Black Forest Cake

Ingredients
1) All Purpose Flour - 2 cups
2) Cocoa Powder - 6 table spoons
3) Condensed Milk - 1 can
4) Baking Powder - 1 tea spoon
5) Baking Soda - 1 tea spoon
6) Unsalted butter - 8 tea spoons or 1 slice
7) Whipped Cream - 1/2 cup
8) Sweetened Sugar - 1/2 cup
9) Grated Chocolate - 5 spoons
10) Cherries - 6
11) Soda(coke, pepsi) - 150 ml
12) Vanilla Extract - 2 tea spoons

Procedure
1. Take butter in small pan and heat it until it becomes liquid.
2. Take condensed milk in a bowl, add liquid butter, stir thoroughly and keep it aside.
3.Take All purpose Flour in another bowl, add cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder to it and mix the ingredients well and ensure there are no lumps.
4. Take the liquid mix and add vanilla extract to it and stir thoroughly.
5. Take the powdered mix(Step 3) and mix with liquid mix(Step 4) along with Soda slowly and steadily. Stir the mixture until a thick viscous liquid with uniform texture is prepared.
6. Preheat the Oven for 350 degrees.
7. Take a cake pan and grease it with butter or cooking oil spray. Fill half the cake pan with above liquid and bake it for 20 mins.
8. Take out the cake once baked(insert a toothpick or small sharp thing to check. If the toothpick is clean without any liquid sticking to it, cake is baked)
9. Take whipped cream and sweetened sugar in a bowl and mix well.
10. Apply the cream on the cake and spread uniformly. cover the entire cake with the cream.
11. Can design the front portion of the cake with small flowers with the cream and decorate with cherries.
12. Apply the grated chocolate on top of the cake and side of the cake for extra decoration.
13. Eggless Black Forest Cake is Ready.

Note: In case of no oven, pressure cooker can be used. Close the cooker and do not put the whistle.

                                 

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Bagara Baingan

Ingredients
1) Brinjol(Baingan) - 10
2) Groundnut - 50gms
3) Onion - 1 large
4) Green Chillies - 3
5) Tamarind - 20gms
6) Sesame Seeds - 3/4th cup
7) Coconut Powder - 2 pieces
8) Ginger Garlic paste - 1 spoon
9) Whole Garam Masala(bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, Cloves, Cardamom)
10) Red Chilli powder - 1/2 spoon
11) Fenugreek Seeds - 5gms
12) Coriander Powder, Cumins Powder - each 1 spoon(or can use homemade Garam Masala - 2 spoons)
13) Mustard Seeds - 3gms
14) Cumin Seeds(Jeera) - 3gms
15) Turmeric Powder - 1/4 spoon
16) Curry Leaves - 5
17) Asafoetida(hing) - 2gms
18) Oil - as needed
19) Salt - as per taste

Procedure
1. Soak Tamarind in water and keep it aside(To prepare Tamarind Juice).
2. Take Groundnuts in a pan and heat them(Can add little oil) until they turn dark brown.
3. Add Sesame seeds  to the groundnut and heat them until the seeds turn brown colour.
4. Add Coconut powder to the pan and mix them and heat it for 2 mins.
5. Grind the above mixture by adding water(the mixture formed should be little gravy) and keep it aside.
6. Cut the Brinjols each into four parts keeping the stem intact(i.e from bottom of the Brinjol).
7. Deep fry the Brinjols until they become soft.
8. Take oil in another pan and heat the whole Garam Masala.
9. Add mustard seeds to the pan and once they splutter add cumin seeds.
10. Once the Cumin seeds splutter add the Fenugreek seeds.
11. Add Onion(finely chopped) and Green Chillies(cut into parts) and heat.
12. Add Asafoetida to the above mixture and mix well.
13. Add Curry leaves and Turmeric powder and mix thoroughly until the Onions are fried.
14. Add Ginger Garlic paste to the mixture and mix thoroughly. Add Water to maintain consistency and uniform mixture.
15.Allow the mixture to heat properly. Once Oil starts separating out and then add home made Garam Masala and Red Chilli powder and mix properly.
Garam Masala - Take Chana daal, Urad daal, Coriander, Cumin seeds, Asafoetida, Red Chillies and heat all of them and grind them into fine powder.
16. Add the groundnut gravy to the above mixture and mix thoroughly.
17.Let the mixture boil (bubble pop up) and then add Tamarind Juice(squeeze Tamarind in the water) and mix properly.
18. Add Salt to the above mixture and stir it.
19. Close the pan and let the gravy boil for 5 mins.
20. Add the fried Brinjol to the gravy . Ensure that each Brinjol is covered with the gravy.
21. Let the Brinjols get fried in the gravy for 10 mins.
22. Bagara Baingan is ready and serve hot.

