The weekend romp in the mountains was a nice break from the “Saturday is errand day” routine. Hiking along the ridge-line was invigorating. It was a cool spring day with fits of showers. The drizzle always seemed to halt as we set out on each little excursion. That sums up the trip but if you want a bit more detail about the part of the guide dog, keep reading.
Massanutten Resort is a sprawling complex of lush golf courses, well kept properties with wonderful views of the distant mountains, and varieties of adventure sports equipment for nearly every interest. Anticipating that we would actually use our timeshare sometime in the near future, we decided to explore the facilities without the press of the crowds during the two peak seasons of winter and summer.
Our main interest was the condition of the extensive “hike & bike” trail system. The trails were well marked and a discernible path was usually very pronounced. Compared to our normal Sports For Health activities in northeastern Pennsylvania, our hikes were very brief. While the paths were well defined, that definition included rocks. Not just a few on the edges but an entire small mountain of rocks.
While the photo here shows a well cleared path, coming up just ahead are rocks protruding from the ground on Marilee’s side of the trail. Ryder, being the excellent trail dog that he is, guided Marilee away from the hazard. This was an easy obstacle. Most of the other rock protrusions were not nearly as easy. I wasn’t taking pictures during those crossings because Ryder and I were working in concert to ensure Marilee didn’t take a tumble. Otherwise, he worked all the normal roots, ruts, and minor rock formations without incident.
These trails wander through some rather thick and lonely courses. Trailhead signs warned that hikers should hike with a friend, have food, water, cell phone, GPS, survival gear, notify next kin of whereabouts, and even the steps to be taken if one encounters a bear.
The only creatures we encountered on the trail were on fat-tire all terrain bicycles, other hikers, and the totally unprepared tourists that simply wanted to take a “walk in the woods” with friends and family. There was no danger of being lost for the short mile we tramped. But in spite of the piles of rocks and long stretches of roots with rocks and just plain rocks (notice the trend? ROCKS !!!), we enjoyed the outing.
We’ll make another trip sometime in summer to explore the lower hiking trails that promise some shade (and perhaps fewer rocks). We’ll explore where canoes take us, and check out the horseback riding adventures.
Of course we’ll make a winter trip since the other big draw for the area is skiing. They manufacture snow on the downhill slopes. However, the nordic skiers who commandeer the golf courses must wait for the real snow.