Ginger Pickle (Allam Pachhadi)

Ingredients
1) Ginger - 1/4 kg
2) Jaggery - 3/4 kg
3) Tamarind - 300 gms
4) Chana Dal - 100 gms
5) Coriander Seeds - 50 gms
6) Methi/ Fenugreek seeds - 50 gms
7) Red Chilli Powder - 50 gms
8) Salt - 50 gms
9) Oil - 1/4 litre

Procedure
1. Take coriander seeds, channa dal and methi seeds into a pan and heat them until they turn brown and then taken them into plate.
2. Once they are cooled grind them into fine powder.
3. Take water in a bowl and heat it. After the water is cooled soak tamarind in this water until the tamarind is completely immersed for 3-4 hours.
(Remove the tamarind seeds and pulp from tamarind so that pure tamarind is soaked)
4. Peel the skin of ginger, cut into small pieces and heat them until they are turned into light brown colour.
5. Smash the Jaggery such that it becomes powder.
6. Grind the ginger into thick paste.
7. Now take the Ginger pase, tamarind(after draining the water), Jaggery, Salt and grind them into thick liquid.
8. Take the liquid into a bowl and add Red Chilli powder, Masala Powder(prepared in step 2) to it and mix thoroughly.
9. Take the oil in a pan and heat it. Once the oil is heated put off the stove and keep it for 5 mins.
10. Pour the oil into the mixture and mix thoroughly.
11. Delicious Ginger Pickle is Ready.

Note: This pickle can be served with Idli, Dosa, Pesarattu etc. It lasts for more than 6 months.
Also can add fried garlic to the pickle and have it.


Slideshow

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Ravva Dosa

Ingredients
1) Rice Flour - 1 cup
2) Sooji - 1 Cup
3) Maida - 1/2 cup
4) Red Chilli powder - 1 tea spoon
5) Green Chillies - 3
6) Jeera - 5 gms
7) Ginger - 10gms
8) Salt - as per taste
9) Water - 1 glass


Procedure
1. Mix all the above ingredients in a bowl thoroughly so that no lumps are formed.
2. Set aside the batter for 1 hour.
3. Take a tawa and heat it.
4. Mix the batter(add water if needed for consistency).
5. Take the batter in a small glass and pour it on the tawa round fashioned.(start from center of the tawa and start pouring round and round).
6. Heat it until the batter turns golden brown colour and then take into a plate. Repeat 5th step to prepare more dosas.
7. Hot Ravva Dosa is ready and serve it with chutney.

Note: we can add onions to the dosa. Chop onions and sprinkle the slices of onion on tawa before pouring the batter.

slideshow

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Idli Powder

Ingredients
1) Chana Dal - 50gms
2) Urad Dal - 50gms
3) Coriander Seeds - 25gms
4) Jeera - 1 tablespoon
5) Red Chillies - 8
6) Curry leaves - 10
7) Salt - as per taste

Procedure
1. Take all the ingredients except salt into a bowl and heat it until they turn brown and take into a plate.
2. Grind them in mixi along with salt until it becomes soft.
3. Idli powder is ready.

Note: Also known as Kara podi in telugu. Add ghee to powder and eat with Idli for better taste. It lasts more than a month.

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Methi Powder

Ingredients
1) Channa Dal - 50gms
2) Urad Dal - 25gms
3) Coriander seeds - 25gms
4) Methi/Fenugreek seeds - 20gms
5) Red chilli - 10
6) Hing - 2 pinch
7) Oil - 1/2 teaspoon

Procedure
1. Take a pan and pour oil into it and heat it in medium flame.
2. Add all the ingredients and heat them until they turn into brown and take them into a plate.
3. After 30 mins, grind them in mixi to fine course(the powder should not be soft)
4. Collect the powder into a dry bowl.
5. Methi powder to ready to use

Note : This can be used in curry preparation, regular pulusu. It lasts for more than a month.

