Our First Few Hikes or The Tale of How We Started Hiking

Dickey Ridge/ Snead Farm Loop Trail ~ 3miles

 September 22, 2012

Dickey Ridge Trail

On September 22 we attempted, and completed, our first hike with Grace.  We did a three mile loop right across from the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center in Shenendoah.  It led to a beautiful view to the west of the mountains.  For this hike, we used our Baby Carrier pack.  It worked OK for me, but Grace was very squished on Bobby's back, though that didn't prevent her from falling asleep.  Carrying Grace for half the hike (I think it took us almost two hours) was a new experience, and I knew if we did it again we would need a better pack and that it would take some getting use to.  We also made a list of gear and supplies that we really needed to buy or put together before attempting another long hike.  Like a first aid kit, after I fell and scrapped up my knee.  All in all, it was a fun time, the weather was pleasant, and Gracie really seemed to enjoyed being in the outdoors.  She was very quiet, but kept looking all around at the trees.  The reason we had decided to get out and hike in the first place (we bought a year pass to Shenendoah to encourage us to come again) was because we realized Grace wasn't getting any time in nature.  When we visited my godparents in New Jersey, Cecelia took Grace on a walk around their neighborhood, which is very wooded and pretty, and also down to their local lake.  She said Grace seemed fascinated by the trees, birds, squirrels and the lake.  So we decided we needed to get outside with her much more often, and not just walking around apartment land.

Fun in the forest with Daddy on Grace's first hike!

Laurel Trail Loop ~ 1.4 miles

October 24, 2012

Evening Hike in Prince William Forest

Unfortunately, it was over a month before we ventured out into the wilderness again.  Getting out and hiking just wasn't a priority and we hadn't gotten any gear.  However, we weren't doing anything better with our free time.  Hanging out in the apartment, watching movies and playing computer games were our main forms of recreation, apart from parties or visits with family.  But in mid-October, Bobby and I had a long talk and decided we wanted our family and spousal life to change.  Bobby admitted he'd been reluctant to get out and go places for awhile, because of how unreliable our old car was.  We had been talking about buying a new car for years, but kept putting it off because of the cost of car payments and the fact that the old car was still running.  We had gotten more serious this fall and decided on a 2012 Honda Civic, but still hadn't purchased because of doubts about housing and expenses for next year.  After our conversation, we decided to go ahead and purchase the new car, and get out hiking more!  In anticipation of this we did a short, local hike on a Wednesday afternoon after work, in Prince William Forest.  We also tried out the more substantial baby pack we borrowed from some friends.  The hike was level and pleasant, and the leaves were all orange and yellow.  The back was not the best, but still better for hiking than our small, cloth baby carrier.  It was a nice, short hike, and we finished just before dark.  Two days later, we bought our lovely new car.

Sugarloaf-Keyser Run Fire Road--Hogback Mountain Lariat ~ 4.9 miles

October 27, 2012 

The next day, Saturday, we packed up our Honda Civic and headed back to the mountains, for a serious, five mile hike in Shenendoah.

 This hike took us up Hogback Mountain and little Hogback, then down into the valley.  The guide book we used recommended going down into the valley first, and then finishing with the hard accent up the mountain.  We decided to go the other way, and were very glad we did!  The beginning of the trail, part of the AT, followed Skyline Drive and was pretty high up, so the ascent of the mountain wasn't much going up the first side.  Coming down the other side was a very steep and long set of switchbacks, which we were so glad we didn't have to go up!  Going
 down was difficult enough, and Bobby was glad to have his hiking pole, especially as he was carrying Gracie.  We rested a bit at the bottom, then did the gentle ascent and descent of little Hogback.  The views from both peaks, looking west, were amazing!  After the two mountains we crossed the road and the trail took us along a fire road for about a mile.  That was wide and gently sloping, a pleasant walk.  The final segment of the hike was back up the valley, on a trail through the woods.  The ascent was gradual and not too hard, but I was carrying Grace for the final leg of  the trip and it wasn't easy!  The backpack doesn't fit me well (I'm too short) and it took a while for me to get into stride.  Also, the light was beginning to fade and the trail seemed to stretch on forever!
We finally made it back to our car with a little daylight to spare, and we were very glad to change into dry (non-sweaty) clothes and be in the warm car.  The day wasn't cold, but it was chilly, especially as the sun went down.  Overall, we enjoyed the hike and learned an important lesson: start earlier!  We began the hike at 2pm and it took us just over 3 hours to complete, which brought us to a chilly dusk at the end.  Also, daylight savings time starts soon, so we know we need to start much earlier.  We were also better prepared this time, with plenty of water and a first aid kit.

Bobby was very happy driving the new car, which is quiet and smooth and handles well, not too mention doesn't overheat when we go up mountains.  We look forward to many, many adventures with the new car, and hope to acquire a better back pack, as well as hiking boots and more poles, over  the next few months.