Overall Run Falls, Shenandoah National Park

I have always enjoyed the outdoors, the quiet and solitude present when in the wilderness. A while back Cortney and I were invited to a wedding in Virginia so I began looking on a map to see what else was nearby that we could visit when we headed south. I had an idea there were some great parks in the area, and I soon decided that a visit to Shenandoah National Park (http://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm) would be a perfect addition. The park has a road that runs through it, Skyline Drive, that allows you take the park and scenery in from a vehicle, as well as many different campgrounds and  trails one can venture off on. The park also hosts a segment of the Appalachian Trail, which runs from Georgia to Maine. Also on the parks resume is a large population of black bears. I have read that Shenandoah has more black bears per square mile than anywhere else in the US. Cortney and I discussed and decided that we would make a trip to the park, and she even ok’d overnight camping, provided we went together at least one other time prior to our trip, which we did, at Turkey Swamp in Freehold NJ. So, fast forward, and we arrive in the park on a beautiful day, with a few clouds in the sky, The weather forecast was calling for some rain throughout the day, but thus far, everything looked good. We arrived at our campsite, grabbed my pack with camera gear and some wet weather gear and set off down a trail I had picked out prior to our arrival. Immediately, we saw another family walking towards us, looking off to the woods. I had seen this before and recognized that something important must be there for them to all look. As we looked over we spotted a black bear, walking on a hill line, minding its own business. By the time I switched lenses on my camera, the bear had disappeared. It was amazing to see a black bear relatively up close, and also amazing that it had wanted nothing to do with us, except to be left alone. Kind of the reason we were there too. We continued on our hike and about an hour in, the first rain drops began to fall; in short order, the intensity and frequency of the drops increased resulting in a full on deluge. We continued on completely soaked and arrived at our chosen destination, Overlook Falls. Cortney had a book with her, which she typically brings when we go out with a camera so she has something to do while I compose photographs. The book was now unreadable, however, Cortney, as always, maintained a smile and enjoyed the moment. I began walking around taking the scenery in, the clouds were beneath us at this spot and you could see them moving around in the valley below, almost like a slow moving ocean. Then Cortney spotted the tree and I immediately agreed with her suggestion. I framed up the photograph, and made the exposure you see here. The camera which had been kept dry in my pack with the use of waterproof bags, was now subject to the same rain we were; Nikon makes a good camera! When I made the photograph, I chose a long shutter speed which is why you don’t see any of the raindrops. I made a few other photographs there, but none have the same meaning to me as this one. We didn’t see any more bears on the entire trip, and we began to wonder if we had gone past them like we had almost done before without noticing them. A few days ago, when I was giving thought about which photograph I would write about this week, I was reminded of a quote from Christopher McCandless, “Happiness only real when shared’. I thought about this for a little bit and believe it to be true. I guess subliminally, this is also why I enjoy sharing the photographs I have made; I hope to give everyone to the opportunity to take in some of the scenery I have been lucky enough to see.