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Moong Dal Sambar

Ingredients
1) Moong Dal - 1cup
2) Tamarind - 10 gms
3) Green chillies - 4
4) Curry Leaves - 3
5) Coriander  Leaves - 5gms
6) Turmeric powder - 1 teaspoon
7) Onion - 1 small
8) Drumstick - 1
9) Methi powder - 1 table spoon
10) Black Mustard seeds - 1/2 teaspoon
11) Red chilli - 1
12) Oil - 1 table spoon
13) Hing - 1 pinch
14) Garlic - 2 cloves
14) Salt - as per taste

Procedure
1. Wash Moong dal, add half teaspoon turmeric powder and then boil it. (for pressure cooker 3 whistles).
2. While dal is getting boiled , soak tamarind in water.(almost 1/2 litre) and also boil finely chopped onion and drumstick(cut int 4 pieces) in a separate bowl for 10-15 mins.
3. Take the boiled dal in pan and then pour half litre tamarind water in it and heat it in medium flame.
4.  Add boiled onion and drumstick to dal mixture.
5. Add half spoon turmeric powder, salt, curry leaves, finely chopped green chillies and garlic to it and boil all the ingredients in high flame.
6. Add methi powder, mix thoroughly and heat it for 3 mins.(add water for consistency in case needed)
7. Add coriander to it and put off the flame.
8. Now take a small frying pan, add oil , mustard seeds, red chilli, hing to it and heat it until they splutter.
9. Pour the above tadka into the dal mixture.
10. Moong Dal Sambar is ready and serve hot.

Note: In telugu it is Pappu Pulusu.

Slideshow : here

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Jones Doyles River

We had done hike to Jones/Doyles River on 31st July . It is located in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia State.
Hike Location
Name: Jones/Doyles
Distance: 100 miles from Richmond(approx)
Total hiking distance: 6.6 miles.
Elevation Gain: 1300 ft
Hike Team: Sandeep and his wife, my wife and me.
Hiking Experience: Started around 6:00 am in the morning. Picked Sandeep and left to our destination around 6:30 am. Took a halt at rest area around 7:30 am. We reached the Brown Gap parking lot(out destination) around 8:30 am. We saw only couple of cars at the parking lot. Climate was sunny. We had our breakfast at the parking lot at nearby huge rocks under the shade of trees. We started our hike around 8:45 am. The trail was broad covered by huge trees on both the sides. We were hiking down the hill and for first couple of miles it seemed easy. Being covered with huge trees we have not experienced the heat of Sun. We were hiking in the middle of the jungle. Being famous for its waterfalls we have met many fellow hikers along the trail. Reached the first waterfalls(Jones) around 11:14 am.
The falls were amazing. They were not huge but spectacular. There were colourful butterflies at the waterfalls. We enjoyed the little rays of Sun falling on the trail through the gaps of the leaves. The trail became narrow and steep increased gradually. we slowly hiked further until we reached second waterfalls. These were taller than the first and we were able to touch the falls. Water was very cold. We had our lunch at the falls around 1:45 pm. We spent sometime at waterfalls, filled our bottles with pure water of the falls. We continued our hike around 2:25 pm. The steep increased as we hiked further the narrow blue blazed trail.

Then we reached an intersection and we followed the yellow blazed trail. The trail is wide and steep reduced. The trail is in open area and experienced the Sun heat. The trail is a fire road and was not much like an actual hike trail. we reached Browns Gap parking lot around 3:42 pm. Started from there and halted at popcorn shop near the entrance of the Park. Left for home around 4:49 pm. Reached home by 6:08 pm. The trip was very memorable and waterfalls were very nice and amazing. All is Well.

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Niagara Visit

We went on a long trip to Niagara waterfalls, Newyork.

