All Seasons: Shenandoah National Park, VA

Posted on October 15, 2011 by theblondecoyote

I go for a hike almost every day and cover a lot of the same ground, over and over, in all weather and in all seasons. Exploring new terrain is always exciting, but there is also something deeply satisfying about getting to know a trail and the landscape on foot.

When I hike, my camera is almost always around my neck and I’ve come to notice that along well-known trails I often stop to take photos from nearly the exact same spots. By following my eye for lining up a balanced shot, I’ve amassed a collection of photos of the same scenes, taken from the same spots, at different times of the year, all over the country. I call this series “All Seasons”.

Shenandoah National Park in Virginia is the first place I ever went backpacking – the summer before my senior year of college, not long after I adopted Bowie – and it’s still one of my all time favorite places on Earth. Shenandoah is beautiful in all seasons and in all weather. It’s also one of the few National Parks that allows dogs on trails and whenever I’m back East, I make a point of spending a few days on Shenandoah’s green tunnel trails.

Shenandoah AT- Late Summer

Shenandoah AT- Early Spring

Shenandoah, Mary's Rock Viewpoint- Late Summer

Shenandoah, Mary's Rock Overlook- Early Spring

Shenandoah AT- Late Summer

Shenandoah AT- Early Spring

Jewell Hollow, Mid Summer

Jewell Hollow, Early Spring

About theblondecoyote

Mary Caperton Morton is a freelance science and travel writer with degrees in biology and geology and a master’s in science writing. A regular contributor to EARTH magazine, where her favorite beat is the Travels in Geology column, she has also written for the anthologies Best Women's Travel Writing 2010 and Best Travel Writing 2011. Mary is currently based in western Colorado. When she’s not at the computer she can usually be found outside -- hiking, skiing, climbing mountains and taking photographs. Visit her website at www.marycapertonmorton.com.
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3 Responses to All Seasons: Shenandoah National Park, VA

  1. Mel says:
    October 17, 2011 at 11:20 am

    I found your site while trying to research a mini road trip through New Mexico– as I sit at my computer in Virginia! How funny… I’ve only hiked relatively small segments of the Appalachian Trail. (And it’s been a while.) Now I feel I should do more! (I live closer to Old Rag and Elizabeth Furnace, to the North.)
    I’ve only been to NM once, 20 years ago, and have been longing to go back ever since. Now with a family of my own, I’ll be hopefully dragging them with me! Each January there are several long weekends for the local schools and the past few years I’ve tried unsuccessfully to put together a trip on the fly. This year I’m planning ahead! I will happily peruse your site in more depth. Great photos, dogs, and locales thus far. I’m looking forward to looking in further. : D

  2. Pingback: Next Chapter: the Appalachian Trail! « Travels with the Blonde Coyote

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