Old Rag

CJ and I wanted to hike all of Old Rag (we started out a few months ago, but it was too late in the day when we set out and so the setting sun forced us to abandon our trek before we managed to summit Old Rag). This time around: mission accomplished!



It began all wooded and in the shade, for which we were very thankful - it was rather warm out.

As we got up near the top, the rocks were more prevelant (it became more of a rock climb than a hike) and the trees were rather dead looking.

The views of the surrounding mountains were breathtaking!

When we finally reached the top, we were more than ready to be there!

My feet were sore...

As we started back down, we ran across a deer (at 3,000' elevation!). We were rather surprised to see her, but she didn't seem the least bit disturbed by us. =)



When we reached the bridge (on our return hike) near the beginning at the trail, we could not have been more thrilled. 3 hours up and 4 down (we took the long way back)... we were EXHAUSTED!

Rambles and Brambles

The Rivanna River Trail has become a favorite of mine. Several nights a week you can find CJ and me hiking somewhere along it - I mean, there is not much else to do in sleepy Charlottesville! As a kid, I used to watch The Waltons, and I remember that they would travel into "the city" (i.e. Charlottesville) when they needed something that couldn't be purchaced on Walton's Mountain. But even in that show, Richmond was the larger, more sophistocated city of the two. But in this NYC girl's eyes, even Richmond looks like a little podunk town. However, I am learning to appreciate a bit of country living... learning to enjoy the simple pleasures (or at least that is what I often hear them called)... milk cows grazing in the fields, cylindric hay bales scattered across green meadows, brightly-colored insects that apparently kill the Ash trees (a post for another time), old barns whose paint is chipping and roofs are sagging, the sound of water tripping over stones on its way downstream, and little red berries that I seem unable to identify (but I think may be wild straberries, or somehow related).

The aforementioned berries

A home for the homeless

We came across a couple of homeless gentlemen on a recent hike. They had quite the set-up, so I thought maybe they were just Freegans. I am not quite sure what was up with the two lawnmowers and the edger (doesn't seem like there would be much need for that in the middle of the woods!).


CJ, hiking

When the brush got rather thick, we began question how far we should continue on the trail.

The Rivanna River

Then we came upon a lovely clearing with a bench, overlooking the river. Score!

All in all, it was another lovely evening in little C-ville.

Rivanna Trail Foundation

One of the pluses of C-ville, is the river trail that circumnavigates the city, marked by little diamond-shaped, metal signed, nailed to trees and posts.

There are a number of foot bridges, crossing the Rivanna River

The trailes can get pretty dense at times, making the trail almost undiscernable from the surrounding brush. So far I have not had any run-ins with Virginia's snakes, but I am always on the lookout just in case.

All the recent rains have actually washed out parts of the trail... but that did not stop us. Wading, anyone?

Natural Bridge, VA

When you are stuck in the middle of nowhere, it is pretty much imperative that you strike out into the great unknown of your environment and explore the beauty that can be found (in reality, beauty can be found just about anywhere if you just look for it). Well, that is just what CJ and I decided to do last weekend. We chose to head west to a historical point of interest known as Virginia's natural bridge (coincidentally located in Natural Bridge, VA - ok, so it wasn't a coincidence). Why historical you ask? There are a few historical aspects, dating back to our forefathers in the 1700s... and then of course, there is always the fact that God created it thousands of years ago. Here's the stuff I learned while there... Jefferson bought it (along with much of the land around it) from King George III for 20 shillings (approx. $2.40) back in 1774. Even before that, George Washington (you know, like the first President of the United States? yeah, that one) surveyed the bridge and carved his initals 23 feet up on the inside of the bridge. I'm sure I'll never know how he managed to get 23 feet up, seeing as they hadn't invented cherry pickers yet.


It's nearly impossible to make out the "GW," but I am told that is what is in the little white box and of course I believe everything I am told (obviously). ;)



Almost as soon as we got past the concession stands, we arrived at the natural bridge. CJ and I were rather disappointed because after driving more than an hour to get there, we were all ready for a nice long hike. Besides the fact they charged a whopping $18 PER PERSON (is that not INSANE?!). I mean I didn't pay a cent (because my guys is awesome like that), but it's the principle of the matter. They should not be allowed to charge for something that should be open to the public. It is a national historical landmark, so I have no doubt my tax dollars make their way to Natural Bridge, VA. It's not like they even provide you with a ski lift to the top like the natural bridge in Kentucky. In fact, they don't even allow you to hike up to the top at all. Ok, I'll step down from my soapbox now...


In any case, it was pretty, and worth seeing once.


We did continue hiking past the bridge along Cedar Creek. It was quite beautiful and the weather was perfect!


At the end of the trail were some small falls... great photo opportunity, which I did not let slip away. I offered to take a picture of a nearby couple and of course they offered to return the favor. So, I got a cute shot of CJ and myself in front of said falls. Maybe I'll post it on Facebook. =)

Old Rag

I hadn't been hiking up Old Rag in quite a few years. I had forgotten how long it actually takes to get all the way to the third peak!

The day could not have been more perfect! A beautiful blue sky and the trees just beginning to show their green leaves budding...

My hiking companion was getting a little tired. but even he thought the view was worth it. =)

I love VA Dogwoods! They are especially plentiful in this part of VA it seems. So pretty... I just had to get a photo.

a chance mountain-top encounter

I have plenty of crazy stories from my AZ trip, but none as synchronicious as what happened on the last day... Mom and I decided to get up early and hike up Camelback Mountain at sunrise. Anyone who likes hiking and has ever been to Phoenix has heard of and probably hiked Camelback - in fact, anyone who knows anyone who has ever hiked and KNOWS anyone who has ever been to Phoenix has probably heard of it. It seems to be a fairly popular spot in the morning before the sun gets too strong. Some of the Phoenix natives actually hike it multiple times before sunrise! I had heard about "Camelback Jack" from a friend (he's practically a legend in the area), but I saw "Camelback Jill" there yesterday. She went up and down 3 times during my single trek to the top! Anyway, all that aside, let me get back to the real story... Mom and I were going up fairly slowly, taking pictures and enjoying the scenery, so many people passed us on our way up. I didn't pay much attention (as usual). There were three guys hiking up together... I didn't actually look at them, but one said something to Mom, so I did notice them (enough to see they were not in uniform... hahaha). Well, when I got to the top, I was looking out over the city, enchanted by the breath-taking view, when I heard a voice behind me: "excuse me?" he said. I turned around and to my utter shock and amazement, I knew this particular guy! "Jeremy?!" I asked, not actually in need of an answer - I knew immediately that it was indeed Jeremy, a guy I had not only met in college, but who is also going into the same OCS class that I will be in. We chatted for a couple of minutes and parted ways with a "see ya next week." "OORAH!"
What can I say? Life is just funny like that. Oh, and for the record, I do not believe in chance... I just think that God has a great sense of humor.