Hello and happy Thursday!
I am sharing some photos from Aug 9th. The almost full moon and our 4.2 mile hike to the Maryland Heights overlook at Harpers Ferry, Maryland. This is National Park land and you must either have a park pass or pay at the pay box near the trailhead.
My morning started off with a view of the moon setting.
The 4.2 mile trail, was a steep hike to the overlook at Maryland Heights and Harpers Ferry Maryland. We had to stop often, I guess we are not used to hiking the steep hills and elevation change of 1519 ft. We stayed on the Overlook red trail, but there is a blue trail that heads to a Stone Fort used during the Civil War. If you take the blue trail add 2 more miles onto your hike.
In the mosaic below are some wildflowers, a blurry Eastern Towhee, some spiders webs and one of the biggest beetles I have seen in Maryland. I believe the beetle is the Eastern-Hercules-Beetle. This beetle was as long as my index finger or longer. I heard many birds during our walk, like the Pileated Woodpeckers, Tufted Titmouse and Chickadee, Cardinals and Blue Jays. We also saw a few deer running across the trail. Sorry, I could not take photos of the birds and critters.
The view looking down at Harpers Ferry, the Shenandoah River on the left side meets up with the Potomac River which is on the right side. Two closer bridges, one is a pedestrian bridge for the Appalachian Trail and the other bridge is for working CSX and other trains. In the far distance, top of the photo is Route 340 heading to Charlestown West Virginia.
From the overlook I zoomed in on the St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.
I also zoomed in on this white barn, way in the distance in Harpers Ferry. I will share this barn with Tom's Barn Collective on Sunday.
Can you see the little white spot on the top of the photo below? The barn looks like it is hiding in the trees. That is the barn in the photo above.
A view of the Potomac River from the Maryland Heights overlook. In the summer months, rafting companies take many people on the Potomac for both tubing and rafting. My hubby and I along with some friends did the tubing years ago. I did my first post on River rider, Harpers Ferry
Harpers Ferry West Virginia is a National Park. There are many historical buildings you can tour, I love the views of the rivers. It is a gorgeous area, where Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia all meet.
Even though this was a super hard hike, hubby and I would like to do this hike again when the trees are turning colors in the fall. I found out about this hike from searching the internet for various hikes in our area..
My thankful list for today:
I am thankful for Google, I am able to research hikes, trips and much more. The internet is a wonderful thing.
I am thankful for your visits and your comments.
"Be thankful for all the troubles you don't have."
Thanks so much for visiting and for your nice comments. Have a happy day!
Thank you Michelle for hosting. Thankful Thursday
Thank you to the hosts of Skywatch Friday
75 comments:
Hi Eileen,
always nice to see your Nature photos.
We must remember to be thankful for the troubles we do not have.
Well said!
Have a good day!
lovely post. It reminded me of the central part of Europe. Looks pretty much like this. :)
Hello Eileen & what a wonderful hike! I wish we had been able to do this as this view over Harper's Ferry is one of the prettiest sights!
Your camera definitely has a powerful zoom! Great shots of the barn & St Peters!
Thanks for sharing!
Looks like a great area to visit with good birding potential, and the image of the moon is quite wonderful. I have searched diligently for green cheese but I haven't found any yet - perhaps I had better keep looking!
Yea ...1 month pass so fast. One more full moon.
I love to see the photos here. So cheerful
Lua maravilhosa! E esse lugar vale a pena ver! Belas fotos!Adorei! bjs, chica e lindo dia!
What beautiful landscape, Eileen! Charlestown, West Virginia looks like the sweetest storybook setting! Yes, I believe that this hike in the fall, with the leaves turning, would be idyllic! Hope you return to this pretty and pastoral paradise, then.
Have a lovely Thursday!
Poppy
Such lovely places & panoramas in West Virginia! The Potomac River area must be great to visit and have a pleasant tour!
A lovely day and weekend to you!
Beautiful views and photos.
The Catholic Church
White Batn
Potomac
to name my favorites.
