Blackrock-November 26, 2011

 

This was the day for those who thought they needed to get out and move after Thanksgiving, and did not want to play the contact sport of just-after-Thanksgiving shopping, or think that watching a football game is exercise.

Arriving at Madison Run, we found several horse trailers already parked there. We walked a short distance up the fire road, then started the climb up Furnace Mountain. The forecast mild weather meant some stops to remove layers. At the junction with Furnace Mt. spur trail, Mary Taylor and Rita Kieffer decided to head out to the summit to make a shorter hike than the full 8.5-mile route. Following Hike Leader John Shannon for the full distance were Sue Tansey, Dan Funkhouser, Wanda Hamlin, Dave Borszich, Marian Styles, and Michael Seth.

Madison Run Valley from Blackrock

On the section of Trayfoot Mountain Trail leading to Blackrock, John tried to protect a little piece of America from foreign enemies by cutting some tree-killing, imported bittersweet.

At Blackrock, numerous people and dogs were enjoying the weather and scenery, some climbing to the top of the rocks. We ate lunch—which included healthy, or at least great-tasting, orange cranberry cake—on the side of the trail. The view on this crystal-clear day was spectacular.

Our interminable descent was uneventful, except hearing the Downhill Diva proclaim that she was ready for the downhill to end. After waiting for horses to enter their trailers, we headed back to Charlottesville, blissfully unaware of the shutout unfolding at the UVA-Virginia Tech football game.