An entire quarter of the Appalachian Trail runs through Virginia. We entered the state on October 13th and completed the section on November 10th. Below are nine million pictures from our 554 miles there!

This picture is a 100% illusion…I was NOT feeling like a lover at this point in time.

Our first night in VA was spent at the Bear’s Den Hostel, where they had a $30/person deal for one night’s stay, a shower, laundry, a frozen pizza, a soda, and a pint of B&Js.  As an added bonus, you can watch the sunset from Bear’s Den Overlook (above). Doesn’t get much better than that, now does it.

On our third day in VA, we entered the Shenandoahs.  I think this was my favorite stretch on the whole Trail.

It may have helped that we were hiking through them in the peak of fall.

Or maybe it was the world’s best (blackberry) milkshakes at the Waysides along Skyline Drive.

Is Shawn said because he can’t feed the wildlife…or because he is the wildlife that can’t be fed? You decide.

On the summit of the Priest – our first 4,000 footer since VT. It was soo windy – my hat blew off right after this picture.

Our first frost on October 23rd.

1,400 miles in!

Not 100% accurate on the current mileage, but close enough.

We became obsessed with carrying jars of frosting and smothering them on cosmic brownies…anything for those calories!

Filling out our absentee ballots to vote in the Presidential election

We knew we wanted to be at McAfee’s Knob (the most photographed spot on the AT) for sunrise.  However, we spent too much time in town the day before and camped seven miles out that night. Knowing it was one of the things we didn’t want to miss, we got up early and hike the seven miles to get there just as the sun was rising. It was absolutely breathtaking, and we were so happy we didn’t miss it.

Shout out to the group of people who were at the Knob to take a sunrise engagement photo shoot, and finally gave us a turn to take a picture…while they watched me set the timer on my phone and try to run over in ten seconds.

Ya know, just more brownies with frosting.

It was pretty common to walk through pastures..some of them even had cows in them!

Jack and the infamous Dragon Wagon at the Four Pines Hostel, where we had the chance to go to an AYCE southern style restaurant.

Looking out from Dragon’s Tooth.

Stillll hiking with fall

Mile 1,500!

The Keffer Oak tree, which is the largest blazed tree along the whole Trail.

It was so warm on November 1st!

We ran into Pearisburg to resupply quick and stopped at the local Mexican joint to grab some dinner.  It was by far the BEST Mexican food we have ever had.  We may have GoogleMapped how far away it is from Shawn’s training in Charlottesville because we need to go back so badly..

And then the next morning…

We had no idea we would be treated to this sunrise over the clouds when we got to the top of Angels Rest.

A good portion of the Trail in VA is through “green tunnels” like this.

Home for the night.

Read that sign haha you know you’re in the south when..

1,600 miles!!

A gorgeous night..and our first sleeping over 4,000ft in awhile.  I was really nervous about the cold.

Somehow, we were lucky enough to sleep in this shelter for the night. It was an old fire warden’s cabin and stayed 10 degrees warmer than it did outside.

Shawn signing the log book, where you can leave notes, thoughts, or just your name & date for other hikers to read.

Couldn’t get a non-awkward photo..

Andd then we woke up with frost on our tent.

A cute little schoolhouse (if we had known we could have slept in here and avoided the frosty tent, we would have!)

As we traveled further south, some of the shelters were made of stone and had fireplaces in them. Before the fire ban was in place, we were able to stay a little warmer at night.

And now…the pony pictures!! The stretch of trail through the Greyson Highlands is home to wild ponies, which was definitely one of the highlights of our trip.

500 miles to go

This was at the summit of Mount Rogers, the highest point in VA. It was also where we were when we had enough service to check our phones and see that Trump won the election..

Now, onwards to Tennessee!