Brief Summary
Place : Niagara waterfalls.
Location : Newyork
Distance : 100 miles(approx.) from Richmond,VA
Group: Shrenik and his wife, me and my wife.
Transport : Nissan Altima (silver)
Duration: 4days

Journey:

On 1st July, We took rental car around 11:30 am from Airport. Had lunch around 1:15 pm and then started for the trip around 1:30 pm. We put some songs and enjoyed the journey in car. Around 5:05 pm took halt at Dunkin Donuts, had Coffee and got refreshed. Started from there and reached Hershey's Chocolate factory by 7:30 pm. This was the first destination of our Trip. The Factory is very good. The entrance was big with idols of animated characters of Hershey's chocolates(Kisses, Milk Chocolate, Reese's). We have tasted different flavoured chocolates. Watched a 4D show. It was good. we spent around one and half hour in the factory and then went to Khana Indian Bistro(Indian Restaurant) for dinner. We reached there by 9:50 pm. Food was nice and then we left for Pennsylvania. we booked rooms in Quality Inn Hotel. Reached the hotel around 12:45 am. First day of our trip was done successfully.

Next day(2nd July) Woke up around 6:30 am and got refreshed. Had our breakfast in the hotel around 7:45 am. Checked out the hotel and started for Camelback Adventures Park in Poconos. We reached the park by 9:14 am. Climate was very hot. There are several rides in the park and special park for water rides. There are zip-liners and flyers which were about 1000 and 4000 feet long. We have done the 4000 ft flyer ride which takes us from top of one of the hills to the bottom of another hill around a speed of 60 mph. It was a thrilling experience. Felt great to be in air at such an height and slide very fast. Around 12:30 pm we started from the park. Had lunch at subway around 1:15 pm and then reached Penn's Cave and Wildlife around 3:45 pm. We passed through the Amherst County while reaching the cave and got chance to observe the Horses, Cattle and houses of the residents who still follow the old traditions. Penn's Cave is very crowded that day being long weekend and we had to wait almost 2 hours to take the tours. We first went to wildlife tour. It was wonderful. Saw Wolves for the first time, they have good variety collection of deer and two huge Bears which are very fond of Oreo biscuits. Then we took the cave tour in a boat. It was almost an hour tour. We saw the cave interiors and the formations in the cave and got to know about the history of the cave through the guide. It was great to be inside the cave in pitch dark and silent atmosphere. Around 8:15 pm we started from there, had dinner at Indian Pavilion Restaurant around 8:45 pm. Food was very tasty. We started around 10:15 pm from the restaurant and reached Days Inn Hotel in Pittsburgh around 12:22 am. Second day completed after lot of fun.

On Next day(3rd July) woke up around 6:20 am and got refreshed. Had Breakfast in the hotel around 7:20 am. Left for Pittsburgh temple around 7:45 am. Pittsburgh Lord Venkateswara temple is the first Hindu temple in US. We reached the temple by 8:04 am. The temple was huge and by the time we reached already holy chanting s were going on in the temple. We had the Darshan took prasad and left for Hindu-Jain temple around 9:04 am. Reached the temple by 9:22 am. We were the first persons to visit the temple for the day apart from the priest. It was calm and quiet inside the temple. we left around 9:54 am from there to our hotel, checked out and then started to Niagara the crux of our trip around 10:06 am. Had lunch at rest area around 12:46 pm (food from Temple Canteen). Started around 1:23 pm towards Niagara. By 4:30 pm we reached the Days Inn hotel in Niagara. We checked in the hotel, got refreshed and reached the waterfalls around 5:50 pm. The waterfalls were very huge and spectacular. Being bright sunny day it was very hot and could see the reflection of Sun in the waterfalls. The sound of water splashing is amazing and felt like roaring of the waves of Indian Ocean. The tall Canadian buildings one the opposite side of the falls are other attraction. We took the helicopter trip to view the waterfalls around 6:45 pm. This was our first helicopter ride. It was exciting to sit in a helicopter and view the ground from the top. The overview of the waterfalls from top was amazing. No words to describe the world's famous falls. We could see the complete horse shoe shape of the falls. Took plenty of pictures and videos from the helicopter. It was 10 minutes ride. Couldn't even blink our eyes as we might miss to see the wonderful view of the falls, lake and Canada city from so high in the air. Had dinner around 7:30 pm. Then watched a 4D show around 7:45 pm. WE came back to waterfalls to view the fireworks. we were standing near the observatory center for almost an hour and half. There were lights focused on the falls from the Canada side and the coulours changed at regular intervals. It was awesome to watch the falls in colours. There was delay in fireworks due to delay in Sunset. The fireworks are amazing and great sight to the eyes watching colourful sparkles in the air. After the fireworks we went to haunted house around 11:05 pm and then went to Seneca Casino around 11:25 pm. we took a round in the casino and then started around 12:20 am from there to our hotel. Reached by 12:45 am, thus completing our third day of the trip successfully and with lot of joy.

