Natural Bridge is a geological formation in which Cedar Creek, a small tributary of the James River, has carved out a gorge in the mountainous limestone terrain, forming a natural arch 215 feet high with a span of 90 feet. It consists of horizontal limestone strata, and is the remains of the roof of a cave or tunnel through which the creek once flowed.  This morning we made a short hike along Cedar Creek and through the arch as far as Lace Falls. We stopped briefly to visit a Monacan Indian Living History Exhibit along the way and once again to watch a green heron hunting for breakfast.

Monticello sits atop a lofty hill in Albemarle County, Virginia, not far from the birthplace of Thomas Jefferson, its creator and most prominent resident, who spent more than four decades designing, dismantling and reimagining the estate he called his “essay in architecture.” A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, the property is considered a national treasure not only for its beauty and historical significance but also for what it reveals about the third U.S. president, a complex and controversial figure whose political philosophy fundamentally shaped the nation. We enjoyed a guided tour of the residence and then wandered the gardens and grounds which were equally fascinating.

By late afternoon we resumed our travels north completing the lower half of Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park (we did the upper half on our drive down).  Along the way we spotted our third black bear of the trip. We paused and watched as it flipped over rocks in search of the bugs underneath. As night arrived we were fortunate to find a nice campground at the Wolf Gap recreation area on the border between Virginia and West Virginia