Horizon Team Hike to Marys Rock--A-Trail--April 17, 2009

The Horizon Software Development Team held its 2nd annual team building event: a 7.2 mile hike along the Appalachian Trail, from Pinnacle Picnic Ground to the top of Marys Rock, in the Shenandoah National Park.

The temperature was in the 60's for most of the hike; light wind except at Marys Rock, where the winds were stronger. We had the trail to ourselves, encountering as many as a half dozen hikers along the way. Saw many turkey vultures, a few black vultures, an American Redstart (warbler), some Cabbage White butterflies, along with some yellow and black swallowtails.

Total hiking time, including a lunch break on Mary's Rock, was five hours.

Note: at the bottom of the posting, there is a video of two athletic team members scrambling down the rocks at Mary's Rock.

Getting ready to depart Pinnacles Picnic Ground

Starting up the trail; the Pinnacle is ahead.
Taking a well deserved break


First challenging rock on the Pinnacle

Destination is Marys Rock, a "blip" on the peak in middle of picture.

An American Redstart stayed long enough to have its picture taken.

Byrd's Nest #3 Shelter, for A-Trail through hikers

The destination is in sight

Time for lunch on Marys Rock

Interesting plant growth in the crevices

I wonder how steep it is, over the side...

Very steep!

Magnificent view

Time to return

Departing Marys Rock

Interesting rock outcropping

Nice view

New Market Gap in the Massanutten Mountain, to the west.

One of many deer seen near the picnic ground

Rock scramble by Jim and Stephenie

Dec 29, 2008: Meems Bottom Bridge, Va. and Night Sky on Skyline Drive

My wife and I decided to visit the Shenandoah Valley on our break between Christmas and New Years. A favorite place of ours is the only covered bridge in the northern part of the state--all others are either west of Blacksburg, Va., or down in Floyd County, east of Christiansburg, Va.

Meems Bottom Bridge is located about a tenth of a mile off of Rt#11, located between Mt. Jackson and New Market. The bridge crosses the north fork of the Shenandoah River.

After our picture taking at the bridge, we visited a restaurant I have been visiting for over 30 years, the Southern Kitchen in New Market--famous for its peanut soup. Then, in a change to dead-heading back up I-81 to I-66 east, we decided to take Rt#211 east over the Massanutten Mountain, through Luray, up over Skyline Drive at Panorama [Thornton Gap], and then into Sperryville to Warrenton to home.

We stopped at the crest on Skyline Drive and took two pictures of the skyline--revealing Venus, the moon, and Jupiter to the west [Mercury had just set] and Orion's Belt to the east. An incredible view of the Milky Way overhead was seen--something I had not seen in 30 years.

Meems Bottom Bridge

Inside View of the Bridge



Lane looking east from the bridge opening

A fun time available near by

New Market Gap in the Massanutten Mountain



View of the Shenandoah River, just up-river from Bridge



Southern Kitchen, about four blocks south of intersection of Rt#211 and Rt#11

Looking west from Panorama on Skyline Drive (Thornton Gap). Venus, the Moon, and Jupiter visible--Mercury has just set below Jupiter


The Orion Constellation, looking to the East

December 29, 2007 Skyline Drive North--Sunset Chasing

The purpose of this trip was to drive up to Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah National Park and watch and take pictures of a sunset. We chose the Northern section, beginning at Thornton Gap and driving north. At this time of year, we are very close to the winter solstice, so sunsets come very early--~5pm or earlier, depending on access to the horizon.

We discovered that Skyline Drive closes at 5pm, and everyone is expected to be off [or at least heading to an exit] the Drive due to rampant deer hunting around the Park. However, the rangers want visitors to take sunset pictures, so we were OK.

Unfortunately, we didn't gauge our time and locations well. In hindsight, Pass Mountain overlook would have a great place to observe--but we kept going. Around Jeremy's Run Overlook, the sun was getting low, but the sun was dropping behind a mountain at the end of the Overlook. So, we continued on towards Gooney River Overlook--our final place to take pictures. After Jeremy's Run, we found the not yet set as we descended to Gooney River.

Finally, I experimented with the black and white settings for several locations--and I like the effects,

Pass Mountain Overlook, looking west to New Market Gap (left of center)

Pass Mountain
Just north of Pass Mountain
Continuing north from Pass Mountain
On or about Jeremy's Run Overlook
Looking into valley below, towards Signal Knob

Jeremy's Run
Nice sun burst developing

Valley below, again

Dramatic Front coming through


Finally, Gooney Run Overlook


Dramatic in B& W

Valley in the foreground

Looking west


Some red appearing in the sky