Boop! AKA: Witch’s Cap (Hygrocybe conica) #OMSystem #Olympus #EM1MarkII #Mushroom #NaturePhotography #ON1Pics #Virginia
#VirginiaStateParks #WestmorelandStatePark

We finally had a weekend without torrential rainfall and got to use our camping reservations at Shenandoah River State Park! It was actually way too cold, but we were so tired of putting it off and Shaun got a bunch of new winter camp gear for his birthday so we were much more prepared (he shared his bounty of super warm socks with me!) It was absolutely painful every night before we climbed into our double layer of all season sleeping bags, but once we were in there it wasn’t so bad. I mean, my feet were never truly warm at camp, but the second night I slept 10 hours so I can’t complain.

The best parts:

Food. Food cooked when camping is SO BONKERS DELICOUS. We had veggies and hash browns for breakfast, and pouch curry and veggies and rice, which is a LAZY dinner at home that always disappoints but campfireside? It was the tastiest curry I’ve ever had!?

Veggie Hash Cooking breakfast by the riverPouch Chana Masala and veggies and basmati rice

Hiking. During the day it was in the 40s and 50s and just PERFECT hiking. It was the only time my feet weren’t cold the whole trip! On the first day we did the same loop we did last time were at Shenandoah River State Park, Hemlock Hollow Trail, to Overlook Trail, to Campground Trail, to Bluebell Trail along the river back to the parking lots.

Culler’s Overlook Culler’s Overlook, a picture I took to send to our moms Snow on Campground Trail Snow along Campground Trail We saw the eponymous bluebells just starting to pop out of the ground along Bluebell Trail. A pile of empty freshwater mollusk shells on the bank of the Shenandoah River

On the second day, we hiked the full Allen’s Mountain loop, and followed the connecting Cottonwood Trail back to camp. This trail is moderate because of some steep, rocky (but still very trail-like) inclines, elevation increase, and having to do some stream hopping. You follow along and cross a winding stream a few times, and you can hear it bubbling for much of the lower parts of the hike, so it was just very dreamy. I got absolutely hot on this trail and stripped off layers as we went along.

Allen’s Mountain Trail So much beautiful moss on Allen’s Mountain TrailHappy CampersI love the ritual of stopping and eating our snacks. Shaun waiting for me to catch up because I got distracted by mossThe rocks and moss look like cobblestones in placesDreamy stream winding through Allen’s Mountain Trail

Our Campsite. We were at site #5 and it was a prime spot. Right on the river, just a short jaunt to the heat and hot water of the restroom/bathhouse. We watched cranes and ducks and got visited by cardinals and squirrels.

20°-25° Fahrenheit mornings Grateful for a warmup in the restroom! This Cardinal was very curious at camp! Packing up to head home in below freezing temperatures

Going Home. Really appreciate everything about your warm and cozy home and bubble baths on demand when you have been wearing 2 pairs of pants and 3 shirts and and legwarmers and long underwear Christmas pajamas and dickies coveralls for 3 days.

Every time we do a below freezing camp I say: Maybe let’s not? And then I do it again. I really hope we can do a cabin camp soon, and visit some other parks as the camp season starts March 1. Shenandoah River State Park is one of a handful of state parks that is open for camping in the winter months, and I know we will make it back there for another winter camp in the future when my memory of having a cold chapped nose has faded.

Current Mood: still cold actually 🥶

https://rachelakelso.wordpress.com/2024/02/22/too-cold-no-regrets/

#camping #Hiking #VirginiaStateParks #winterCamping

I’m going to give this #ArtAdventCalendar idea a try, since I am enjoying all your posts.
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