Favorite Places - #1 Grayson Highlands

We couldnt decide on a #1 favorite place that we walked through on the trail but it is definently between 2 places. The Grayson Highlands was an area near Mt. Rodgers which is the highest peak in Virginia. After you make that climb you descend slightly to the Highlands area. We stayed in a really nice shelter that night on our way to the highlands and had a beautiful view of the sunset. After that the area is comprised of about a 5 or 6 mile stretch through open grasslands at very high elevations (for the east coast) of over 5000 feet. We had beautiful views the entire time of the surrounding mountains. There were large rock outcroppings that we walked over/through along the way including "fat-man squeeze". ALong the edges of the grasslands there were spruce/fur trees that filled the air with an amazing fragrance. Perhaps one of the neatest aspects were the "wild" ponies that were released in order to maintain the grasslands. They were very friendly (most likely from being fed by hikers) and would even approached us as we made our way through that amazing area.

Picture of Ponies


The Shelter where we sletp in the Highlands - we were visited that night by some poines at about 3 am that came up in between the shelter and the picnic table


Some lovely rocks


Walking through "fatman squeeze", one of the rock formations


Family of wild ponies


Brian and his magical pony friend


Some more pretty mountains

End of the Hike - Luray Virginia

We ended our hike in Luray Virginia on August 12th - a small town located about 3/4 of the way through the Shenandoah National Park and we couldn't have asked for a better place to end up. The terrain in the park was fairly easy compared to what we had done the week before and the weather was absolutely amazing. We were a bit sad to come off the trail, but we have some great things to look forward to which makes everything much easier. Since finishing up we've been all over the place with trips to Marion, Asheville, Nasheville, Greenville, Atlanta, and now St. George Island (Florida). It's been great to see family/friends again and now we get to take it easy for a week on the beach to rest our weary bones. Luckily they don't feel that weary but it is nice to have time to take it easy for a while. Our total mileage was 940 which puts us close to halfway through the 2100 miles of the AT in 72 days. It is hard to describe how great it was to get away from everything and live a very simple but physical life in the woods for an extended period of time - we definitely plan on walking the remainder of the trail someday. The picture posted is of the last vista we stopped at before ending our trip - Mary's Rock.

Dutch Haus - Montebello Virginia

View from Cold Mountain - a few miles away from the Dutch Haus

We decided to treat ourselves last night (and this morning) with a stay in a bed and breakfast. The Dutch Haus is a B&B located just off the trail near Montebello Virginia. We just called them at the top of the mountain and walked down the hill a mile and they were there waiting to pick us up. The stay was amazing - hot shower, tasty vegetarian diner, comfy bed, beautiful house, and a hearty breakfast. It has never felt so good to take a hot shower. After 64 days this is only the 4th time it has happened - the same with laundry.
Were now on the last leg of our journey. Jess' mom is picking us up in Luray Virginia on the 12th - which puts us about 3/4 of the way through Shannandoah National Forest - so we've still got about a week and a half left. We've been hearing that section is pretty spectacular and the terrain is easier compared to what we've had the past week so I think it will be a nice place to end our trip. We feel recharged after having such a relaxing evening/morning and definently ready to take on the next section into Waynesboro. We hear its tough with climbs over The Priest, Three Ridges, and Humpback mountains. This portion of Virginia has been more challenging than the southern half - everyday it seems like we go down to a major river/creek around 900 feet then climb straight up to mountains over 4000'. The terrain has been beautiful and well worth all the climbing. Hope everyone is doing well - Brian and Jess.

Pearisburg Virginia

Sunrise near Angels Rest - before the short hike into Pearisburg

We made it to Virginia - Pearisburg to be exact - and what a town it is. The Rendezvous motel was our first stop then onto Pizza Plus to gorge ourselves on an all you can eat buffet (the Chinese place wasn't open yet). We've recently been putting in a lot of miles so we decided to hike the easy 3 miles down into town and take a day to relax and eat as much as possible. Luckily they have a little coffee shop in town so we can catch up on internet chores. Sorry but we aren't going to be able to load any pictures up, but there have been some recent highlights. The Grayson Highlands were quite possibly the most beautiful place we've seen thus far (at least tied with the Roan Highlands) - rolling grassy hills near 6000 feet, large granite outcroppings, spruce/fir trees lining the edges of the open areas, and wild ponies (we were awakened by some clopping around just a few feet outside of the shelter we were staying in). It has been an amazing trip and were really excited about our last few weeks out here. We should finish right before Shenandoah National Park or we'll make it through - depending on a few things. This will be our first motel night since we've been out here, today is day 50, so we've got the showers and air conditioning (for the first time so far). The Rendezvous is a really classy place - linoleum floors, window blinds, color TV (complete with universal remote), lamp (with lampshade), light swithces, door knobs, a sink (in the room!), shower (with curtain), 2 pillows, and a flushing privy with toilet paper. Who could ask for anything more? - really. Thats about all for now - we smell like crap, were having the time of our lives, and were really looking forward to getting a beer.

Eating Diner (with a full mouth) on the cliffs next to our campsite at Angels Rest