Billy Goat Trail

Today I am going to hike the Billy Goat Trail in Maryland. Come with me! Here is the trailhead.

This trail has three sections, with section A being the most difficult. That's the one we're doing today. It has a lot of rock scrambling. Are you up to the challenge?

I'm wearing my Bear Cub Scout uniform today. Maybe I can earn a hiking badge for this.

The Billy Goat Trail is next to the Potomac River. During the spring and summer, you can see a lot of kayakers take on the currents here.

Yeah, now we are getting to see some neat rock formations on the side of the river!

Wow, these boulders are huge!

Okay, now we have reached the trickiest part of the trail. It's a downclimb all the way to the bottom.

I'm going to go down... er...

...actually, I'm going to hop in my mom's backpack and let her do this one! She has climbed this many times before.

Okay, here we are at the bottom. I did a good job shouting words of encouragement!

It's a great view, isn't it?

Maybe next year, I can try kayaking.

This part of the river is a bit dried up.

Now we are almost back at the parking lot - look at this sunset over the lake!

Thanks for coming on this hike with me!

2018 Stuffie Winter Olympians

Hey everyone, the 2018 Stuffie Winter Olympics have come to a close! Let's take a look at some of the courageous stuffie Olympians who entered this year's contest!

First up is Sandy who bravely gave it his all in the SPRINGBOARD SNOW PILE DIVE. This is a new event to me, but looks like great fun! Sandy, are you okay?

Next is Droopy and friends with DOGSLEDDING. It looks like Droopy and Patch are leading the team, and Spunky and Grandpa are in the back. I especially like the blue and white snow landscape!

Jerry and Ben also entered the WINTER HIKING event! Here they are, all decked out in their winter gear - looking great, guys! This also seems like an event Little Fox would have liked to enter.

And next, we have Martin MurmelTier with the MARMOT CURLING TEAM. The judges love the straw handles on these handmade curling stones!

Okay, so the gold medal goes to... (drumroll please)...

EVERYONE!

Yes, everyone has won a prize! Thanks for entering this year's Stuffie Winter Olympics contest. I will be mailing your prize beary soon!

Salmondoah Valley

This weekend, my mom and I took a visit to the beautiful Shen...Shena...Shenan...oh hmm.  I have some trouble pronouncing the name, so I will just call it the beautiful Salmondoah Valley (I did not see any salmon while I was there, however).

This is a picture from the beginning of our trip.  There are many overlooks in this park.

Then I saw an exhibit of a bear at the museum.  There were signs all around that said "BEAR COUNTRY."  I hope I can see at least one bear while I am here.

Then we went on a hike in the woods.  I think Little Fox would like it here very much.  Many bear explorers have gone before me on this trail.

Should I go this way?

Or that way?  Good thing we have a map, and more importantly, lots of snacks for our hike.

Uh oh, here is a stream.  How will I get across without getting my fur wet?  I think I'll hop inside my mom's backpack again and let her figure it out.

Then I saw a painting class - they were painting bears.  But still no bear sighting!  I was getting a little frustrated.

I really wanted to rough it in the great outdoors by camping, but my mom wanted to stay in a cabin.

I reluctantly agreed.  Some humans can be picky about this sort of thing, but I guess these pillows are... *yawn*... nice...zzz...

The next day, we did another hike.  This one had a spectacular view at the top.

My mom would not let me get any closer to the ledge because it was a beary long way down.

It was such a great view that a picture cannot do it justice.  So I took a video.

Okay, it was just about time to head home.  I stopped at the gift shop to pick up some postcards to mail to my friends.

Then I saw it - a real, live bear.  This bear was nice enough to take a picture with me.  We shook paws and then went home.  It was a beary nice visit to Salmondoah Valley.  I highly recommend it if you have the time.