#22 - Spotsylvania Court House Battlefield

Part of the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park

Week after week, hiking has become a means to enjoy the outdoors, rid the stress of the week, and simply enjoy the experiences that are offered through natural beauty, wildlife, and history. It is uplifting and, on most occasions, leaves you feeling stronger, refreshed, and clear of mind.

But every once in awhile, it has a different effect. Instead of clearing the mind, it gives you more to consider, and causes you to pause. This was the case with the battlefield I visited today.

Assault at Muleshoe Salient

It was a beautiful day. I went to the battlefield simply to cover the 7 mile loop the area provided. Upon parking at the exhibit shelter, I started reading about the battle here in Spotsylvania, the Mule Shoe, the "bloody angle", the desperate hand-to-hand fighting. It slowed my pace. As I moved along, I stayed on the trail in respect for those who laid dead or dying in these fields. 32,000 in all.

It seemed appropriate the stillness of the area. The only sounds were those of the breeze through the tree tops. Most of the fields were covered with wildflowers and plant life, made fertile in part, I assumed, by the large amount of blood shed here. Butterflies flew from flower to flower.

There were remnants of farm houses, overrun by both Union and Confederate forces - the occupants lucky to escape with their lives.

Willis and Lucy Landrum's Farmhouse - at the edge of the battlefield

Landrum Farmhouse - two chimney's remain

Harrison Farmhouse

McCoull Farmhouse

The trails led me across fields, through woods, over rolling hills and grassy knolls. It was the last leg of the hike that took me to the first battle of Spotsylvania. On Laurel Hill. Union soldiers from Maryland were the first to attack here.

To Laurel Hill

Laurel Hill

A marker for the Maryland Brigade - first Union forces to assault Spotsylvania defenses

Laurel Hill

I finished up my hike feeling I had relived many of the events that happened here between May 8th - May 21st, 1864. I could not get over the fields. Lush green, abundant growth. No sounds but the trees blowing in the wind, birds chirping.

Spotsylvania Court House Battlefield is a great place to spend a half day, with a 7 mile loop. Plan to go at a slower pace.

Keep hiking, friends!

Mike

#21 - Lower Manhattan to Brooklyn

9-11 Memorial Museum - Starting Point

This weeks hike was in NYC, where I had the joy of picking up my youngest daughter who completed her first year of school. I was happy and excited for her, and it was exciting to know that she was coming home for Summer! I arrived a day early to get an urban hike in prior to packing up her belongings and heading home.

I was accompanied by my oldest daughter, who I get to spend too little time with, and I was excited as she agreed to be my hiking partner! All together, we covered 12 miles of the city - 7 miles as an active hike.

That excitement was tempered for a period, as we visited the 9-11 Memorial Museum, which had just opened to the general public days prior. It was sobering, and a reminder of the importance to enjoy time with family and friends.

After visiting the memorial museum, we set out on our hike. As we were in lower Manhattan, we started from there.

Destination - Chinatown!

We decided our circuit would consist of a trek through Chinatown, over the Manhattan Bridge to Brooklyn (and Brooklyn Heights), and back to Manhattan via the Brooklyn Bridge. Columbus Park and the markets of Chinatown were full and bristling, and we enjoyed the hustle, bustle, sights and sounds as we hiked through.

Columbus Park

Columbus Park

One of many Chinatown markets

One of many Chinatown markets

Manhattan Bridge, with it's graffiti, subways, and vehicle traffic is busy and loud, but offers wonderful views as you cross the East River into Brooklyn. The bridge span, the water, and all of the activity keep you moving forward as you take it all in.

Constant subway traffic on Manhattan Bridge makes for a noisy experience

 

Some of the graffiti along the way

Brooklyn Bridge and lower Manhattan from Manhattan Bridge

A good pace, a stop for a cold water, and back on the trail. The temps were perfect and although we had been on our feet all day, we both felt strong. Knowing we had miles still ahead of us, we pushed on. We headed back toward the Brooklyn Bridge, a fabulous walk, and one we both enjoyed very much.

