You may not find this terribly rewarding unless you're included here, so this is a good time for casual and random browsers to turn back before they get too caught up in the sweep and majesty of the proceedings and can't let go.
Early October, a few last escapades
The Natural Chimneys Park & Campground
Here's the Natural Chimneys Park and Campground (rated 4.7/5, 'sprawling rock formations & camping') near Mt Solon, Virginia -- located ca. 18 miles north of us in Staunton via Churchill and up the Rte 42 'Scenic Highway', or ca. 14 miles southwest of Harrisonburg.
It's described as a 'scenic spot with rock formations, seasonal camping, trails, wildlife & other outdoor activities'. It might be closed for the season already, 10 October 2024, as we haven't seen anyone else about . . . in any case, we seem to have it pretty much to ourselves.
We've seen the chimneys from the ground level before, so we'll start off with the Overlook Trail.
Here we go -- a very nicely maintained path up a gentle forest slope. Can't wait.
Easy going (even in sandals), comfortable walking even for the older folks
In retrospect, however, this is where we really screwed things up (not that the turn-off to the left was obvious or signposted, after all).
So we carried on straight up the hill until it was pretty clear that the maintenance crews hadn't come this way in a very long time.
Signs of a once-useful path, even with old steps stuck in it, but . . .
. . . no real fun at all. Where are we, anyway?
Kristin has nothing to report from the high point in the mostly obliterated old path.
-- Wait up!
An incestuous tree
Well, whatta ya know! There's a real path.
So now we can properly get to overlooking.
Impressive
Almost overlooky enough to reach out and touch them. Almost.
Even with a scrawny tree growing out of it, nice
That's evidently the Overlook Trail we were meant to be on. Maybe next time.
For the moment, we're following a longer but easier roundabout path that comes out not far from where we started up.
That's one bridge that we didn't have to cross.
How convenient. The Park is apparently fully equipped for RV and tent camping with the usual amenities. There is a Visitor Center said to be open for day use from November to March.
Now for a proper look at the chimney things.
Impressive. The Augusta County Parks and Recreation website extols the sight thus: 'It's hard to imagine, but the Shenandoah Valley was once the floor of a great inland sea. Centuries ago, as that sea receded, the forces of nature carefully etched out an awe-inspiring formation of solid rock. The seven Natural Chimneys tower as much as 120 feet above the pastoral terrain of the Shenandoah Valley, offering onlookers a sight unrivaled in majesty.'
[We didn't actually count seven; we would have settled on five.]
[Are forces of nature ever really 'careful'?]
[Is that rock really 'solid'?]
The Overlook
Okay, maybe six.
Our party is reassembling, so . . .
. . . we'll have a further look round. The Park is apparently recommended for its wildlife. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources website explains that 'the park also serves as a great place to search out wildlife. The open grassy areas around the chimney host open country species such as eastern kingbird, eastern bluebird, American robin, American goldfinch and chipping sparrow. The neighboring scrubby brush land and secondary forest support other familiar species such as eastern phoebe, eastern wood-pewee, Carolina chickadee, tufted titmouse, Carolina wren, blue jay, northern cardinal and eastern towhee. The North River runs through the property and, when rainfall keeps it flowing, it supports a variety of water birds including herons and waterfowl.'
I didn't actually notice any wildlife, unfortunately. Kristin did, though, so there's that.
So it would appear that that's the North River.
But no herons or waterfowl today.
Driving home -- that's Mt Solon itsownself and there's the New Life Covenant Brethren Church.
Villages are few and far between in these parts.
And this informally is Spring Hill, farther along Spring Hill Rd towards Staunton (and technically part of Staunton, though it's still about five miles out).
The village is all strung out in a line along the roadside, like a parade.
A feline interlude
Choupette is trying out a possible Halloween costume, but . . .
. . . isn't pleased with it.
Melvin is relaxing by the keyboard. In contemplation again.
Not all of Historic Staunton is maintaining best form.
Probably once held a lot of stories, good and bad, all of which are now lost to the ether.
The Augusta Springs Wetlands, with Kim
Fine weather for a walk at Augusta Springs, 13 October 2024, with our newly-arrived friend Kim Schmutzler.
Kim's an inveterate hiker and has come to explore Virginia's possibilities for a month or so, whilst taking good care of our wonderful cats whilst we're in Europe.
Leaving us free to enjoy our Italian sightseeing and to wonder all month whether Melvin and Choupette will recognize us when we return . . . whether they'll accept our company while missing Kim's after she's had to go back Minneapolis.
Kim was here for the same purposes at this time last year, and to be honest it all worked out really well then.
The boardwalk introduction to the march, with its newly mown meadows after last year's battles with the invasives.
Kristin explaining the layout of the wetlands
Something's growing back, presumably not the Autumn Olive invaders.
A look at the central pond and its skeletal dragon exhibit
And with a few ducks
Leaving the pond loop and heading for the heights
Kim was with us last year for a walk above Lake Sherando (and of course for walks near the Wisconsin lake in summer), but hasn't seen Augusta Springs yet.
We're taking the central path up the spine of the ridge today.
Identifying bird calls
Nearly to the top of the ridge
The summit, so to speak, and now . . .
. . . down the far side
It's an opportunity for Kim to appreciate some of our Augusta Springs history here.
We've got a visible five or six of these, but won't belabor the subject.
One of the littler Wonders of Nature
Probably no one would be able to figure out how that came to be.
This the main remaining spring from the early-mid 19th century 'take the waters' health spa (and casino) that occupied this site into the 20th century, leaving very few vestiges behind.
Back onto the pond loop path for a last look round
That's our favorite reading bench here, but there's no time for that today.
The central pond
Tomorrow Kim will drive us to the Charlottesville airport for a very short flight to Dulles, then a seven hour wait for an eight hour flight to Fiumicino airport and a €55 taxi ride into central Rome. Masochism.
But we'll be back.
We're off to Italy tomorrow for a month, but we'll resume our labors when we return.
Next up: Arriving in Rome, 15 October 2024
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All rights reserved, all wrongs avenged. Posted 19 November 2024.
