We are continuing in the general direction of Tallahassee. I was not planning to take VA 80, planning to stay on US 19 to Abingdon. But then I passed a sign that 80 was prohibited for vehicles over 30 feet in length. So of course I went 80. Although not marked as scenic on my map, 80 is most definitely that. It is a narrow twisting canopy road past farms and hills.

They are not kidding when they say VA 80 is prohibited for vehicles over 30 feet. Some of those curves are sharp even for a Miata. And there is no gravel border or anything funny like that. Where the road stops, it stops. A 30 feet vehicle may have to really squeeze through some of the turns, even when using all 1.2 lanes. At one time I had a car in front of me that was going so slow through those switchbacks that a deer crossed the road comfortably at a distance of a couple of car lengths. This is the second deer that popped up just in front of my car in so many days. After I had gotten past the slower car, I kept a sharp eye on the shrubbery next to the road, especially in the faster pieces. But I do not really think you can do much against them, it is just a matter of luck.

Another road not marked as scenic that I took was US 19W. But the way it twists on the map just meant I had to see it. As I hoped, it twisted as much in real life as on the map. It is heavily populated though, unlike most other mountain roads. You want to take it somewhat slower. Don't know why it is not marked scenic; it follows picturesque streams part of the way and is generally noncommercial, despite the relatively heavy occupation.

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