A hike in the highlands

That would be Grayson Highlands State Park in southwest Virginia.  Even though Tate lives in North Carolina, he is only about 25 miles from this park but it takes about an hour to get there because the road is winding and narrow until we get into Virginia.   

We packed a lunch and planned to spend the day exploring the park and hoping to see the fall color and the "wild" ponies.  And wow...what a great day it was!   I think my hubby was not quite as enthusiastic as I was but he did enjoy the views and hike (even though when we were going back toward the car he said if I was going to hike more, he would sit in the car and take a nap!)  

The views in the park were amazing and there was so much color.  We hiked up the hill from the parking area for Massie Gap to see if the ponies were there...and they were.   (My hubby had on new boots and did very well on this steep rocky path!...of course, he may not be able to move tomorrow!)   Anyway, we saw five different ponies in the areas along the trail.   They were very docile and I could get really close to them.

In the middle photo, you can see people standing on top of those rocks and I was determined to make my way up there.  Just because I wanted to!   Jerry did walk up with me...I think mainly because he did not want me to do it by myself.   The photo of me is at the top.  A 360 degree view from the top was wonderful.  

We met a young man who was hiking the whole 2100+ miles of the Appalachian Trail which crosses through this park.  He had done the northern section earlier this year from Massachusetts to Maine and in August started his trip south from Massachusetts...he said he only had 500 miles to go....which means he has already hiked 1600 +  miles.    He was looking forward to being in the Blue Ridge and the Great Smokies as he makes his way to Springer Mountain, Georgia where the trail ends.  Hoping he has fair weather as he travels the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina into Georgia.   He took the photo of me and Jerry at the trail sign in the extras.

Tomorrow we are going to look at a waterfall...Saturday, I think Tate is going with us up to Grandfather Mountain.  

It was a really good day!    Oh yeah, the weather is absolutely perfect for me!  Sunny and cool!!