As most of my friends will know, the past few months have been rough. Work, health issues and school had taken over for a while and I kept saying how I wished I could just get away for a weekend. Do you have those moments or am I alone in this?
So Jake took it upon himself to plan a little weekend away for the two of us to Shenandoah. I mean, if there is a passport stamp in the area you know I am in, and a weekend away to the mountains sounded perfect.
So Jake took it upon himself to plan a little weekend away for the two of us to Shenandoah. I mean, if there is a passport stamp in the area you know I am in, and a weekend away to the mountains sounded perfect.
So we set off on Friday and of course had a few great moments along the way. We stopped in Culpeper, VA for a quick lunch on our way down there at this little dinner called the Frost Cafe. A true diner experience complete with diner counter, homemade milkshakes and good old fashioned cooking. I learned from my mother that you could always judge a place by the quality of their ruben. So that's what I ordered. And it was amazing. Hence Frost Cafe is amazing. Don't argue with my logic, just embrace it.
We made it to Shenandoah around 3 p.m., just in time for a little .5 mile hike to where we would be staying for the evening, Doyle River Cabin. It was built in the 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps as they built what is known now as Skyline Drive. The cabin was rustic to say the least, no electricity and no running water. The windows didn't even open to let in light. On the other hand, it was very cute and I have slept worse places, like Frat house couches for instance.
The hike was full of beautiful sights and amazing waterfalls. I obviously loved taking pictures of them all. However, the hike was a little more intense than we thought it would be. After 8 miles of steep hiking and trying to out run a thunderstorm we finally made it back to our cabin. Feet were a little rough, legs felt like jello and I was ready to chill out and drink a beer.
That was until the bear arrived.
Some campers that were below us started yelling about a bear coming up our way and lo and behold, there he was. Ambling up the hill to our right was a large black bear. Wasn't menacing at all, but again, it was a bear. It got less than 10 yards away from us when we finally gave up our clapping and shooing when Jake said, "Uggggh let's just go into the cabin." So we put our tail between our legs and scurried into the cabin. In the pitch black we watched a shadow pass by the light coming through the bottom of the door and the sound of something pushing against it. I could hear my heart pounding and I think Jake's as well. We waited until we figured he has moved along to open the door, and he had. Needless to say I was on bear patrol for the rest of the evening and didn't get much sleep listening to the creatures of the forest trying to open our food lockbox.
I do not have pictures of said bear, because I was taken completely by surprise and was for once more concerned about what was going on in front of me then my shutter speed. But here is a replica of our furry friend (?) that is about the same size:
That was until the bear arrived.
Some campers that were below us started yelling about a bear coming up our way and lo and behold, there he was. Ambling up the hill to our right was a large black bear. Wasn't menacing at all, but again, it was a bear. It got less than 10 yards away from us when we finally gave up our clapping and shooing when Jake said, "Uggggh let's just go into the cabin." So we put our tail between our legs and scurried into the cabin. In the pitch black we watched a shadow pass by the light coming through the bottom of the door and the sound of something pushing against it. I could hear my heart pounding and I think Jake's as well. We waited until we figured he has moved along to open the door, and he had. Needless to say I was on bear patrol for the rest of the evening and didn't get much sleep listening to the creatures of the forest trying to open our food lockbox.
I do not have pictures of said bear, because I was taken completely by surprise and was for once more concerned about what was going on in front of me then my shutter speed. But here is a replica of our furry friend (?) that is about the same size:
Before we headed in for the night we did sit on our porch and watch as the thunderstorms rolled in over the mountains which was amazing, calming and dare I say romantic, especially after such a heart racing experience.
After a seriously eventful (but memorable and fun) evening we were ready for a little more civilization. So we hiked our sore bodies back to the car and drove along Skyline drive and down to Charlottesville for a little more relaxation.
I did learn a lot from this trip:
1. When it comes to bears, I cannot measure up. They win.
2. You need a lot of gumption to sleep out in the woods. And I may be teetering towards the "let's enjoy the wilderness from a distance and then sleep somewhere with a continental breakfast" group.
3. Read the reviews of your trail before you start your 8 mile hike or you may not be able to feel your legs and be sitting at your computer with an ice pack beneath your foot.
Overall the trip was really great, and while stressful at times, it gave us a whole lot of memories and kind of made me realize what I can go through and overcome. So thanks to Jake for a great weekend away!
1. When it comes to bears, I cannot measure up. They win.
2. You need a lot of gumption to sleep out in the woods. And I may be teetering towards the "let's enjoy the wilderness from a distance and then sleep somewhere with a continental breakfast" group.
3. Read the reviews of your trail before you start your 8 mile hike or you may not be able to feel your legs and be sitting at your computer with an ice pack beneath your foot.
Overall the trip was really great, and while stressful at times, it gave us a whole lot of memories and kind of made me realize what I can go through and overcome. So thanks to Jake for a great weekend away!