Camping on Jeremy's Run 5.23.09

Memorial Day weekend we figured we could get out to the Shenandoah National Forest for a few days of camping. It turned out to be great weather, so lots of people had the same idea. Dozens of motorcyclists, bikers and other drivers came out to take in the sights along the valley. We got some advice from one of the rangers and headed down Jeremy's Run just south of Mathew's Arm.

It was a decent hike in, fairly easy because it was a gradual decline, which we did realize until hiking back up the steady slope. We had done about 8 or 9 stream crossings - imagine hopscotch on stones accross a creek, no giant river or anything - when we found a nice little campsite right by the stream where we could hook up the hamock and relax. Harvey loved it, he got to meet great and approve everyone passing by who wanted to cross the stream by us.

Everything went great until right after breakfast on our first morning when a park ranger stopped by and gave us a $50 ticket with a nice little $25 processing fee for camping in the park without a free reservation. We'd been here a number of times before and been fine without one. But it figures we'd see a ranger on a busy holiday weekend, so lesson learned.

As the day went on we realized our spot was actually kind of buggy. Jill had already been pulling tics off of Harvey and we found out that the only spot we could get any good sun was on an ant infested log in the middle of the stream.

We just weren't feeling it so we decided to break camp and call it a $75 one night stay. The rain that met us on our trek back up the stream confirmed our decision, so we got back to our car & headed for home.

Canoeing & Camping Overnighter 4.25.09

Friday the 24th of April we decided on a whim to look up canoeing rentals in the area to do a night of camping on Saturday. We found a nice outfitter just outside of Fredericksburg who set us up just up on a smaller stream that leads into the Rapahanock. We were a little nervous about getting Harvey into a canoe, but figured he'd have to learn sometime if he wants make a Boundary Waters trip at some point in his life.

With a lot of persuasion and a little tugging, we were able to get him into the canoe before we shoved off. The entire canoe had barely entered the water before he decided this was not for him and bailed, thankfully not, but nearly taking us down with him. The outfitter had said that there was a great chance that in the 11-12 hours (IS THAT RIGHT??? MORE LIKE 7???) of canoeing that we had coming over our two days, that Harvey would tip us at some point. Thankful to have avoided this before our first stroke of the paddle, we were happy to just let him swim down stream beside us.

Harvey was plenty comfortable in the water, but it wasn't long till we hit a couple rapid points and he began to get visibly tired, so we pulled over on a sandy point where he hoped in having learned that the free ride the canoe offers is worth the unstable feeling. Rapids & rock scraps would come along which would get him all nervously looking & moving about, but he was quick to learn that the more he moved, the shakier the ride got. For the most part he was really well behaved in the canoe and we are glad to report, didn't tip us once!

The trip went very smooth, we stopped for some lunch on a nice sandy camping spot just on the river. There was debate of camping the night in this spot, but we weren't going to make that decision until we had a nap in the hammock. After about 30 minutes of rest Harvey decided a goose in the river was too alien not to investigate, so he began swimming down stream after him. Instead of flying away, the goose just flitted out of range for Harvey, antagonizing him even more. Once he'd gotten about 100 yards down stream, we flew into the canoe and pursued the dog. It wasn't until covering a couple rapids and at least a half mile that we caught up with Harvey and got him back in the boat. Unfortunately we could not canoe back to our spot where all our stuff was, so we were forced to ditch the canoe at a new spot and hike back through thick, tic infested woods, Jill without shoes, to retrieve our stuff.

We ended up at a better site, so couldn't stay mad at our crazy dog too long, enjoyed a night out doors and at least came away with a good story. The rest of the stay went without a hitch. The next day H enjoyed several dips but stuck close and enjoyed the ride. We think a canoe is something we may want to own someday.