Mountaintop aviation directional equipment on s cloudy day.
Thought this looked great against the dark sky.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
More Aviation Equipment
May 23
Mountaintop aviation directional equipment on s cloudy day.
Thought this looked great against the dark sky.
Mountaintop aviation directional equipment on s cloudy day.
Thought this looked great against the dark sky.
The Guillotine
May 23
This rock is actually a bit worrying to walk under. It looks even more precarious in person.
This rock is actually a bit worrying to walk under. It looks even more precarious in person.
Wonky Bridge
May 23
Another cool bridge. This one was actually difficult to cross it was so wavy.
I love it.
Another cool bridge. This one was actually difficult to cross it was so wavy.
I love it.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Bears
We still have not seen any signs of bears, but I wanted to post this warning sign we saw in our first week. We hiked through the area described in the notice but did not camp there as we did not have the required bear canisters. (Whatever they are)
We are still hoping to see some bears at a safe distance.
We are still hoping to see some bears at a safe distance.
Camping on the Blue Ridge Parkway
May 21
The trail parallels the Blue Ridge Parkway for a bit and it's a very quiet road. At 6 pm on a Tuesday there were only a few cars per hour going by so we decided to camp on the grass in this scenic stop. The sun will be rising over the mountains in the background. Looking forward to seeing that.
The trail parallels the Blue Ridge Parkway for a bit and it's a very quiet road. At 6 pm on a Tuesday there were only a few cars per hour going by so we decided to camp on the grass in this scenic stop. The sun will be rising over the mountains in the background. Looking forward to seeing that.
Location:37.44085, -79.73480
Orchids on the AT?
May 20
I've gone on about the beautiful flowers we've seen. I never expected wild orchids in Virginia.
I've gone on about the beautiful flowers we've seen. I never expected wild orchids in Virginia.
Hard rain
May 20
As we walked back from our resupply, the sky darkened and it started raining - really hard. We were under a highway overpass so we decided to wait it out.
It was pouring down. Took about 30 min to slow to a drizzle so we could continue back.
As we walked back from our resupply, the sky darkened and it started raining - really hard. We were under a highway overpass so we decided to wait it out.
It was pouring down. Took about 30 min to slow to a drizzle so we could continue back.
Location:Dalesville, VA
Monday, May 20, 2013
Country-Cookin'
May 20
Awesome all you can eat breakfast in this restaurant for $5.99! It was actually a very good, huge buffet with lots of fruits and veg as well as the usual, but good quality buffet food.
Highly recommended if you're ever in Dalesville. We sat there for two hours and gorged ourselves. Waddling back to the trail now...
Awesome all you can eat breakfast in this restaurant for $5.99! It was actually a very good, huge buffet with lots of fruits and veg as well as the usual, but good quality buffet food.
Highly recommended if you're ever in Dalesville. We sat there for two hours and gorged ourselves. Waddling back to the trail now...
Location:Dalesville, VA
More cliff walking
May 19
Walking along the misty edge.
And looking over the edge into the cloud. We are very high in this last picture and the valley hundreds of feet below is hidden by a white mist. It's an eerie feeling looking over a cliff and not being able to see anything but cloud.
Walking along the misty edge.
And looking over the edge into the cloud. We are very high in this last picture and the valley hundreds of feet below is hidden by a white mist. It's an eerie feeling looking over a cliff and not being able to see anything but cloud.
Location:37.43877, -79.99893
Tinkers Cliffs
May 19
It was very wet and foggy today and the trail at Tinkers Cliffs goes crazily close to the edge. Whoever painted this white blaze about a foot from the edge of this very high cliff had a warped sense of humor.
We had to walk along the cliff of course, but thankfully not quite that close to the edge.
It was very wet and foggy today and the trail at Tinkers Cliffs goes crazily close to the edge. Whoever painted this white blaze about a foot from the edge of this very high cliff had a warped sense of humor.
We had to walk along the cliff of course, but thankfully not quite that close to the edge.
Location:37.43877, -79.99893
Bugs are big here
May 19
We have lots of similar bugs up north, but they're much smaller. These giant millipedes are everywhere down here.
We have lots of similar bugs up north, but they're much smaller. These giant millipedes are everywhere down here.
Audie Murphy
May 17
I had heard of Audie Murphy before. He's the most decorated US WWII veteran. I did not realize he died near the AT. His plane crashed practically on the trail in 1971 and a monument was erected.
I had heard of Audie Murphy before. He's the most decorated US WWII veteran. I did not realize he died near the AT. His plane crashed practically on the trail in 1971 and a monument was erected.
Rock climbing
May 17
On the descent from Dragons tooth, we had to do a bit of rock climbing.
At least they put some ladder rungs in part of the rock.
On the descent from Dragons tooth, we had to do a bit of rock climbing.
