I got the chance this weekend to take a short, random night out, and took advantage. I live in an area that is far away from any commercial air service, and yet I had an obligation to take a very early flight Saturday morning - 5:30 am from an airport 2 hours from home. Rather…Read more Micro-Adventure and Seizing Opportunity
Virginia
Paddling: Mattaponi River, VA
Several years ago, I started paddling sections of the Mattaponi River one of the two primary tributaries of the York River (the other being the Pamunkey), in eastern Virginia. It's a beautiful, narrow stream with low but steady current despite only a slight downhill gradient, and its rural watershed transports a paddler into what feels…Read more Paddling: Mattaponi River, VA
Dayhike: Dragon’s Tooth, Appalachian Trail, Virginia
Dragon's Tooth is a narrow point of rock that rises above Catawba Valley, in southwest Virginia near Roanoke and Blacksburg. Together with nearby McAfee's Knob and Tinker Cliffs, it is part of the Triple Crown of scenic spots on the Appalachian Trail (AT) in southwest Virginia. If you've got the time to string together all…Read more Dayhike: Dragon’s Tooth, Appalachian Trail, Virginia
Backpacking: Browns Hollow and Emerald Knob, Massanutten Mountain, Luray, VA
Aug 31-Sept 1, 2024 -- Racing thunderstorms to reach a beautiful spring-fed pond high up on the ridges of Massanutten Mountain within George Washington National Forest, Luray, VA. The embedded video tracks an overnight trip in late summer, dealing with wet weather and finding surprising isolation within the very narrow Massanutten ridge system. Spring-fed Emerald…Read more Backpacking: Browns Hollow and Emerald Knob, Massanutten Mountain, Luray, VA
Hiking Signal Knob, Massanutten Mountain, VA
Enjoy historic views on this this 10.4-mile loop as a dayhike or a leisurely overnight on the prominent north end of the Massanutten Mountain ridge in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Massanutten is a fifty-mile long ridge that stands alone in the center of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. Because of its length, Massanutten forms a significant…Read more Hiking Signal Knob, Massanutten Mountain, VA
Backpacking the Wild Oak Trail, VA
It had been a long time since I'd climbed a hill this steep, this high, for this long. My legs reminded me of this inescapable fact with every step I took. As long as I kept my head up and focused on the yellow and red trees, it didn't matter. My outdoor adventures had been…Read more Backpacking the Wild Oak Trail, VA
Liquid Gems
Taking a quick pause to wait for buddies while kayaking Accokeek Creek in Virginia, I noticed how dramatically the water beaded up on these giant lily pads. Like little gemstones, floating on a reflected sky.
Great Falls of the Potomac
The Great Falls of the Potomac, viewed from the Virginia side. With all the rain we've had lately, the river was raging!
Prince William Forest
A nice lunch spot along Quantico Creek, Prince William Forest Park, Virginia.
Redbuds
Spring is finally here! Eastern redbuds are in full bloom, and the dogwoods are not far behind. This is posted partially in response to the Daily Post's Weekly Photo Challenge - "Prolific". See other submissions here.
Layers of History
The stripes on these cliffs show different layers of sediment laid down at the bottom of an ancient sea, between 3.5 and 5 million years ago. As the cliffs erode, fossils from that era are released and wash up on the beach.
C’mon Spring!
Spring is trying, REALLY hard, to get here.
Fossil Tooth
Fossil tooth from an extinct tiger shark, find at Westmoreland State Park, on Fossil Beach (of course!).
James River Heritage Trail (Blackwater Creek), Lynchburg, VA
The James River Heritage Trail system, in downtown Lynchburg, VA, is actually a collection of five interconnected rail-to-trail bikeways that make up 9.5 miles of trail system in and around the Blackwater Creek Natural Area, the riverfront area in downtown Lynchburg, and Percival's Island. All these trails offer a pleasant escape while mingling with active…Read more James River Heritage Trail (Blackwater Creek), Lynchburg, VA
Flying Squirrel Outdoors 