Winding down the narrow mountain road, small rocks can be heard tumbling down the steep, tree-covered slopes. Skyline Drive is dotted on either side with tiny dirt paths leading to hiking trails and wide scenic overlooks with picnic tables. The crisp autumn air swirls the freshly fallen, brightly colored leaves, and the only sound is the distant laughter of a young family enjoying an afternoon hike.
"The feeling of sitting on top of Humpback Rock with my closest friends and looking out over Charlottesville erases the stress of the week," second-year college student Michelle Coleman said. "It makes me forget about everything I need to do."
Coleman said she went up to Skyline Drive two Fridays ago to hike with some friends and "take advantage of the fall colors."
It's not just University students who enjoy this opportunity to connect with nature. Whether it's hiking, picnicking or camping, there always are plenty of people eager to take advantage of all the beauty and serenity of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
"We've been coming up here every fall for four years now, and we plan to continue the tradition," said Roger Smythe, who was with his wife Martha. "It's an opportunity to get away from the day-to-day routine and enjoy the great outdoors, without going too far from home."
The Smythe couple, from Richmond, said that hiking gives them exercise and a chance to get away from the kids. They leave early in the morning, pack a lunch and spend the day on the Skyline Drive. When they come home later in the evening, they said they feel refreshed and invigorated, like they have done something good for themselves.
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Skyline Drive, about 20 miles west of Charlottesville on Interstate 64, provides a quick getaway from the University, as well as an opportunity to meet people from various backgrounds and cultures. Whether visiting from the next town or from overseas, everyone shares the common experience of natural beauty and outdoor recreation.
Even first-timers find that they really enjoy the experience.
"I'm a bit of a city girl," said Elizabeth Barrent, a recent graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, while enjoying a peaceful afternoon getaway on Skyline Drive. "My boyfriend actually had to drag me up here, but I'm having a blast."
Barrent and her boyfriend were enjoying a picnic lunch on one of the beautiful overlooks, taking a break after their morning hike on the trails.
"I never realized how great of an exercise hiking is," Barrent said. "I haven't gotten a workout this good in months."
Maybe it's all the endorphins from the exercise or maybe it's just the refreshment of getting away from the daily grind, but everyone hiking on the trails or gazing over the scenic overlooks is extremely friendly. A sense of camaraderie is built among people from all different walks of life, which some find inspiring.
"I feel like everyone who comes up here has a similar sense of values," Smythe said. "Everyone is able to let go of their differences and just enjoy nature - the earth is something we all share."
A trip to Skyline Drive not only is therapeutic and convenient, it's also affordable - even for poor college students. At only $10 per vehicle for a three-day pass, it's certainly cheaper than a massage or even a night out to dinner, and may be more relaxing. Considering the high levels of stress some University students find themselves under, any chance to get away is welcome.
As the weather turns colder and colder, many people are reluctant to engage in outdoor activities, preferring to stay in the comfortable warmth of indoors. Though Skyline Drive might be most aesthetically pleasing in the early fall, when the leaves are first starting to change colors, one should not underestimate the fun to be had on a chilly afternoon later in the season.
"We actually prefer to come during the colder weather," said Charlie Hogan, a seasoned-looking hiker with his two teen-aged sons. "There are fewer people around, and the brisk air is refreshing."
With proper outdoor gear, there is no reason to miss out on the experience because of cooler temperatures.
"We wear good jackets, gloves and shoes," Hogan said. "It's important to dress in layers, because you can really work up a sweat hiking uphill. Plus, it's amazing how much warmer it is back in the thick trees - the wind is practically nonexistent."
For less seasoned outdoorsmen, a lack of preparation can lead to discomfort in colder temperatures.
"I wish I had realized how much colder it is up here in the mountains," said Annie Harrington, a resident of Suffolk, Va. "I didn't even bring a pair of gloves."
Although Harrington said she is used to highly variable Virginia weather, she did not realize how much windier it could get at higher altitudes. Despite being a little chilly, though, she said she was having a great time on a weekend mountain excursion with her husband and two young children.
"There's just something about the mountains," said Patrick Harrington, Annie's husband. "You feel connected to nature, and that means feeling connected to all the people around you. Everyone just wants to enjoy this experience."
The Harrington children, two little girls ages 6 and 8, were excited about the homemade fudge sold in one of the little shops along Skyline Drive.
"It's the best stuff I've ever tasted," exclaimed Kayla, the older of the two.
A convenience store and rest stop sells the famous fudge, along with other comforting treats. The homemade apple butter takes visitors back to their childhood, and the inspirational books of quotations will give good advice in mom's absence. If the refreshment of the great outdoors isn't enough to relieve daily stress, certainly these goodies will help.
"There's nothing like a little outdoor getaway to nurture the soul," Annie Harrington said. "This will be a tradition in our family for years to come"
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