                             

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Sev-Sooji Upma

Ingredients
1) Sev(vermicilli) - 1 cup
2) Sooji - 1 cup
3) Onion - 1 large
4) Tomato - 1 large
5) Green Chillies - 5
6) Curry Leaves - 5
7) Groundnut - 50gms
8) Garlic - 2 pieces
9) Ginger - 5gms
10) Cashew - 5gms
11) Ghee - 1 table spoon
12) Mustard Seeds - 3gms
13) Cumin Seeds - 3gms
14) Chana Dal - 3gms
15) Urad Dal - 3gms
16) Red Chillies - 1
17) Oil - 2 spoons
18) Salt - as per taste

Procedure
1. Take a pan and heat oil.
2. Add Groundnut to the heated oil and fry them until they turn slight brown.
3. Add Mustard Seeds, Cumin Seeds and fry until the seeds platter. Then add Chana Dal, Urad Dal and Red Chillies(break it into two pieces) to it.
4. After a minute once the Dal turns slight brown add finely chopped ginger and garlic, green chillies(cut into small pieces) and curry leaves and fry them until garlic turns brown.
5. Add Onion to the pan and fry them until they turn white.
6. Add Tomato(sliced into pieces) to the mixture and fry until the Tomato becomes soft.
7. Add 4 cups of water to the pan and mix the ingredients well and keep the flame medium.
8. Add salt to it, stir well and close the pan with lid.
9. Allow the water to boil and remove the lid once water start boiling(bubbles pop up).
10. Add Sev to it slowly and stir it thoroughly while adding Sev.
11. After Sev is boiled add Sooji to the mixture and mix thoroughly while adding Sooji for uniform minture.
12. Reduce the flame and take another small pan and add Ghee to it and fry it.
13. Add Cashews to the heated Ghee and fry them until they turn light brown.
14. Add the Cashews along with the Ghee to the mixture and mix well and heat it for a minute.
15. Sev-Sooji Upma is ready and serve hot

                          

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Elliot Knob

I had done hike to Elliot Knob on 27th September 2014 . It is located in Virginia State.
Hike Location
Name: Elliot Knob
Distance: 115 miles from Richmond(approx)
Total hiking distance: 8.5 miles(approx).
Altitude: 2425 ft.
Hike Team: Rajesh, Sujay, Vishal and me.
Hiking Experience: Started around 10:45 am. Picked Sujay and left to destination. Reached around 12:45 pm. There was not much space for parking. Parked the car just to the side of the main road. There was a barricade at the entrance of the trail preventing vehicles along the trail. Had bananas and started the hike around 12:52 pm. It is an yellow blazed trail. The trail is wider and covered with trees on both sides. It is not dense and exposed to Sunlight. It was a bright sunny day and could see the glitters of the sun through the gaps among trees. The steep is moderate and slowly traversing around the mountain though the midst of the jungle. We could see nice fall colours along the trail and it was a good scenic view along with the shiny sunlight. The path is pretty straight forward and sometimes lead us into deep of the jungle and sometimes to an open area completely exposed to scorching heat. After hiking for around 1.5 miles the trail narrowed down. Narrow trail with thick trees on both sides and shade of the trees falling on the trail made it ideal for a hike. We crossed many empty streams along the path. Almost entire stream bed was dried up due to summer heat. There were fallen trees, huge stones across the path. Steep of the trail started increasing as we went ahead.

