Luray, Virginia and the Skyline Drive

     Lying just 93 miles west of the District of Columbia nestled between Shenandoah National Park and The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests on Route 211 lies the town of Luray, Virginia.  The population of the town is less than five thousand but what it lacks in population it makes up for in charm and hospitality.  Being located in between two mountain ranges Luray serves up spectacular views in nearly all directions.  It boasts its own Art Museum, a fully renovated historic hotel named
“The Mimslyn Inn”, a great walking park, and of course the world famous caverns but these attractions aren’t why I love going there.  It’s like the old saying goes,”getting there is all the fun” (or something to that effect) especially if you ride a motorcycle or drive a sports car.  If you follow Rt. 522 South from
Front Royal, Virginia you will intersect Rt. 211 West which climbs the Blue Ridge Mountains on its way to Luray and points west.  If you like curves as much as I do then you are in for a treat, there are no less than sixty twisting curves to test your nerve and five full blown switchbacks that will turn your hair white.  Going up the mountain from either side the roadway is two lanes wide to accommodate slower traffic, while descending the mountain there is only one lane which can be
really frustrating if you run into someone who has never traveled the road before.
     At the mountains peak Route 211 crosses under the Skyline Drive.  The Skyline Drive is a 109 mile scenic highway that runs North and South from Front Royal, Virginia to U.S. Route 64 near Staunton, Virginia.  It winds along the peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the views are spectacular especially in the fall but beware, the speed limit is just 35 mph.  For those of us who like a livelier pace you should either avoid the Skyline Drive or make up your mind to do the speed limit as the Park Rangers seem to have no sense of humor and the tickets start at around $185 and go up from there.  That being said it is still a beautiful drive and even at 35 mph it only takes about 55 minutes to get back to Front Royal,
Virginia.  If you intend to drive the Skyline during Fall Color Season then allow extra time to make the trip since you will probably encounter many thousands of fellow motorists who have come there for the same reason.
     For those who just can’t get enough of mountain switchbacks and winding curves you can follow Route 211 past Luray to the next mountain range where you encounter similar driving conditions.  Route 211 terminates at the town of New Market, Virginia which is located on U.S. Routes 81 and 11 making for a quick return trip if you started out from the Front Royal area.  If you decide to drive the entire Skyline Drive you should allow a full day for the trip because even though it only takes a little over three hours total driving time there are scenic overlooks where photos and selfies are a must.  As far as Lodging and Restaurants you can visit the National Park Service website for the Skyline Drive to check available openings at the numerous lodges where you can also get something to eat.
     Like the “Tail of the Dragon”, the “California Canyon Roads” and all other mountainous twisty pavements Route 211 has claimed its share of Motorcyclists over years.  So much so that the Park Service has posted a warning at the bottom of the mountain on both ends, so be smart and ride careful as in particular never try to go fast on a road you have not ridden to check out first.  Oh and by the way if you think you're a fast pilot but on you way up the mountain for what you’re sure must be the record time a sixty-five year old grandmother in a 2004 Ford Taurus with Virginia plates blows past you like you were standing still, she’s probably a local so don’t feel bad, it happens to the best of us.