TAZ AND BOBBY Witt traveled from Orlando up the coast to Virginia last fall, interested in hitting spots that highlighted each state's natural beauty.

That made a drive along Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park a must.

They loved the turning leaves, the crisp fall air and the deer they saw back in the brush.

But when they got out of their vehicle at the Pinnacles Overlook near Thornton Gap, they were saddened by what they couldn't see.

Looking out at the view that once was the most dazzling part of a visit there, they could see little but a cloud of grey haze, obscuring all but the closest peaks and valleys.

"It's a real shame," said Taz Witt, noting that the cloud of polluted air doesn't fit with the pristine natural beauty of the park.

She added, "Nationally, we should do something to make it better."

On that 45 degree day in late October, and on another 72-degree day last week, I visited Shenandoah to ask visitors about their reactions to the diminishing views.

Most of them, especially those new to the park, said they were dismayed and disappointed by the haze that obscured the mountain vistas.

A few disagreed and said the haze comes and goes, and isn't much different from the way things have been in the Shenandoah for years.

I was motivated to make the fall and spring visits after hearing details about worsening air quality in the park. They came from a range of experts at a press day in the park last summer hosted by the park and the National Parks Conservation Association.

The association presented a report that highlighted the way air pollution is robbing the park of its spectacular views.

It noted that in 1924, surveyors of the proposed park said "The single greatest feature is a possible skyline drive along the mountaintoplooking down westerly on the Shenandoah Valley from 2,500 to 3,500 feet below, and also commanding a view of the Piedmont Plain stretching easterly to the Washington Monument, which may be seen on a clear day."