Around 2:20 pm we entered the gravel road leaving behind the natural trail. The gravel road is much wider and fully exposed to sunlight. The steep drastically increased and the scorching heat  added to the difficulty of the hike. It was a lengthy boring walk as it was not like a natural trail and more like a road. The gravel road was very slippery due to small stones along the path. There were electric poles all along the trail leading to the top of the mountain. The steep of the path kept on increasing at a steady pace making it more and more tough. Took couple of breaks wherever possible under the shade of the small trees enjoying the cool shade. As we hiked further, we can feel the cool strong breeze. Slowly we reached the top of the mountain after strenuous walk. There was a transmission station to our left and we went little ahead and turned left into the grassy trail. The trail is wide and is to the extreme west of the mountain and could view the entire base of the mountain. It was a very beautiful view and could see entire county from the path. Went little ahead and finally reached the Elliot knob, the highest point in the entire county around 3:15 pm. There is a watch tower at the top. we climbed up the watch tower and good glance through the entire area and it was a nice experience.

Came down the tower and sat for lunch around 3:22 pm in the camp site covered with huge trees, fully shaded and abundant constant cool breeze. Had Lunch and started descending around 3:55 pm. We felt very cold when we started. Could feel the coldness in fingers. Reached the gravel road and due to steepness of the road we were almost running while descending. The slipperiness of the trail made us cautious while coming down. We reached the natural trail to our left  around 4:22 pm. Felt so much relieved after started hiking along the natural trail. Traversed the mountain through the midst of the jungle, crossed the empty streams again. Reached intersection where we need to take a right turn(indicated by 3 diamond shaped yellow plates) around 4:33 pm. Continued walking along the trail in the midst of the jungle and reached the parking around 5:25 pm. It was a great hike overall. Had some refreshments at Starbucks on the way and reached home around 8 pm. All is Well.

                         

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Shenandoah Mountain

I had done two day hike to Shenandoah Mountain on 30th and 31st August 2014 . It is located in Virginia State.
Hike Location
Name: Shenandoah Mountain
Distance: 125 miles from Richmond(approx)
Total hiking distance: 18.2 miles.
Altitude: 2810 ft
Trek Items: Backpack(45 L), Food, Water(4 L approx), Camps Stove, Sleeping bag, Tent(1 person), Lantern, Head Torch, Swiss knife, Compass, Matchbox, Medical Kit and floaters.
Hiking Experience: Started around 9:07 am on 30th. Reached the parking spot around 11:09 am. Entered my details in the trail register and set out for hike. The trail started behind the trail register area. It was a very narrow trail. Soon there was a diversion for bridge hollow trail. I followed the Ramsey's Draft trail. The trail is not well maintained and no markings on the trail. All along the trail there were fell down trees obstructing the path. Continued on the narrow trail surrounded by huge trees. it was very hot sunny climate and even the trees could not stop the sunlight from penetrating through the gaps in leaves. Slowly there was gradual increase in the slope of the trail. There were so many Stream crossings on the way but the stream has very little water flow. The trail lead into the middle of the forest and small rock patches were there. Crossed another intersection, Jerry's Run after hiking for 45 mins. Scorching heat and heavy backpack(stuffed for two day hiking) made the trek really a great physical challenge. After the intersection, the slope increased and sunlight directly on the trail.  Slowly hiked further. Halted for lunch around 1:17 pm. Had lunch and again started around 1:36 pm.It was again a gradual slope and trail was little wider and had many crossings. Soon reached a great campsite with river stream nearby. It is at the intersection of Bald Ridge trail.One can camp here as well. I went ahead and reached another intersection around 2:20 pm. It was HardScrabble Knob trail. Went along the Knob trail for 0.5 miles to reach the HardScrabble knob near the old abandoned shack. However the shack is completely down and could not get to the knob(huge rocks from which we can get nice view of the terrain and surrounding mountains). Just saw the rocks and returned back to the intersection around 2:40 pm and continued hike along Ramsey's Draft. Finally reached the campsite around 3:18 pm which has great center fire pit and huge tree with sign "Shenandoah Mountain Trail". Pitched the tent by 3:40 pm. Took rest for half an hour so inside the tent. Then had snacks. Quickly changed to floaters and set out for evening sight seeing and found water source near the big tree.
                                                   
