"Save My Love For The Lasting One"

In late 2019, I realized I had about a month's worth of PTO at work, that if I didn't use, I'd lose, come 2020.  As much as I like to spend my traveling in one specific area, I decided I'd map out a road trip across America.  10,000 miles of road, and all of the American splendor in between.  

I took off from Chicago and headed East to begin my excursion.  First on my list was Shenandoah National Park / Blue Ridge Mountains.  Of course, miscalculating my time on the road, I needed a break several hours in, so decided to take a quick detour to the Bourbon Trail in Kentucky.

Woodford Reserve Distillery (just outside of Versailles, Kentucky) was on my route and figured, as a huge fan of bourbon, I figured it was a sign for a quick respite.  I bought a quick ticket on my phone and got on the next hour-long tour of the distillery, where a small group of us got to see the inner-workings of producing bourbon.  (the smell alone was worth the admission).  The Woodford name is fairly new, but the distillery itself (originally known as Old Oscar Pepper) has been around since 1812, making it the oldest in Kentucky.  One thing we learned was Woodford features one of the only heat-cycled barrelhouses in the world, and is the only Bourbon made in copper pot stills, being distilled 3 times.  After a delightful taste testing, and some time for BAC to reach acceptable levels, I headed back on course until I reached Roanoke, VA, where I stayed at an AirBnb and got some rest and prepped for a long day of sightseeing.

As the Sun rose, I started on the Blue Ridge Parkway from Roanoke.  Specifically, in this area there is a road called Skyline Drive that offers a 105-mile slow cruise through the entirety Shenandoah National Park.  Driving along the ride of the mountains in late October, the bright, burning leaves balanced out the cold, rockfaces brilliantly.

The Blue Ridge Mountains consist of highly deformed rock, dated to the Precambrian ages and contain contain some of the richest composition of minerals in the world; quartz/feldspar/micra. (if it looks like you're reading paint brands, it's because those minerals are used in a lot of commercial paints).  A couple of interesting facts I learned were the mountains acted as a shield for the confederate armies during the Civil War to utilize.  Also, around this time several Scottish & Irish immigrated to the region, which a lot of the folklore, music, arts and agriculture, still present in this area of Appalachia, derived from.  I could have spent several days in the area and will undoubtedly return to see more, but until then...I'm comin' home, baby.

 TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Woodford Reserve Distillery
• Blue Ridge Mountains
• Skyline Drive - Blue Ridge Parkway
• Shenandoah National Park

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Blue Ridge Parkway is a 469-mile road that connects Shenandoah to Great Smoky Mountains should you want to explore the region further; BRP is nicknamed America's Favorite Drive.
• There are a LOT of twists and turns so make sure you're attentive to the road if you're driving.
• Bring attire for all types of weather. (extra socks are always a plus if you're hiking)
• Keep extra water and first aid in your car