The South Side

I wanted to go back to Shenandoah National Park (Skyline Drive) in two weeks. On our first visit (on October 1), the leaves had just started to change. In another two weeks (more like 12 days), I thought they'd be at their peak. They weren't. They were further along, but still not at their peak. Regardless, the park (drive) was still beautiful. 

Rockfish Gap Entrance

Two weeks made a difference

We entered at the Rockfish Gap Entrance (Mile 104.6/105.4), along Skyline Drive, near Waynesboro. We saved another $30 with my senior park pass. It was a long day. We had visited the Natural Chimneys on the other side of I-80 and had been delayed by an accident (long story). 

Water below

Still mostly green

Across the landscape

Red leaves

At one of the turn-outs, there was a white tail deer.  He didn't run. He didn't seem afraid of my car. We observed him for awhile. I stayed in the car and took pictures as he grazed away, seemingly without a worry in the world. He looked on the thin side. You could see his ribs. He should have been fat from the grass. I hope there wasn't something wrong with him, that that was just the way they looked in the wilds. I wondered why he didn't have any horns. I saw him pee, so I knew he was a he.

White tail deer

Panning the landscape

Light effects

Many branches

Our roadside friend

Two trees

It was near sunset when we reached the Route 33 exit, our planned departure from the park. We ventured past the exit and stopped at a few overlooks to enjoy the sunset. That was pretty awesome. While there hadn't been much traffic in the park, many people had stopped to enjoy the sunset. After the sun was behind the mountains, we backtracked to the Route 33 exit and began our journey home. Dinner at a Cracker Barrel. We got home late, about 10:30 pm. The animals were hungry. 

Big Boulders

Sun going down

Sunset in the park

Sun's down

NORTH AND CENTRAL PART OF PARK

Natural Chimneys

The Natural Chimneys are seven towering limestone rock formations (spires) near Mt. Solon, Virginia, in the Shenandoah Valley. They stand 65 to 120 feet tall and were formed roughly 500 million years ago when the area was under water. The chimneys are located in a very nice regional park. Mom and I stopped at the park before going to the South Side of Shenandoah National Park (Skyline Drive).

Regional park sign - Happy Halloween

Natural Chimneys

19th century name: Vulcan's Forge

The chimneys look more like a castle or fortress than chimneys. The reference to chimneys goes back to the history of the area when limestone was burned in chimney-like structures. The "chimneys" were also used to burn iron. The natural chimneys are made of numerous layers of compacted sediment. The layers vary in thickness and color. There are two caves at the base of the chimneys.

Another historic name: Cyclopean Towers

One of the caves

500 years of geological history

Up close

Smaller one

Close up of cave

Great shots of my boys

With a cell phone (camera) always handy, I take lots of pictures of my pets. Here recently I got some shots I'm particularly fond of.  They're worth sharing.

A basket of Cash

Ty the rock climber

Oliver's focused

Coopers Rock

Coopers Rock State Forest is a 12,747-acre recreational area in West Virginia. Its overlook offers spectacular views of the Cheat River Gorge, 1200 feet below. The place gets its name from a fugitive who hid out there (he was a cooper by trade). Much of Coopers Rock was developed by the Civilian Conservations Corps (CCC).

Entrance sign

Go left to get to the overlook

Spring house built by CCC

Ty and I went to Coopers Rock on a beautiful fall day. It took us about two hours to get there. Traveling west is usually pleasant, even on the interstates. I stopped a few times along the way to let Ty pee and stretch his legs. I got refreshments. We arrived about midday. My first stop was the visitor's center.

Main overlook

Cheat River Gorge

Ty at the overlook

Not too much color yet

Etched in stone

Sweeping across the gorge

1200 feet above the gorge

The iconic West Virginia swing

Almost Heaven West Virginia

Underneath the overlook, there is a network of massive sandstone cliffs, boulder fields, narrow crevices, and small cave-like rock shelters. Not sure what trail I was on (they weren't always well marked), but I found plenty of rocks to explore. We had the area to ourselves, too.

That's a big rock!

Layers of stone

A cave

Geology over time

Me and Ty underneath

Looks like some kind of animal

Lots of moss grows on the rocks

Crevices in the rocks

The most scenic area in Coopers Rock National Forest may have been the reservoir. I was disappointed that my foot pain prohibited me from hiking the Underlook and Raven Rock trails. I tried, but determined it wouldn't be good for my feet, especially my right foot. I might have fallen. Not to mention my foot would have hurt like hell. So, I looked for a a hike that would be more suitable for my Plantar fasciitis. The Reservoir loop fit the bill. It was a 0.7 mile loop that encircled the reservoir. 

Quiet and secluded 

2 to 3 acre reservoir

Just about every place along the loop offered spectacular views of the reservoir. Between the trees, grasses, water, and reflections, the colors were an absolute treat for the eyes. In another week or so, the reservoir would be even more breath-taking. I allowed Ty a quick dip into the water. He appreciated it. We met a botanist (from WVU) along the way.

So much vegetation

The resident fish

Vibrant colors

The dock

Up-close with a leaf

Reservoir Loop Trail

Ty at the reservoir