The campsite is surrounded by four large trees preventing sunlight and also covered rain which I came to know sometime later. It started drizzling and I came back to my tent and had a nap until 7:30 pm.  Rain was stopped but there was cool breeze. Area near my tent was not wet as the four trees were giving shelter. Prepared hot soup and maggie with the camp stove just outside the tent. It was great fun to cook in the woods in night and have it in nature. I forgot to carry spoon/fork. Used the nature's wood as chopsticks. It was a good experience. Then closed the tent and switched on the lantern and made arrangements for sleep. Could hear laud noise of the breeze all through the night along with small rattling sound of insects. It was again drizzling. After sometime rain stopped. Put head torch and went for night watch. After rain, watching the sky in so nice calm atmosphere is really a great view. It was pitch dark outside. Just went few meters ahead and started drizzling again. Came back to my tent around 10:30 pm. Did some meditation to kill the time and then went off to sleep inside my sleeping bag. Slept in the warm temperature inside sleeping bag inside tent under four big trees by 11:15 pm. Got up around 6:30 am on Sunday morning. No rain but it was still not fully light and fully covered with fog. Slept again for half an hour and got up around 7:00 am. Now fog is bit cleared and could find trails. Packed everything including tent, got freshen up and set out for second day hike along the Shenandoah Mountain trail around 7:50 am.                                                                

 It was so nice climate outside , perfect for hiking with fresh green plants on earth, thick mist in the air and few droplets of water from tree leaves. Followed the Mountain trail. The trail was narrow and no marks on the trail and not well maintained. So many huge trees fell down blocking the route. Soon reached an intersection with Sinclair Hollow Trail in 15 mins Continued on Mountain trail. The trail is very steep down the hill and fully covered with small plants and lot of cobweb all along the path. Still there is no sign of sunlight along the woods. The trail led into the middle of the jungle. Reached another intersection with Jerry's Run around 9:25 am. Continued on Mountain trail for another half an hour and reached Road Hollow Trail. Followed the Road hollow trail on left. This trail had yellow marks and very steep trail and was almost running down the hill due to the steepness. Saw little sunshine amidst thick forest trees. Cool breeze still continued. There were so many crossings along the path with no water. most of the trail was in the middle of the jungle. There was a huge tree on the path which is completely uprooted. Could see huge roots of the tree and looked like an old abandoned hut. After hiking for 30 mins could see the main road and hear the sounds of vehicles passing by. Reached the parking lot by 10:45 am. Entered the end date in trail register and started from parking around 11:00 am. Reached home by 1:00 pm. Overall it was a great wonderful memorable experience to live in the woods for entire 24 hours. Awesome way to live the life. All is Well.

                                  

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Sherando Camp

We had done Car Camping at Sherando Lake on 26th and 27th July 2014 . It is located in Virginia State.
Camp Location
Name: Sherando Lake
Distance: 100 miles from Richmond(approx), 55 miles from Lynchburg
Camping days: 26th and 27th.
Camp Team: 16 adults, 2 kids
Camp Equipment: 1-8 person tent, 2-6 person tent, 1-4 person tent, 1-2 person tent, electric cooker, camp stove, 2-electric Griddle, music system, lamps, 2-lanterns, 2-tarps, extension box, chairs, torches, firewood, fuel, food, water, bedding.
Camping Experience: we reached campsite around 2:30 pm . Few of our team had done hiking in the morning and were first to reach the campsite by 2:15 pm. Total of 6 cars reached the camping site with all the necessary items. The campground at Sherando lake drive has 3 loops each loop having multiple camp sites. we have booked two campsites, one electric and other non electric(little far away from the electric). The electric campsite is larger in area and has a pole with sockets for electricity at one corner of the campsite. The electric campsite is a large rectangular area covered by thick trees providing cool shade all through the day and it is properly cleaned and leveled by the camp office. There was a river stream at the backside of the campsite. There was place for barbecue at one corner. For every 3-4 campsites, water tap is provided and big trash disposal and restrooms are provided for each loop. Only two cars were allowed per each campsite. We emptied the cars and parked the extra two cars in overflow parking. Few of us started with tent pitching. Few others started preparation for lunch(plugged in the electric appliances for heating) and rest arranging other camp items. we were done tent pitching around 3:30 pm at electric campsite(1-8 person and 1-6 person). Setup the music system. we went to get the firewood from nearby store which is 8 miles from campsite. Had lunch.

