Little Devils Stairs

We had done hike to Little Devil's Stairs on 20th June 2021 . It is located in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia State.

Hike Location

Name: Little Devils Stairs

Distance: 102 miles from Henrico (approx.)

Total hiking distance: 6.0 miles

Elevation Gain: 1480 ft.

Hike Team: me and  my wife.

Hiking Experience:

We woke up at 5:00am. We tried to get up at 4:30am but could not do it. We got freshened, packed lunch and breakfast nd started around 6:40am. It is two hours distance from home. The weather was cloudy and the temperature was normal.

On our way we saw so many horses and cows grazing. As we have taken country side road, we saw so many green farms and fields all the way along. It was very pleasant to watch these sceneries in the early morning. We were about to reach the parking lot then we saw a deer. We reached the hiking place around 8:48am. We started the hike around 8:55am. We followed the blue blazed trail to the left of the parking lot. Initially there were some stairs going down and then there was a stream with many rocks and less water. As we hiked further the trail was so narrow only one person can walk and it was surrounded by many huge trees on either side of the trail. It was a muddy trail and got steeper. There was a water stream flowing down besides the trail. We crossed this stream several times to follow our trail. It was like a zig zag crossing the streams. There were huge rocks on the trail and we climbed on the rocks to proceed further. It has been long time climbed such huge rocks. The slope of the trail is also very high felt like almost we are crawling on our knees. It was quite challenging but we enjoyed it as there was stream flowing beside us. The sound of the water, birds chirping, green trees made us feel as though we are in jungle and adventurous. 

The trees are very tall and wide. Many a times we used to lose our trail and search for the blue mark to find it again. Almost for 2 and half miles the trail is covered with rocks. Sometimes we need to climb between two rocks to move further. After hiking for about an hour we had our breakfast on one of the rocks beside small waterfall. Around 10am we continued our hike. There were many fallen trees besides the trail but did not block it. The water in the stream is very cold and it was fun crossing it though it was slippery. There were many earth worms all over the place. Some of the rocks were very slippery because of the streams, so while we were climbing we almost have to walk on four legs like an animal. At one point we were climbing a big slippery rock and there was no place to put our hand and push our self to go up, the rock was so soft that we just have to give pressure with our feet and climb. I crossed that easily but my wife was too afraid to climb that. There was another rock to the left of this slippery rock. My wife decided to hold both the rocks and climb between them. She got half the way and reached her left hand to top of the rock to pull herself.

She was holding the rock and coming slowly and suddenly she was about put her hand on a SNAKE...!! She started shouting and climbing down instantly. I did not see that snake and I don't know what is happening and why she was shouting. She ran away so fast 10 steps down and then she told me. Obviously, now she had only one way to come up even though it was difficult for her. Now she is no more afraid of the rock, as her fear of the snake was much more. She was so frightened at that time, but later we felt it was so funny her reaction. After that we continued climbing, crossing the stream many times. Small plants and stream were glittering with thin rays of sunlight which escaped the leaves of the tall and wide trees. It was very beautiful scene to watch. After sometime we saw big waterfall. It was pretty far from our trail. There was no any proper route to go near that waterfall. We saw it from our trail only and we moved on. We were traversing the hill and now our trail got separated from the stream.

We continued further and no more rocks on the trail and no more climbing just walking on the narrow road. Soon we reached an intersection with the fire road with yellow blazed trail. We have to continue our hike on that road for almost 4 miles. So we took another break around 11:16am, had some food and around 11:25am we started again. So far we have hiked uphill and now this trail is complete downhill and it is covered with small stones making it hard to walk. There were no more water noises of the stream, no huge rocks and no snakes along this trail. Being wide we did not feel like it was hike and was not enjoyable. we sung some songs and remembered our way uphill and incident with the snake. Around 1:05 pm we reached the parking lot. We had our lunch on the way to home and reached home around 3:00 pm. We really had a great time compared to our previous hikes we have done and still cannot forget those memorable moments with waterfall, rocks, streams and all. We enjoyed this hike a lot. All is Well.

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Harbor View

 

We went to Harbor View RV Campground on May 28th 2021.(Memorial Day Weekend)

Brief Summary:

 Place: Harbor View RV Campground.

 Location: Virginia.

 Distance: 60 miles approx.

