I planned our visits to COLO and SHEN so we could spend the
weekend camping and hiking at Shenandoah National Park.
But first, we made a stop along with way at Fredericksburg
and Spotsylvania National Military Park.
We spent the afternoon with Ranger Matt Roland and his family, touring
the park and earning some patches!
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| The Rolands and the McGarveys. |
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| Junior ProRanger with the grave of Stonewall Jackson's arm. |
I
also got to catch up with ProRanger alumnus Eric Morgan who has recently
returned from FLETC and field training at SHEN.
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| Ranger Roland, Dr. McGarvey, Ranger Morgan and Junior ProRanger McGarvey |
Shortly after getting settled in Shenandoah NP at Mathews Arms campground,
where I should note there is no cell service, I broke a crown on my tooth!
Fortunately I was not in too much pain and we
continued with the visit.
I'm just glad it was only a minor inconvenience -- it does make a person think about how used to cell service we have all gotten!
The campground
is in the North district where ProRanger Dan Bussell was working. After a coincidental meeting with Dan and his
supervisor Ranger Jacob Wahler we decided to have an impromptu meeting at the
ranger station.
Just then they got a
call to back up another ranger and I almost followed them to the call!
After a quick grocery trip, we worked our way down Skyline drive stopping to admire the sunset at every pulloff!
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| Sunset along Skyline Drive |
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| Sunset along Skyline Drive |
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| One of many bears on or near the road. |
We later saw them again as they passed
through the campground and learned of a missing hiker from a campsite just
across from us.
Later Dan told me about
their search – they found him later that evening, lost and dehydrated but
otherwise fine. SHEN is a busy park on the weekends!
Aislin and I spent our weekend camping, exploring the park, attending
ranger programs and getting started on our junior ranger badges. We saw several bears by the roadside during
our travels on Skyline Drive.
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| Dinner! |
On our final morning, Dan met us at our campsite. As I finished packed the car, I heard
rustling the bushes and out emerged a smallish bear! I scared him when I jumped in the car and
slammed the door. So, alas, no
photos! But, then I did remember all the
rustling in the bushes that I heard from the tent each night. I had assumed they were just deer - now I'm not sure. I sure was glad that I had followed all of
the park’s safety rules to properly store coolers and food items!!
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| Fun at the Dickey Ridge Visitors Center! |
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| Working on the badge with ProRanger Dan Bussell. |
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| Taking the junior ranger oath is serious business. |
We spent the day with Dan on a hike, finishing our junior
ranger badge and learning about Shenandoah NP and the law enforcement issues he
has gotten to see this summer.
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| ProRanger Bussell and Ranger Wahler. |
We also moved back into cell phone range, so I made an
emergency appointment with the dentist!
So, after a meeting with Ranger Jacob Wahler and presentation of the plaque,
we hit the road for home!
Up next: VAFO
