Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park is a beautiful place, that seems to have three major hallmarks: panoramic mountain vistas, waterfalls, and deer. The deer are everywhere, and almost totally fearless. They will not run unless you are approaching them directly, and even then, not until you are ~10ft away. The forest is beautiful, and even at this late a date, there was still quite a bit of color in the leaves. I did not see any black bears, but the rangers say there are quite a few out here. I think this would be a great place to visit earlier in the season, but right now it is more like winter than fall up there. Most campgrounds and visitor centers are closed.

I cut my trip to the park short, and the picture of my campsite should show you why. I had intended to go out for a 2-night backpacking trip. I have gear for cold, and I have gear for wet, but cold and wet at the same time - no thanks. I mean, really, if given the choice between spending the 14 hour night alone in the woods, wet and in sub-freezing temps, or warm and dry, and in the company of friends, who really is going to choose the former? I suppose I could have stayed in the campground, but at $17/night, I felt it was time to go.
I did take a couple hikes before I left, probably 7 miles or so, in total. One of my hopes for this trip was to go places people don't usually, and I think that includes when as much as where. So, standing at the bottom of Dark Hollow Falls, at 8am in the morning, in the middle of a snow shower - I think that counts. It was a good moment.