CULTURE & TRAVEL - Free Your Mind at Shenandoah National Park
Free Your Mind at Shenandoah National Park
Experienced by Kimatni D. Rawlins
Interestingly enough, I selected Shenandoah National Park after the need for an immediate getaway in the woods to free my mind. A lovely rustic cabin, trails for hiking, running paths, and enchanting scenery was my intention. Of course, I've always heard of Shenandoah but never had a chance to visit until recently. Suffice it to say I enjoyed the solo yet peaceful Nomadic Journey in Old Dominion, which also included meditation atop the Blueridge Mountains, conscious reading, and poetic writing. It was the most enlightening and energetic methodology to kick off the upcoming season of summer.
Located 75 miles outside of Washington, D.C., the Shenandoah Valley is an ideal escape for active families or nomads who love the peace, stillness, and imagination of the great outdoors. Before heading out I loaded the vehicle with my Ghost Kato 7 mountain bike, gear, supplies, and a few days' worth of veggie food for the 3-hour drive from Silver Spring, MD. There are charging stations at Skyline Drive (mile 41.7 and 42.5) and Byrd Visitor Center (mile 51) for individuals arriving in electric vehicles.
Enjoyable activities in Shenandoah include horseback riding, picnicking, biking along Skyline Drive's 75 scenic overlooks, or hiking any of the park's epic trails (over 500 miles) such as Millers Head, Stony Man, Dark Hollow Falls, Lewis Falls, or the renowned Appalachian Trail. You will become mesmerized by cascading waterfalls, stunning vistas, and 200,000 acres of protected lands that are home to black bears, deer, songbirds, and peregrine falcons to name a few of the territory's wildlife species. Once settled in, I immediately studied the maps and walked around, surveying the environment of my ephemeral sanctuary.
After researching lodging options, I decided on a 1-bed, single room historic cabin at Skyland Resort, costing roughly $130 a night. A $20 park fee per vehicle is additionally required. The property also offers newly renovated premium rooms for individuals requiring added comfort. Other housing options include Big Meadows Lodge, Lewis Mountain Cabins, and five various campgrounds starting at just $15 for your tent. Furthermore, the property features breakfast, lunch, dinner, grab-and-go foods, and live entertainment in the taprooms. As stated, I kept it simple and nibbled on my fruits, trail nuts, and oatmeal packets.
Once again, I found a refuge -- this time close to home -- offering serenity and physical fitness activities to appease the body and rest the soul. Trust me, you will never find a dull moment at Shenandoah National Park. Keep searching for truth while evolving the spirit and elevating the mind state. For more information, visit www.GoShenandoah.com.
