It was a beautiful day for a motorcycle ride along Skyline Drive. Since it was just going to be the two of us, we decided to get an early start. It was still cool when we left Woodbridge, heading out 619 to Rt. 29, and then 211 to Sperryville.

From Sperryville, we entered the parkway from the Panorama entrance. The humidity of the day was left behind as we climbed the Blue Ridge Mountains. The air is much lighter and cooler, but the vista from the overlooks was clouded with haze. The destination is Big Meadows for lunch and their famous blackberry ice cream. That old saying was never more true today: "It's not the destination, it's the journey."

The wildlife is plentiful, with a chipmunk scurrying across the road in front of Ellen's front tire. The views of the Blue Ridge Mountains are amazing. And the riding is fun! Every corner brings the reward of breathtaking scenery. The forest is lush, the wild yellow flowers along the road are beautiful, and there are butterflies everywhere.

Approaching the Skyland area, we see a sign that says "Festival", so we follow it. It turns out to be an antique car festival. There were antique cars, vendors selling handmade baskets, ornaments made from gourds, fresh food, and artists selling photographs and paintings.

After our stop at Skyland, the highest point on the drive, we get going again. Somewhere around the highest peak in the Shenandoah Park, we see something big and black out of the corner of our eyes. It moves swiftly down the hill and directly toward Ellen. It's a black bear! He hesitates for just a moment before the front paws hit the pavement. This allows Ellen to get safely past before his entire body bounds in front of me. He comes very close to clipping Ellen's rear tire. The bear is large and almost blocks my view of Ellen except for her head and shoulders. I hit the brakes hard. This black bear is fast, and just as quickly as he appeared – he is gone again, leaping over the stone wall and down the mountainside. It turns out that there is a very large den of bears living near Stony Man Overlook.

Arriving at Big Meadows, there is more wildlife – a doe and her fawn were feeding next to the ranger station. Lunch was at the Big Meadows Wayside Restaurant where they serve blackberry ice cream. I highly recommend it. The blackberries grow wild all along the parkway.

Not wanting to push the limits of my bad hip, we avoid Thorton's Gap and take the parkway north to Front Royal. The scenery is spectacular. We both marvel at how wonderful the day has been. But as we descend the mountain, the humidity hits us like a brick. We hadn't felt the heat until now. We decide to take 55 back home. It's a familiar road, and before we know it we're back in Woodbridge.

We are grateful that our close encounter with a bear ends safely. Kudos to Ellen for planning this great ride! It's one that won't be forgotten!