Crossed a few tributaries of the James River this afternoon
Later, arrived at the James itself
Earlier in the day, it was foggy
Crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway
About midday, a climb got me above the clouds
Saw a few other things of interest during the day
Loves the way this vine had “suction cups” at the kale adding edge
Immature pokeweed
I think the acorn below (in the stump) has a promising future
That’s the James as we were approaching it
Another very fine day,
Junco
I can’t tell you excited I was to hike for a whole day, knowing that that it was not going to rain. It started out very foggy but then cleared by late morning.
It still feels more like late summer, than fall. Not really cool yet and most of the leaves are still green.
There are some nice colors in the forest
Here is a cool frog I caught today. Anyone want to help me identify it?
Resending the frog photos
They may not have uploaded in the original post
What skinny animal lives in here?
An anteater terrier mix?
These stalked orange mushrooms are similar to both chicken of the woods and chanterelles. Not sure what they are
Some more scenes from today.
Sleeping out with no fly (rain tarp) over my tent – how sweet!!!!
Junco
Climbed one of the taller peaks in Virginia yesterday – the Priest. The ascent was over 3000 feet.
Rained all day, especially up high. Got a few photos in before it got too wet.
Some great fungi
A cool turtle
Some pretty leaves
Some interesting wood/tree images
And a few others
Even a couple views
I learned that duct tape can repair torn hiking shorts ( and can withstand the washing machine)
Some sun predicted today!!
Junco
Lots of rain the past two days – not much to say, but I did snap a few photos
Found this salamander in my tent
Foggy trail
Indian cucumber
White oak
Interesting fungi
Hoping for more sun,
Junco
The Blue Ridge Parkway is nearly 500 miles long and connects Shenandoah NP to The Great Smoky Mountain NP.
I started on the AT along the parkway today.
Found some remains of former inhabitants
A house foundation with fireplace
A graveyard with 12 unmarked stones
One did have this scratched on the stone (M C Lowe)
Not sure if the date 1866 is birth date or date of death?? Maybe civil war casualties?
On a brighter note
Found a lucky chestnut
A nice shelter
See a face in this tree trunk?
Heading south,
Junco
Took a zero today and visited my med school alma mater, the University of Virginia.
The Rotunda had been under renovation for 3 years and just opened to the public today…hmmm
Just below the dome
Up thru the dome
Other shots of UVA
And a few nature shots from yesterday
Twin towers (tulip poplars)
Wild iris seed pods
Porcupines chew wood – hence the barbed wire
Heal all
? 4 leaved poison ivy?
Sumac
Not sure?
Is that a pine cone or a pineapple?
Milkweed seed pod
And finally some graffiti that seemed remarkably relevant to my adventure
“Go everywhere, study everything, fear nothing”,
Junco
Just finished the last leg of the 100+ mile SNP – kind of sad, since this place has so many memories for me from my many years living in Virginia, and the weather has been so nice – and I got to hike with Paula and Brian.
Today was a rainy, foggy, magical day
Grand daddy white oak
Some kind soul left water since many of the springs are dry
Said goodbye to the Skyline Drive
Loved this shot – someone made the AT symbol with sticks on the rock
Misty views
As I crested this hill, I saw a hiker in the distance (you can barely see her in the photo). What I did not see was her big white friendly dog who had just been sprayed by a skunk. Why do I ever pet dogs???
The best part of leaving Shenandoah National Park is that I’m about to visit the Blue Ridge
Enjoying Virginia,
Junco
Today I was joined by my medical school classmate Brian Wilder. He drove up from Charlotte NC to hike with me and to visit his son, Hogan, a student at UVA. He covered over 10 miles with a pack weighted with over 20 pounds of water. We had a remarkably similar pace and had some great discussions about politics, family, and friends. Then he gave me all the water he had carried as I set off on my own again
What a great opportunity to see an old friend!!
Saw some nice things along the way
Came across these nuts which I had mistakenly identified as chestnuts in a previous post – they are actually beech nuts
Some beautiful acorns
My super sweet tent spot tonight
This stump made me think of the painting “the Scream”
Some nice views
Anybody know this plant?
I’ve seen 8 bears since entering Shenandoah NP, so I know this is true
Appreciating this good advice about bears,
Junco
Just realized these two great photos didn’t upload yesterday
They were taken after our final hike. Paula had just completed her longest hike (10 miles)
The trees along this part of the AT are primarily deciduous, and primarily oak and hickory. As you hike, acorns and hickory nuts are coming down constantly
The trail passes over the Skyline Drive a couple time a day with some nice views
Some pretty flowers and plants
And a cheerful white blaze
Marching on,
Junco
Paula was busy with salamanders on her last day.
I got a pet, too
We also found some ginseng
And some Indian cucumber.
We had a gorgeous, clear day
We met HIO (Hog on ice), and he introduced to his customized chair/sleeping hammock
Yellow wood sorrel
More chicken of the woods
A red maple leaf
It was GREAT to have Paula join me for the past five days. She didn’t even get annoyed when I kept stopping to look at birds and plants!! I invited her to come back soon.
Back to hiking solo,
Junco
kevin hikes 