Luray Caverns and Blackrock (Shenandoah, May/22-23/'21)

Over the weekend we drove down to Charlottesville, Virginia, as proud parents of our daughter who was graduating from the University of Virginia. After attending the ceremony, we all drove 1.25hrs north to Shenandoah Valley's Luray Caverns. I'd driven past the caverns countless times before over the past four years, but had never visited thinking they'd be no more than a tourist trap. Plus, I'm more of hiking atop a mountain type than a hiking inside a mountain person. Anyway, lemme tell you that Luray Caverns are stunning! Yes, they're touristy, and not the largest I've been inside, but they are spectacular and extremely photogenic. The stalactites, especially the delicate drapery types, are particularly amazing. There's even a small 18in deep lake inside, Dream Lake, which has mind-bending reflections. A 1.25mi figure-8 loop takes one through Luray Caverns.






Dream Lake reflections...really


Reflected ceiling on Dream Lake


Dream Lake


Maw








Stalagmite cairn


Drapery



Before driving back home the next day I made a quick sunrise trip to Blackrock Summit, in Shenandoah National Park. A couple of years ago, I'd come upon this rocky area during a hike. It had been the middle of the day and the lighting wasn't the most flattering, so I'd made a mental note to return at a better time. Unfortunately, this time around a stiff wind was whipping the foliage around, which really hampered the type of photography I could do. It was still a pretty amazing dawn.


Pre-dawn






GaliWalker at Blackrock