A Fun Way to Say "Brrrrrrr!": Winter Camping and Hiking

Some people think I'm out of my mind when I tell them I'm going "winter camping." Somehow, the idea of spending an entire weekend outdoors in freezing weather doesn't strike them as anything that would remotely be considered fun.

Our Campsite. A hearty fire is a must during winter camping.

Well, you don't have to be crazy, just resourceful _ and well-prepared. Dress properly (tons of layers), bring the right gear (a good sleeping bag is essential), and build a nice fire to cook some hearty, soul-warming meals.

This weekend, I went on my annual winter camping trip with a group of Boy Scouts at Elizabeth Furnace, in the George Washington National Forest near Front Royal, Virginia. We played football, hiked to the top of Massanutten Ridge, told stories and ate some great campfire food.

We also toured the actual Elizabeth Furnace, where pig iron was made in the late 1800s. All the trees for miles around were clear-cut to keep the furnace burning. One would hardly know it today. Nature has reclaimed the area, a wonderful lesson in resilience.

Warming up for the big "Touch Football Bowl" 

Our modern, high-tech scoreboard: "We" vs. "They"

Elizabeth Furnace is one of the places we'll visit during our hiking tour of the Blue Ridge and Shenandoah this year, although we'll be taking you there in the autumn, when the leaves are turning beautiful colors. Find out more, and sign up now while spots are still available.

See you on the trails.

Joseph

Uh, the field was rather muddy.

Very muddy. This is my "uniform" post-game.

Afterward, we hiked to the crest of the Massanutten Ridge. 

Arriving at the summit.

Boy, that was exhausting.

As usual, downhill is easier.

Waiting for the Poe Toaster

If the three people in this photograph appear cold and stiff, it's because we were, well, cold and stiff. The temperature was about 17 degrees and there was a persistent breeze through downtown Baltimore on Saturday night, but that didn't deter some 20 or so Edgar Allan Poe fans from turning up for the annual Poe birthday vigil at his gravesite.

For decades, a mysterious visitor would leave three roses and a half-bottle of cognac at Poe's grave in the wee hours of Jan. 19. The visitor's identity has never been revealed _ it's a legitimate great American mystery.

Unhappily, the visitor hasn't returned since 2009, much to the disappointment of Poe fans and adding even more mystery to the quest to learn the identity of the "Poe toaster."

I am a Poe fan, but I must confess that I attend the vigil because I share a birthday with the great writer of the macabre. It's a fun way to celebrate my annual trip around the sun. We renew acquaintances, swap stories, read Poe poetry and _ as you can tell from the photo below _ have started giving Olympic-judge-like scores to the "Faux Toasters" who have showed up in recent years to imitate the original.

Sure, this doesn't have much to do with hiking, but it's an adventure! Just like a hiking trip! And since you'd have to wait a full year to take part in the Poe vigil, you might as well as good ahead and sign up for one of our hiking trips in 2014. Start planning your trip now.

See you on the trails,
Joseph

Know Your ABCs ... and a Whole Lot More

Talking to "victims" during a training exercise.

The smiling graduates.

Seriously, more people should take a First Aid class. The same goes for CPR. Who knows many times in our lives we can be useful to friends, loved ones and strangers if we knew what to do, instead of yelling: "Does anyone know what to do?"

As hiking guides, we go a step further. Last weekend, I renewed my certification in Wilderness First Aid from the good folks at the Center for Wilderness Safety. It's a 16-hour course that teaches how to help people who are more than 1 hour away from a hospital.

You have to take the course every 2 years to keep everything fresh in your mind and because methods of treating injuries are always changing, but it's very rewarding.

I hope I never have to use most of the skills I learned _ the most serious thing I've ever treated on a hike I led was a blister and a slightly strained muscle _ but it's always good to be prepared.

Meanwhile, we hope you'll join us for our hikes this year. We'll be going to Switzerland, Vermont, Vegas and Virginia. Sign up now.

See you on the trails.
Joseph

Midnight New Year's Eve _ Overlooking the Shenandoah Valley

I have ushered in the New Year in many different ways and in many different places over the years, but my hands-down, no-debate-necessary, all-time best way to experience midnight Dec. 31 is sitting on a Skyline Drive overlook with fellow hikers, gazing at the fireworks and city lights in the distance.