A 4 plus mile hike sounds like a challenge . . .
but what a wonderful setting to take that challenge on.
Great list Eileen . . .
Amazing ,didn't you do well, the moon shot is great, and the views are just stunning, all the scenery in that area is new to me , so I've learn quite a bit today,
Thanks Eileen, and take care, Gordon.
Wonderful, beautiful photos! I like the view of St. Peter's Catholic Church the best! Have a great day!
Hello Eileen,
Wow, this post is packed with beautiful views. The architecture of the Catholic church is amazing, and that's a gorgeous shot.
Thank you for sharing your hike with us. :)
Such a beautiful hike and the views are gorgeous. I like how you zoomed in on the church and the barn.
Thanks for the memories Eileen. I am able to remember the spots 'downtown' we stopped at several years ago from your photos. I think we drove down from the opposite side and I remember a nice park along the Potomac.
I thought that Harpers Ferry was in WV... never realized it was straddling both states! You took some excellent pictures! I have been fascinated by big spider webs like that too! Thanks for sharing! Hugs!
Hello,
Beautiful views! It's nice to see things from above. Pretty wildflowers!
Happy Thursday!
Thank you for sharing these scenes. Maryland is lovely! I've only passed through there as a child. It would be nice to see all the historical sites.
beautiful pictures..i love harper's ferry...we haven't been in a long time but your pictures are making me want to go back!
Virginia is such a lovely location, so much greenery and beauty. Thanks for taking us along with you.
It's amazing to me how many trees are in that part of the country. So beautiful.
Yes, it certainly is a beautiful part of the country to visit. Love your pics especially the two bridges and the church. Thanks for sharing this part of our country.
Wow, yes I did see that little spec of white, that is truly a lovely spot for it to be nestled in. Beautiful trees, the greenery is wonderful. Your photos are just incredible to see. Thanks for bringing us to such a pretty area.
eileen, you and your husband find the BEST places to hike. although it was difficult, i think it will be a gorgeous hike in the fall!!
your moon shot is outstanding...as are all these views!!!
Beautiful sights, Eileen. So clear!
The hikes amidst natural phenomena is always a thrilling experience! The bonus is the chance to capture such wonderful scenes!
Such wonderful photos of Harper's Ferry. Looks like an amazing hike, but far too difficult for many from what you said. Love the church and the barn!
Your views of the valley are amazing!
All I can say with that moon photo is wow wow wow! Fantastic! Always a pleasure to stop by here! Keep posting!
Oh my golly . . . I would love to live there.
aw...come October, can I join you on that hike?
Lovely shots and that moon photo is amazing!
The hike was worth the view, Eileen!
Hi Eileen. I love the views of Harper's Ferry and the two rivers, what a gorgeous site! And, the weather looked to be perfect that day. And, that is a very large beetle. St. Peter's church is magnificent! Have a great day!
I suppose you don't want the weight of your camera to add to your hike, especially such a steep one, but it sure looks as if it paid off. Fantastic overhead shots and that moon, WOW. How did you do that?
The moon shot is a classic, and the others certainly take us into your world. I especially love your photo of the cedar waxwing on the side bar. These pretty birds are rather like squirrels around here: they're fun to watch but a pain to clean up after. If you have berries of any kind, do not hang out your wash when the waxwings are around or they'll poop all over the clean laundry!
Thanks for visiting the Farm, as well.
Wonderful views, it is a lovely place to wander
Hello Eileen1:) You hike in the most beautiful National parks, and this one has breath taking views. The white barn is in a perfect setting, and that's a lovely Catholic church. Those spiders webs are huge, but so decorative, and the attractive green beetle is large too,....for a beetle. I'm sure the landscape will look beautiful in the fall. Last but not least, your moon shot is absolutely phenomenal!:)
What a beautiful world we live in!
"Be thankful for all the troubles you don't have."
Hey...now that's eye opening. Hmm....
Hi Eileen. That's quite a hike with a very big elevation change! Great that you are able to do it, and really enjoyed the photos. So much interesting history about Harper's Ferry, it's nice to actually see what it looks like!
