Exploring the High Bridge Trail

Central Virginia has some of the best combinations of cycling and photo-ops in the country. Long farm-laden roads with endless panoramic views are the norm. But, in a little town—and a funky one at that—named Farmville, is something a tad bit different.

A crushed limestone trail, formerly a historic train track that was a pivotal piece in the Civil War with Farmville spot in the middle. The trail is perfect for cycling (hybrid or mountain bikes) for those who want a long, flat (uncommon in central Virginia) ride.

Making for a nice, long ride, the trail runs 31 miles, while the bridge itself runs 2,400 feet in length and sits 125 feet above the Appomattox River. As the longest recreational bridge in Virginia, it is also one of the longest in the United States, and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
 

Whether approaching from the east or the west, once you reach the bridge, the landscape views are vast and spectacular. There are cutouts with benches on the bridge to sit and enjoy the view and listen to the river running beneath.

 The views along the crushed limestone trail are admittedly a tad boring since it’s tree-lined; however, the trail is wide enough to comfortably pass other cyclists or walkers, shady in enough spots to keep it somewhat cool on a hot day, and on the east side of the bridge, there is a short jaunt that leads down to the Appomattox River.

Logistically, it’s easy to find plenty of parking lots along the trail, and, although we parked in downtown Farmville (on a Sunday when you can park for free all day), there are two parking lots near High Bridge…one to the east and one to the west.
East: Camp Paradise Rd.; Rice, Virginia, use 1681 Aspen Hill Rd. to get to the entrance of Camp Paradise Rd. then head 1.5 miles to the parking area. Once parked and on the trail, High Bridge is .3 miles from the parking lot.
West: River Rd., Farmville, use 553 River Rd., Farmville, Virginia, to get here. High Bridge is nearly a mile from the lot. Trailers are not allowed at this lot.

Note also that the trail is dog friendly, though they need to be on leashes. Be sure to bring plenty of water for them because the only water is river water and it can get hot on the trail. While horses are allowed, we didn’t see any—only evidence that they had been there.

When done with the trail, I highly recommend going to downtown Farmville to Uptown Cafe for lunch. They have water bowls outside for dogs, too.

Learn more about the High Bridge Trail by clicking here.
This post originally appeared on the Huffington Post

Photo Shoot in the Shenandoah National Park: Blackrock Summit

Rays North West ISO 400 f/10 1/160 18 mm Photo Credit: Heather Hummel Photography

I'd been meaning to hike the Blackrock Summit Trail, which is part of the Appalachian Trail in the Shenandoah National Park (Virginia), and last night I finally made it up there. The hike itself was short and easy, but the views at the summit were breathtaking. I arrived on the summit at about an hour and a half before sunset, leaving plenty of time to capture the sun’s rays playing with the mountain peaks between the clouds.

The Hike

I highly recommend the short hike (only 1 mile round-trip with an optional longer loop of 1.6 miles Blackrock Spur Trail & Treyfoot Mountain Trail) to Blackrock Summit, which is at an elevation of 3,092 feet. Simply follow the Appalachian Trail heading south for about a half a mile. The steepest part of the trail is at the beginning, and then it levels out a bit. Once you arrive, the summit is impossible to miss. The boulders at the top are large and require scrambling up them for the best views. They are not too difficult to climb, and the extra height is worth the scramble. Just be sure to wear good shoes.
 

South Western View ISO 200 f/10 1/40 18 mm focal length - Photo Credit: Heather Hummel Photography

This trail is especially great for photographers who don’t want to hike too far with all their gear, but don’t want to stop at just the overlooks along the parkway; this is a great short hike with remarkable payoffs in stunning panoramic views and photo opportunities.

The Photo Shoot
 
For this photo shoot, I used a graduated neutral density filter to shade the sky in order to even out the exposure. (Note: This Tiffen is a 77mm, so be sure to get the size for your lens.)

Tiffen 77mm Color Graduated Neutral Density 0.6 Filter


There were also enough clouds to add interest and contrast. 

