On second thought...

In thinking on more of my goal to hike all 50 states, I guess the start date is now. The idea is to reach my goal over the long term, so why not start now, no? I still want to leave the mileage at 20 miles per state. I'll click off Virginia for obvious reasons, and will count the mileage for West Virginia from my backpack earlier this year. Ideally, I hope to do the mileage consecutively for each state and not have to return to a state to complete the mileage at a later time. This will be a must when traveling to far away states.
I'm still working on when to travel and what states to get to first. I'll work on the states surrounding Virginia first for ease and logistics. This will give me time to save for travel to a farther state and research it.
It all seems like a toy box just opened and not sure which one to play with first. Steady, boy, steady.

20 In 50 -- A Life Goal

For a while now I have contemplated traveling to be able to hike in a place I would normally not have the opportunity to do. I started this thought after reading an article in the Washington Post last month. The article was the account of the author's hike with his family on a trail in southern France. I very much enjoyed the article and was drooling over the pictures taken along the way. Anyway, the article started me to think about a European hiking trip and I was stuck on the Connemera Loop in Ireland for some time. Now, I have begun to consider the fact that I have seen very little of my own country. I have seen, perhaps, more than most, but there is so much more out there. So now I have decided on my new goal...hike at least 20 miles in all 50 states. Yea, I know...tall order and a big leap from the euro thing. Well, the goal is spread over many years, assuming, of course, I have the time and ability to stay the course. Living in Virginia gives me the ability to drive to a number of states rather easily. The other states will, obviously, involve considerably more planning. While doing this, I hope to make the hikes in National Parks or Forests where available.
The planning stages will continue throughout this year and I will make my "official" start in 2008. My home state of Virginia will kick it off for obvious logisitical reasons and ease. I'll continue to hike as much as possible between "official" hikes that mark another state off the list.
I hope someday to be completing a hike with a smile on my face saying "I did it"! That post hike beer will be especially satisfying!

Short Stretch

My sixteen year old daughter has been visiting for a short time from Connecticut. Unfortunately her visit has coincided with the first wet weather we have had for over a month. I was bound and determined not to sit around the house and let my 4 and 6 year old boys drive us nuts all day. Soooo....I thought a jaunt in the Shenandoah might be a nice diversion. I also really wanted to feel a little bit of trail under my feet. It has been a while since my last good hike. I thought that at least my daughter could see the SNP for the first time.
Well, weather being as it was, we ascended into fairly thick fog heading up Skyline Drive. There was some slight glimpses of the valley floor, but that was about it. We parked at the Dickey ridge Visitor Center, also encased in fog. The mist caused a slight chill in the air and noises were pretty muffled from the fog. I was surprised at the amount of tourists at the center on a weekday.
We walked along Skyline Drive to reach the trail head...I know, not the smartest move I've made, but I thought we were in the right spot. Well we weren't, and it was a good quarter mile before we reached it. The kids were less than enthusiastic at this point. We finally got off the side of Skyline and headed down Snead farm Trail. The boys were a bit spooked by the trail visibility being limited from the fog, but it was also exciting to them. I think even my daughter thought it was pretty cool. I noticed no one was complaining about being cold anymore, so I assume blood was pumping well enough to keep them warm. We stopped at various plants and to watch spiders in their beautiful webs, made more visible with the mist from fog. A nice little ascent heading toward Snead Farm was cause for the first "I'm tired" to be uttered from the 4 year old. A low hanging web mid trail distracted him from his fatigue.
We came upon the farm site, and stopped to explore and have a snack. The barn is nicely preserved/restored, and the top floor is accessible to the public. The cool air was enough to keep the hoards of wasps in their nests up in the rafters. Their activity level, I'm sure, is higher in the warmer climate. The Spring House next to the barn is an eerie structure to look into. I can only imagine the hardness of life the mountain families had here. The house foundation is also there to explore, and it appeared to have been a pretty large structure. A stone staircase is still standing. Presently more hikers came in and hung out to explore. We packed out things and headed back. The kids seemed rejuvenated from snacks and the hike back was without protest. Not wanting to tempt fate, we took the path back through the picnic ground and returned to the car. The picnic ground is well maintained with nice grills for use. I'd like to come back for a little picnic and a nice Autumn hike with the family again.
The visitor center is well done, and we poked around there for a while. There is a nice interactive display that the boys enjoyed studying. All seemed happy with the experience. As we drove out of Skyline Drive, a doe and her fawn stood by the side of the road. I stopped the car for the kids to see, and the deer just stood watching, offering a nice time for the kids to see them up close. A fun outing. I was happy with the trip, and satisfied with the experience offered to the children. It doesn't have to be a 14 miler to reap the benefits of a hike in the woods. The fox Hollow and Snead Farm Trails can be combined for a lovely 5 miler. Nice things really do come in small packages.