Crabtree falls

Last weekend I took a road trip, probably my last in the US (for a while at least). I picked the car up Friday night and did some shopping. It was only when I was driving it home (and the rental place was shut) I noticed the "maintenance required" light on the dash. Apparently it is to do with requiring an oil change (which they admitted it needed when I took it back after the trip). But I was very proud of myself by checking the oil. And happy when it seemed ok (using my extensive mechanical expertise and phoning dad). 

I set out very early (for me) Saturday morning and drove up to CrabTree falls, just over 2 hours away in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. 

Lots of green.

I was looking forward to seeing the falls, but decided against climbing around them after seeing this sign.

Some others were not as well warned. And it did not look safe!

The trail is 3.4 miles round trip with falls all the way along. And after the latest rain, in good flow.

Lowest falls

Unfortunately this also meant it was all up hill on the way up.

And the stairs begin

As I was on my own, I could take my time. And did. A lot was playing with my camera. It was all so pretty.

It was so hot! And after raining the night before, really humid. So I also took a lot of breaks. And random photos of the trail.

trail

 The trail was quiet for the most part and I had a lot of it to myself. Other than the butterflies.

I stopped 3/4th of the way up for my apple and iced vanilla cappuccino . Well, it used to be iced, but was still very good and bets my normal coffee view..

View with coffee

And there was lots of flowers out. I have no idea what they were but the pink ones were every where.

Blossoms

Flowers over the fall

flower strewn waterfalls  

up close

more

Flower strewn path to the last fall.

And there were a lot of good vistas. (I took a ton of photos - often as an excuse to pause.)

Looking back on a viewing platform

view from inside a path side cave.

I was originally only going to go to the 1.4 mile mark, where the last waterfall is. But decided, as I was there, I might as well go to the top. Very near the top, there was a stone platform with lots of these stacked stones. They seem to appear all over the place these days.

Stacked Stones  

Top falls

 And the view from the top was worth the effort.

Over the forest

bridge of the top of the creek

Start of the falls

I have some amazing new hiking shoes which were amazing. And for the most part had great grip. I only slipped on muddy rocks once. But I avoided injury as I landed with my butt in a very large and soft pile of mud! Luckily I had packed 5 outfits for the 2 day trip for exactly that reason. I am also surprised considering my usual grace and style that this was my only slip!

Last view of the falls on the way down

I ended up finishing the hike quicker than expected, so after changing the back of the car (go to love tinted windows) I took the long way around avoiding the interstate to Strasburg. It was a lovely drive though my SatNav/GPS had some interesting routes. And I left just in time. The rain started shortly after. 

The original purpose for the trip was to do my balloon flight but there weather was just too windy. :-( 

But I knew this could be the case, so had booked a nice old B&B a few miles away, the Hotel Strasburg.

Hotel

The rooms were old fashion and very cute, and the staff were great. Also the hotel had a restaurant (with great reviews) and a bar which was a lot like an English pub and made me a bit homesick. So after a much needed shower, I had a nice meals and spent a few hours in the bar, sipping red wine, reading my book and chatting to some of the locals - always an interesting experience. :-)

Shenandoah National Park

On Saturday morning I was up earlier than I expected so after a dismal breakfast at the hotel (thankfully I had packed cereal bars), I got to the Shenandoah by 9am. And it was "get in free" day! (Normally there is a small fee to get into National Park without a pass and my pass ran out a few days before my trip.) I have been wanting to go up the Shenandoah since I got here. It was a beautiful as I had hoped.

Beautiful views.

Looking over the Moorman river. (I think)

I wanted to do a few of the hikes, but the small ones! The first one was to Blackrock summit. It was only a 1 mile round trip and because I was there early I had the place to myself for most of my walk.

The trail

The trees had started to turn so the colors were amazing!

Autumn leaves

Though I will admit when I saw this sign, I did think about turning back. Thankfully I didn't see any snakes, though for the first 10 mins after seeing this sign, a lot of tree roots looked very snake like! I think, thankfully, it was too cold for them at that time in the morning.

Snakes!

The trail up wasn't very scenic so I amused myself taking odd photos. :-)

Leaf!

But then the trail got to the summit after about 20 mins ambling. The trees just suddenly disappeared and the path becomes rocks. And the view was worth the climb.

View from the summit.

The path lead around the summit and meet up with the Appalachian Trail on the other side for the way down.

Path

On top of the world again

Fall has arrived

From the top of the summit.

The way down was along part of the Appalachian Trail. I had through walking the trail (Which is about 200 miles I think) would be cool. Then I read the Bill Bryson book on doing just that (I highly recommend it) and decided it was totally not for me. I am happy just walking a few little sections of it.
Once again on the way back to the car, I amused myself taking photos.

More leaves

Autumn trees and blue sky!

The second walk I did was further north and to Lewis Falls. According to the hiking map, it was a moderately difficult trail. They lied!!!! Going down was fine. Coming back up .... really not fun.

The Appalachain Trail start to Lewis falls

Thistle.

The start of the walk was along a open path in the sun. Very nice

Random door to nowhere in the side of the mountain.

Going in the right direction

Then the path become a little less obvious.

There is a path there. Honest. Somewhere

It took about 30mins to get there. And the view was worth it.

View near the falls.

You then continue round to view the falls, which was a bit disappointing. You couldn't see them very well. :-(

Lewis falls

I saw and ate my lunch viewing the falls before heading back up to the car. It took me quite a bit longer to get back. At the gift shop, they told me that was one of the more strenuous trails. The moral to this story is never trust hiking guides; they are probably written by someone a lot fitter than me!

After the hike, I had had enough walking, so headed for my hotel in Woodstock. The original plan was to go for a hot air balloon flight that night. I was so excited and the weather was amazing, perfect for the sunset flight. Then I phoned to check the flight was on and the owner told me his wife had had a baby a few hours ago and he was going to have to cancel. Congrats for him but of all the days....

So instead I went into Woodstock, found a steakhouse and had a really good meal. The steak was huge and perfectly cooked (finally an American who understands rare!). Back in my hotel room I watched the Little Mermaid and finished the wine from last night before getting an early night and one of the best nights sleep I have had in a while. Not the night I had planned but still pretty good.