On Last day(4th July) we woke up around 6:00 am, got ready and had breakfast by 6:30 am in the hotel. we started around 7:00 am from the hotel for the waterfalls and then reached the counter for Maid-Of-the-Mist ride around 7:45 am. We stood in the queue for only half an hour. Soon we entered the gate, went down to 200 feet through elevator and boarded the cruise. It was a 20 min ride one the cruise. We went very near to the falls. The view of the falls from the base is splendid. We were given blue rain coats to cover ourselves from the splashing water of the falls. Soon we reached the center of the falls where we could only feel the splashing water and hear the sounds of the waterfalls but couldn't see anything due to white mist and water being sprinkled on us. We couldn't believe our eyes as we stood in center of the greatest falls. We could see a huge rainbow and our cruise went underneath it. Never seen such a big and full rainbow before. It was a great experience one the cruise. We got down the cruise and went to nearby hill from where we could get close view of the falls. we saw two rainbows on the falls. Around 10:20 am we departed from there had lunch at Qdoba around 11:30 am and went to Corning Glass Museum. reached the museum by 2:49 pm. The Museum was outstanding and for the very first time saw how the glass is manufactured. It was astonishing to watch as the instructors displayed various stages of glass making and how they are molded into different shapes. There was a huge Glass Art Gallery which has glass paintings, glass sculptures of all over the world and anitque glass making techniques. We left from the museum around 6:15 pm had our dinner at McDonnalds and reached home around 1:45 am. Completed our journey successfully.
Overall it was a very wonderful and memorable trip. Enjoyed thoroughly and everything went as per the plan and have not missed anything. All is Well.

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Big Devils Stairs

We had done hike to Big Devils Stairs  on 24th July 2016 . It is located in Virginia State in Shenandoah National Park.
Hike Location
Name: Big Devils Stairs
Distance: 100 miles from Richmond(approx)
Total hiking distance: 5.5 miles.
Altitude: 1055 ft.
Hike Team: Deepak and me
Hiking Experience:Started around 7:35 am in the morning, picked up Deepak and set off for the Destination on Skyline Drive(Gravel Springs Gap Parking).We reached by 10:46 am. There was one car in the parking lot by the time we reached. Had our breakfast at the parking lot on rocks under the shade. It was very sunny day. Around 11:05 am we started our hike. We followed the yellow blaze trail which was very wide initially. There were so many trees on both sides of the trail which kept the place cool. In few mins we reached an intersection where we took left and continued on our yellow blazed trail. The trail is narrowed and lead us to the middle of the jungle. There was a water stream which was dried. We crossed it and continued further. We are traversing down the hill. With cool breeze and little sunshine through the gaps of the leaves of big trees we had the perfect weather for a hike and enjoyed the nature. The trail is covered with small stones and experienced little ascent slope while we hiked. we reached an intersection and then continued on blue blazed trail. The trail was very narrow and has lot of curves. Could not see the trail ahead until we reach the end point of the curve. We were descending down the trail with much ease and reached big stone steps (Stairs as the name suggests). After climbing down the stairs and hiked for few yards we reached our first view point. It was amazing to see the valley of the mountain covered with huge trees and bushes. We descended further reached the second point and our last point of the trek by 12:07 pm. It was almost the similar view as of the first.

