What are plans anyway? Originally, I was headed to Sky Meadows. Lack of gas in the tank and money in the pocket had me rethinking that decision while rolling down 340 towards Harper’s Ferry.  Oh…yeah…Blueridge Center, I haven’t been there in years!

Turn left at the gas station just after crossing the 340 bridge, then a couple more miles I’m there. Perfect!

There was a small parking spot left at the back of the lot. Okay, not really, but close enough! My car fit and I could open my door without hitting the car next to me…win!

Decided to pull on the waterproof boots since the trails had to be muddy.  Seriously, after a week of rain some things are a no brainer.

Fyi, good decision…you can applaud. Haha!

Signed the trail log,and everyone, please do this, it helps them with getting grants, then down the Farmstead Loop Sidekick Pauli and I went.

We passed a small pond and an old homestead.  What’s that? Dappled sunlight on the trail! Hallelujah,  the sun is back!

I figured we would follow Farmstead to the bridge at the creek, cross the bridge and picnic up by the bigger pond.

Um, where’s the bridge? Well, I wasn’t so committed to the picnic by the pond after being so bluntly affronted by Mother Nature’s handiwork. Hmmm,  I’ll continue on Farmstead!

I did look to see if there was a better place to cross upstream, but no. Not today.  I am curious what this creek looks like when there hasn’t been a week of rain!

Instead I turned onto the Pine Run Spur.  This was pleasant.  It met up with the Farmstead Loop at the top of the hill which took us to Mountain View.  This little side trail is worth it! Gorgeous view over the meadow to yes, mountains! Bluebirds flitted across the meadow chirping at each other.  We sat on the bench provided and just took it all in.  Lovely!

Meandered back to Farmstead, then a few steps later shot off to the left on Jonathan’s Rock Trail.

It may be just a rock to you and me…but to Sidekick Pauli it’s a mountain!

After completing the Farmstead Loop,  we circled back around to pick up the Derry loop which brought us back around to the small pond we had passed coming in. 

I wasn’t really ready for the hike to end, but I had exhausted the network of trails on this side of the creek!

Trudging back up to my car, I was making plans to come back to reaquaint myself with the rest of the trails at Blueridge!

Happy Mother’s Day…you too Mother Nature! Hike on!