From Floyd, VA (post here) we headed north and stopped in Roanoke for lunch and to check out the yellow and black church (St. Andrew’s Catholic Church) that’s prominent on the hill before heading to our first Harvest Host on this leg – Peaks of Otter Winery.
After living in northern CA, the fruit wines are just too sweet for us. If you’ve followed our blog, you might remember our encounter with naked Mr. Burns at Ood Sort Winery (actually Hoodsport Winery) on the Olympic Peninsula (post here). Unlike that experience, though, the fruit is grown on site, the ladies at Peaks of Otter were extremely friendly and we were able to park the RV near some beautiful fruit trees (and a giant Johnny Appleseed figure!). Even if you don’t like fruity, sweet wines, this is a great Harvest Host stop for the night.
St. Andrew’s Catholic Church
Peaks of Otter 
We continued up the Blue Ridge Parkway and near its end stopped at another Harvest Host – Blue Toad cidery. We were here in early May so there were very few patrons, but the grounds are beautiful, the parking is level, the staff was helpful and pleasant, and the cider was refreshing and delicious! We highly recommend a stop at Blue Toad.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Blue Toad Harvest Host 
The Blue Ridge Parkway terminates in Waynseboro VA, a town not quite as quaint as Waynesville near where we started the parkway, but a quiet little town with some friendly folks. After about 40,000 plus miles on the RV, our brakes were making noise and, after a bit of research searching for a shop that would work on an RV, we were able to get same-day service (including brake pads and replacement disks couriered over from two different parts supply shops) at “Big Daddy Diesel”. We were so thankful for their help. Plus, Bailey got to hang out with their cute dog.
Blue Ridge Parkway 
Waynesboro VA 
Baily’s playmate
Immediately north of Waynesboro is the start of the Shenandoah National Park and its Skyline Drive. After our full day we arrived at our first stop along the park’s Skyline Drive, Loft Mountain Campground, easily before sundown. We were looking forward to spending exploring the park for a couple of days before heading east to Washington DC for our long-planned meet-up with Wendy’s mom and brother.
