Some of us may think that with cooler temperatures our outside activities become more limited. Not so! Though it was cold, I recently spent a weekend at a rented cabin maintained by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC). The cabin, called Lambert Cabin, is in Shaver Hollow, close to the Shenandoah National Park.
With temperatures dipping down into the 30s the weekend I spent at the cabin, I knew to be prepared for the elements. I bundled up! No surprise I was able to enjoy the history of the PATC cabin network and to spend tons of time outside.
The PATC cabins range from primitive, with no plumbing or electricity, to modern. You may need to hike into some; others have an adjacent parking spot. The cabins have rich histories. Lambert Cabin, for instance, was the home of Darwin Lambert, author of “The Undying Past of the Shenandoah National Park,” “Herbert Hoover’s Hideaway,” and “The Earth-Man Story.” Darwin was the first employee of Shenandoah National Park, hired March 1, 1936.
With temperatures dipping down into the 30s the weekend I spent at the cabin, I knew to be prepared for the elements. I bundled up! No surprise I was able to enjoy the history of the PATC cabin network and to spend tons of time outside.
The PATC cabins range from primitive, with no plumbing or electricity, to modern. You may need to hike into some; others have an adjacent parking spot. The cabins have rich histories. Lambert Cabin, for instance, was the home of Darwin Lambert, author of “The Undying Past of the Shenandoah National Park,” “Herbert Hoover’s Hideaway,” and “The Earth-Man Story.” Darwin was the first employee of Shenandoah National Park, hired March 1, 1936.
Once the fireplace warmed up the picturesque cabin, it was time to explore the adjacent woods and mountains. There are a lot of things to see along the Appalachian Trail. One can easily lose track of time while watching a small waterfall. The foliage this time of year is breath-taking - you can come across leaves with wonderful coloring. Nature, as it prepares for winter hibernation, surely puts on a great show in the Fall!
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Don't let shorter days and cooler temperatures curb your love of the outside! Check out PATC's site for additional information and be ready to take in the beauty of nature.