#northern virginia

Not just another border crossing.  Northbound AT thru-hikers get thru several states early in their hike. Then they hit Virginia. Over 538 miles. Just about one quarter of the trail. Someone coined the phrase “Virginia Blues” for the length of time one spends in the “long green tunnel,” with few of the panoramic views they got further south on the mountain tops of Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee.

And for most, they hit the 1000 mile point on the same day!

“Miss America” on the northern leg of her flip-flop thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, at a stream crossing just south of the VA/WV border.

A Raspberry Slime Mold (Tubifera ferruginosa). I thought it looked like a cubist rendition of a foot.

When the AT was young many sections were still aligned with roads, and ran through private property. When the land around Bear’s Den Rocks became available, the AT was able to be routed through it. Bear’s Den Hostel was originally built in 1933 as a summer cottage by a doctor for him and his wife.  Today it is owned by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and operated by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. 

Heading out from Bear’s Den Hostel

The southern end of the infamous “Roller Coaster.” It’s a 13.5-mile section with ten ascents and descents, often referred to derisively as PUDs - Pointless Ups and Downs.  But a trail relocation to a very narrow corridor, left trail crews little choice but to route the path up and over each of these ridges. It really doesn’t live up to its awful reputation, and there are some great stealth camping sites all through it …

Barack Obama speaks the truth. Interviewed by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. 

BLOGGED: Casual H&M. See more here!

Lisa tells me “Isn’t Tumblr shutting down?  You’ll better make sure all your friends know: If they are bold enough, they can take me… fill me…  I’m still going to be here and you know I need what they have for me as much as you do!”