Hiking up the Little Devils Stairs

Sunday was another attempt at finding and hiking the Little Devils Stairs. This time I was fully prepared and had directions on my GPS and also written down. Sandra and her two dogs, Tobit and Hope, were joining me, the weather was perfect for a hike, there was nothing going to mar this day.

Trundling along the tiny back roads I came across this gravestone and had to stop. Why on earth would somebody have their grave on the side of a road? There were no markings on the ground or railings around the plot, just a lone, solitary headstone. There must be a story behind it, but I had no time to inquire, a mountain was waiting.
The parking lot was unusually full when we arrived but I suppose on a gorgeous day like today, everyone must have been chomping at the bit to be outside. Last fall I had done some of this hike with another group but chosen to walk up the fire trail and then back down as I didn't feel I was fit enough for the rocky climb, but today I was ready, and it felt great. We got started and followed a path that led up a gentle incline for about a mile and then gave way to rocks and more rocks. For the rest of the ascent we would be crossing back and forth over Keyser Run which splashed and tumbled over huge boulders down through a gorge.

Sandra and Hope making one of the many crossings and a selfie before we started climbing seriously, although Hope's expression clearly says, "Do I really need to be in this photo?"

Spring was busting out all over as we climbed and rock hopped. Each side of the narrow path, where there was one, was lined with clumps of white and purple violets, dutchman;s breeches, bloodroot and fiddlehead ferns. There were plenty of other shoots and unfurling leaves that I couldn't identify but it was evident that Mother Nature was introducing many colorful and plentiful characters in the first act of this year's play.

We hopped and jumped, wobbled and balanced our way across the creek while Tobit seemed to instead bounce and spring his way across. He was always in front but continuously trekked back to ensure that we were still moving along at a steady pace behind him. Hope stayed close to Sandra and was often assisted at crossing over the larger tree trunks and higher rocks.

The gorge rose high above us like the walls of a cathedral and all the way we were accompanied by the bubbling and trickling gurgles of the water splashing and bubbling it's way down. I lost count of the numerous little waterfalls and pools that we jumped over or peered down onto.

 Sandra and Hope posing for a photo and Tobit romping in a pool. He managed to get in most of my photos and I have to admit at first I found it a little annoying, but very soon I liked it as he made an excellent reference point to show how big the boulders or waterfalls really were. But he would not sit still for a second so I struggled to capture a decent photo of him but this one turned out well. I never got one of little Hope but will remedy that on the next hike that she joins us on.

As we climbed higher up the gorge, we saw icicles still hanging from rock faces.It seemed strange to see ice on this sunny day, especially with so many plants and flowers sprouting up announcing spring was here, but we had to admit that the few times we stopped we could feel the cold in the air.

There were a few steep places to climb up and little Hope had to be assisted again, lifted up on to ledges and steps. Tobit just sprang and bounced his way up with such abundant energy that I was a little envious at how effortless he made the steep incline appear as I puffed along in his wake.

We did manage to keep him in one spot for a few seconds so I could get a photo of Sandra and her two woofers. I was amazed at capturing a shot with both dogs looking towards the camera, and very glad I got it in focus!

As we got near to the top of the gorge our grand finale was a 20ft waterfall that cascaded down to begin its descent into the rocky depths below. We were really happy we'd done this hike today, the many falls and rapids we'd admired must surely dwindle as the heat of summer increases. We had enjoyed the sound of bubbling and splashing for the whole duration of our ascent, it had been a glorious accompaniment.
The final climb was a path that led to the top of the mountain and the fire trail that we would follow down to the end of our hike. This last stretch was a killer for me, I'd much rather be rock scrambling than simply plodding up a hill. But we got there and were extremely happy to start finally descending.

There's only one outlook to enjoy on the way down and then a small cemetery that we pottered around. Small ancient headstones stood silent in the dried brown leaves of last year but spring was announcing her arrival here too, with clumps of daffodils and tulips, splashing yellow and scarlet around to brighten the little area. I took a photo of the headstone above, hand carved, likely by a family member.

We arrived at the parking lot, our cars the only ones left. Tobit posed for one more photo while waiting for treats from Sandra and then it was time to head home to rest tired feet. This was a wonderful hike, one I'll likely try to repeat in the fall, and there will be many more for me this summer. Sandra's in training for an upcoming Grand Canyon hike so we plan on some more strenuous trails, White Oak Canyon and Old Rag are likely to be on the agenda.  Happy Trails!

