Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Two Parks, One Week: From Mountains To The Beach

We had planned to spend the week of July 4th at Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia. The jet stream made other plans for us.
It picked up water in the Gulf of Mexico and dropped it on the mountains of the East Coast.  I'll share our resulting itinerary and some photos:
Sunday: drive to Grayson, set up campsite, build campfire, eat dinner, listen to rain on tent roof all night

Monday: Rejoice that rain stopped, hike the Wilson Creek Trail, cook hot dogs/vegan dogs over fire, listen to rain on tent roof all night



Rain does create beautiful waterfalls and rapids!

Tuesday: Hike the Twin Pinnacles Trail, Scales Trail. Picnic lunch on ridge top, skip campfire for park-sponsored folk music, beat rain to tent by 5 minutes, listen to downpour like kettle drums all night



Views from Little Pinnacle, Big Pinnacle



View from picnic spot...
Wednesday: Wake up to rain. Spend day under screen house in rain gear (Toby under picnic table) watching river run through campsite; read; eat PB&J in tent for dinner; listen for rain to stop all night (it doesn't)
Thursday: Still raining. Get forecast from ranger; pack up; drive home; give poor muddy Toby a bath immediately!

Now at this point, we were a bit downcast about our vacation. Then our son-in-law Billy texted Ted, offering to share their reservation at False Cape State Park on the weekend. Hurray!

Dogs are not allowed at False Cape, for the protection of sea turtle and shorebird nests. You can only get there by hiking 5 miles or riding a bike. But once you have hiked in you are spending July 4 weekend at virtually your own private beach, 5 miles from the mayhem at Virginia Beach. Don't believe me? Look:




From one end of Virginia to the other in one week! 

We are lucky to live in an incredibly scenic state, in all weather and every season. 
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14 comments:

  1. Elyse and RileyJuly 9, 2013 at 9:52 AM

    Bummer that your first camping spot got washed out (literally), but the camping at the beach looked absolutely beautiful!

    Glad Ted was feeling well enough to go! :)

    Elyse and Riley

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AmyJuly 10, 2013 at 6:08 AM

      Thanks, yes he did great hiking but carrying the backpack stressed his knee again :( But we had a great time anyhow!

      Delete
  2. Molly The WallyJuly 9, 2013 at 11:43 AM

    Sorry about all the rain. At least you got some fun hikes in. Have a terrific Tuesday.
    Best wishes Molly

    ReplyDelete
  3. snoopy@snoopysdogblogJuly 9, 2013 at 7:26 PM

    Wow that was an awesome beach to end up on after all that rain! Shame Toby wasn't allowed to go, bet he snuggled up on the sofa for the weekend! :)

    Wags to all

    Your pal Snoopy :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AmyJuly 10, 2013 at 6:08 AM

      Yes he stayed home with our son in the air conditioning :)

      Delete
  4. Golden Woofs! SUGARJuly 9, 2013 at 10:22 PM

    Definitely, a very scenic hikes. Toby should be or will be useful if he wears some PAWZ. Oh what a lovely beach. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

    ReplyDelete
  5. Misaki @ misadventuresofMisakiJuly 10, 2013 at 3:55 AM

    Sorry to hear about the weather, but that sure looks like a lovely place to explore

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AmyJuly 10, 2013 at 6:10 AM

      Thanks Misaki, well, weather happens, it could have been worse. And we did get two great hiking days :)

      Delete
  6. SamJuly 10, 2013 at 10:16 AM

    We get so little rain that hearing about all your rain sounds wonderful! I guess wet dogs in the tent aren't that great, though.

    Sam

    ReplyDelete
  7. Caren GittlemanJuly 10, 2013 at 1:06 PM

    that is so cool! I love Virginia Beach and your park photos are fabulous! You sure covered a lot of ground!
    Not sure if you know, but Dakota's blog moved. If you were following him via wordpress.com please re-subscribe! His new link is www.dakotasden.net

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete

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