We started with a 14 miles drive into the Blue Ridge Mountains following along the James River as it makes its way east toward Richmond, Williamsburg, Jamestown and finally reaching the ocean at Norfolk. Here we get our first view of the James River from high atop the ridge.
Here is Kathy at the trailhead. It is hard to tell in this photo, but little tiny leaves are popping out all over.
Here is Dave standing under the train tracks with the Foot Bridge in the background. Now you might think they called this the Appalachian Trail Foot Bridge because it is a footbridge which allows Appalachian Trail hikers to walk cross the James River. While this is indeed a footbridge, its name actually refers to William "Bill" Thomas Foot, an Appalachian Trail enthusiast who spearheaded the conversion of the old train tressell into its present use as the Foot Footbridge.
Dave was so excited when he saw his first white blaze in 30 months, that he just had to give it a hug.
Since it has been months since doing any real trail hiking, we decided to take it easy. (You can't call walks in the Florida swamps real trail hiking.) We had a nice leisurely 2 and 1/2 mile trek along the James River and then up Matts Creek. While it was only 700 feet of elevation gain, after being in flat Florida, you've got to start somewhere. We stopped for lunch at the Matts Creek Shelter. This area of the AT is maintained by the Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club. We were blown away by how neat and clean the entire area was - shelter, fire ring, privy - everything was spotless. The volunteers should be commended!
After eating our sandwiches and relaxing in the sun, we turned around and headed back down Matts Creek. The creek gently tumbled over ledge after rocky ledge.
We stopped to check out a few of the deeper pools and were surprised to see a little snake slither by. If you look carefully, you can see him in the space between the sandy bottom (at the top of the photo) and the pebbles below.
We soon found ourselves walking back over the Foot Footbridge and climbing back into Great White. We were just a few miles from the Natural Bridge Park. Natural Bridge, in Rockbridge County, Virginia, is a geological formation in which Cedar Creek (a small tributary of the James River) has carved out a gorge in the mountainous limestone terrain, forming a natural arch 215 feet high with a span of 90 feet. It consists of horizontal limestone strata, and is the remains of the roof of a cave or tunnel through which the creek once flowed. Natural Bridge has been designated a Virginia Historic Landmark and a National Historic Landmark. Here is our first look at the Natural Bridge.
Natural Bridge was one of the tourist attractions of the new world that Europeans visited during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Vacationing guests from all over the world took day trips from Natural Bridge on horseback or horse-drawn carriages to explore the countryside. This Natural Wonder was a big deal back then. It was the Grand Canyon and Arches of its time. Here is the view of the Natural Bridge from the other side. Note the benches for the light show they do each night. (No April Fool Joke here - they really do a light and music show each night for park guests.)
We continued along the trail to the Monacan Indian Living History Exhibit. Guests have the opportunity to step back in time over 300 years to visualize what life was like in a typical Monacan Indian settlement. Here Kathy overlooks some of the displays about cooking, tool production, pottery, basket weaving, gardening, and more.
The trail came to end at Lace Falls, the remnant of the waterfall that helped to form the Natural Bridge. Lace Falls is considered one of Virginia's most beautiful waterfalls. As this is Spring Break, we encountered dozens of families waiting to take photos of their kids in front of the falls. Luckily the kids were really short, so we were able to take this photo sans kids.
Here is Kathy at the trailhead. It is hard to tell in this photo, but little tiny leaves are popping out all over.
Here is Dave standing under the train tracks with the Foot Bridge in the background. Now you might think they called this the Appalachian Trail Foot Bridge because it is a footbridge which allows Appalachian Trail hikers to walk cross the James River. While this is indeed a footbridge, its name actually refers to William "Bill" Thomas Foot, an Appalachian Trail enthusiast who spearheaded the conversion of the old train tressell into its present use as the Foot Footbridge.
Dave was so excited when he saw his first white blaze in 30 months, that he just had to give it a hug.
Since it has been months since doing any real trail hiking, we decided to take it easy. (You can't call walks in the Florida swamps real trail hiking.) We had a nice leisurely 2 and 1/2 mile trek along the James River and then up Matts Creek. While it was only 700 feet of elevation gain, after being in flat Florida, you've got to start somewhere. We stopped for lunch at the Matts Creek Shelter. This area of the AT is maintained by the Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club. We were blown away by how neat and clean the entire area was - shelter, fire ring, privy - everything was spotless. The volunteers should be commended!
After eating our sandwiches and relaxing in the sun, we turned around and headed back down Matts Creek. The creek gently tumbled over ledge after rocky ledge.
We stopped to check out a few of the deeper pools and were surprised to see a little snake slither by. If you look carefully, you can see him in the space between the sandy bottom (at the top of the photo) and the pebbles below.
We soon found ourselves walking back over the Foot Footbridge and climbing back into Great White. We were just a few miles from the Natural Bridge Park. Natural Bridge, in Rockbridge County, Virginia, is a geological formation in which Cedar Creek (a small tributary of the James River) has carved out a gorge in the mountainous limestone terrain, forming a natural arch 215 feet high with a span of 90 feet. It consists of horizontal limestone strata, and is the remains of the roof of a cave or tunnel through which the creek once flowed. Natural Bridge has been designated a Virginia Historic Landmark and a National Historic Landmark. Here is our first look at the Natural Bridge.
Some believe that George Washington came to the site in 1750 as a young surveyor on behalf of Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron. To support claims that Washington surveyed the area, some tour guides claim the initials "G.W." on the wall of the bridge, 23 ft. up, were carved by the future president. Legend also has it that George Washington threw a rock from the bottom of Cedar Creek over the bridge. In 1927, a large stone was found, also engraved "G.W." and bearing a surveyor's cross, which historians accepted as proof that he indeed surveyed the bridge. The site was so well known and treasured during the Colonial period, that Thomas Jefferson purchased 157 acres of land including the Natural Bridge from King George III of England for 20 shillings in 1774 in order to protect it.
Here's another view of Natural Bridge, including two tourists:
Natural Bridge was one of the tourist attractions of the new world that Europeans visited during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Vacationing guests from all over the world took day trips from Natural Bridge on horseback or horse-drawn carriages to explore the countryside. This Natural Wonder was a big deal back then. It was the Grand Canyon and Arches of its time. Here is the view of the Natural Bridge from the other side. Note the benches for the light show they do each night. (No April Fool Joke here - they really do a light and music show each night for park guests.)
We continued along the trail to the Monacan Indian Living History Exhibit. Guests have the opportunity to step back in time over 300 years to visualize what life was like in a typical Monacan Indian settlement. Here Kathy overlooks some of the displays about cooking, tool production, pottery, basket weaving, gardening, and more.
The trail came to end at Lace Falls, the remnant of the waterfall that helped to form the Natural Bridge. Lace Falls is considered one of Virginia's most beautiful waterfalls. As this is Spring Break, we encountered dozens of families waiting to take photos of their kids in front of the falls. Luckily the kids were really short, so we were able to take this photo sans kids.
And so ends another vagabond day. Pennsylvania here we come!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.