What a great year 2016 has been! I got to do a lot of exploring this past year. I discovered some amazing new places and was also able to return to some of my favorite spots. Some of my favorite memories from this year were:
-Exploring Shenandoah National Park which included hiking through shin deep snow in the dark to watch the sunrise from Bearfence Mountain, hiking with my boys to six different waterfalls, and watching some of the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets I have ever seen.
Sunrise atop Bearfence MountainBearfence Mountain is located in the Central District of Shenandoah National Park. Just off the Appalachian Trail, the 360 degree view from the summit give hikers one of the best views in the park of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains for both sunrise and sunset.
Upper Doyles River FallsUpper Doyles River Falls is located in the Southern District of Shenandoah National Park. The main prat of this two tier water fall is just under 30' and is the best waterfall in the Southern District.
Doyles River Falls, Shenandoah National Park
Sun Rising at Blackrock SummitThe sun rising over the Blue Ridge Mountains from Blackrock Summit located in the Southern District of Shenandoah National Park. Located along the Appalachian Trail, the 270 degree view from the summit give hikers one of the best views in the park of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains.
Stump at Hazel Mountain OverlookStump at Hazel Mountain Overlook in Shenandoah National Park.
Sunset on top of Frazier Discovery TrailSunset on top of Frazier Discovery Trail in Shenandoah National Park in Virginia at the second outlook looking Northwest.
Sunrise at Buck Hollow OverlookSunrise at Buck Hollow Overlook in Shenandoah National Park.
Cedar Run FallsCedar Run Falls in Shenandoah National Park, located in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains
Cedar Run Falls, Shenandoah National Park
-Experiencing an amazing sunset from Raven’s Roost along the Blue Ridge Parkway
Ravens Roost Overlook SunsetSunset at Ravens Roost Overlook off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia.
Sunset from Ravens Roost, Blue Ridge Parkway
-Watching the Milky Way travel over Bodie Island Lighthouse
Milky Way over Bodie LighthouseMilky Way over Bodie Island Lighthouse in the Outer Bank in North Carolina.
Bodie Island Lighthouse, Outer Banks
-Exploring Lighthouses in Rhode Island
Castle Hill LighthouseSunset at Castle Hill Lighthouse.
Sunset at Castle Rock Light, Rhode Island
-Backpacking with friends in the Adirondack Mountains and summating the two tallest mountains in New York
Backpacking Mount MarcyBackpacker on Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains, in New York.
Mount Marcy, Adirondack Mountains
-Camping with my parents (who came to visit from California) in Black River Falls State Park and enjoyed seeing all of the amazing fall colors
Sunset at Lindy PointFall in West Virginia is always beautiful and Lindy Point near Blackwater Falls State Park was no exception.
Sunset at Lindy Point, Blackwater Falls State Park
Table RockSunrise from Table Rock in West Virginia During Fall
Sunrise at Table Rock, Canaan Valley Back Country
-Hiking along the mighty Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers
Shenandoah River State ParkSunset above the mighty Shenandoah River in Shenandoah River State Park.
Sunset above the Shenandoah River, Shenandoah River State Park
Great Falls SunriseThis was a 7 Minute exposure taken of the Great Fall in Great Falls National Park.
Sunrise at the Great Falls, Great Falls National Park
This past year, I got to explore with old friends and new friends, spent lots of time hiking and camping with my two boys, and watched them grow up loving being in the outdoors and exploring new locations with me. If 2017 is only half as much fun as this past year, it’s going to be a very good year.
