Oh Shenandoah….

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.

Our First Time Hiking in the Park Together- Jewell Hollow Overlook?

On our way to Compton Peak- we hiked out in the dark!

My Favorite Hike –HAWKSBILL!

On the way to Stony man

Not too old to watch the sunset with her head in my lap 🙂

Rose River Loop – my favorite waterfall hike

Mount Marshall- On a drizzly day!

Land’s Run

Too cold to hike, but the overlooks are pretty to share with family

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

Working on the Junior Ranger Booklet with a friend

Dark Hollow Falls later that same day

Finally earning the Shenandoah Patch!

Blackrock Summit – in the South district

Bearfence on the way home

Cedar Run lower falls – This is one of those hikes that we hoped to do both sides, but it was too late to finish.  Hopefully, someday, we will get around to the White Oak Canyon side

Meeting new people at Low Gap during ‘Peak’

North Marshall!  At the top working on her Wilderness Booklet

Meeting an AT hiker ‘Soy Nuts’ from Romania! On the North Marshall AT.

G getting her Wilderness Patch – and being silly with Ranger Katie

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.