We sat on the huge rock over there in the shade of huge trees. There was constant cool breeze all over the place and we relaxed there to have our lunch. we enjoyed the view, cool breeze, nature while having lunch. We started back to our parking around 12:35 pm. now we were ascending the narrow trail and could feel the heaviness due to lunch. Slowly we ascended the trail, sweating due to heavy lunch. We crossed all the intersections once again. we were hiking with ease as we reached the easy patch( straight trail with shade). The slope increased as we were reaching the destination and our pace was reduced. Slowly we continued further and reached the parking lot around 1:41 pm. we did few exercises for stretching and then left for home. We saw a small bear on the hill while we were driving along Skyline Drive. We halted near a local store on one of the state roads for a cold fruit juice. As we were on state highway we saw a fox on the passing-by farms. After a long time was lucky enough to see one. we reached home around 4:35 pm. It was a memorable trek with great views. All is Well.

                         

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Big Meadows Camp

we had done camp on 9th July 2016. It is located in Virginia State in Shenandoah National Park.
Camp Location
Name: Big Meadows, Shenandoah National Park
Distance: 100 miles from Richmond(approx)
Camp Team: me and my wife.
Camp Items: Camp Stove, Gas, Charcoal, Lighter, Food items, Table Cloth, fire wood, tent, Sleeping bag, Cutlery, Trays, Water, Torches, Lantern, Cards.
Camping Experience: We started around 11:30am from home. Stopped at Kroger to buy items necessary for camping. Around 12:10 pm left for campsite from Kroger after filling gas. Around 2:30pm we reached our campsite in Big Meadows after registering at the Skyline Drive Ranger station. we purchased firewood at the entrance of the Campsite. our campsite(A 088) is very near to the firewood shop. It was hot sunny day however due to the shade of large trees at the campground we have not felt the heat. Campsite has a clean area for tent, wooden picnic table(having place to sit as well as place food items on it), fire-pit and grill on top of it for barbecue and place for car parking. First we pitched up our tent in the designated area in between two large trees thus always covered with leaves. We placed comforters and sleeping bag in the tent as base for additional softness. Around 3:30pm after tent pitching, we covered the picnic table with cloth and then arranged all the items we brought on the table. We prepared tomato soup with the small gas stove. With cool breeze flowing, being in the nature and having such a hot soup was a great experience. After enjoying the soup and the climate for sometime we then decided to make paneer tikka. we unpacked all the the necessary stuff for marination, cut all the veggies along with paneer and allowed for marination for around 1.5 hours. We took some rest in the shade of the trees.

Cleaned the unwanted stuff from the table and then took the coal and firewood for paneer tikka. Lighted the coal and firewood using the lighter fuel. Covered the grill with aluminium foil. Once the grill is heated enough, placed paneer tikka sticks(skewers having veggies along with paneer) on the grill. In between added coal to have the consistency of heat. The paneer tikka was ready to eat by 6:00pm. Took them into a plate. Sat on the table and enjoyed the dish in the nature with the smoke of charcoal. It was very delicious and life time experience to be with nature and have food in the middle of a jungle. we felt that we need additional firewood in the night and so got one more pack from the nearby firewood shop. We sat on the table for sometime and felt the pleasant roaring of the birds on the trees along with the winds.It was getting dark slowly. Around 8:00pm we prepared Maggie with the small stove and by 8:30pm we were done with our dinner. Having hot Maggie in dark jungle with just the light of the burning firewood was very thrilling. With torches we went for a walk on the campground. It was a clear sky with moon and so many stars. It was a perfect view for star gazing. Walking in the woods, in the dark time with couple of campfires on both sides of the road was awesome. we came back to our tent around 9:30pm. We then put the second pack of firewood for campfire. It was getting cold as it was getting dark. We took the warmth of the campfire. Stting infron of the campfire in between large trees reminded of childhood days when we used to put the fire in the night for festival. We then went inside tent, lit the lantern and played cards. There were little noises in the woods which went off as we slept. We got up around 7:30am in the morning and freshened up. Had hot bournvita and then warmed the Teplas with the small stove around 9:30am. We spent sometime observing the shiny rays of sunlight falling on the grass from the gaps of leaves of large trees.  Then slowly cleaned our campsite, packed our tent and placed all the things in the car. We dumped the trash in the large metal container placed at the end of the road to protect from bears. Around 11:45am we left the campsite. We saw a huge herd of horses going along the horse trail on the Skyline Drive. Reached home by 2:00pm. This was first camp for my wife. We enjoyed the camp experience(cooking in woods, walking in dark and playing cards in tent in the jungle). It was very memorable. All is Well.