Few of us went to other campsite to pitch the tent. The non electric campsite is also rectangular and leveled properly. there was food storage box at one corner of the site and had a water tap near by. It is not much covered by trees. we pitched two tents(1-6 person and 1-4 person). Tent pitching was fun and interesting. Returned to main campsite(electric) around 4:00 pm. Had nice Lassi. Collected the firewood and started campfire for barbecue. Then few of us went to nearby beach which is half a mile from campsite around 5:00 pm. Others started preparations for evening snacks and dinner. It is an artificial beach surrounded by huge trees. Water and beach sand are very clean. Water was cold but not deep though and ideal conditions for swimming. We played volleyball for sometime. There is a lawn near the beach to relax and enjoy the nature. We returned to campsite around 7:30 pm. By the time we reached, Curries(1- veg and 1-non-veg) for dinner are ready. We had hot fish, veggies for snacks. Used the camp stove for preparing tea. Had biscuits, chips along with it. We placed the tarp in the center of the campsite for everyone to sit on it and few sat on chairs. Few of us had hard drinks while others had soft drinks. Cooked rice in rice cooker. Warmed milk for kids on camp stove on timely basis. Few continued to have drinks near the river stream and others were sitting on the tarp, deeply engrossed in their own gossiping. Rice was ready and started having dinner. It started raining while we were almost about to complete our dinner. Rain was not predicted until 27th afternoon but it was surprise for us from sky. We covered all the food and other camp items with the tarp. Few went inside the tents, few completing the dinner and others were washing the utensils.Rain stopped after half an hour. Everyone sat on the tarp.              

 It was completely dark outside except for the lights at campsite. Played game(Mafia, Angels and Villagers). It was very interesting and everyone were so much involved in the game that we didn't realized the time. It was 1:00 am. Packed the remaining things in the car as no item should be left unattended on the campsite. Few of us left to the other campsite for sleeping. Arranged all the bedding. we setup the 2-person tent as well in the night. It was a good experience figuring way to pitch it up in the night with just lantern light. Then we went inside the tents around 2:30 am and after few minutes it started raining heavily with thunderstorm. Around 3 pm we were done with gossiping and slept. It was raining whole night and around 6:00 am in the morning few of us got up to see that the entire site was wet, it was still drizzling and water droplets dripping inside the tent. We went to the main campsite to observe the situation there. The lamps were off not sure when, we removed the electric plug. Tarp and chairs were fully drenched in water. we returned to other campsite and started wrapping up the tents. we woke up others, got freshen up and packed the tents, cleared the area and returned to main campsite around 8:30 am. Then started winding up at the main campsite. Packing the tent took more time than pitching it and the tents are went and covered with dirt. We actually planned for morning tea and breakfast but due to unfavourable climate conditions we dropped the plan. Around 11:00 am we were done packing and ready to leave. Left the campground and reached home around 1:30 pm. All is well.
Photo Courtesy : Amit and Gaurav.

                                 

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St. Mary's Wilderness

I had done hike to St. Mary's Wilderness on 29th June 2014 . It is located in Virginia State at Blue Ridge Parkway.
Hike Location
Name: St. Mary's Wilderness
Distance: 94 miles from Richmond(approx)
Total hiking distance: 10.1 miles.
Altitude: 3200 ft.
Hike Team: Sujay and me
Hiking Experience:Started around 6:39 am from Honey Tree and reached Sujay's place by 6:52 am. Started to Hike location around 7:00 am.  Reached the parking location by 8:47 am. There were few cars already in the parking lot. Had our breakfast and started for the hike around 9:07 am.The start of the trail is a narrow path along the side of the Kiosk board. The trail was covered by trees on both sides and there were no markings on the trail. First time have seen a trail in us without any markings. After walking for few yards we reached the intersection of Bald Mountain and Mine Bank Creek trail, where we took left and started walking on Mine Bank Creek Trail. The trail lead us deep into the jungle and it was steep down. It was leading us to the valley of the hill through the middle of the jungle. It was dense forest with lot of trees. The climate was good all through the day with continuous breeze throughout the hike.we crossed the small river streams while going through the narrow trail. There were invisible small thin spider web  along the path initially. The path is covered by leaves making the surface smoother. Slowly as we approached valley, the path is full of stones making it hard to descend further into the valley. We reached the St. Mary River Trail. Took a right onto the trail and started towards the green pond. Another half an hour or so the trail still steeped down. We reached a campsite at the valley.
                       

