January 2: From Grayson Highlands State Park: Appalachian Trail Connector to Appalachian Trail onto Wilburn Ridge and back. About 7 miles.
We set out with son Eric, grandsons Aden and Matthew, and Aden’s buddy Nick. Ours was, of course, the day hike, while they were equipped with full packs, because they were doing a winter overnight up on the roof of Virginia. And a fine day hike it was, up onto Pine Mountain and nearly over to the Thomas Knob shelter. Nice lunch with all, and the fellas reported a good, if cold night in the woods.
January 10: From home along Roanoke River Greenway, first west to Norwich and then east to The Green Goat and back, 5.2 miles.
Pretty cheap walk on a cold weekend.
January 17: Star, Woodthrush, Ridgeline and Star trails loop on Mill Mountain. 4.5 miles.
Another cold weekend, but we at least had some sun out on the lower overlook onto the valley for lunch.
January 24: Home to Billy’s Restaurant and back. 6 miles.
Hey, it was a cold month, and walking to dependably fine food is a good destination, even if you do walk back too.
January 31: Home to Center in the Square and back with a few detours thrown in. 7 miles.
Well, into the woods on two out of five freezey weekends is not all that bad, and it helps keep The Day Hiker out there. This foray was to the birthday celebration of co-worker Julie Mayer. The good company and the brief time in Roanoke’s new Pinball Museum made the destination especially rewarding.