What beautiful Eastern wild places! Thank You, E
Stunning views Eileen. I can imagine that especially after spending a winter in flatland Florida you are no longer used to elevation gain! (You should see me when we visit our kids in Colorado.) Thank you for sharing the climb -- it was beautiful. And the Autumn colors should be spectacular.
That is a cool moon picture, Eileen. St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church is beautiful. I am Catholic, so this church spoke to me right away. What a lovely hiking trail you have shared with us.
~Sheri
There is always something to be thankful for! Wonderful views Eileen.
Enjoy the rest of your week,
Andrea
That is a superb barn and I cannot believe it is hiding in those trees! Harper's Ferry is a favorite of mine. Thanks for linking up today!
Wow, how awesome! Beautiful vistas all around. I love the huge churches too. Looks like the day was perfection.
I've been to Harpers Ferry and it is a beautiful place.
Your pictures are beautiful.
You take the best moon pictures!!
These pictures are amazing. Harpers Ferry is beautiful (and you are talented).
always happy to accompany you on your adventures :) The moon photo is just amazing! :)
Such a wonderful series of photos, Eileen! I would have SO enjoyed this walk...but thanks to you, I have!
This place looks so peaceful. I love your moon shot.
Wow, gorgeous area and beautiful scenes. Love it ! I'd love to explore that church on the inside!
You always get such great moon shots!
Great post Eileen, super photos of Harper's Ferry. It has been such a long time since I went there. I loved the photos you took along the trail too. Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend :)
I looks like you had a wonderful walk, not only for the forest trail, but the views as well. Have a fabulous weekend ahead.
This was a jackpot...well worth the hike...says me sitting in my chair. But really, I did love these.
Such beautiful scenery, not what we are use to here.
Amazing place, Thanks for the post and awesome pics.
Hi Eileen,
your view on Harper's ferry is really amazing and pretty nice.
Gorgeous !
Best, Synnöve
Your moon shot is amazing! With the current world news it's sometimes easy to forget there's lots of beauty still in this world and towns that seem to come right out of fairy tales. Thanks for sharing!
Sounds like a wonderful place of history and nature at its best. Beautiful photos… Love the trail, the church and the barn.
Harpers Ferry is a beautiful area..I've been there several times..Wonderful shot of the moon.Love the church..
Enjoy your weekend.
Beautiful photos of a beautiful place, Eileen. Thank you for sharing. Kisses, my friend.
Gorgeous moon shot for Sky Watch and other photos are so scenic ~ lovely ~ ^_^
(A SHUTTERBUG EXPLORES)
What views, what photographs ... they are wonderful.
It does look a very nice area to visit.
Just love the moon image, amazing.
Wishing you a good weekend.
All the best Jan
Beautiful array, have a nice weekend Eileen.
I was in Harpers Ferry in April of 2012 - it is such a beautiful area. I passed through the area (sort of) today, driving north on I-81 - not exactly the same.
What a lovely area and stunning views from the outlook. The church is beautiful!
Fabulous views - what a great trip.
Beautiful area! And a stunning moon. Hope you enjoy your summer - and thank you for your comments!
I seem to have inertia. I vicariously enjoy your travels!!!
Nice view from the overlook
Great shots of Harpers Ferry! I did that hike some years ago. I remember how steep it was. We did the loop trail to the fort and it was fairly level and quite interesting.
...Eileen, thanks for these great view of Harpers Ferry, another spot to put on my to see list. Thanks so much for sharing this week, I hope that you will pass another barn or two!
I had hoped to get to Harper's Ferry a couple years ago when we went to Maryland for a funeral but time didn't permit. I love the history and your photos only make me want to see it more.
A fun post about my corner of the world! You just take the exit for Brunswick Maryland, and we are right across the river in Lovettsville. Harpers Ferry is one of my favorite places, but its been years since I've done this hike, and you've reminded me that I should do it again, and bring my camera.
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