Big T and I hit the road to south central Virginia this weekend to hike Mt. Rogers and the Grayson Highlands. We were accompanied by T’s son Stavros for his first hike, hiking trip, & overnight backpacking trip. Lots of firsts. 🙂 The weather on Saturday and Sunday was cool, overcast, and moist. Sunday night it got pretty cold in Old Orchard shelter. Monday the weather finally got better. We encountered wild ponies, an unruly longhorn, and many hikers unfazed by the weather conditions. Grayson Highlands is comprised of many other trails besides the Appalachian Trail. On Monday we hopped off the AT just north of Rt 603 East of Troutdale, VA. onto the Fairwood Valley Trail. The weather was much nicer today. After returning to the car I busted out the Atlas and plotted a course to Grayson Highlands State Park hoping to get a few more views and patronize the visitors center. The ride home was hellish but we survived the holiday traffic. Wish the weather was better on the Highlands but that’s ok. Gives us a reason to go back.