Woke up to cold & about 1″ of snow. I suspected some would fall. Last night’s forecast was for snow N in WV that I thought I could get around by driving up into PA & driving I-70.
Bfast & clean up. Concern is no snow tires & only rear wheel will I be able to climb out of XG. Did, no problem only to be greeted by Rangers blocking the road out. Snow has made road dangerous. Visitor Center opened later and I was allowed to drive over. I hung in Center, just me and a receptionist: the roads kept the help out as the access roads were gated shut.
Read parts of a Shenandoah NP history book. Among high points was the fact that this was the first NP created by condeming 500 families private land to make the park.
Finally @ 12:45 AM a convoy is lead out by ranger. Road was almost dry in places and others had some melted compact snow on drive. Only allowing us to exit @ rt 211 which worked for me.
Drove rt 211 W to rt 81 then got off on rt 50 W.Snow flurries fell. Decided to go scenic rt 50 instead of interstates. Pushed drive wanting to get many miles W before sundown. Road climbed after dark towards the MD/WV border in the dark. By now there is compact snow on road, completely snow covered, blowing, & dark. I was accelerating going uphill hoping to make each summit before spinning out. Going down I tested the anti lock brakes and the road said I need these. Blowing & drifting snow. Decided that spending the night in a HS parking lot would be OK. Cars & truck traffic sporadically go by, even a snow plow. I just had enough. Really, I want to drive in daylight to see the countryside. I am way up in the mountains @2800′.
Going to be cold tonight, in teens.
Eggbeater cleats being shipped tonight. PUSH called about my fork they received today per UPS commitment. Need to replace uppers because of severe scoring meaning shock oil would not stay in causing ultimate shock failure. I’m up to about $500 on this rebuild, going to be better than new.
OK, you guys, Jim from near P-burg has a need for some of my story telling interview to maybe put on his website.
Going to be cold. Heater on high keeps chill @ bay but I am still wearing 2 shirts & a hat.
May the officials be shoveling their driveway or pulling a motorist out of the ditch & allow me to leave early next AM undetected.
Crag, Did you hanging out in the visitors center with the receptionist begin to take on the effect of the movie “The Shining”, with you being the J. Nicholson character?
Craig, enjoy reading the tales of your journey. Sound like you are having a good time with a few snags here and there. But then life is like that isn’t it? Not gonna get by problem free now are we? Be safe and enjoy.
Hi Craig. Just got back from Zion early this am. so surfing around here since I’m still on Mt. time and noticed your in the area. Ouch… the blood clot thing. You have been on quite the adventure!!!
Annette
Hi, Annette,
I was hoping to ride Mohican before leaving but the snow appears to have changed my desire.
And the most notable change between Zion and Mansfield is… ?
And to think that I only have 19 more states of adventures ahead of me.