This was the second time I participated in the Northern Virginia Hiking Club's New Year's Eve hike. We carpooled to the north end of the Skyline Drive in Front Royal and walked around the barricades and onward along our journey. (The Skyline Drive is closed to cars in winter.)

We hiked roughly 2 miles up the road to the first overlook and waited for midnight, enjoying the stars, eating peanuts and toasting the arrival of 2014 with fizzy juice. The view was grand, the company was grander, and all were full of thoughts about the wonders that lie ahead in the new year.

Afterward, we hiked back to the cars and made the traditional trip to the 7-11 (always open, of course!) for hot chocolate and such. That's where we posed for the obligatory photo, given it wasn't very feasible to take pictures in the dark during hike.

All in all, it's much better than watching a ball drop on TV. You should join us next year.

Also, now that 2014 is here, it's time to get serious about your vacation plans. Sign up for one of our hiking trips at http://myhikingvacations.com. We'll be going to Switzerland, Vermont, Vegas and the Shenandoah this year.

Happy new year. And see you on the trails.

Joseph

Moonlight Hike

The moon makes a brief appearance at the start of its namesake hike.

Ah, the moon. The river. Can't get much better than a night hike along the Potomac.

This was another outing of the Capital Hiking Club, a moonlit hike along the C&O Canal to Great Falls Park northwest of Washington, D.C.

The "moonlit" part was a bit of a misnomer. I'm glad I took this photo before we started _ because the clouds quickly hid the orb from view for the rest of the night.

It was an easy, flat, 2-hour trundle with some 50 people. Flashlights weren't needed even without the moon. The trail of crushed white rock was easily visible. The rushing waters of the falls sounded even more powerful in the dark.

Hikers near woods with flashlights. (Not too many photo-ops on this hike.) 

Of course, there are a few extra precautions when hiking at night. Bring a flashlight in case you need it (along with spare batteries). Choose your destination wisely. Always hike in a group. Make sure it's a path with solid footing.

Otherwise, it's a great way to spend an evening. Give it a try sometime.

And, while you're thinking about it, sign up for one of our hiking trips for 2014. We'll be going to Vermont, Switzerland, Vegas and Virginia.

See you on the trails.

Joseph

"Don't Shoot Me _ I'm a Hiker"

It's hunting season, which means hikers and hunters are sharing the woods. Even if you're hiking on protected land where hunting isn't allowed, there's always a chance a hunter will accidentally stray into your area.

How do you protect yourself on the trail? Here are some very good tips from the Green Mountain Club.

Remember: Orange is your favorite color this time of year. And, yes, some stores will even sell you an orange shirt that says "Don't Shoot Me _ I'm a Hiker."

We make sure to avoid hunting season with our hiking vacations. Take a look at our schedule and join us next year.

See you on the trails.

Joseph

Peace and Beauty Behind the Strip Malls

There's a hidden gem in my area. I want to tell you about it, but I want to keep it a secret because I don't want to see it spoiled.

Sunrise over the Potomac River with a roaring campfire

Not that I think it ever will be spoiled. It's a private plot of land on a cliff overlooking the Potomac River, an absolutely gorgeous place to go camping, especially when leaves are changing in the fall.

I was there with a group over the weekend. Our campfire was only a few yards away from the cliff. We saw all sorts of animals. We went orienteering. The stars were brilliant at night. And the sunrise over the river was spectacular in the morning.

The untold story is that the owners of this property have been offered millions many times over by developers who would love to put hotels, restaurants and anything else you can imagine on this prime piece of real estate. The owners keep saying no. They've even put it in their will that the land can never be developed in perpetuity.

Less than a half-mile away, there's a Target, a Home Depot and literally hundreds of other stores as you work your way toward the sprawling area around Leesburg, Virginia. We don't need more of that stuff. We need more people like the family who own this farm, people who can actually say no.

It was a great weekend. I glad they let us camp there. To pay our way, so to speak, we cleared some dead trees and picked up a whole lot of trash that had washed up a stream. I'm sure we'll be back.

Meanwhile, don't forget to sign up for one of our hiking trips in 2014. Click here to visit our website and find out more.

See you on the trails.

Joseph