Driving through the mid-Atlantic, you can get a bit of a
feel for the beauty of the area. This
is especially true if you stray from the Interstate 95 corridor. However, I don’t think a person can know
what an area is like without pulling over and getting out of the car.
For example, I can say I’ve been to St. Louis,
Missouri. I’ve seen the arch. But I drove through, looking out of the
windows at 65 miles an hour. Even though
the kids (they were young then) put Nelly’s CD in the player all of the way
through Missouri, and we watched from the windows pointing out different things
to each other, I didn’t leave the state knowing the area.
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| A rugged portion of a Baltimore County, MD trail. |
Getting outdoors in an area is the best way to know an area
more intimately. I think hiking is the best way to do this. Understand that I use the word “hike”
loosely. I say I hike. But what I do is walk along paths for a
short period of time. I participate in
what are called day hikes. All through
the mid-Atlantic there are great places to take day hikes. There are great places to take even shorter
walks. Best of all, the Appalachian
Trail runs through part of the mid-Atlantic region. That means the best of the best hikers do section or thru-hikes
here. In terms of trails, there is something for every level of hiker (walker)
here.
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| A lush portion of the same trail. |
Whatever type of hiker you are, I encourage you to get out
there and see the land. It is possible to hike here in all four seasons, in a
variety of terrains, and I love them all.
MysticTurtle shares her thru-hike on the
Appalachian Trail (AT). While thru-hiking the AT is a very serious adventure,
there are many places to jump on the trail and do a short hike. Beginning hikers, like myself, can still
enjoy sections of the AT trail.
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| Hiking more difficult terrain in western Maryland. |
In 2012, Clare Lochary wrote an article for the Baltimore
Sun, listing the 10 best Mid-Atlantic hikes for fall foliage viewing. I’ve been to many of the places on Ms. Lochary's list and the rest are on my too-see list. I agree with her list and think she’s chosen some really great
places for day hikes, no matter the time of year. Be advised, if you use her list, do some research because some of
the entry fees may have increased. But the information in the list itself is
very helpful.
I hope you find a way to get out and really experience an
area, whether it’s the mid-Atlantic region or your own. The following photographs are from a few of my experiences in this area.
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| Walking the islands and beaches in the mid-Atlantic. |
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| Hike the tidal rivers in Maryland. |
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| Sidling Hill, Maryland in the wintertime. |
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| Tidal marsh areas. |
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| Michaux State Forest, PA |
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| Near the Western Maryland/Pennsylvania state line. |
Image Credit: Images are mine ©Dawn Rae – All Rights
Reserved (Click on photo for larger view)
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What fabulous photos of your day hikes! I'll be stepping along with you to all those other locations you've shared, thank you! I do need to hike the national forests here in my area this year.
ReplyDeleteI agree Ruth, you need to see the national forests in your area...and I hope you share the photos/experiences!
DeleteThank you for the wonderful glimpse of hikes in your area. I agree you need to stop the car and walk around a bit to really get a feel for the area. I too enjoy short hikes to enjoy the beauty of a place. Thanks for sharing your photos and the next time you go through Missouri you really must stop and enjoy the beauty of our wonderful state :)
ReplyDeleteMary Beth, thank you for your comments. I agree, I need to see MO next time I'm through. That part of our trip was after a drive Indiana to Arizona and back...with two young teen kids. I was a in hurry to get to home-sweet-home by the time we got to Missouri! haha.
DeleteMy husband and I love our day hikes! We have several favorites trails in our area, but we always enjoy discovering new places and trails. The Mid-Atlantic region would be a gorgeous area for us to explore and I know, just based on your articles and photos, that we would love every minute, every step of it.
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely a great place to explore. Thank you for your comments. Day hikes, in general, are so awesome.
DeleteI once lived in the Blue Ridge Mountain area of western South Carolina and 'walked' a few trails near Oconee State Park and Isaqueena Falls. Not quite the 'Mid-Atlantic', but filled with it's own kind of beauty. Loved your photos and selection of day hikes.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see the mountains in SC and more of NC. We once drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway to visit my son in NC. I can't wait to see more of those areas.
DeleteWhat a fun way to share your day hikes. I certainly enjoyed going along with you and look forward to my own chance to visit all these great places.
ReplyDelete