Luray Caverns & Shenandoah National Park

Hey Super Troopers!!! ItÂÂ's that time of year again and our favorite time of year because that means itÂÂ's time to make the return trip to our favorite local national park, the Shenandoah!!! This time, as suggested by one our members, weÂÂ'll be making a pit stop at the amazing Luray Caverns first. If you haven't ever been to Luray Caverns - GO! GO NOW! GO AND BE AMAZED! Four hundred million years in the making, the formation of Luray Caverns began after the limestone of the Shenandoah Valley was created by the slow draining of an inland sea (IÂÂ'm not a geologist, but I know it resulted today in a subterranean wonderland of full of beauty and majesty). Luray Caverns Walking through the cavern will take us about 1.5 hours (1.25 miles) and then maybe weÂÂ'll venture into the one-acre maze garden next door ÂÂ- the largest garden maze in the Mid-Atlantic states- and have some real fun. Garden Maze After our caverns expedition, weÂÂ'll sneak into Shenandoah National Park via Thornton Gap Entrance Station and turn south on Skyline Drive until we arrive at the parking area at mile 46.7 where weÂÂ'll summit Hawksbill Mountain via the Upper Hawksbill Trail (2.1 miles round-trip, easy to moderate). The trail has great views on the way up and is full of wildlife, deer and birds abound. Hawksbill Mountain is the highest peak in the park at 4,050 feet so within about a half-hour or so you can brag about summiting the tallest peak in Shenandoah! (see that picture to the left of my handsome, smiling face...that's the view at the top) Upper Hawksbill Trail What to bring: cold-weather clothing, water, comfy hiking shoes, a picnic lunch, $21.00 (pricey, I know...but you can get sassy and torment the meetup organizer of this event if you donÂÂ't enjoy the caverns), your Giant Supermarket Bonus Card - which gets you 50% off the 2nd ticket, so donÂÂ't forget your Giant Card. Parking is free. WeÂÂ'll most likely have dinner at a country diner during our return trip. Driving: WeÂÂ'll meet up at 9:30am at the Vienna Metro Station-north parking garage, for carpooling purposes (my fine piece of German engineering and ultimate driving machine can fit four lucky passengers). From here, we'll take I-66 West to Gainesville; US 29 South to Warrenton; US 211 West to Luray Caverns (90 minutes). As always, if you have questions, need a ride, going to be late, or just want to say hello, my number is (301) 712-5880. I already know some of you, my fellow dating machines, who have hot dates lined up every Saturday night are going to ask weÂÂ'll be back around 6:30pm. See you there... albert