Crescent Rock Trail

Shenandoah National Park, VAh

July 2015

Miles Pushiked: .42

When our path was blocked by a barricade on the Limberlost Trail, we saw a smaller trail off to the side. We wanted to pushike a little longer and decided to try the side trail. This path wasn't accessible, but it looked possible. We only went .21 of a mile down this trail, but we found it quite enjoyable. I was still worried about the next rain storm. The ground was a little muddy and we encountered a few rocks and roots, but the surrounding forest seemed a little more full and lush. We met an older couple hiking this trail and we talked for a few minutes. I found it odd that they reeked of smoke and was very surprised to see a burning cigarette laying in the middle of trail shortly after our encounter. Laurel looking at the half smoked cigarette, "That's disgusting". Even though everything was wet, we still stomped the cigarette out. 

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Limberlost Trail

Shenandoah National Park, VA

July 2015

Miles Pushiked: 1.02

We arrived at the trailhead in between rain showers. As soon as I had Kellisa in her Hippocampe and we were ready to start, it began to rain again. We took shelter in the Jeep and I worried about losing our chance to pushike this trail.

I had selected the Limberlost because it was accessible (rare in mountain environments), 1.3 miles long, had a bridge and boardwalk. After a long 30 minutes, the rain stopped. I had to reload Kellisa in her chair before we could start out on the trail. I had checked the weather the day before and there was a zero percent chance of rain, so I didn't pack our raincoats (rookie mistake).

Laurel did not enjoy all the bug sounds coming from the forest. She used the hood on her hiking shirt to block out some of the buzzing. The trail was in great shape and we found it to be very accessible until we reached a barricade. The trail was closed after .51 of a mile. It was a pleasant stroll through the forest with a few slight elevation changes. It would have been nice to complete the trail. Before returning to the trailhead, we did explore a little side trail that wasn't accessible.

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Skyline Drive

Summer 2015-

One of Kellisa's few benefits from being disabled is her Golden Access Passport. It allows us to enter National Parks without having to pay the entry fee and campsites are 50% off. 

We entered the park on Skyline Drive, a road that runs along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains for 110 miles, the entire length of Shenandoah National Park. We would drive from the beginning to mile marker 43 and backtrack to exit the park at mile 32. 

The speed limit is only 35mph and the girls enjoyed the ride with the windows down. We were in and above the clouds which Laurel likened to looking out airplane windows.