At least they put some ladder rungs in part of the rock.
Location:37.36104, -80.17334
Dragon's Tooth
May 17
A very high overlook with huge stones framing the opening.
That tiny figure in the gap is Matthew.
A very high overlook with huge stones framing the opening.
That tiny figure in the gap is Matthew.
Location:37.36104, -80.17334
Lizard
May 16
This little guy is about 5" long and sat on this log on the trail and just ignored us.
I thought he'd scamper off when I got close to take the picture but he didn't mind us at all. We've noticed that about a lot of animals here. They seem a lot less skittish and will just hold their ground and look at you.
This little guy is about 5" long and sat on this log on the trail and just ignored us.
I thought he'd scamper off when I got close to take the picture but he didn't mind us at all. We've noticed that about a lot of animals here. They seem a lot less skittish and will just hold their ground and look at you.
A very big oak tree
May 16
This is the Keiffer oak which the second biggest oak on the AT. There's a slightly larger one in NY. It's estimated to be a little over 300 years old and is just over 18 feet around the trunk.
It's just majestic.
Matthew at the base
Looking up the trunk
From a distance.
It seemed very healthy. May it live another 300 yrs.
This is the Keiffer oak which the second biggest oak on the AT. There's a slightly larger one in NY. It's estimated to be a little over 300 years old and is just over 18 feet around the trunk.
It's just majestic.
Matthew at the base
Looking up the trunk
From a distance.
It seemed very healthy. May it live another 300 yrs.
The Eastern Continental Divide
May 16
Wasn't sure of the exact meaning of this so I looked it up. Turns out that it's all about rain water drainage. On one side water drains into the Atlantic Ocean and the other side drains into the Gulf of Mexico.
Blueberries
May 15
Lining both sides of the trail for miles today were zillions of blueberry bushes in bloom. I don't know how long it takes to go from this flower stage to edible fruit, but I hope we find more further up the trail. Yum!
Update on May 20:
There are still zillions of blueberry bushes. Hopeful signs of them setting fruit.
Lining both sides of the trail for miles today were zillions of blueberry bushes in bloom. I don't know how long it takes to go from this flower stage to edible fruit, but I hope we find more further up the trail. Yum!
Update on May 20:
There are still zillions of blueberry bushes. Hopeful signs of them setting fruit.
Location:37.36111, -80.41449
Water for the Underworld
May 15
One of the streams we were getting water from today had about half of its water disappearing underground down this whirlpool.
It was about a foot in diameter and a lot of water was swirling and disappearing down that hole in the rock bed.
No idea where it's going.
One of the streams we were getting water from today had about half of its water disappearing underground down this whirlpool.
It was about a foot in diameter and a lot of water was swirling and disappearing down that hole in the rock bed.
No idea where it's going.
Yet Another Bridge
May 14
I really like these bridges. No, really. Should have been an engineer. This one is massive.
The engineered lumber support beams are huge.
I really like these bridges. No, really. Should have been an engineer. This one is massive.
The engineered lumber support beams are huge.
More Trail Photos
May 13
A rocky portion of the trail.
We have come to a lot of these jumbles of boulders on the trail. They're fun to step over and you can often hear loud streams of water running invisibly underneath.
A rocky portion of the trail.
We have come to a lot of these jumbles of boulders on the trail. They're fun to step over and you can often hear loud streams of water running invisibly underneath.
Celanese Plant
May 13
The trail took us right by a Celanese plant today.
And a mile later, where they store some of their waste.
The trail took us right by a Celanese plant today.
And a mile later, where they store some of their waste.
Location:Pearisburg, VA
Suspension Bridge
May 11
I know I obsess over bridges. I love getting over water without getting wet.
We walked over a suspension bridge today. It was long and only one person wide and bounced up and down nicely as we walked over it.
I know I obsess over bridges. I love getting over water without getting wet.
We walked over a suspension bridge today. It was long and only one person wide and bounced up and down nicely as we walked over it.
High Water Crossing
May 10
It's rained a lot in the last few days. We heard about 4" in 24 hr at one point. The streams we'd usually jump over on stones were much higher and wider and the stones were well submerged.
We ended up just pushing across with the water up around our calves. It was actually fun. It made little difference as our feet were soaked already from walking in the rain all day.
No photos unfortunately due to the pouring rain.
It's rained a lot in the last few days. We heard about 4" in 24 hr at one point. The streams we'd usually jump over on stones were much higher and wider and the stones were well submerged.
We ended up just pushing across with the water up around our calves. It was actually fun. It made little difference as our feet were soaked already from walking in the rain all day.
No photos unfortunately due to the pouring rain.
