Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Along the Shenandoah River

Continuing our visit to Harper’s Ferry National Historic Park, this was our first stop. The park is actually in three different states: Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia and the park office lies in West Virginia. We parked at the visitor center parking lot and got a map of the area at the entrance booth.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t a good map and this trail was very poorly marked. I was excited about hiking a couple of miles into the old part of town but we lost the trail along the Shenandoah River. After walking back and forth looking for it, we decided to move on.

Still, it was quite beautiful.

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In the small print there, it tells visitors that the length of the trail is 2.2 miles to lower town and the difficulty is strenuous.

They have got to be kidding. Strenuous is hiking at Acadia National Park. This trail was a walk in the park. Ha! Literally!

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The view from the top of the trail. We had originally planned on going over to that bridge you see in the center. That’s the Rte. 340 bridge and it’s crossing over the Shenandoah River where it meets the Potomac River. The Shenandoah is the principal tributary of the Potomac.

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When we got down to the bottom, we had to search for the trail. I amused myself by taking photos while someone got a little huffy.

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Down on the Shenandoah River on a beautiful day. Can you see the bridge in the center of the photo?

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We hiked along here for a bit until we lost the trail. In retrospect, we should have picked up a better map at the visitor center. If you go, I suggest you do this.

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There were several lovely little waterfalls and this one is right along the road at the bottom of the hill.

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After the hike at the C&O Canal (post below), we drove around a bit along the water. I loved how this bridge looked as we drove under it. This is the Rte. 340 bridge and we’re traveling along Sandy Hook Road heading out of town on the way home.

Thanks so much for coming along on the trip today. I have a few more photos of the old canal locks for tomorrow's post and hope you'll come back to see them.

Until then, my friends . . .

PS ~ As I’m typing this, it’s Tuesday evening and George is asleep on his couch. I think he’s chasing squirrels in his sleep because he’s making noises and running. And the Survivor Singing Show has just begun.

* Sigh *

26 comments:

The Good Life in Virginia said...

beautiful shots kate ... this area is a must see.

after i drove over the river on the way back from pennsylvania in september(actually parked and walked back over the bridge to take a few shots of the river...)

i decided that i need to do a road trip to see harper's ferry national park in all its glory. i
come Spring will be doing that very thing. it was gorgeous in the Fall :)

Betty said...

That was a lovely hike thank you for taking me along.
~~Love Hugd and Good thoughts~~

Hilary said...

Wow what a beautiful area.. such lovely photos, Kate. And "Survivor Singing Show" cracks me up.

Anonymous said...

As always Kate......beautiful photos.....it's almost like you're taking us along with you...

Gail said...

The photos, as usual, are stunning. I would love to see this in person. Great job and sounds like a wonderful trip.

Char said...

what gorgeous shots - i love the thistles. i love day trips like this

Tess Kincaid said...

Oh, Shenandoah, I long to hear you...look away...we're bound away... (love that song)

Marla said...

That looks like such a relaxing trip...

http://asthefarmturns.wordpress.com/

J.L.S. said...

Thanks for sharing your pictures. My husband and I just drove around this area after the sun had set tonight. We are moving to upstate NY and made across the Potomac before stopping for the night. It was nice to see what we missed with it being dark!

Jon said...

I just could n't believe I was seeing the photos of 'Shenandoah river' and 'country roads'John Denever sang about... great song, great snaps

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Beautiful pictures of you very interesting hike. Thank you for taking us along with you. Now I have that old song, " Oh Shenandoah I Love your Daughter..." in my head. This old farm chick sang it in the eight grade, many, many years ago!

Have a fantastically blessed day!!!

Mental P Mama said...

Beautiful place....love the back shots;)

Deb said...

Kate...beautiful photos..my dogs make crazy noises in their sleep...makes you wonder what they are up to...

Deb said...

You are lucky that your husband loves to hike with you. Mine will not walk to save his soul!

The Weaver of Grass said...

Even the name Shenandoah conjures up the magic Kate - lovely photographs.

RoseMary King said...

Dear Kate,
thanks for sharing your lovely day with us. My husband and I hiked this area several times and it always amazed me. Kisses and Hugs. roking

JC said...

I forgot you call it that ...

Daryl said...

Now I am singing - in my head, I dont want to scare people -Oh, Shenandoah, I long to hear you,
Away, you rolling river
Oh, Shenandoah, I long to hear you
Away, I'm bound away, cross the wide Missouri or Maryland or W VA or VA ...

LOVE the light

noble pig said...

It's such a beautiful spot, I would have snapped a million photos. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Awesome photo ~ I hear that train a comin'......

Donna S. said...

I would love to see this are in person. Thank you for taking me along with you.

Donna S. said...

area (makes more sense)

Pony Girl said...

What a beautiful drive and walk! I chuckle when I read that your hubby gets pesky when you want to stop and photograph!
I could use your photography advice on my latest post....have a little red dot showing up on my photos and wonderful what from the lens could be causing it?

GailO said...

...more gorgeousness!

Anonymous said...

Once I would not have photographed barren trees, but aren't they pretty in an uncommon way? In March 2009 we took the Natchez Trace to Nashville and for the first time I photographed a view similar to your view from the top of the trail. If you ever travel into the south I highly recommend driving the full Trace. Beautiful and historic; traffic and access is limited - like going back in time!

GillLink

The JR said...

What a beautiful place to take a walk.