 Members: Me and my wife.

 Transport: Class A Motorhome.

 Stay: 28 May 2021 - 31 May 2021

Experience:

            We have been thinking to do camping in RV at least once for the past 2-3 years. Having seen many RV campers beside our tent camping, we thought that we need to rent a RV no matter what and get the experience of life in a RV. Around February when the pandemic situation was improving we decided to go for camping and to compensate for not being able to do any camping/outing over the past year planned to take an RV. As a first step started looking for campsites. Most of the sites are full and could not get any spot for couple of days. But we did not lose hope and luckily we got one spot which was available in Harbor View RV Campground. Even though we have booked it, to make sure the campsite was really booked on our name, have called them and confirmed. Then with no further delay started googling which RV is best suited for us and how and where to book it. Just like looking for a new apartment when changing location, with more excitement we started looking at multiple RVs. Soon came across Outdoorsy where the RV owners post their vehicles for rent. This is just like Turo app for cars(we once rented a smartForTwo car using Turo). Again started looking at various RVs especially the interior layout, length, and should we drive or tag it to our car. We finally decided to drive the RV instead of tagging it and found 2018 Jayco Alante which is 26 feet in length. It is smaller in comparison to general RVs but for us two we felt this would be perfect. So we booked the RV through Outdoorsy for 28th to 31st May. Ae were waiting anxiously for the Owner to confirm our request. we got the confirmation from the Owner in a week. Our Joy was endless. By the time our camping dates arrived, We spoke with the Owner regarding what all the things would be provided, how RV works, and a week prior to our D day we went and saw the RV. It was simply majestic. The Owner is around 70 miles from our place and 60 miles from the campsite. So the plan is to take our car to the Owner's place, drop it there, pickup the RV and go to camping. We thought a lot about what to carry, what to leave behind and done with our packing. Finally the day has arrived.

We started around 8:30 am in the morning on 28th May from home. We have taken Biryani previous night and kept it for the next day afternoon as by the time we reach camping it would be lunch time and also we cannot get the food in the morning time. We had our home made breakfast in the morning. Around 10 am we reached the Owner's place. He was very helpful and gave full details once again how to operate the RV, pipe connections, operations inside the RV. Around 11 am we started our long awaited dream of driving an RV. It was about 60 miles from there to the campsite but due to narrow roads and traffic it took us about 1 hour 15 mins to reach the campsite. The driving experience is awesome, For once we were sitting at so high position could see the road ahead and traffic lights even there are vehicles in front of us. The drive was very smooth, The gear system is attached to steering unlike having it to the side. One good thing is we placed all our stuff in the RV in such a way that while driving the items do not roll off. That is one thing we need to be careful. We reached around 12:20 pm the campsite.

After completing the check-in formalities the campsite guards showed us our campsite. It was not very far from their office. We parked the RV in the designated spot and then deployed the auto retractable Jacks for the RV to stand on Jacks instead on the tires. we then hooked up the electric cable first. Ensured that internal lights and other things operate as normal. Then setup the water hose from the city water pump. Finally connected the Sewer pump to the outlet provided in the campsite. So there are three things provided on the campsite, a electric hookup, city water pump for drinking/cooking and drainage outlet. Around 1:30 pm all the setup is done and all set to spend the next three days in this wonderful RV and campground. We slide out the living area which has the Sofa and the dining table along with the bedroom with nice queen size cozy bed. From Interior the RV has a bunk bed which can be moved up and down and located above the driving seat. Then have the Sofa to relax and watch the TV (connected to the opposite end). The Sofa can be extended to bed. Beside the TV we have the Wash basin with two basins. and then the kitchen with three burners. One small micro wave, Oven. and then the refrigerator with two doors , space enough to keep the food stuff. beside the sofa we have the dining table with two soft cushions to sit. Then have a small bathroom with shower and basin with cupboard. Then the bedroom with proper ventilation and adjustable fan. There are many cupboards to put our items of kitchen, clothes. It has nice centralized AC unit and both provision for both Hot and Cold water. we were provided with utensils, towels just like any hotel room. we are also provided with DVD player along with lot of DVDs. In the exterior we have the Awning - which is like a Canopy/window share attached to the RV. There are many storage spaces to the exterior just like we have storage spaces in a bus. we have the folding table along with five foldable camping chairs. Then we have the outdoor camping grill along with gasoline. We have slide out the awning and setup the table and the grill.

