Virginia: The Natural Bridge

Last week, we drove to the Natural Bridge and to the towns along the way. We had set our sites on the Natural Bridge, mile marker 70 .

The Blue Ridge Parkway runs 469 miles and goes from Rockfish Gap, Virginia to Cherokee, North Carolina.

The views from the road were magnificent.

Stopping at one of the many overlooks was a treat . We took in the view and savored the experience. Traveling with our dear friends, Sara and Doug Sheldon,  made the trip more special.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Ridge_Parkway

We expected to see quaint houses and we did !

We also came across quaint shops along the way.

You never know what you would find.

We stayed overnight at the Natural Bridge Hotel - a grand old establishment in its day but still attractive.

My mother saw the Bridge in the 70's when she toured Southern Virginia by bus with two of her friends from the bank. She loved the trip and talked about it a lot. Her favorite place was the Natural Bridge.

The Natural Bridge

"Once owned by Thomas Jefferson and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 215-foot tall Natural Bridge is a limestone gorge carved out by Cedar Creek. "

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_Bridge_(Virginia)

We bought tickets as we entered the building and climbed down endless steps where we surrendered them to a bored ticket taker.   (Is there such a thing as an excited ticket taker?)

Medi was ready to climb up to the bridge itself.

I was more inclined to contemplate the bridge.

From under the bridge looking out.