The rain pounded hard overnight, and when we woke up, we found ourselves still enveloped in mist in the lodge’s parking lot. Craving a caffeine fix, I ventured inside at 7 am and stumbled upon a pleasant surprise—a free coffee stand tucked away in the corner. Score!

The morning drive remained veiled in clouds, leaving us feeling weary and a tad fed up with the endless panoramas and hiking trails. Nevertheless, we pressed on until we reached Ravens Roost, a breathtaking viewpoint. There, we witnessed a daredevil preparing to launch his hand glider off a cliff. My heart pounded as I watched, fearing for his safety. Despite the gusty winds threatening to knock him off balance, he stood firm, ready to take flight. The tension was palpable as Mike and I stood by with our cameras, unwilling to miss a moment. And then, with a leap, he soared into the sky like a majestic eagle. It was a moment so beautiful it nearly brought tears to my eyes.

Energized by the spectacle, we continued our journey along the Blue Ridge Parkway, only to find it suddenly coming to an end. But as luck would have it, our adventure was far from over.

We stumbled upon the Skyline Drive through Shenandoah, where we decided to take a break and freshen up in Waynesboro at a pricey campground. Despite the cost, we managed to tackle our laundry pile.

The receptionist at the campground greeted us with a touch of negativity, referring to northerners as “damn Yankees.” It reminded me of the friendly banter between Aucklanders and the rest of New Zealand. Apparently, there’s a similar rivalry between northerners and southerners in the U.S., with northerners sometimes looking down on their southern counterparts. Yet, contrary to stereotypes, we found the locals to be incredibly warm and welcoming. And as for their slow drawl? Well, in that sweltering heat, taking things slow seemed like the only sensible option!

As for our next destination, we’re still undecided, but we’re pointed in the direction of Niagara Falls.