Big Meadows, Shenandoah National Park

A foggy morning at our last stop on the Skyline Drive, Big Meadows campground.

Thistle enjoyed watching the abundance of chipmunks outside the window.

The Appalachian Trail passed near this campground too, so there was another opportunity to hike a small portion of it.

And there were many deer wandering through the campground, some with very young fawns.

Just a few miles up the road is Skyland, where horseback riding is available, so Tina and I scheduled a trail ride through the national forest. I rode Tonto.

And Tina rode Buckshot.

Riding through an old apple orchard.

Helmets were required.

We had one guide in front, and two in the rear. Most of the riders they get are inexperienced.

After the ride, we hiked the Limberlost Trail where mountain laurel was in bloom.

This is an easy trail that is ADA accessible.

There are many benches along the loop trail.

Many fungi on the stump and log.

An interesting rock formation.

Another day we hiked to the top of Stony Man Mountain, the highest mountain in Shenandoah national Park. The trail began through a new growth forest with an understory of ferns.

A tiny seed fell into a crack in this rock. As the tree grew it split the rock as seen.

Ancient rocks near the summit of Stony Man Mt.

Views from the top.

And on the drive back to the campground, there was wildlife. This is a bear cub. Mama bear was not in sight, but probably nearby. The next morning as we drove through this area again, I saw both mama and cub cross the road in front of me. Not picture of that, though.

And then there was this scene...

Our last hike was through the meadow. You can see a deer path through the grass.

Little meadow wildflowers.

This buck was hanging out in the woods at the edge of the meadow.

And of course I mentioned there were a lot of chipmunks.