7.18.2011

Humpback Rock

Happy Monday!

Did y'all have a good weekend?

Mine was fabulous and filled with clear skies and perfect temperatures!

I consider myself to be quite the girly girl, however, I also attempt to be outdoorsy at times.  I've been itching to go on a hike for a few weeks.  Since it was so pretty out, Saturday my cousin, CJE, and I  decided to be outdoorsy and head to Charlottesville for a hike.  One of my favorite things about C'ville is the mountains and all the fun outdoors activities it has to offer.

Humpback Rock, off the Blue Ridge Parkway, is one of the most popular hikes in the area and one I have now done three times.  It is a short hike, but pretty strenuous.

We started the hike a little after 2 pm.  The weather was PERFECT:  Low 70s, little humidity, and a nice breeze.

There are two trails to the top and we chose the one that I usually follow.  Before we got anywhere though, we were told that there was a Mama Bear and two Cubs on that trail so we quickly changed our route!

Ready to Go!

This rock was the perfect spot for a quick break!

Gorgeous!

Once we made it to the top we decided to have a picnic.  We had stopped at one of my favorite Cville spots, Bellair Market and got their hiking special.  For $23.99 we got two specialty sandwiches; two bags of chips or pieces of fruit; two bottles of water or cans of soda; two cookies or two brownies; and a cooler to carry it all in!

Ready to chow down!

GORGEOUS VIEWS!

CJE and Allie

I'm on top of the world!!

CJE is savoring the moment.

We stayed at the top for about an hour, chatting and taking in the views.

On our way down, we heard there had been a rattlesnake sighting RIGHT where we had picnicked and then we even saw a doe!  It let us get really close before it ran away!

so pretty!

this is with ZERO zoom!

I'm glad that the bears and snake were not seen by us, because I think the outdoorsy-ness in me would have vanished instantly and been replaced with a terrified lady!  The gentle doe was the perfect end of the hike for me!

Do you like to hike?  

How was your weekend?

Have a wonderful day!
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36 comments:

  1. JessJuly 18, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    Z and I are looking for a fun day trip and this looks like its right up our alley! :)

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  2. SaraJuly 18, 2011 at 10:13 AM

    Awesome weekend activity! You look so adorable! What a fun way to spend the day with a friend. I love hiking, but it's hard to find good hikes without a long drive out of the city. Plus it's about 900 degrees here right now, which makes anything outside (even pool time) unbearable. I can't wait for fall!

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  3. aHbJuly 18, 2011 at 10:29 AM

    I admit that I am a girly girl, but I do enjoy hiking! I haven't been lately, but would love to go once it cools down a bit and life slows down! So glad you had a great time!

    I am new to the blogging world, so stop by and visit me at http://carolinaonmymind1223.blogspot.com/

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  4. Laurie of Lulu and DaisyJuly 18, 2011 at 10:52 AM

    Great trip! Love the hiking off the parkway in NC and VA!

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  5. cAcJuly 18, 2011 at 10:55 AM

    This looks fabulous! Mr. C and I will have to do this one day when I too am feeling outdoorsy which is not very often!!!!

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  6. AshtonJuly 18, 2011 at 11:03 AM

    I want to have a mountainous adventure! I love being outdoors and doing new/fun things. I have been longing for a rafting trip for a while. I want to camp, hike, and journey down the river. This trip keeps getting put off and put off. I will probably now have to wait until Fall 2012.

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  7. Portuguese PrepsterJuly 18, 2011 at 11:22 AM

    I've always wanted to hike Humpback-your pictures make me want to even more! Maybe i'll get around to it this fall.

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  8. MaritJuly 18, 2011 at 11:22 AM

    I made a stop at Bellair this weekend too! Picked up a platter of sandwiches to take to Roseland Polo!
    Your hike looks like a ton of fun - it was definitely perfect hiking weather!

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  9. April of A. Liz AdventuresJuly 18, 2011 at 11:32 AM

    I'm not so much a hiker although I do love being in nature! A short hike to a picnic would be my perfect idea of how to do a hike. :)

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  10. The Kentucky GirlJuly 18, 2011 at 11:36 AM

    Check out my blog for a surprise!
    http://thekentuckygirl.blogspot.com/2011/07/awards.html

    <3

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  11. lisa elizabethJuly 18, 2011 at 11:38 AM

    What a beautiful view! I always forget how much I like hiking until I get to the top.

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  12. Hilliary@ Happily Ever HealthyJuly 18, 2011 at 11:57 AM

    Great view! And wonderful pictures! Looks like a lot of fun!

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  13. AmandaJuly 18, 2011 at 12:08 PM

    I love that you went hiking! Maybe I'll drag M to do that this weekend....maybe. After this past weekend, I need low key (and no drinking).

