Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Wild Tramps



Skyline Drive

The first summer-like day of Spring brought Katie and I to one of our favorite locations, Shenandoah National Park. We left after work on Friday evening and arrived in the park at close to midnight. For good reason, we took our time on Skyline Drive despite arriving so late. We saw numerous deer, a coyote, a black bear, and nine owls. Besides the wildlife, the multitude of overlooks, trails, waterfalls, historical sites, and wild brook trout streams are what makes Shenandoah a gem in our eyes. Even on the most beaten paths, one can find solitude and willing trout under clear, blue skies. The park features an amazing amount of hikes both long/short and difficult/easy for everyone to enjoy. For the casual visitor, this represents a lifetime of exploration bound to be full of little surprises and a few secrets. For instance, it never ceases to amaze me how I can catch brook trout in a small plunge pool separating two massive waterfalls. Or, the shear amount of aquatic life like stoneflies, mayflies, caddis, mud puppies, and even hellbenders that one can find in a very small piece of water. These are just a few things that will always bring us back to one of our favorite locations. Enjoy.























Can you spot the trout?



A Shenandoah giant...













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