HDR Photography
Hiking the trails at Laurel Run park takes you past a couple of old “homesites” up in the woods behind the park. There’s no arguing the location is pretty, and there’s a nice stream nearby. But the placement of the homes, their remoteness, begs the question how did these people get in and out, or was this area less densely forested once upon a time?
Watauga lake is a pretty spectacular man made lake which, judging by the view down the other side of Watauga Dam (the top of which makes up part of the Appalachia Trail) used to be a pretty spectacular river valley.
Despite a failure properly plan the outing leading to a hike that was 3 times as long as anticipated, the trip to the Channels of Virginia near Abingdon were well worth the extra effort. I’ll definitely be coming back.
The views from the Roan highlands are really something else.
Another shot of the ponies in the Grayson Highlands in southwest Virgina. These ones came up shamelessly begging for food (which, as per the signs posted, we declined to provide). When we declined to feed them they ambled on their merry way.
Today’s post comes courtesy of @STEMFemme from our recent hike on the Grayson Highlands section of the Appalachian trail!
To keep the Grayson Highlands bald a herd of “wild” ponies is allowed to roam to keep the vegetation in check. The ponies are feral, but they’re not really shy around humans.
This particular pony was pretty popular!
Compared with some crossings in the area this bridge feels a little over-engineered. Not that I’m complaining about the fact that it has handrails on both sides.
I love the way water crashes through rocks.
This one was hanging out on some prime real estate, quenching his thirst.
Captured on the hike on the AT from Hampton, TN to Laurel Falls, across Laurel Fork on one of several crossings. So peaceful in the morning!
I captured this shot on the way up to Laurel Falls on a stretch of the AT near the Tri-Cities region of East Tennessee. Along the way there were a bunch of camp sites near the creek, and all I could think was how great it would be to wake up to this scene. I will definitely be going back.
The Roan highlands are a great place for a day hike!
Taken at the Roan Mountain rhododendron garden, this was taken a few weeks too early to capture the plants in full bloom. The density and area of this natural rhododendron garden is staggering, if you come on a day where mist doesn’t limit your view.
The Rhododendrons growing around Roan Mountain are out of control.
Decaseconds 