 To the right side we saw a small narrow trail which is very steep upward. we hiked the path and continue on the trail to green pond. The slope of the trail increased gradually. The trail is full of stones on it and covered by trees. While walking along the trail, it became sunny and temperature around us started heating up. We have couple of diversions on the trail which might lead us to different trail or path. we stick to the map we have and followed as per it.After hiking for around 1.2 miles we reached the forest road(mud road) which is broader road and used by 4*4 vehicles ad mud bikes as well. We were not able to see the green pong as it was small and not along the trail path. It was pretty boring walk on the forest road. we have stopped on the mud road for lunch around 11:55 am. Had proper lunch and started again by 12:20 pm. There were so many turns initially on the mud road but as we moved ahead it was a pretty straight boring walk with few campsites being sighted on either side of the path. After walking overall distance of 1.9 miles on the mud road, to the right there was a small narrow trail. It was Bald Mountain trail. The trail again lead us deep into the jungle and it was very steep descent. The trail was very narrow and most of the path was covered by small plants and bushes. We could not see the trail ahead due to these thorny bushes.
                        We reached the valley of the mountain after many twists and turns across the trail. After crossing the valley stream the trail started going upward towards the top of the hill. We followed the trail, it was not at all well maintained. There were so many hurdles along the trail and many trees obstructed the path. There was valley on one side and trees on other side of the trail. We continued hiking along the steep path until we finally reached the intersection where took left in the beginning. we came from the left side of the trail and headed towards parking. We reached the parking lot by 2:09 am. We completed the entire loop within 5 hours. Overall it was a great different hiking experience. There were many times where we looked for directions in the map to ensure we were on the right track as the trail was not blazed. We left the parking and reached home around 4:11 pm. All is Well.

                                     

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Nicholson Hollow

I had done hike to Nicholson Hollow  on 21st June 2014 . It is located in Virginia State in Shenandoah National Park.
Hike Location
Name: Nicholson Hollow
Distance: 94 miles from Richmond(approx)
Total hiking distance: 10 miles(approx).
Altitude: 1240 ft.
Hike Team: Ameya, Amit, Arjun, Bahubali, Hemant, Rajesh, Ravi, Rohit, Vaibhav and me
Hiking Experience:Started around 7:45 am from Honey Tree in two cars. Picked up 10th person from nearby place and started to hike location around 8:00 am. Reached the parking location around 9:38 am. Had breakfast at the parking and started for hike around 10 am. It was cloudy climate with cool breeze without any rain. Ten of us set out for the hike. From the parking we walked on the Nethers Road(tar road) for about 0.5 miles to reach the start point of the Nicholson Hollow trail towards the right.the trail was wide covered by trees on both the sides. We crossed Hughes river stream twice within 0.4 miles from the start of the trail. The slope of the trail increased as we went ahead. The trail went along the side of the river. It was a wonderful scenery with cloudy climate green trees and plans and river passing by. The trail narrowed as the steep increased further. The trail has rock steps which were shattered making the steps as small rock patches. Path was little wet due to rains of the previous night. After hiking for 3.4 miles we reached Corb Cabin around 12:00 noon. As per our initial plan we reached the end point of our destination and supposed to return. The team was enthusiastic and wanted to hike more. We took Indian Run trail from Corb cabin an hiked further. It was a very steep trail for about 1.5 miles. The trail is covered with huge trees on both sides and no river on either side. We reached the Corbin Mountain trail around 1:04 pm.

                                                We had delicious lunch(home made) at the intersection and started again around 1:30 pm. The trail was steep down the hill. Path was fully covered with small plants and it was traversing deep through the jungle. The trail has many turns, wooden steps. It started drizzling while descending the hill. We saw little sunshine through the gaps in the trees. It was very good climate with watery plants along the sides of the trail. There trail was covered with fog. It was like we are amidst clouds. We came across the river stream around 3:12 pm. We refreshed ourselves at the stream. The water was cold. The trail lead us to the Nicholson Hollow trail again and from there we reached the start point of the trail by 3:50 pm. We done a complete loop. The total descent was about 4.2 miles. We reached the parking through the tar road around 4:00 pm. Left from parking and reached home around 5:42 pm. All is well.
                       

