Since time is a factor I turned South on Friday after traveling only a 1/3 of the 106 mile Skyline Drive in Shenandoah NP. On the way back down I drove I-81 It sort of Parallels the Parkway except its straight and you can drive 70mph I needed to make up some mileage...but I did stop at one attraction. I've been here before with my Mom many years ago..now its all touristy and crowded but I stopped because back when we visited in the late 70's I didn't get any decent photos of it...I think I had one of those 126 drop in film cameras at that time--
Its billed as one of the 7 wonders, funny how there must be 1,000's of 7 wonders?
but in the ticket and gift shop area I found two of these!
The penny Collector machine! I turned 2 this time--
The Natural Bridge is a wonder for sure,,,215 ft high 100 ft wide!
Painting by David Johnson c-1860
it was a cavern with an underground river-- years of erosion collapsed the cavern walls and the bridge remains. It was purchased by Thomas Jefferson from King George III and he planned to make a tourist attraction of it!
painting by Fredirck Edwin Church c-1852
Later he sold it to the a WOLTZ family and if you look closely you can see Woltz family names carved in the rock 1883...you can also see G.W. for this landmark was surveyed by none other than George Washington himself!!
This is his initials carved in the rock face.
along with the bridge there is a replica of a Mohican Village, it was the Mohicans who first settled the Bridge area..artifacts have been found on this site. This hut is covered with bark!
some pelts they had around...and Casey went for the butt sniff..ugh.
There is a small but scenic waterfall upstream from the bridge...
We enjoyed it although I think its pricey @ $18...there is a discount if your AARP, AAA etc...$2.20 and there is a free shuttle ride if you want to avoid the 138 steps back up.. Almost everyone along the walk had been introduced to Casey so when we asked if we could ride the shuttle back up the driver asked the other riders if we could ride... they all said, "YES come on in Casey"...no one knew my name I was just the lady who was with Casey! ....lol.
T.B.C.
PEACE
Eleanor Roosevelt: You must do the thing you think you can not.
Seems as if it's a good thing you have Casey along!! What beautiful pictures. So glad you are able to make this trip.
ReplyDeleteThank you my friend! I so needed it!--I know you are probably getting ready to make your trip south have a great ride down.
DeleteCasey is the man!. People always know the dogs name but never his person.
ReplyDeleteThe bridge is really cool and I love the floors with the purple centers. All the Fall leaves are just awesome.
Casey can open doors for ME..lol
DeleteI was there many years ago and didn't realize it was a collapsed cavern. And I'm sure it wasn't $18!
ReplyDeleteI felt the cost was way to high..I misread the sign and thought it was $7 that was for kids...duh!
DeleteWhat a beautiful spot. Neat to find that historical plaque ... That's quite the history . Casey fits in everywhere obviously!
ReplyDeleteIt was fun to see that bit of history...I've never been that close to any Geo. Washington history!
DeleteAH that's so cute about Casey! He's a winner. The bridge is super cool and the waterfall is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jen! I am enjoying having a small dog again too its been many years he is so easy to have around Im sure they would never have let me ride the bus with the Girlz...even tho everyone loves them they take up lots more space!
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