This afternoon the kids and I hiked to Bears Den in far northern and western Northern Virginia, after church.
Since my son hiked there with his dorm mates when he attended Patrick Henry College, he assured me that I could wear my pretty dress and shoes on the hike, it was so easy.
However, dubious me changed into a blouse, shorts, and sneakers after church and lunch, and so did my daughter.
Good thing, because he accidentally took us to a different path, which was longer and steeper.
Also, we took a detour down, down, down to the creek when he said we needed to go up, up, up to see the view.
GREAT SNEAKERS AND NEW BACKPACK
For the hike I wore my new sneakers which are so much more comfortable than several previous pairs.
I’ve learned the squishy ones are great.
Also here is my newly sewn backpack.
1350′ VIEW OF BLUE RIDGE
But what you really want to see is the view from 1350’ high at Bears’ Den Overlook of the Colonial Highway, Route 7, below.
Although we had considered staying to view the sunset, that wasn’t possible for us on that day.
VIOLIN PLAYING
In all that lovely quietness, my son pulled out his violin to lightly play a few tunes he taught himself.
Someone else who plays for the orchestra greatly admired his violin, sitting and listening.
He finally asked if he could hold it (it’s really a cheap violin).
We asked him to play but he said he didn’t have any tunes memorized, but he certainly played some scales well.
LOVERS’ OVERLOOK
It was interesting that of the people who came here, many were couples of various ages.
From young to much older to in-between…lovers were smooching here and there…cozy-ing up to each other.
One couple brought a hammock to share while talking sweet nothings to each other. I think they misnamed this place. Should be Lovers’ Overlook.
GEOLOGY
On the return hike to the car, we were surprised to see the cool geological formations.
We didn’t notice it earlier, because that is higher ground. From the other side it looks like all the regular surroundings.
Afterwards we found the other entrance…which my son assures me is much easier.
Must be because one of the couples was more nicely dressed.
We’ll try that path next time with a picnic lunch! Or dinner to view the sunset!
Turns out that the path we used belongs to Bears’ Den cabin resort area!