A Dim View at Light City

Saturday was a cold day that threatened rain, and then threw down a few showers accompanied by noisy strong gales. I did little outside except to drive to Blandy and snap a few images of the daffodils that are shooting up through the grass. I'll be keeping an eye on these, with the dogwood buds tentatively opening with the red bud trees this scene will look beautiful in a few days. That's if we get any more warm weather, it seems that winter decided to return, like one of those obnoxious persons who storms up beside you, grinning wildly, and claps you heavily on the back with a very loud, "Did you miss me?"
So Sunday started with sunlight bursting through my bedroom window and looking like maybe the weekend would be salvageable after all. I was meeting the Urbexia crew, and picking Jeff up on route, to drive up and see Baltimore's first ever Light City Festival. We met at Waverley Brewery to quaff a few pints and eat while waiting for dusk to fall.

Rob struck an awesome pose by one of the stuffed impalas that graced the wall behind our seats. Not really sure why there were trophy heads in this place but it was an interesting area and a welcome change from all the industrial, cold and echoing tap rooms that so many breweries seem to favor. It was after dark when we realized the time and drove down to the festival. We were fortunate enough to find cheap parking close to the Inner Harbor and wrapped up warm, as once again it was chilly outside.

This was a holographic display that was being shown on the water. We all stood watching it while a dire depressing soundtrack thundered across the water, then wove our way forward through the crowds.

This pink contraption had huge flat white eyes on the front so that it resembled a lobster but I preferred the view from this angle where the eyes weren't visible. They really didn't enhance it.

These lanterns were in the shape of paper hats, changing colors as we stood and watched.

There were a couple of people dressed in lights from head to foot, looking awesomely magical. They reminded me of when I'd been to the Glastonbury Festival in England, these were so eye catchingly beautiful, especially when they moved. There was a guy I spotted later who was wearing a jacket made completely of lights. These individuals made the festival for me, far more innovative than the static displays, which were pretty far apart. As we walked we were continuously craning our necks, trying to look for the next bright lights. I had imagined the place would be lit up like daylight with vibrant colors, beams of lights sweeping the harbor, buildings painted with colored gel spotlights, a sensory overload of neon lights. It wasn't so.

We came across this huge illuminated peacock which caught our attention for a while. The feathers changed colors and laid down.

A brightly lit bridge which we could only cross very slowly due to so many folks stopping and looking up. Which, of course, we did too. Walter joined the kids and had a go sliding out of a huge metal shell bathed in a reflex blue light.

These girls spent an inordinate amount if time taking selfies by this tubular installation while their guys friends were more interested in banging it to produce hollow deep tones that reverberated through the ground. The girls never noticed me taking photos of them. At every installation people were using the displays as props for self portraits, it really got old. There were a lot of blue framed structures along the quay which I realized, after reading the article linked at the bottom of this blog, were diamonds. These were all being used as giant portraiture frames by young girls holding up cell phones.

As we worked our way around the harbor the winds were progressively getting worse and I was actually grateful for the huge throngs of people that acted as barriers for me against the cold drafts. We had only got about half way round when the misty, damp air took on a wetter, heavier feel and huge drops of rain started sprinkling, and then hammering down upon us. We ran for cover as thunder cracked above and lightning flashed across the water.We stood with others watching the sky and it soon became apparent that this was here for a while. Shortly after all the lights closed down and we knew the evening was over. Folks started flocking to their vehicles and we joined the crowds, pushing against the gales.

We had to seek sanctuary in a Little Italy bar, the winds pretty much pushed us there. Lines of cars were backed up every street trying to leave the city. We were going to be here for a while...
So overall I wasn't impressed with the festival, there was nothing that had made me go, "Wow!" which disappointed me, I had been expecting a brilliant display of wondrous lights and colors. The others didn't share my view, they thought it had been fine, but the overall consensus from people had not been overwhelming delight. I found this report pretty quickly online, which summed it up rather adequately for me. But it does have a couple of videos of the displays I did like.
And so, rather than finishing on a low note, here's a photo of the gorgeous grape hyacinths that are brightening up the meadows at home.