Bavarian Inn: Shepherdstown, WV

Last weekend, I made a trip to see my dear friend, Anne. It was a nice trip to northern VA and just over the WV stateline (Eastern Panhandle). While I was there, we spent a day in Shepherdstown. I loved the feel of the town and def. main street. There small shops that were full of earthy goods and art of all kinds. It was great. Our day started out by having a delicious lunch at the Bavarian Inn. The Bavarian Inn was built in 1930. The famous Greystone Mansion in 1962. The Bavarian Inn has a "Bavarian Alpine Motif." All balconies overlook the Potomac River Bend. I loved it there and all I could keep thinking was, "I wish that my Omi could see this." I took plenty of pics of the Bavarian Inn and the Greystone Mansion (where we had lunch). I hope that you can enjoy the slideshow of my mini-trip to Germany just two and half hours from my VA home ;)

Camping on the New River, VA

For many who know me . . . know that I appreciate nature and love photographing its beauty. However, when it comes to "camping," I am not a big fan. I think it has alot to do with the idea of going without a shower. I could wake up at dawn and spend the entire day outside but that enjoyment can exist because I know that I will able to take a shower at the end of an active day ;)

Recently, I had the chance to camp on the New River in VA. I agreed to this experience because it entailed running (kayaking) the New River on the second day! The New River is so unique. It is the second oldest river in the world and one of the few flowing north. It was a trade-off that I was willing to do so my friend, Hogan and I packed the FJ, strapped the kayak to the roof and headed toward the great state of VA . . . Regardless of the fact that I did not have a shower for about a day and a half, I had a great time. I wish that I could explain the sound that you could hear from our campsite. Our tent was set right at a point in the river called "Foster Falls" so we would fall asleep to the sound of the waterfalls. Here is the only way that I can describe the falls . . .

The New River goes through a series of shallow (1 to 3 feet) water falls over approximately a mile distance.

The shallowness of the river around the falls made is a great spot for wading!

4-H Camping & Kayaking in Wirtz, VA

During the second week of July, I committed myself myself to 4-H camp. The camp took place in Wirtz, VA. Wirtz is about 2 hours south of my home in VA and about an hour from the NC-VA stateline. I wasn't quite sure what I was getting into but I quickly found out that 4-H is something that children of all ages thoroughly enjoy! From an adult's perspective, some things are a little "hokie" but those are the exact things that children eat up and love! My responsibility at camp was to be an assistant to the main kayaking instructor. During my instructional kayaking sessions is where I had all my fun!!!! I had six periods that lasted approximately an hour each for 4 straight days. Needless to say, I def. got some WATER TIME! The equipment provided to us was AMAZING. The kayaks, helmets, spray skirts and paddles were all recently purchased at the beginning of the summer. The main thing that I want to scream from the mountain top is that I paddled a JACKSON KAYAK!!!!!!!!!!!!! Some of you, right now, are saying . . . "What's the big deal?" Here's the deal . . . It is a top of the line, FUN and simply, just COOL kayak line. I was thrilled to have the chance to paddle and I loved every moment!!! At times, I think I was more excited about it than the actually campers ;)

Crabtree Falls in the Spring!

This was my second visit to VA's largest waterfall and hands down, this visit was the greatest . . . The last time that I hiked the trail, I did not make it to the top which is considered the upper falls plus every cascade was frozen from the frigid temps of February. I can only think of one thing that might make this great visit the greatest of the great and that would be to see in the Fall when the greenery is vivid with the colors of Fall. Regardless, it was beautiful. My good friend Anne made the hike with me. We hiked "Crabtree Trail" all the way to the start of the waterfall which is a 1,200 ft. change in elevation within 2 miles from the head of the trail (bottom of the waterfall). I captured the hike through the lens of my camera . . . Enjoy! The only thing that I wish that I could bring to you in this blog would be the sound that you constantly hear as you hike up the fall and that is the sound of the running water as it rushes down the mountain. That is something that makes this hike one of my favorites.

1st River Run in VA

Today was an incredible day. The weather was near 85F and the sun was shinning brightly. That means only one thing: No excuses, it is time to paddle! I started at 10am at a place called "Alone Mill" and went 6 miles down river to "Bean's Bottom." This run was a great starter and it did prepare me (somewhat) for the next run that I would take. Nothing that I have ever paddled before even compared to the big water on this 9 mile run that I took in the afternoon. It was intense. There were parts of it that scared me and I can count 3 major incidents that nearly left me floating down the cold waters (50F water temperatures). However, every time that I got into a situation where the rapids almost GOT ME, I would do something that many paddlers call: Yell and power through. I was freaked and I did it. Oddly enough, it worked :) The 9 mile run started at "Rockbridge Baths" and ended at "Alone Mill." Essentially, we started in the middle of a the river and did the lower river first and then, the upper river in the afternoon. Sadly, I was unable to take my camera on the 9 mile run so all the pictures featured in the slideshow are from the 6 mile run in the AM. All together, we paddled 15 miles. Wild!

Giving a Little . . .

This year has been a journey . . . truly, I know that may come off as very cliche, but I believe it with my whole heart. One of the most trying times of my new career was when I lost a first grade student to cancer. It was that experience that helped me to make my decision to donate my hair. So . . . the first day of my spring break, I contacted a good friend from high school who is now a very talented beautician. She did a good deed . . . she gave up her day off and she opened the salon just for me. Then, she donated her time to a very admirable charity called, "LOCKS OF LOVE."

I encourage everyone to spread the word about this incredible organization and if you can, donate . . . it is a very easy thing that you can do to help a child somewhere. I was also inspired by this quote. At times, we can become very overwhelmed with the happenings around us and our instinct tells us to try to help. I guess this quote comes to mind: One person can't do everything but everyone can do something.

Of course, we documented the process through the lens of the camera :0)

Sharp Top Trail, VA

This hike almost did not happen . . . It was so odd. On Thursday, VA had record high temperatures in the upper 70's and then, the next day (day right before the scheduled hike), it snows! However, that did not stop us. One of my teaching friends from WV and her fiance came to visit and make the strenuous climb to the top of Sharp Top. It was a wonderful hike despite the drastic climate change half-way up the mountain. We enjoyed a picnic lunch at about 3,500 ft. above sea level. The hike is actually called "Sharp Top Trail" but many from the area call it, "Peaks of Otter." The mountain has two major rock formations: Sharp Top and Flat Top (This is on a completely different mountain in the area) . . There is one other rock formation that spurs off the main trail a bit but it is worth the climb, it is called, "Buzzards Roost. "

When we got to the fork in the trail, I said to myself, "It is not about choosing which one . . . it is about visiting both rock formations regardless." I could not rest easy knowing that I made that hike and did not experience the peak and Buzzards Roost. Hence, I went to both of them and the view from either point is breathtaking!

Fun Fact:

Sharp Top is a jumble of house-sized boulders and it is the highest point of the mountain. Its elevation is at 3,875 ft. above sea level.

Buzzards Roost's elevation is somewhere between 3,000-3, 500 ft. Something that made Buzzards Roost exciting is that you have the chance to do some rock climbing because nothing is developed there. You can scramble up to the top of the huge boulders (much more fun than concrete steps and handrails) for another great view.

I def. won't forget my 2007 St. Patrick's Day . . . it was incredible!!!!!!!!!!!!