                         

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White Oak Waterfalls

We had done hike on white oak Waterfalls on 26th june 2016 . It is located in shenandoah national in Virginia State.

Hike Location
Name: white oak Waterfalls
Distance: 100 miles from Richmond(approx)
Total hiking distance: 4.8 miles(approx).
Altitude: 1200 ft.
Hike Members: Me and my wife.

Hiking Experience: We started around 7:30 am in the morning. It was sunny climate with cool breeze. We reached the destination (parking lot of White oak) by 9:48 am.  There were lot of cars in the parking lot by the time we reached there. The start of the trail was good and it was leading direct into the jungle. The trail is covered by huge trees on both the sides. Initially we hiked down the path and soon we could feel ourselves in the middle of the jungle. We have not found many people during the hike even though there were lot of cars at the parking. Due to heavy rainfall the previous two days, the trail was little slippery and the wet stones on the path glittered with sun rays coming through the gaps of the big tree leaves.  We followed the blue trail mark and slowly the slope of the trail increased. After hiking for another 0.6 miles we reached the a wooden bridge and water flowing beneath it. The climate is sunny but due to the shady trees it was a very good atmosphere for hiking. we soon reach intersection with another trail(horse trail). We continued on our trail . we were able to hear the sound of water in the stream that was flowing on the left side of trail. As we hiked further, there were wooden steps bit steep. We climbed the steps slowly enjoying the scenic view of the forest. We reached a big spectacular wooden bridge with a huge water stream flowing under it. we crossed the bridge and hiked further. There were huge rocks on both sides of the trail and now the trail got little wider and we could feel the elevation gain.

We could hear the sound of the waterfalls as we hiked.  We could see water from water falls flowing on the huge rocks towards our right( after crossing the bridge the waterfalls are now towards our right). We went ahead enjoying the water splashing on the huge rocks covered with moss. We came across another small bridge and view of waterfalls from this bridge was amazing. After hiking for quite sometime along the straight path we reached the top of the mountain (start poing of the falls) by 11:52 am. The waterfalls is huge and the altitude is great. It was awesome view of the waterfalls with water flowing like thunders on the big stones and glittering due to sunshine. We could see couple of fellow hikers at the top . we sat at one of the huge stones just beside the falls and had our lunch around 12:00 noon. The water in the falls was very cold, clean and pure. The falls were very beautiful and enjoyed watching them while having lunch. We could feel the water sprinkles of the splashing water on the rocks. It was a great experience and delight to be there on such a wonderful day. we started back around 12:29 pm and just before reaching the parking lot (around 0.5 miles from parking lot) we saw a small bear in the jungle walking slowly into the jungle. It might not have noticed us. We reached parking lot around 2:30 pm. We left to our home and reached by 4:56 pm . Overall it was a good hike, great view of the waterfalls and thoroughly enjoyed. All is Well. 

                           

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Crabtree Waterfalls

We had done hike on Crabtree Waterfalls on 15th May 2016 . It is located in Virginia State. These are the highest waterfalls in Virgina.
Hike Location
Name: Crabtree Waterfalls
Distance: 110 miles from Richmond(approx)
Total hiking distance: 3.8 miles(approx).
Altitude: 1380 ft.
Hike Members: Me and my wife.
Hiking Experience: We started from home around 9:30 am on a fine Saturday. The weather was very good. Around one and hour later there was a ghat road traversing the mountain. We rode for almost half an hour on the ghat road. We reached the parking around 11:50 am. Being good climate and great falls the place is flooded with cars and parked the car on side of the road. Enjoyed the chilly winds. Started the hike around 11:55 am. The trail started with wooden bridge with trees on both sides. the bridge is wide. The trail got steeper as we reached wooden steps. We could hear thundering roars of waterfall but couldn't see the falls yet.  On one side we could see huge mountain and other side exposure to the valley. With such a wonderful environment felt eager to see the falls. The steps are all covered with mud and slippery as it rained here yesterday. We encountered lot of fellow hikers along the hike along with their pets.

