Virginia - The Appalachians

Virginia - The Appalachians

We left Monticello and were eager to get away from it all and vegitate in the forest for a bit.  As we drove down the highway I saw a turnoff for the Blue Ridge Highway and said let's take it.  As we went up our cell service started to get sketchy just as Alan started to receive a bunch of phone calls.  One of them was 'urgent' and he couldn't make out what it was.  We continued on up to the campsite where he got us all situated and then he had to drive back down the hill till he got service.  While he was one the boys and I went hiking on a trail that wound around the top of the peak we were on. 

Our campsite in the state park.  

The trailhead.  We packed a backpack to take in case we got lost.  We had a compass, water, snacks, jackets, a hatchet and a knife.  Of course, who do you think got to carry it?

We spot a deer on the trail.

 

The boys try to see how close they can get.  At one point back in the campsite We spotted seven deer and they encircled Ryan.  It was a wondrous place!

View at the top of the trail.  Looking out over the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Aaron looks over and says "Look, we can climb down."  I don't know what's wrong with this kid!  It was a forty foot drop with crumbling rocks and sharp spikey rocks at the bottom.  I'm not sure what's in store for me, but I'll have to keep an eye on this one...