Steady climb to the lookout point

Peering down into the valley below

On a hot muggy summer day

Haze obscuring the blue ridge mountains

Beware of bears said the first rest stop sign

Cyclists pounding away on the ascent 

Ears popping as we climb higher

We reached 3800 feet

Breathtaking views of the valley below

Hardy hikers gathering at the rest stop

They are tackling the Appellation trail by foot

Water bottles and supplies hanging from their vests

As we drive along a small section

On the trail of the lonesome pine

The voices of Laurel and Hardy ring out

This is Virginia at its finest

I wonder where the hikers will sleep tonight

We saw no bears today