A Train Tunnel in Virginia!

This was an unexpected adventure right here in Virginia! We packed a picnic, the dog, and some flashlights, and then hit the road for Crozet, VA.

The town Crozet was named after Claudius Crozet who was the French chief engineer over the The Blue Ridge Tunnel construction project beginning in 1849, finished in 1860. The tunnel is 4,237 feet long and is carved through a mountain! Virginia opened it in Fall 2020 after putting gravel over the tracks to create an access trail.

At the East entrance, you are met with a cool breeze and echoes from those walking through the tunnel.

Inside the tunnel is so dark. Though it was sunny outside, we needed flashlights.

All of us walking through the tunnel.

Inside the tunnel there was water running through the rock.

There were O's on the wall in intervals. We pretended the O's were for Oliver, our oldest son.

Someone "thoughtfully" included our initials J+ C (Jason + Christina) in a heart.

The West entrance had a lot more stone on the walls. It opened up to a longer outdoor trail.

We walked back through a second time. The East Entrance seemed so tiny 4,237 feet away.

Halfway through our return trek through the tunnel, a group of young people entered. The way they were dressed and how they walked four across made them look like they were filming a music video.

When we got to the East Entrance, I started singing Danny Boy. It echoed so beautifully into the tunnel. The group that looked like a music group continued singing the song. It was a magical moment!