April 28, 2015.  We give Sherando Lake Campground a “10” for sheer beauty (see below), but a “2” for services.  We found that I cannot live without water for three days or without wifi and cell coverage for ten minutes.  So we packed up this morning and decided to find somewhere close to Charlottesville to spend the next two nights. I don’t care if it’s surrounded with water slides and putt-putt golf, as long as it has water and wifi.  I think we’ll try the Misty Mountain Shangrila in Crozet — their web site says they have 102 sites available today with full hookups.

We cruised slowly up the Blue Ridge Parkway to take advantage of the 15 miles to its beginning point, stopping to stroll through a 1840s farm settlement that my nephew David and his resourceful family would love!  Use your imagination to supply some superlatives of your choice to describe the scenes below.  We are stopped now for a picnic at a turnout overlooking the Shenandoah Valley, at elevation 2354, just north of the Humpback Rocks visitor center.  Nothing smooths my ruffled feathers like pimento cheese on toasted dark rye with pinot, gingersnaps and caramel sea salt gelato on a sunny Spring day on the Parkway!

This afternoon, I may run over to see Monticello –it’s been about 40 years since I last was there.  When I was in summer school at UVA (taking astronomy and anthropology), my apartment-mate was a docent at Monticello.  I used to show up for her tours unexpectedly and make her nervous.  She was hilarious.  Tomorrow we will spend the day visiting our wonderful friend, Kathie, and two of her historical properties in this area.  I can’t wait to see her and them and tell you about it!