Packing with the Pagáns

New River Gorge National Park has breath taking views. Pictures just don't do it justice.I can't wait to return here for autumn leaves. Sandstone Falls. Not very tall, but one of the widest in the US..spanning 1500 ft across the New River. Helppp! We did the Canyon Rim Trail for amazing views. It wasn't too bad, till the end. The New River Bridge makes for great pictures! At the time of construction the bridge's arch made it the longest steel arch bridge in the world. It held that title until 2003, when a bigger on was built in China. Today, the New River Gorge Bridge is still the longest single arch bridge in the US and the 3rd highest bridge in the country. Hiked up to Long Point for another perspective. Afterwards, we visiting Thurmond, which was once a thriving coal town on the rail line...now a ghost town. Notice the vines over...

We arrived to our Airbnb in New Market, VA. It was new and really nice. It even had a hot tub to rest our tired muscles..which came in handy. The next day we went to Shenandoah National Park hiking. So happy leaving on our hike! But 5 miles, 910 ft of elevation and scrambling over wet, slippery rocks changed our attitude a bit!  Our "trail". We didn't bring enough water and no snacks. We were beat!! 4 hrs later, this is how we left.😂 Just kidding! It rained constantly for the next 2 days. 60 degrees. So we hunkered down at the Airbnb, watched Netflix (I liked War Soldier) and I made comfort food. (Chicken and noodles) And, darn it, we couldn't go out for another hike! Left to drive to our next stop, New River Gorge National Park. It's the newest national park in the US. On our way, we went through George Washington National Forest and Monongahela National Forest. Did a quick mile ...

For those of you who read Misty of Chincoteague as a child, this stop is for you. Misty, the pony is long dead. But her descendents still run wild on Assateague Island. We took a boat tour in order to get good views of them. First look at ponies..far away.  The next group was much closer. I had always heard about the ponies swimming to Chincoteague Island. Thought it sounded so cool.  But when I heard the whole story I became jaded.  Towards the end of July they round up all the ponies and make them swim to Chincoteague. Then there's an auction to sell off the foals. Over 50, 000 people show up to watch this spectacle. All to raise $$ for the local fire department. Stock photo of the swim. They don't look too happy to me! Wait till the mamas find out they're taking their babies from them! Still, beautiful out in the wild!    Also saw bald eagles and beautiful ...