During our stay in Virginia, we were able to complete many of the easier/shorter hikes in Shenandoah. We saw a bear on our very first hike at Fox Hollow; although, like many visitors, we only got a small black blur in a photo to remind us.
Our next encounter with a bear was on the Rose River Loop Trail, on the fire road. He was a rather large bear, but again, the weather was damp and drizzly and it was already dusk, so a picture was out of the question. We was reluctant to move off the trail, but eventually he moved just enough for us to pass safely.
In Shenandoah, there is a plethora of information on Science (Biology, Geology, Wildlife, Nature, Environment, etc), Geography, and History. Add in some creative license and you have met your Math and English for the day, too.
G completed the Junior Ranger Program, both the old book and the new book. She also finished the Wilderness Patch and we hope to eventually do the AT booklet and the Stonyman booklet, which are available online. Most recently she earned her Night Skies Patch. They also have Boy Scout and Girl Scout patches, but she isn’t a scout.
There are still many trails I would love to hike with G, however time is running out, and I am not too big on hiking in the cold weather.
Here are just a few photos from our hikes, which span over about 2 1/2 years.







Land’s Run

This year we did a lot more hiking, and finished up the Junior Ranger Booklets










There are 500 miles of trails in Shenandoah National Park, that includes the 101 miles of the AT. Our longest trail was 4 miles, and I doubt we had done more than 20 miles, but there is still time.
We also did Limberlost Trail and Snead Farm, but I don’t have those hikes pictured.