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  14. Cherish @ Southern Soul MatesJuly 18, 2011 at 12:29 PM

    Looks like an awesome place to hike!! Beautiful scenery! :) The picnic is precious! xoxo

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  15. ElizabethJuly 18, 2011 at 12:55 PM

    What a gorgeous view! Glad you had a great hike! xoxo

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  16. NatalieJuly 18, 2011 at 1:23 PM

    Wow that does look like a fun trip...and what a spectacular view!

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  17. EmilyJuly 18, 2011 at 1:28 PM

    Absolutely LOVE the pictures. What a great weekend activity. Ohmygoodness to the bears and the rattlesnake--YIKES. Happy Monday. oxo

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  18. AnonymousJuly 18, 2011 at 2:11 PM

    I went hiking for the first time a few weeks ago! I was in LA and we hiked to the Hollywood sign-- definitely not a trail for beginners but I somehow managed to make it up and down safely and it was truly an amazing feeling. We also heard of a rattlesnake sighting... we didn't see it but when we got to the top we definitely heard it. And that was our cue to leave haha.

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  19. The enchanted homeJuly 18, 2011 at 2:33 PM

    Good for you to tackle something you have wanted to do! Isnt' that what summer is all about...great pictures and you looked great throughout the entire hike. Hope it was everything you were hoping it would be!!

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  20. ToteJuly 18, 2011 at 2:34 PM

    What a great area to hike in. It looked beautiful! We are getting ready for a heat wave here this week. I think I may just stay inside!

    Susan

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  21. AnonymousJuly 18, 2011 at 2:52 PM

    Sounds like a fun weekend! Im your newest follower :)

    nevergiveupshae.blogpspot.com

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  22. jessJuly 18, 2011 at 3:21 PM

    I can only handle outdoorsy activities in little bits but this looks like it would be so much fun! I actually like hiking (as long as the weather is nice), but even better with a beautiful view like that! And how smart for that market to have a hiking special? I love that idea.

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  23. RuthieJuly 18, 2011 at 4:26 PM

    What a beautiful place to hike! We always make a stop at Bellair Market when we are in Charlottesville, great country ham! I'm glad y'all missed the snake, I would have FLIPPED out!

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  24. Jane @ In the Pink and GreenJuly 18, 2011 at 4:45 PM

    Awww I LOVED this post! (You know how much I love hiking!) Your pictures are beautiful and I seriously miss being able to drive on the Blue Ridge, it's one of the most gorgeous parts about the South! Glad you're enjoying your summer :)

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  25. RebeccaJuly 18, 2011 at 5:42 PM

    so beautiful! gotta love VA

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  26. sSeJuly 18, 2011 at 5:56 PM

    Looks absolutely perfect! Every once in a while it's nice to pretend your a nature girl.

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  27. MeganJuly 18, 2011 at 6:20 PM

    i LOVE hiking!! so gorgeous!

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  28. Caitlin C.July 18, 2011 at 7:36 PM

    I love hiking!! It's so much fun and what a great way to exercise... these are great pictures, it looks beautiful!

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  29. EmilyJuly 18, 2011 at 7:40 PM

    Oh my goodness, I looove to hike!! I'm so jealous that you have all that great hiking so close to you! Sounds a little scary, but you girls looked very brave :).

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  30. MaddieJuly 18, 2011 at 7:58 PM

    Gorgeous!! I need to spend some more time in Virginia. My weekend was great in SF - more details coming soon!

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  31. Little Pink Rain BootsJuly 18, 2011 at 8:03 PM

    Looks like a blast, I would hike for that view. I'm gonna have to make plans to do this before summer ends.

    -Julie. littlepinkrainboots.blogspot.com

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  32. Rose WestJuly 18, 2011 at 10:57 PM

    Looks like a lot of fun! Hiking is such a fun activity, especially when you go with friends!

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  33. Alicia@ eco friendly homemakingJuly 18, 2011 at 11:54 PM

    Oh this just sounds like a great weekend and the pictures are just awesome!! Really looks like you all had so much fun.

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  34. KerryJuly 19, 2011 at 2:08 AM

    I love that pic of you on top of the world!! You should frame that one :)
    Thank goodness you never spied that snake but still, doesn't it make you shiver to think how close you came!?
    What a great way to spend a day...!

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  35. loonyhikerJuly 19, 2011 at 8:52 AM

    I love that hike! My hubby and I are currently hiking in Yellowstone National Park. I am like you though, I don't want to see any snakes or a grizzly bear! :) Thanks for sharing your hike with your readers!

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  36. ♡ bAsJuly 20, 2011 at 7:47 PM

    Awh how fun and such a pretty view! (:

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