Old Rag Mountain in the Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

End of October 2005

Old Rag is no easy Sunday climb, says Mark Taylor from The Roankke Times. 

The mountain combines challenge with spectacular views and the rocky peak near this tiny community in Rappahannock County has earned its reputation as one of the best hiking areas in Virginia.

But we think it's just fine for a Sunday hike... and some of my students may now agree...although, there's still talk about how tough the hike really was...not something that any of us will forget too soon.

Catoctin Mountain Park, Maryland

Beginning of November 2005

The next weekend, several of us are out again.  This time, just an easy 4-5 hour 'walk' - except for those, who started climbing rocks...

One week later, we are back in the Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

taking the Rose River Loop Trail

...and over Thanksgiving break we hiked the Grand Canyon