Hello, Snow!
We finally got some snow in Virginia! It’s about time. I love snow! We also got some visitors: my friend Sarah and Drew’s friend Joy both came to visit in the same weekend. So what do you do with people when they come to stay at your unheated, unfurnished house way out in the woods, with no TV and no cell phone service? You take them hiking!
Sarah and I have hiked many miles together and Sarah and Joy are both veteran marathon runners so I suggested a long, hard snowy hike on the AT. About halfway up the mountain, Joy confessed she’d never before set foot on the Appalachian Trail and in fact, she’d never really been hiking at all! Color me shocked. Hiking is such a way of life for me, I forget not everybody lives for the trail. She had a great time and her marathoner legs had no trouble finishing the steep 7-mile trek. In fact, she declared the hike such a good workout that she plans to start incorporating trail running into her training routine. Here’s hoping these were the first of many trail miles for Joy!
Following Sarah, Joy and Drew up the ridge to the AT
Sarah & her mini-Mountain Mutt Oliver
Group photo — 3 people, 4 dogs — at the powerlines overlook.
Walking and Talking
AT Intersection
Snow Blaze
Sarah & Oliver taking a break at the Rocky Row overlook. Bluff Mountain in the background.
Group photo at the Rocky Row overlook
Hanging out at the John’s Hollow Shelter. This was Joy’s first hike on the AT!
John’s Hollow Hangout
Happy Hikers!
Travels with the Blonde Coyote 
I know what you mean about being so surprised that others don’t hike. WHY? They are as much in wonder of me….”Why?” they ask, “would you want to just walk on a trail in the middle of nowhere?” Because I can breathe, think in peace, reflect, stare in wonder at the beauty in our world, laugh at wildlife antics………….
Haha, love it! 🙂 M
I love hiking in the snow – your pics are gorgeous, and make me want to visit hte appalachian trail
The AT is a gem and it runs through 14 states so there are endless opportunities to jump on it for a few miles. I’ve hiked sections in every state, but I think Virginia will always be my favorite.
Beautiful pictures!! I have always wanted to hike part of the AT and now I REALLY want to! I do a lot of winter hiking and camping in the Adirondacks so hopefully soon I will get a chance to check out the AT, be it summer or winter.
Nice! The ‘dacks are amazing. I just passed through there in November: https://theblondecoyote.com/2012/11/16/is-this-heaven-no-its-the-adirondacks/.
Good on ya’ for getting out there and introducing your friends to new trails they haven’t yet adventured. You’re truly inspiring me to make time for hiking. Thank you!
P.S. The pooches are too, too cute.
Awesome, that’s what I love to hear! I see you’re a fellow fly fisherwoman! I’ll be following… Cheers, M
I am also surprised to find people who don’t hike. And I enjoy a good hike in the snow. Most of my hiking is kind of cross-country behind our house; even a few inches of snow makes it seem like a totally different place. New snow here in New Mexico, by the way, although it will probably be gone by time you get here.