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White Oak Canyon

I had done hike to White Oak Canyon  on 14th June 2014 . It is located in Virginia State in Shenandoah National Park.
Hike Location
Name: White Oak Canyon
Distance: 90 miles from Richmond(approx)
Total hiking distance: 8 miles.
Altitude: 2450 ft.
Hike Team: Arjun, Gnaneshwar, Rajesh, Sujay and me
Hiking Experience: Started around 6:40 am from Honey Tree and reached Sujay's place by 7:00 am. Started to Hike location in his car around 7:30 am.  While finding the exact parking location, we found a small bear to the right-side of the road. Reached the parking of White Oak canyon which on the left side of the road by 9:10 am. So many cars already were at the parking. Had breakfast at parking and then started for hike around 9:27 am. Initially it was a narrow trail and we crossed a steel foot bridge over the water stream. Most part of the trail was along the water stream. The trail has blue marks for tracking. The path was deep inside the forest and fully covered  with trees preventing us from scorching heat. The temperature was so high but there was cool breeze as we were surrounded by trees. The trail is very steep and has many turns along the way. There were steps on the trail and big boulders along the side of the trail. After walking for around 40 mins we reached lower waterfalls. The falls were amazing and the water was freezing cold.  The slope of the path increased as we hiked further. After hiking for another 3 miles (approx) along the water stream on steep trail we reached upper waterfalls. These are huge and larger than the lower waterfalls and speed of the water flow is much higher. After hiking for another 20 mins, we crossed the water stream and there ended the blue trail. we then followed the yellow trail.
  The trail is wider with slight slope throughout and covered by huge trees. There was no water stream on either side of the trail. we reached the end of the yellow trail by 12:27 pm. we had our lunch on one of the rocks along side of the trail. Started hike again around 12:53 pm.Followed the blue trail again. The path is steep down the hill.After walking down the trail for an hour the trail was blocked by a huge tree which was fell down. we took diversion and again followed the main path. There was huge waterfall beside the trail. Many fellow hikers were having fun in the waterfalls with freezing water. The trail became narrow and full of rock patches and steep down. Finally reached the parking around 2:50 pm. The entire trail is surrounded by huge trees. we started from parking and reached home around 4:45 pm. All is Well.

                                      

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Seneca Camp

I had done camp at Seneca State Forest on 24th and 25th May. It is located in West Virginia state.
Camp Location Details
Name: Seneca State Forest Camp
Distance: 200 miles from Washington D.C.(approx)
Camp Equipment
Tent(4 person), Tent(2 person-backup), hammer(to pitch the tent), 1 Commander torch, 3 small torches, medical kit, Light fuel(to burn fire wood) and matchbox, cooking utensils(vessel,
spoons, plates, glasses), sleeping bags and comforters(to have soft base in the tent and to cover yourself in the cold) and water.
Camp Experience:
I along with 4 friends(organizers) started from Washington D.C around 8:30 am ion 24th May(Saturday). Reached our first destination CASS Rail Road(17 miles from our camp location) around 12:00 noon. CASS rail road is one of the ancient rail route used for logging wood and also they have tourist trains for sight seeing. Had our lunch(delicious tamarind rice- prepared by one of our organizer) in the open ground near the railway station. The railway track is meter gauge. Boarded one of the train which is of two hours journey(2 pm to 4 pm). The train is run by Steam Engine. It has 5 compartments with open interior to have direct view of the entire scenery across the hill. It was little sunny with cool breeze. The train traversed through the hill and could see the valley. Total height we reached is around 3200 ft(approx). Started from CASS Rail Road to camp site around 4:30 pm. Reached the camp site around 5:10 pm. The road was narrow with so many curves and it is a single lane road. After reaching the campsite we picked up one camp spot registered for it. Firewood will be provided at campsite. Each campsite has arrangements for Barbecue, tent pitching and trash disposal. Pitched the 4-person tent that we brought in the space provided at camp site. Then we realized that we forgot the food that we brought for cooking that night. Few of us went to near by Retail store(6 miles approx from camp site).
                                 Bought pasta, tomato soup and sweets from retail store. Fire was setup in the barbecue and started preparing soup. Boiled water in vessel and simultaneously roasted corn for a bite. Due to climate conditions and low flame of firewood it took some time for water to boil and then added soup liquid,pepper and salt to it and stirred well and boiled until soup is ready. Soup was very delicious. Then prepared pasta in the same vessel. In the meantime we were also enjoying the loud music with the help of car speakers. Pasta was ready It was so tasty. Around 10:30 pm completed our dinner. Then set out for night walk in the forest with torches in hand. Night view of the sky was so amazing, could see clear sky with countless stars. Collected some more fire wood from the log pile available there for setting up campfire. Returned to our tent. Set the firewood for campfire and then entered the tent. Played cards until 3 am in the morning. It was bit conjusted for 5 people in the tent but managed to get some sleep. Night passed away. Got up around 7:30 am on Sunday morning. Few of the organizers bought bread from nearby store for breakfast along with biscuits. Packed our tent, cleaned the place and got ready by 11:00 am. Went to Seneca Lake from where the Thorny Creek Trail begins.
                                 The trail is of 5 miles(approx). Started the trail around 11:30 pm. There was a wooden bridge at the entrance of the trail leading to the forest. The trail was not maintained properly. Blue marks were three across the trail to track it. It was narrow trail initially with exposure to the valley of the forest on one side. Felt like the trail was not used for past 6 months. Couple of places trees fell and blocking the trail and were not cleared. It was little steep trail. We saw one small wild boar along the way. the trail traversed through the hill. After an hour walk the steep of the trail increased and trail got broader covered with huge trees on both the sides. The trees provided good shade during the sunny afternoon. we lost the blue mark track around 1:15 pm. After thorough searching in the middle of the jungle were able to find the trail and continued out hike. Finally we completed the hike by around 2:00 pm. It was good hike. Then went to nearby store around 6 miles from Seneca Lake for lunch. Had pizza and desert. Then went back ot the lake for rowing. We took a boat arranged by the Forest office and rowed for 30 mins along the lake. It was so much fun rowing the boat. Then left for home around 5:30 pm. Reached home in D.C. around 8:30 pm. Overall had a wonderful experience with the nature. All is well.

