We had a late start - didn't get on the actual Parkway until almost 1pm. It was a fair climb to get onto the top of the mountains where the road heads north, but once we got on top, we almost immediately ran into heavy fog, so thick, that at time, visibility was down to less than 10 feet. Even the yellow lines were faint at times. Combine this with a stiff wind and cold temperatures and you have an "interesting" ride. When the fog is that thick, one can easily get disoriented and when the wind pushes and pulls you across the road, slow is the only way to go. Then, of course, you worry about on coming cars or worse, the butt head behind you who thinks he's invincible and will run you over before he sees you.
Eventually the fog went away and we were able to make some way, but by 3pm it was time for brunch. We descended near Marion down a road marked 661. This was interesting. The roads were steep, narrow and very twisty. They lead to a highway that was equally steep and windy, only wider with plenty of truck stops, to cool brakes or pump up air pressure. Unbelievable since there were an incredible number of trucks wailing (I mean fast) up AND down the hills.
Had lunch and decided that we hadn't made enough headway for the day, and weren't going to make up much on the parkway, so combined with the fact that the valley was at 22C, we decided to follow a highway route to Mount Airy. From there, we could easily join the Parkway and enjoy a final day on the scenic route. We did miss a lot of twisty mountain roads with our short cut, but the rest of the road now is windy, scenic and a lot safer, we should be able to make a better average speed today. Plus, the weather today is promising to be the best for the entire trip. We may have rain for the remaining trip due to a low that is parked south of the great lakes and tracking north.
Eventually the fog went away and we were able to make some way, but by 3pm it was time for brunch. We descended near Marion down a road marked 661. This was interesting. The roads were steep, narrow and very twisty. They lead to a highway that was equally steep and windy, only wider with plenty of truck stops, to cool brakes or pump up air pressure. Unbelievable since there were an incredible number of trucks wailing (I mean fast) up AND down the hills.
Had lunch and decided that we hadn't made enough headway for the day, and weren't going to make up much on the parkway, so combined with the fact that the valley was at 22C, we decided to follow a highway route to Mount Airy. From there, we could easily join the Parkway and enjoy a final day on the scenic route. We did miss a lot of twisty mountain roads with our short cut, but the rest of the road now is windy, scenic and a lot safer, we should be able to make a better average speed today. Plus, the weather today is promising to be the best for the entire trip. We may have rain for the remaining trip due to a low that is parked south of the great lakes and tracking north.
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