After exploring the RV inside and outside(to some extent) we then had our lunch around 2pm. It was wonderful experience sitting on the dining table watching movie in an RV and enjoying the view from the glass window. We took some rest and then decided to take a walk around the campsite to explore the area. The campground is not very large and has lot of RVs and all the sites were full. There was a huge lawn on one side of the campground and other side all the Rigs(another name for RV). There were wide variety of RVs and some have decorated their RV and site spectacularly. we returned to RV and then got ready to grill something on the outdoor griddle. It slowly started drizzling and enjoyed hot food in the light drizzle. Then it started raining heavily. Unfortunately it was raining the whole night and next day. So we stayed indoors. which was one big advantage having an RV, as it is like being at home. As we cannot go outside we played various board games which were provided. we sat on the bunk bed and played. It was amazing experience as though sitting on a tree house except surrounded by glass and walls of the vehicle. Then prepared our dinner, it felt as though we are at home and preparing our food. We had our dinner watching some good old movie, we have taken our laptop and connected to DVD player with HDMI cable(provided by the Owner). The weather is very cold and being muddy roads there are many damps across the campgrounds. but we are determined to go out to enjoy the colorful light decorations of other campers. It was still drizzling and we had a little night walk through the trails. It was a chilling wonderful experience. we returned to our RV and took rest for the night. 

Next day morning we got up around 7:30 am. The little bathroom is just large enough for a person to do his job. The shower was splendid and amazed by the way they all are arranged. After getting refreshed had our breakfast. It was raining heavily so we stayed indoors. Played couple of other games. watched some movies. Then had our lunch. we had planned a very great traditional menu for the three days. we had a delicious ice-cream post lunch. we took some rest and then went to the office in the rain to see what else do they have to offer us. The office was closed and we could see they have swimming pool, mini golf, volleyball court and couple of other games we do not know. Being cold we could not linger much longer and returned to our mini home. Watched some funny episodes in laptop. we have got lights to decorate the RV but due to rain we arranged the lights interior across the Sofa window. Then had our dinner and retired to bed.

On Sunday morning as usual we got up in morning, refreshed and had our breakfast. It was still drizzling but got out took some pictures in the cold weather and then sat in the camp chairs observing other campers. Most of the campers have electric golf carts for moving across the campground and it is very useful in these situations. That added to our wish list, hoping one day we might be able to rent that as well. There were pets around, some group of people have setup a canopy and arranged like a wedding reception with elegant curtains and flower gardens. Simply thrilled to see wonderful creative ideas of the fellow campers. we had our another delicious lunch and post lunch there was a live music show arranged by the campground team. By this time there was no rain and temperature was little warmer then in the morning. we had a long walk along throughout the campground. Walked the entire campground, saw various RVs, decorations. There was a pond to the back side of our site. Then we played the flying saucer in the large lawn infront of us. Great experience to play in the open green area. We got tired after some time. The decided to have something on the outdoor grill. After our dinner we watched movie. Then we packed most of our stuff as next day we need to check-out and then retired to bed.

        On the last day of our trip, we got up little early and after our breakfast went to the office which was open this time. The weather was good and could see sun after two days. There were some wonderful paintings drawn by one of the camper. We took golf puts and balls from the office and played mini golf. There were 9 holes. Some of them were challenging. The side walls are not tall enough to stop the ball so need to chase the balls that went off the course. Then we came back and played with the volleyball, provided by our Owner, beside our RV. we prepared our lunch, planning to have it while driving back home in our car. Then we emptied the sewer tank, filled the water tank and removed the hooks. Pulled the jacks up and then finally we are ready to leave. we then checked-out and left around 12:15 pm from the campsite. Again enjoyed the driving experience of such a wonderful motorhome. Returned the RV, moved our stuff from RV to our car and then we started our journey to home in car. we had lunch on the way. It was a wonderful experience overall to stay in a RV. Even though it was raining, we were able to enjoy the most and definitely a lifetime experience for us. Able to strike one item from our wish list. On our way home we talked about how was the camping what went well, how to make it more exciting next time if we plan to etc. we reached home around 3:30 pm. It was memorable experience. we enjoyed it thoroughly. All is well.

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Photos

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