Greenbank, West Virginia

National Radio Astronomy Observatory,  Greenbank, WV

Heading south on Route 92/28, we spotted the National Radio Astronomy Observatory's white gleaming telescope from afar and tried to figure out what it was. Of course, we stopped to look see. Unfortunately, the place was closed because of the Federal government shutdown, so no tour, but we did get this photograph of both of us in front of it.

Named after Senator Robert Byrd, the telescope is 485 feet (148 m) tall and costs $10 million a year to operate. It is the largest completely steerable radio telescope on Earth.

Route 220 Autumn Colors

The friendly woman at the Virginia Visitor Center was right. The ride north on Route 220 should not be missed, especially today when autumn colors are blooming, falling, and dazzling us.

“Nothing behind me, everything ahead of me, as is ever so on the road.” 

~ Jack Kerouac, On the Road

Bath County, Virginia

Falling Springs Waterfall

Falling Springs Waterfall 

Here we are, exploring the southern region of the Allegheny Mountains.

Driving north on Route 220, just past Covington, Virginia, we were delighted to find this beautiful waterfall just off the road, waiting for us to visit.

The water from the falls flows into the Jackson River. Thomas Jefferson in his book, Notes on Virginia, described the Falling Spring Falls as a "remarkable cascade...falling over a rock about 200 feet to the valley below."

We are west of the Blue Ridge Parkway at the southern tip of the Shenandoah Valley.

Butler Mountain, West Virginia

Riding through early morning fog

Beautiful new morning and we are anxious to hit the road. We ride down the mountain through a pretty thick fog, but not thick enough to stop the autumn colors from popping through. Surreal delight.