Monday, August 5, 2013

Grayson Highlands SP, VA 2013


We camped at Grayson Highlands SP in VA in early August.   It is the highest campground in VA at 4000 ft and the visitors center at 5000 ft.   I would have to say that the tempature is about 10 degree's cooler up there, it made for some really nice hiking weather.  
Our site was #42, After scouting the campground I realized that this is the biggest site there.  Had plenty of room to spread out, not the most level one though.  Can't complain it was close to everything and we had plenty of privicy. 

 Twice a day the camp hosts drove around with firewood and ice for sale.  "Gotta love front door service"
Even had a path directly to the bath house
There are 2 bath houses for the campground, this is the one for the upper loop
Other Campsites
The Store, a great place to get advice on the different trails
The Playground, it doesn't look like much, but definatly a gathering place for the kids.
The Trees at the playground were a big hit with the kids. 
Hanging at the campfire
Nightly Catches -- "Mothzilla"
 "Eat More Frog Legs, Not Toads"
The Visitors Center has some pretty neat exibits of how people lived and worked "back in the day"
Some campers get pretty creative


The first day we hiked to the summit of Mt. Rodgers which is only 5.2 miles, "no problem??"


We took a day and rode the "Virgina Creeper Trail"  started at the top of White Top Mountain
 Rode 17 miles down to Damascus. 


The last day we hiked down to Cabin Creek Falls and had lunch at the base.


 Looking for fish
Down Stream 
 Good place to have a picnic

Team Work






Monday, July 22, 2013

Natural Tunnel State Park VA 2013

We stayed at Campsite #5 in the Lovers Leap Campground.  Had a great time, I think I've found my new favorite state park.   One thing that was really cool, the campground and the trails all have rasberry and blackberry bushes all over, who can pass on nature's candy?
 All the camp sites were in excellent condition
 Catching insects to feed a new pet praying mantus
 The mountains surounding the park

 The Three Amigo's
 View of the tunnel from Lovers Leap point.

 
All systems are GO for takeoff

 We were lucky enough to catch a train passing through.  Squashed a penny as a souvenir. 
 The ride down to see the tunnel
 The ranger was very nice and even slowed the cable down to help mom get off.
 The ride back to the top
 Other Sites in the Lovers Leap loop. 
 Very Clean Bath House,  My buddy's wife said that a shower was broken and there was a maintenance man there at 10:00 at night on a Friday fixing it.   "What Service"

 Hanging by the campfire
 My son's impression of "The Rock" giving "the peoples eyebrow".. LOL
Family photo

Thats the closest I'll get to staring in a "Chinese Flying Action Movie"  

 Watching the sun go down
 I usually just give up and just burn it? 
 On the board walk
 Penny Crusher Express
Night Life