We were up early and Andy fixed the air ride hose while I straighten up the MH.
They have a new visitor center at Big Meadows that we decided to see. From the campground to the center, it is a mile. You can either walk the path alongside the roadway or take the nature trail. Of course, we took the nature trail. The deer in this park are so use to humans, they do not run away. So here are some pictures…
And one of Andy on the nature trail by the octopus tree.
The visitor center has a small museum on the history of Shenandoah National Park. After our tour, we talked with the ranger for information on hikes and programs in the area. There was a Meadow Walk in the afternoon at 2:30 that we decided to take.
So back to the campground using the nature trail and seeing even more deer. (I will not add any more pictures - :-)) We also decided to stay another day so on our way back to the visitor center for the walk, we stopped by the ranger station and talked with Ranger Hazel. Andy and I have been interested in doing campground hosting and Hazel gave us a wealth of information as well as an application. If we were interested in doing it this year, their campground host just left and they have not filled the position. (If we weren’t on our way to Alaska, we would be staying here.)
The Meadow Walk was lead by Ranger Mara. There were only a few people in the group so it was nice. The Meadows is the largest remaining open area in the park and it also contains a wetland. No one knows why the area on top of this ridge is open and over the years the forest continues to grow around it. The park service keeps 132 acres as a meadow by burning one third every year. If you look at the picture below, the green area is what they burned this past March. The burning keeps some of the plants under control while letting others grow. (You would think the other area was the burned area but apparently burning all the old growth from last year speeds up the growing process.)
Ranger Mara took us thru parts of the meadow, explaining the different ecosystems (plants, wildlife, etc.) then took us to the ruins of the Wheaty family (who lived in the meadow area for over 50 years) and to the ruins of the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) camps and explained the history of both and its effect on the Big Meadows area and the Park. It was a great tour.
After the hike, we took the nature trail again (more deer) back to camp. So overall with the nature trail walks and the Meadow Walk, we did 5.0 miles today – not bad for 2 old folks.
Another wonderful supper over the campfire – life is good!! And since it was not as cold, we were able to sit out and enjoy the fire.
And our discussion tonight is where we go next. We’ve decided to head to Kentucky to the Mammoth Caves region instead of Nashville. But that may change by Tuesday.
The visitor center has a small museum on the history of Shenandoah National Park. After our tour, we talked with the ranger for information on hikes and programs in the area. There was a Meadow Walk in the afternoon at 2:30 that we decided to take.
So back to the campground using the nature trail and seeing even more deer. (I will not add any more pictures - :-)) We also decided to stay another day so on our way back to the visitor center for the walk, we stopped by the ranger station and talked with Ranger Hazel. Andy and I have been interested in doing campground hosting and Hazel gave us a wealth of information as well as an application. If we were interested in doing it this year, their campground host just left and they have not filled the position. (If we weren’t on our way to Alaska, we would be staying here.)
The Meadow Walk was lead by Ranger Mara. There were only a few people in the group so it was nice. The Meadows is the largest remaining open area in the park and it also contains a wetland. No one knows why the area on top of this ridge is open and over the years the forest continues to grow around it. The park service keeps 132 acres as a meadow by burning one third every year. If you look at the picture below, the green area is what they burned this past March. The burning keeps some of the plants under control while letting others grow. (You would think the other area was the burned area but apparently burning all the old growth from last year speeds up the growing process.)
Ranger Mara took us thru parts of the meadow, explaining the different ecosystems (plants, wildlife, etc.) then took us to the ruins of the Wheaty family (who lived in the meadow area for over 50 years) and to the ruins of the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) camps and explained the history of both and its effect on the Big Meadows area and the Park. It was a great tour.
After the hike, we took the nature trail again (more deer) back to camp. So overall with the nature trail walks and the Meadow Walk, we did 5.0 miles today – not bad for 2 old folks.
Another wonderful supper over the campfire – life is good!! And since it was not as cold, we were able to sit out and enjoy the fire.
And our discussion tonight is where we go next. We’ve decided to head to Kentucky to the Mammoth Caves region instead of Nashville. But that may change by Tuesday.
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