Today was the day for me that the road trip really started. I had been excited to see Washington and it didn’t disappoint but the ethos of this thing is not about the major metropolises. The weather was stunning as we rolled up to the North Gate of Shenandoah, so far we have been very fortunate and our fortune extended beyond the weather on this day.

We had not travelled far into the park, I am guessing less than 5 miles when we rounded a bend (you are never not rounding a bend on the Skyline Drive) and found our route blocked by a Black Bear. A 35mph speed limit is strictly enforced of the Drive for a number of reasons – wildlife being one and we were (both) fortunate he was far enough around the corner for us to slow to a stop with a little distance between us. Nonetheless it was a moment in my life I will never forget. As he moved for the trees in the next few seconds I suddenly recognized the failings of mobile phone cameras. In moments like these you don’t want to have to wake, unlock and open an application before you can capture them.

Still he didn’t seem too bothered by us because he retreated only a few feet into the trees. And close enough for us to get the shots attached. We crept past, Dione’s window down, as he surveyed us. Questionable idea perhaps, but I was of the opinion that if he has not been unduly spooked by a burbling V8 with a huge golden firebird rolling towards him, he was in fairly placed mood.

The rest of our day was a collection of stunning views – so many overlooks that you could never stop at them all or the 103 mile drive would take you a week, so you pick a selection. At this time of the year this part of the world is a canopy of green, surpassed only by the changing colors of fall. We were not making the whole drive but still managed to over shoot our turn and had to retrace, to drop on into Charlottesville for the evening.

Charlottesville is the Campus for the University of Virginia. It would also appear to be the training hub for Abercrombie models.