                                

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North River Gorge Hike

I had done hike to North River Gorge  on 26th April . It is located in Virginia State
Hike Location
Name: North river Gorge
Distance: 120 miles from Richmond(approx)
Total hiking distance: 12.5 miles.
Hiking Experience:Started around 7:10 am in the morning to organizer's place. Around 7:28 am started towards the destination. It was sunny day and windy. Reached Starbucks around 8:45 am for coffee break and also had breakfast(home-made) brought by fellow trek mates. Started from Starbucks at 9:10 am towards the destination. Reached the start point of the hike by 10:00 am. The parking lot is on the left side of the road and at corner of parking lot, the trail started and there was sign board for the same. The trail initially had purple markings. After walking for 0.2 miles the trail intersects with yellow trail and we followed the yellow trail. The trail was going down and has steep slope. Reached a stream along the trail. The trail was covered by trees on both sides, but not shady enough to protect from scorching heat. However windy weather compensated the heat to an extent. Trail was maintained well. The stream is flowing fast and freezing cold. The rocks beneath the stream were slippery and sharp. It was great pain experience even though it lasted for seconds. The coldness of the water made us more active and we continued on the trail. Then we followed the white marked trail for around 7 miles.
                                                The trail had ascent for half the path. The ascent was steep and climate was getting hotter with Sun heat and no wind as we hiked further. After a strenuous hike for 8.5 miles, The white trail ended. we halted there for lunch around 1:00 pm. Had delicious home-made Aloo parathas, sandwich. Taken enough rest and started again at 1:32 pm. The rest of the trail  had purple markings. It was a pretty straight walk with wide trail along the midst of the jungle. The trail passes along the side of the river. It was a great scenic to see the river stream passing by while walking along he trail covered by trees. The trail has some thrilling surprises. Crossed the stream 9 times before reaching the end of the trail. Every time the stream had taken us by surprise. One time the speed of the water flow was high, one time the depth of the stream was high, one time the width of the stream was high. The water remained freezing cold from morning to evening. Finally crossed all the streams and to our surprise there was a seep ascent at the end of the trail. Reached the  parking lot by 3:54 pm. The trail was a loop, half covered by white mars and rest by purple marks. Started to home around 4:05 pm and reached organizer's place around 6:05 pm and reached home around 6:20 pm. All is Well.

                             

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