Trail Magic for J-Bird
May 9
I've written about a lot a trail magic. It's wonderful to be given gifts of fruit or sodas from total strangers. Today we came upon the ultimate magic. In a parking lot next to the trail we came upon Deann and Dave from Pennsylvania who drove to Virginia to provide trail magic in memory of their daughter's fiancé J-Bird who thru hiked in 2010 and then found he had colon cancer and died.
Deann and Dave set up two long tables covered with fresh vegetables, fruit, bags of all types of cookies, chips and sweets and were serving all you can eat hot meatball subs and hotdogs. There were three coolers filled with sodas, water, juice and Gatorade. It was flabbergasting. They even had camp chairs to sit on while we ate.
Matthew ate at least a pint of strawberries. I devoured a lot of grapes.
They drove hundreds of miles to make total strangers happy and boy did they succeed. That is the magic I'll remember my whole life.
They told us they chose Virginia because some research showed them this is the part of the journey that many people get down and give up and they wanted to help.
J-Bird is smiling somewhere. I know Matthew and I definitely are.
Thank you, Deann and Dave!
I've written about a lot a trail magic. It's wonderful to be given gifts of fruit or sodas from total strangers. Today we came upon the ultimate magic. In a parking lot next to the trail we came upon Deann and Dave from Pennsylvania who drove to Virginia to provide trail magic in memory of their daughter's fiancé J-Bird who thru hiked in 2010 and then found he had colon cancer and died.
Deann and Dave set up two long tables covered with fresh vegetables, fruit, bags of all types of cookies, chips and sweets and were serving all you can eat hot meatball subs and hotdogs. There were three coolers filled with sodas, water, juice and Gatorade. It was flabbergasting. They even had camp chairs to sit on while we ate.
Matthew ate at least a pint of strawberries. I devoured a lot of grapes.
They drove hundreds of miles to make total strangers happy and boy did they succeed. That is the magic I'll remember my whole life.
They told us they chose Virginia because some research showed them this is the part of the journey that many people get down and give up and they wanted to help.
J-Bird is smiling somewhere. I know Matthew and I definitely are.
Thank you, Deann and Dave!
Location:37.10384, -81.20159
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Fossils
May 9
We've seen lots and lots of rocks. If fact, I'd say this hike is a rock hound's dream. You spend a lot if your day watching the ground immediately in front of you so you don't trip and end up seeing some amazing rocks.
Today seemed to be fossil day. Lots and lots of fossils in the rocks. We are used to seeing fossils in museums. Not sure what these were millions of years ago, but they are cool to see in the wild.
That's my size 13 boot in the lower left to give perspective.
We've seen lots and lots of rocks. If fact, I'd say this hike is a rock hound's dream. You spend a lot if your day watching the ground immediately in front of you so you don't trip and end up seeing some amazing rocks.
Today seemed to be fossil day. Lots and lots of fossils in the rocks. We are used to seeing fossils in museums. Not sure what these were millions of years ago, but they are cool to see in the wild.
That's my size 13 boot in the lower left to give perspective.
Another Old Barn
May 7
I love these disused buildings that are still (barely) standing. This one is several stories tall and standing right next to a fast flowing river.
I love these disused buildings that are still (barely) standing. This one is several stories tall and standing right next to a fast flowing river.
Official AT Marker
May 7
We've seen lots of boundary markers and I've written about them before. Today we saw the first that mentioned the AT
We've seen lots of boundary markers and I've written about them before. Today we saw the first that mentioned the AT
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Ponies on the trail
May 3
The AT goes right through the Grayson Highlands, an area with wild ponies. We saw a couple of dozen or so. I could walk right up to them as you'll see in the video.
They're beautiful creatures.
A few grazing quietly:
These three were right on the trail so I took a video as we approached and then walked around them. As we were passing them two others came galloping by. Exciting to say the least. Actually a bit frightening. It was awesome.
The AT goes right through the Grayson Highlands, an area with wild ponies. We saw a couple of dozen or so. I could walk right up to them as you'll see in the video.
They're beautiful creatures.
A few grazing quietly:
These three were right on the trail so I took a video as we approached and then walked around them. As we were passing them two others came galloping by. Exciting to say the least. Actually a bit frightening. It was awesome.
Location:Grayson Highlands, VA
Old School
May 6
We walked by this old school house on the trail today - Love the outhouse still standing in the background.
We walked by this old school house on the trail today - Love the outhouse still standing in the background.
Monday, May 6, 2013
More Trail Angels
May 4
We came upon a couple of coolers of supplies and food kindly left there by the Valley View Baptist Church Youth Group. Unfortunately the sodas were gone but we did enjoy some peanut butter crackers and rice cakes.
Our thanks to this very kind organization.
Much appreciated.
We came upon a couple of coolers of supplies and food kindly left there by the Valley View Baptist Church Youth Group. Unfortunately the sodas were gone but we did enjoy some peanut butter crackers and rice cakes.
Our thanks to this very kind organization.
Much appreciated.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)