Di is not feeling well this morning and blames Denny's, which might be a bit unfair to blame them for what might be a stomach bug but the food they served last night was a bit cold and a poor standard. Hans agrees, his food was very ordinary too. Denny's is no more for us.
Therefore, after breakfast and check out from Super 8 in Mount Jackson, we drive over and across Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah National Park towards Sperryville to access the Old Rag Mountain circuit trail. This trail is known for excellent views, but first and foremost for a significant amount of rock scrambling.
Not for Di - she freaks with any rock climbing - but Hans is keen. 3-4 different groups of people we've spoken to have recommended the hike up to Old Rag Mountain.
We reach the trail head at 9am and Hans sets off assuming he will be back in 4 hours (not the 5-7 hours as specified depending of where you read) as he is a fit and fast hiker.
Di's morning:
On the way to the trail we passed through some truly rich and beautiful farming country and Di gets excited by all the cute cows. A few photos but again the photos don't do the scenery (or the cows) justice.
Even the farm sheds and tractors are good looking.
Old Rag Mountain dominates the skyline and is visible from lots of locations.
The other hike we possibly would do is White Oak Canyon, which can be accessed from this eastern side as well as from the top at Skyline Drive. Di explores a bit - yes, could be worth a hike. Very nice area.
And the local horses are also very sweet. Di stopped the car to look at them and they came running over, clearly used to people. So a treat was required. Sorry Hans, your last 2 WeetBix were an obvious choice as a horse snack. They certainly seemed to appreciate them and also the pat from Di so all good (except perhaps for Hans!)
Out of WeetBix so back to Sperryville to explore.
Walking Sperryville took all of 15 minutes, and it's overcast and cold, so an early lunch makes sense at the one place that seems to be open and with diners inside, the Thornton River Grille. A bit posh as it turns out- $10 for a corned beef which is one of the cheapest choices on the menu - but then it arrives. Let's see how the stomach copes with this!
A bit of a waste as only half got eaten but it was delicious.
Hans morning:
Hans started off the Old Rag Mountain circuit trail just after 9am. Unfortunately, and fortunately at times, just in front of Hans was a larger group of young people on an outing with their teachers.
Unfortunately they were noisy and all over the track. Fortunately they were available when Hans asked a few of them to take photos of him along the hike.
Well, the hike started off innocently enough. Yes, it was traversing up and up and up but that had been done before and Hans had good pace.
Then the infamous rock scrambling of the Old Rag Mountain circuit trail started and while these pictures would not give it justice, it was pretty damn hard at times.
As the trail spiel said, you had to use your whole body and muscles at times to get through. The scrambling went on for 0.9 miles (1.5 km) through narrow passages, requiring hand over hand climbing, through caves and over big boulders. The blue mark on the right hand rock indicates the way forward.
This passage is famous and pictures can be found everywhere. And apparently how one should be photographed...
The same narrow passage as above but looking down rather than up. Yes, you have to get under the big rock in the middle of the passage.
Views... Oh yeah.
Again, thanks to the young people, another photo of Hans "holding up" a rock... Very strong. Yeah, right.
Arty photography... Maybe not. Looked nice this way though.
Almost at the summit, looking back to where we have just "hiked" (or should that be scrambled?)
The signs next to the summit of Old Rag Mountain circuit trail...
One way...
And the other...
A break at the Old Rag Mountain summit is a must. A bit too early for lunch at 11am, but snacks and bananas always work. This is what Hans saw from where he was sitting - one way...
And the other. The summit consists of... A number of boulders. Surprise, surprise.
The Old Rag Mountain circuit trail continues down on the other side of the summit, but now it is more of a normal hiking trail. Hans passes 2 day only use shelters along the way. This is the first shelter known as "Byrds nest". The left part of the hut below was locked up leaving only the picnic table and benches to the right open for public use. Hmmmm...
Second half of the Old Rag Mountain circuit trail is actually on fire trails as per below. Very easy walking as it also descends very gently.
Parts of the bush is absolutely beautiful at this time of the year being spring.
Next to a river were these gorgeous looking butterflies...
Even the bridges across at times swollen rivers are nice.
So, the Old Rag Mountain circuit trail end result was that Hans said that he would be back after 4 hours at 1pm, but he arrived 5 minutes late at just under 4 hours (pretty good estimate wouldn't you say?). Runkeeper says 14.1 km over 3 hours and 58 minutes.
Both's afternoon:
Di picked up Hans at the Old Rag Mountain parking lot and we drove around the area a bit as it is a very beautiful part of the world. This is a cute little barn / shed with Old Rag Mountain in the background.
Di had previously been to this old style country store for a cup of coffee and now it was Hans turn. Old time prices too, 89 cents for a cuppa.
In Sperryville, they had this interesting historical marker about how two doctors saved the life of a confederate Major during the American civil war. The Major was "mortally wounded" by being disemboweled, but then lived for another 40 years. Great story.
Downtown Sperryville. Not a big town, but gorgeous never the less.
Well, after the touring, we cross the Blue Ridge Mountains again and drive to Luray and to Best Western motel and check in.
With dismal food recommendations for Luray from both Tripadvisor and from the motel reception guy, we decide to utilise our microwave for dinner.
Di takes the car and goes grocery shopping while Hans has a shower after his hike.
Lazy afternoon follows before Di cooks up a storm using the microwave. Pasta with bacon and fresh mushroom, also olive oil and garlic. Fantastic and good value at about $7 total. Much better than some meals we've paid more for.
Lazy evening reading. Good night.
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