Hey guys – quick post today. Happened across this site and immediately fell in love, so I figured you all might, too.

Check it out, and let us know if you decide to make anything from it!

http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Rock-Climbing/

Ever been there? I went the other day and it was pretty relaxing. I’ll give you a quick rundown on what the State Park offers…

Douthat is home to several campgrounds, but I use the word “campground” loosely. This is the type of camping that I think just about anybody could tolerate. I, personally, would prefer something a little more off-the-grid, but it’s great for families with little kids and/or adults who are trying to ease their way into the world of the outdoors.

Beyond the campgrounds, though, Douthat is good for day trips, too. Douthat Lake allows for a variety of potential activities, such as swimming, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboating, or any other form of watercraft that doesn’t involve a disruptive motor. Of course, where there are lakes, there are also creeks, streams, and rivers. And where there are tributaries, we fish. I didn’t fish when I was up there, but I still saw some nice-sized trout and bass hanging out in the shallows. Specifically, the waters of Douthat are home to rainbows, browns, and brooks, as well as largemouth, crappie, sunfish, channel cats, and even some chain pickerel. I definitely plan on returning to do some fishing up there.

Winding throughout the State Park are a number of trails for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Specifically, there are more than 40 miles of wooded hiking trails to choose from throughout the year, ranging from easy to difficult, and six miles of bridle trails. Many, but not all, of these paths are open to mountain bikers. If you do plan on down-hilling at Douthat, keep in mind that the authorities maintain hikers have the right-of-way.

So I’d recommend this destination at the very least as a day trip. Try to decide before you go, though, how you’re going to spend your time. I left for my adventure up there without researching or much preparation, so I unfortunately didn’t bring my mountain bike or fishing poles. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed my time there just exploring the grounds and waters.

For more detailed info, click here.

I made my first of hopefully many excursions out to Devil’s Marbleyard yesterday, and I’ll happily admit that it left me feeling more refreshed than I’ve felt in a long time. Upon returning I met up with a friend of mine who said that I looked more alive than he’s ever seen me. He hasn’t known me for more than three years, but his observation probably was not too far from the truth. In the aftermath of yesterday’s adventure, “alive” is certainly an apt word to describe my state of body and mind.

It began with getting a little bit lost. The marbleyard is in Natural Bridge territory – a little more than an hour’s worth of a drive North from Roanoke. My hiking partner and I made our way down a gravel, one-lane backroad and accidentally passed the “parking lot” the first time around. We drove further and further down this road, slowly growing more and more confident that we had gone too far – we just didn’t know how far. Nevertheless, we did find our way back. We parked, prepared our gear, and began our hike up Belfast trail.

The hike up Belfast was uphill the entire way. I could feel my calf muscles beginning to burn as we neared the 3/4 mark. Fortunately, it wasn’t too hot just yet (this was at about 10:30 AM), and there were several streams that crossed over the path so that I could splash cold water onto my face. The hike itself was about a mile. I knew we had reached the marbleyard before I could see it, and when I could see it, my heart leapt.

If I had never heard of the marbleyard and someone showed me a picture of it, I’d have guessed that it was a wonder of a faraway land – somewhere in Europe or New Zealand, perhaps. But to have it in my own backyard? It was a dream come true. Boulders. As far as the eye could see up the mountain. It was only once I topped the first peak that I learned I wasn’t even halfway up yet. I was at home on the rocks, leaping barefoot from one to the next (which, in retrospect, certainly was not safest way to proceed up the rock, due to rattlesnakes natural affinity for basking on sunlit stone). My partner was more weary, using her hands and feet to make each carefully planned move from one boulder to the next. Where I welcomed the challenge of the second half’s more difficult terrain (these boulders were larger and more jagged), my partner’s heart sank. To put it in her words, this hike/climb was, “not for the faint of heart.”

And I would agree with that. But for any outdoor enthusiast, the Devil’s Marbleyard is hands down a must-see.

Difficulty: 3/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Recommended: Absolutely

Price: Free (excluding cost of gas)

Be sure to bring:

. Plenty of water

. Energizing, nutritious snacks

. A rag, cloth, or towel

. A spare shirt

. Rugged-terrain hiking shoes

Instructions

Combine all of the ingredients in a blender, and blend until completely emulsified. For a thicker consistency, add less water or more frozen fruit. For a thinner consistency, add more water. Every smoothie comes out a little bit differently, so add/abstain from water as you see fit. Garnish with another pinch of flaxseeds and enjoy!

Additional Notes

• Greek yogurt does wonders for your digestive tract.
• Protein powder is a good alternative to meaty proteins (in case you’re a vegetarian/vegan)
• Almond milk serves every purpose normal milk does, but without the negative side effects that come from saturated fat
• Flaxseeds are full of iron, fiber, potassium, and are proven to decrease risk of heart disease and breast cancer