Monticello

My dad came to visit this weekend and on this dreary, rainy, almost flooding my road out, day... we decided to go check out Monticello. Monticello means "little mountain" and was the residence of Thomas Jefferson. That guy was a genius! The tour was very educational and Monticello was quite a masterpiece. The pictures are a little dark as there was no real sun out today, just lots and lots of liquid sunshine!

Monticello in Charlottesville, VA


Side View of Monticello


Thomas Jefferson's Tomb


Garden and View


Joinery (what's left of it)



Gnarly Tree


Pretty trees blossoming

Via Ferrata Climb - Circleville, WV

This was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had in my entire life. In West Virginia lies one of seven Via Ferrata in the US. Most are overseas due to our issue with liability here in the US. Yesterday, we scaled the side of two sheer pieces of rock with a suspension bridge connecting them. The whole course is 3.5 miles long with 1,085 feet elevation gain/loss. There is 280 feet of vertical exposure with a 200 feet long, 150 feet high suspension bridge. I highly recommend it to everyone. Not too far from PA!

Group Shot before we began - Guides were Zach (front), Jim (right) and Shannon (2nd to right)

The 1st ascent

View down at the group from above



Don't slip!

Going up again


No ledge underneath around this bend



Side scaling

Suspension bridge from below

Just came up that

Suspension Bridge

Here goes nothing!


Don't look down!

On the bridge

View from the bridge

More ups


Me overlooking the rocks

What we just climbed up to get there.

Headwall - Optional part to go up to the very top of one of the spears

Me climbing up - of course!

Suspension bridge from up top


View from the top - well worth the climb

Me with a view of the nearby farm

Me on top




Down the headwall - the only ladder descent of the trip

Jim Flynn, our guide (aka Bear Grylls) headed down

Adding a little adventure into our climb

View from Summit Hike after our climb

Our Lifelines!

Bring it on Nature!

So living in a cabin has its perks and punches. Here is my running tally:

Stephanie 1: Bat 0


Updated!!! Stephanie 2: Mouse 0 (Maybe more, will continue to keep you posted)

Found him in my closet after smelling him first


Stephanie 37: Cockroach ∞ (Infinity)


Anyone wanna come visit!?

George Washington National Forest Hike

Today I went on a 10 mile round-trip hike in the George Washington National Forest. I went with the Outdoor Adventure Social Club here in VA. J.B. was our fearless leader for the day. Our highest elevation was at Big Schloss. The translation of Schloss in German is castle and is a large limestone rock that protrudes well above the treeline.

J.B. pointing out Big Schloss

On top of Big Schloss

Ridgeline




Bridge to get out to the main rock

Decisions, decisions

Neat little cabin in the middle of the woods



Check back next weekend for summary and pictures of my trip to the Via Ferrata in West Virginia!

Crystal Mountains

The pictures are a little dark but the Blue Ridge Mountains were a sparkling white yesterday morning. It was pristine.