn't want to carry it 2500+ miles and never use it! =)

Little farming communities are nestled in the valleys along the parkway. What an idyllic place to live!

I love the overpasses!

After a quick stop at the Visitor's Center (It was closed- I guess everyone is having budget issues!) we left the parkway and continued on I-81 and I-66 (still a very scenic drive!) and then into the D.C. area. We stopped for lunch in Lexington, Virginia- a beautiful small town with A LOT of old, brick, very small churches with big steeples dotting the landscape. It was early afternoon when we arrived and we immediately noticed men in suits and women in dresses and heels coming from church. It was like stepping back in time! We enjoyed a leisurely (and quite delicious!) lunch at The Bistro on Main Street. Who would have thought that the best Southwestern Corn Chowder I've ever had would be in Virginia? (Quick side note: we have eaten at all local places the entire trip- just like we said when we started out!)

Even the drive on the freeway was very picturesque! It was almost as if an art gallery with the landscape paintings continuously rolling by was in front of you!

We have arrived!!

As we crossed into Maryland, it hit me that for the next year, this is home. Panic started to rise as I thought about driving and learning my way around, becoming a resident not a tourist, not having any friends here. And then I heard a small voice telling me, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:8-9) Big breath... yes, everything will be fine.

Tonight is our last  night in a hotel- well at least for this part of the "Maryland Adventure." Tomorrow evening we check into our apartment and unpack. While the trip has been fun, it will be nice to not live out of a suitcase for awhile! Today's mileage: 313.7 miles Total Trip mileage: 2665.8 miles!