Chimney Rock and Calvary Rocks – Shenandoah National Park

This is a really nice hike that can be done as an easy day hike or combined with any number of moderately strenuous loop options. I chose to hike 3.4 miles from the Riprap trail head parking at mile post 90 to the rocks and back, and then another 3.5 miles to BlackRock Hut for the night.
There are a number of turns on this hike, so pay attention! From the parking lot, take the blue blaze trail at the sign just a short way up to to the white blazed Appalachian Trail and turn right. The Riprap trail is on the left about 0.4 miles north on the AT. The Calvary Rocks are about 0.8 miles from the intersection with the AT and Chimney Rock another 0.5 miles. The view from the viewpoint just before Calvary rocks is awesome. On the way to Chimney Rock, don’t be fooled by the Calvary rock formations on the left – keep going. Chimney Rock is right on the trail on the edge of a cliff. The outer chimney is too far to jump to – DON’T! I did want to get to the bottom of the formations and bushwhacked clockwise to get there. I should have gone off to the right, it’s much easier to get down that way. The formation is really cool and I highly recommend going to the bottom and walking around inside the formation. If it were a lot warmer and I were a lot younger I'd climb all over this thing!

Viewpoint - 4:45
Calvary Rocks - 6:20
Chimney Rock - 6:43
#bluffage - 9:30
Suspended rock - 10:35
Shout out to Shawn - 12:55
Camp - 14:18

https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/hikeriprap.htm
https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/upload/Riprap_RoadTrail.pdf

I already had a video of the BlackRock Hut here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD3v8KAzRxg

Hiking with Shawn: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkPCRdch1HDCKfayXJ6KiLw

Lindamood School - Settlers Museum of Southwest Virginia - Appalachian Trail

Stopped by this iconic schoolhouse located at the Settlers Museum of Southwest Virginia right on the Appalachian Trail. The Museum places water for the hikers in the box in the corner of the school. There is often trail magic and other goodies available. Today there was only frozen water. It is really neat, no wonder so many people stop here. I'll be sure to visit the rest of the property on a section hike when they reopen the whole property in the Spring.
http://www.settlersmuseum.com/
https://www.facebook.com/SettlersMuseum/  

Piney Point Lighthouse – Winter Storm Grayson – Zhiyun Smooth-Q

Taking a quick walk at Piney Point Lighthouse in Southern Maryland during winter storm Grayson to try out my new Zhiyun Smooth-Q 3-Axis Handheld Gimbal Stabilizer. It will take a little time to learn hot to use it well, but I think this came out well for my 1^st attempt! The wind was blowing 44 knots (51 mph). I’m a sailor and have sailed this section of the Potomac many times – it was blowing dogs off chains out there – great blue stink!

https://www.visitstmarysmd.com/site/detail/piney-point-lighthouse-museum-and-historic-park

http://lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=437

Groovy Icicles on the AT

Appalachian Trail – Albright Loop Trail – Paul C. Wolfe Shelter

This was a quick overnighter where I wanted to get some practice in very cold conditions again. The weather did not disappoint, it was 1°F! I parked at the Humpback Rocks parking area on Skyline Drive and hiked a short 3.6 miles to the Paul C. Wolfe Shelter. Total loop distance, including down to the shelter, is 6.4 miles. The shelter has great water and privy.

Check out RockEastwood Outdoors: https://www.youtube.com/user/rockeastwood14

Check out Bassfishing SoMD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RAIXZQOn2k

Old Dominion Appalachian Trail club: http://www.odatc.net/

BlackRock Gear: https://www.blackrockgear.com/

San Diego Model Railroad Museum - Balboa Park

San Diego Model Railroad Museum - These trains are awesome!
Learn more here: http://sdmrm.org/

Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve - San Diego Hike and Waterfall - Zoom iQ7

This is a quick hike I did in the Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve. I entered the preserve from the south side at the Camino Ruiz Trail-head at the Camino Ruiz Park. There was ample parking and appeared to be no fee. The trail was easy and made for a nice end of day retreat. The waterfall is about 2.5 miles from the trail-head parking. I only explored a small portion of this preserve and was impressed with what it had to offer.

More information on the park can be found here:
https://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/parks/osp/lospenasquitos
https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/park-and-recreation/pdf/penasquitoscanyon.pdf
https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2013/dec/04/roam-los-penasquitos-canyon/