In preparation for our next destination wedding, PDub and I have taken up a new hobby, drum roll please.....hiking, a sport that requires a good pair of shoes, decent balance, the enjoyment of nature, and the lack of bathrooms. (Luckily, I have not experienced the pressure of the last.) We live about 70 miles from Shenandoah National Park, and this has been our destination of choice to train for the Inca Trail in January. The park has a portion of the Appalachian trail cutting through it and breathtaking sites, which makes it a draw for more than the locals.
Thankfully our first hike was truly enjoyable! Otherwise, I would have seriously considered canceling our vacation. The temperature was optimal in the 50's, and we were headed to one of the most hiked trails in the park: White Oak Canyon (6 miles with a 1,200ft elevation change). The trail isn't difficult and has six waterfalls along the way. We hardly found parking in the large lot but still purchased our year pass from the ranger, used the port-au-potty (it's French), and hit the trails.
As expected, it was crowded, but the sites and my unexpected stamina made up for it. Coming from a person who hates walking (I prefer frolicking), I actually had a good time taking pictures, saying "hello" to fellow hikers, and pushing my body to work harder. Looking back, we experienced and viewed parts of nature that you can only see by walking; thank you Mother Nature for the beauty, and thank you God for two working legs (no manual necessary).
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| Entering the park....Keep all hands and feet inside the.....oh wait.... |
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| Breaking in our hiking hats. Let's take a poll....Who can read PDub's hat? I've been telling him for years now that it's time for replacement. |
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| Lower waterfall. |
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| B-E-A-utiful |
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| The perfect break spot. |
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| Upper waterfall. And by waterfall, I mean an 86ft tall one. They aren't playing around. |
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| Serenity. |
The second hike was a little different......
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