Brooklyn Bridge back to lower Manhattan

Lady Liberty from Brooklyn Bridge

Love locks: Lovers mark their names on a lock and throw away the key into the river below

Midtown Manhattan from Brooklyn Bridge

Just as we crossed back into lower Manhattan, the sky turned dark as a storm began to roll in. We hiked a bit further, beyond City Hall, where we were able to catch our subway back to our destination. We had started our day at 10:00 a.m., ended it at 9:00 p.m. and considered the day a huge success!

New York City is a great place to get your urban hike in. Pick a direction and go. There's so much to see along the way!

Thank you Megan for hiking with me and spending a day together! I love you very much!

Hike on, friends!

Mike

#20 - Difficult Run to Great Falls

I was very happy to be able to do this hike yesterday. It is one that has been on my list for awhile, the weather was perfect, and with the rains from the days before, the water levels were way up - providing views you don't normally see.

I was able to get an early start, which is key in the Great Falls area. By 10:00, I already had 3 hours of hiking under my belt, and was able to enjoy the calmness and coolness of the morning, catching some of the area wildlife before the sun's full rise.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect, though almost immediately, it was clear the water levels were high, some of the banks and paths had been breached, and other areas were not passable. Those turned out to be minor issues, as the area itself was beautiful, and I was determined to move on.

From the start - underbrush knocked down from flowing water

Trail washed out

Trail washed out

The area of Difficult Run turned out to be gorgeous, and I could not believe I had most of this area to myself. I paused a number of times, just to take in the early sun and rushing water.

Difficult Run

As I headed further downstream, I came upon an area with high rock walls and the water rushed by more powerfully. Difficult Run is essentially a creek, so to see this volume of water made for some nice views. In fact, as I sat down to take in the beauty, and the sound of the rushing water, I was surprised as I looked over at a Turkey Buzzard - who was looking back at me!

As I sat down for a moment to take in the sights and sounds, I turned my head to see this black vulture. The black vulture has shorter wings and tail than a turkey vulture - and is less common in this area. It's head is dark gray to black, compared to the turkey vulture's red head.

It was beyond this point where Difficult Run joins the Potomac - and I climbed from the waters edge up to Ridge Trail, where I could hear the river roaring in the distance. The views were beautiful, and I could not get over the speed of the river. Logs and full size trees moving at what seemed about 15 miles an hour.

First view of Potomac from Ridge Trail

Potomac from Ridge Trail

One of many large logs and trees sweeping by

Docks, barrels, tires, trees...

I moved from Ridge Trail to River Trail. Part of River Trail was closed, but the remainder made for beautiful views and some tense moments. Across the Potomac, on the Maryland side, is Billy Goat Trail. The National Park Service closed Billy Goat Trail due to dangerous conditions, though one hiker ignored that closure putting US Park Police in a dangerous situation.

US Park Police directing hiker to evacuate

Hiker on closed trail

US Park Police had their hands full with people ignoring closures

I came upon a Park Ranger rushing to get these two off the rocks

Spectacular views and being in awe of the rushing river kept this hike amazing as I worked my way toward Great Falls. Rock formations, plants, and wildlife made each step of this hike a great experience. As I made my way along, I was surprised to see both a Pileated Woodpecker and Red-shouldered Hawk. I was able to take a number of photos of these very beautiful birds.

River Trail

One of thousands of rock formations

Pileated Woodpecker

Red-shouldered Hawk

I made it to Great Falls. It was quite spectacular with the volume of water rushing through. I have never seen all of the rock formations completely covered. Even so, this level of water came no where near the top floods of the area. As I watched the water rumble by, I wondered how it would change the falls when water levels receded. I have attached a photo of Great Falls under more normal conditions - and as of yesterday.

Great Falls under more normal conditions

Great Falls - Saturday, May 17, 2014

 Yesterday's flow rate was 150,000 Cubic Feet per Second (cfs)

From here, it was Swamp Trail back to where I had parked. Green, lush, less traveled - as all of those arriving now were here for the river. The coolness and greenery was the perfect way to wind things down.

Swamp Trail

Chipmunk on Swamp Trail

Two Deer - Swamp Trail

I logged 7 miles on this hike, though the miles were never on my mind. Not with everything I had seen today. As I pulled out of the parking lot, dozens more were pulling in - smiles on their faces. Just as I had when I had arrived.

Keep Hiking, Friends!!

Until next time,

 Mike