Erin and I didn't want anything too strenuous, so we decided to hike between two vistas on Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park.
We started out at Fisher's Gap and decided to hike over to Spitler's Knoll and back. Our trail guide suggested that this was a nice hike, and it was exactly as advertised.
Almost immediately, excellent vistas opened up, and the trail did not have many ups and downs. There were a few spots where a relatively small stumble could really make it a bad day, but the trail crews have done a pretty good job over the years, developing a rock retaining wall that levels out most of the path. At the end, near Spitler's Knoll, the trail did start to climb a bit, but not too awful. The trail actually went past the area and a switchback leads to the parking lot. I shortcut it, since I thought we missed it.
Nothing really to report on the hike over, except that Erin found numerous raspberries to munch on. On the way back, though, a hiker approaching from the opposite direction asked us "if that deer is following you". I had no idea what he meant until I turned around. Apparently, a yearling had been following us down the trail, probably looking for a handout. It actually pretty hard to get rid of it. Where there are does, there are bucks, and all I needed was an angry buck to deal with.
Anyway, we headed back to the vehicle tired, but not too tired. All in all, a good, short hike with great views.
