Skyline Drive September 2022
Thornton Gap Entrance
This is a good entrance near the Skyland resort and the Big Meadows nature center
We picked a perfect day for weather. I had expected crowds because it was a fee free day at the national parks. By the afternoon it had gotten a bit crowded especially at popular attractions. We had packed food to eat, so we weren't constrained by restaurants.
Big Rocks, lotsa clouds
Big Meadows recreation area. The only place I know in the park that is open and free of trees.
Out in the huge field with such a variety of grasses, shrubs. This was quite an experience. I had no idea how many different grasses there are.
Above is an interesting shrub
There was quite a strong breeze throughout the day, with some clouds and sun alternating.
There was one big rock out in the middle of this field and we found it.
We didn't see too much wildlife. It's been cold as fall has begun in earnest.
I think this was thistle going to seed.
Some of the grasses were taller and others were shorter. In the area where the watershed was there was a clear difference of vegetation.
This was an interesting group of small trees
If you can make out the fork in the road you are an outdoorsman. These were the animal trails we followed all day.
Lots of thistle
A grove of dead trees.
Milkweed was abundant
Under several of the trees and small groves there was a bed of grass. Even around the massive rock we found there was a bed of grass. I'm not sure why this occurred but it could have been a folk tale it was so clear.
This is Skyland resort that rents out rooms or cottages in the park. They have a dining hall and gift shop.