Ski Trip - Day 4

Left hotel around 0930 - drove over to New Market Battlefield. It was an interesting place - I had no idea that they used VMI cadets to fight in a battle there. After an hour driving through the park, stopped at another visitor's center. Found out some more good information about the area - hope to return in warmer weather. Used US-211 to get back to Skyline Drive. Drove along the Appalachian Trail for awhile. Picked up some trail hikers around 1100. Decided to do some hiking on my own. Hiked short sections of the AT near Big Meadows and enjoyed a walk on the Dark Hollow Falls Trail (about 40 minutes walk). Met Ranger. Saw a deer off the trail just before getting back in my car. Drove south on Skyline Drive again. Stopped to hike a short section of the AT near Milam gap and then walked on Bear Fence Mountain Trail later (20 minutes walk). Reached end of Skyline Drive around 1430. More information at Ranger Station and Visitor's Center on I-64. Drove next to Charlottesville - changed to US-29 and looked around the city. Checked out UVA (I wanted to go there when I was applying to colleges...). Stumbled across Monticello - but determined it was too late and too expensive. Also located Ashlawn (President Monroe's home) near VA-20 and VA-53. Explored more of the area - hoping to catch a glimpse of Jefferson's home (no luck). Took Jefferson Highway back to I-64 (1600). Drove back to Norfolk (took I-295 around Richmond). Home at 1815.