We saw the base of the falls. The water was splashing making sound as they fall on the rocks. The rocks are covered with moss. It was a great delight for the eyes. We could feel very cold weather due to chilly winds. With chill weather, light water droplets and splashing sound it was a great experience. we took pictures at the base of the falls and hiked further to view the middle level of the falls. The trail became little steeper and there are steps along the trail. We hiked further with falls to our left all along the trail. The falls were amazing at the middle level and there was a view point at the middle level to get a good glimpse of the falls.

We hiked further. Around 12:50 pm we had lunch beside the falls. We started hike again around 1:00 pm. There is huge boulder on right side. We crossed it and went ahead. There was a cave and we went through the cave and continued on the trail and reached the top of the mountain , start point of the falls, around 2:00 pm. The view was awesome from the top and it was very cold. We started descent around 2:20 pm. Same path through which we came up. Whole path is slippery and covered with mud. We reached the parking around 3:40 pm. Reached home by 6:00 pm. Of all treks this trek is more memorable and wonderful as this was the first trek with my better half. All is Well.

                           

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Hightop Mountain

I had done hike on Hightop Mountain on 31st January 2015 . It is located in Virginia State near Shenandoah National Park on Skyline Drive.
Hike Location
Name: Hightop Mountain
Distance: 89 miles from Richmond(approx)
Total hiking distance: 5 miles(approx).
Altitude: 3200 ft.
Hike Team: Amit, Rajesh, Rajtilak, Sujay, Vaibhav and me.
Hiking Experience: After seeing good weather forecast for 31st January 2016 in Shenandoah, decided to go for hike. Chose this trek for it is located near to our place and shorter trek distance. Started from our place around 5:45 am from honey tree in two cars, filled gas in each car and went to pick Sujay. Started for the hike location around 6:10 am. The climate was so nice, we have not felt any cold in the early morning. We halted at Starbucks around 6:30 am, had little refreshment and left for the destination around 6:50 am. We reached the parking area by 7:54 am. There were few cars parked at the parking lot. Once we got down the car then we saw that all the trails in the Shenandoah are covered with one foot snow. Even though this was unexpected by any of us, we decided to continue the hike as there was warm sunshine. The entire mountain is covered with snow and it was very beautiful to watch.

We found the entrance of our trail(A.T.) after crossing the road. There were foot marks on the snow along the trail, making it easy for us to trace the trail along with white marks of the A.T. As soon as we started we could feel that we are walking in snow pond, feet went inside the snow and made it difficult to walk. For first 10 mins we somehow managed to continue the hike thinking to return when it becomes too difficult. Hands got frozen with cold due to snow even though there was bright sunlight. After hiking for sometime, started feeling warm, sweating and then hands came back to normal and able to hike much easier. The trail was steep and there was nothing on either side of the trail except for snow. We hiked further and slowly the trail became flat and soon started descending. We reached skyline drive.

We crossed it and continued the trail on other side of the road. The trail was very steep. And soon started feeling cold again and hands were getting frozen. We continued hiking further in the snow. It was great view all across the mountain with snow everywhere and bright sun in the sky. Soon the trail became flat and we moved further until where the slope tarted increasing. We decided to return around 9:30 am. Due to the down-slope of the trail and hard snow the descent was much easier and faster and slippery as well. Within 20 mins we reached the skyline drive and continued further. The trail was steep again, hiked slowly enjoying the nature along with snow and reached our parking around 10:20 pm. It was lifetime experience hiking in snow and never done that before. Even though it felt tough in the beginning slowly got used to it. It was a memorable trek. Had lunch at the parking area and left around 10:40 am. Reached home around 12:15 pm. This is one of the treks where we started and ended the hike as per the decided time. Had a very good company and started our first hike of 2016 with such a wonderful one. All is Well.

                       

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