Each image caption in this post notes the settings I used on my Canon EOS Rebel T3i, and I used the graduated neutral density filter in each shot. 

North West View ISO 200 f/10 1/25 18mm focal length - Photo Credit: Heather Hummel Photography

Destination Information

The Shenandoah National Park is a great place for photo shoots while also getting some exercise. Naturally, during peak foliage in the fall is the opportune time to visit, but the Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway always provide spectacular scenic views and wildlife is abundant all year long.

Blackrock Summit View ISO 200 f/10 1/100 18 mm focal length - Photo Credit: Heather Hummel Photography

 
Shenandoah National Park is 105 miles long stretching from Front Royal, Virginia to Waynesboro and Charlottesville. Skyline Drive is the scenic roadway that meanders through the park. There are four entrances (and exits) from the park and the parking lot for the Blackrock Summit is at Mile Post 85 and the trail head is right there. 

Before you go, be sure to pick up some trail guides. Having hiked many of the trails in the Shenandoah, I can attest that it makes a big difference to be able to research these trails ahead of time.

Hiking Shenandoah National Park (Regional Hiking Series)













Best Easy Day Hikes Shenandoah National Park (Best Easy Day Hikes Series)

Want to learn how to master low light photography and to capture your own low-light photos? My book MASTER LOW LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY is available on Amazon.

In the Field with Heather Hummel Photography - Lake Monticello Sunrise

In the Field with Heather Hummel Photography - Lake Monticello Sunrise
This two minute video takes you behind the scenes on a sunrise shoot at a lake in rural Virginia.

Want to learn how to master low light photography and to capture your own low-light photos? My book MASTER LOW LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY is available on Amazon.

How Aerial Photography Changes A Photographer's Perspective

Nothing has changed my perspective of photography the way flying in a little Cessna plane over one of the most historical towns in our nation did.


Planes Lined up at the Charlottesville Regional Airport.
Photo Credit: Heather Hummel Photography

Last week the Women Can Fly program, which launched in Virginia in 2013, was giving free 20 minute flights to girls (eight and older) and women on a first-come-first-serve basis. Charlottesville was the fourth and last regional airport on their list for 2014. As such, I had the incredible experience of being able to capture aerial photos while flying over Charlottesville, Virginia.

In order to fly, we were required to participate in a pre-flight briefing where we learned that the rudder is meant to steer planes on the ground rather than in the air (a notable fact that I retained, which lead to winning a Cessna water bottle during the pop quiz at the end). We also learned that women represent only a mere 6 percent of pilots.

Ready for Takeoff.
Photo Credit: Heather Hummel Photography

Once pre-flight briefing was completed, it was our turn to hop in the plane. Moments later, I joined the pilot, Frank, his unofficial co-pilot, Kathleen (who had taken flying lessons already), and my friend, Carrie, in Frank's Cessna. Our flight path took us south of the Charlottesville Airport, where we flew over Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, The University of Virginia Grounds and Lawn, and back up alongside the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.

The View During Takeoff.
Photo Credit: Heather Hummel Photography

With all the photographs I've captured from the Pacific Ocean to the Rocky Mountains to the Blue Ridge Mountains, and just about everywhere in between during my eight cross-country drives, I had seen and photographed a lot of land and sea. But, as Amelia Earhart stated, "You haven't seen a tree until you've seen its shadow from the sky."

The CHO Airport.
Photo Credit: Heather Hummel Photography

I was ready for a change in venue, and the chance to fly at an altitude of approximately 2,000 feet was just the experience I had been craving, such as these images of Monticello.


Thomas Jefferson's Monticello:
Photo Credit: Heather Hummel Photography

Thomas Jefferson's Monticello:
Photo Credit: Heather Hummel Photography

Due to its history and beauty, Charlottesville often ranks in Top 10 lists of places to live. To have the chance see its historical splendor from 2,000 feet above was remarkable.

The University of Virginia Grounds and Lawn:
Photo Credit: Heather Hummel Photography

This landscape photographer will never look at land the same way, and for that, I'm grateful.
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This post originally appeared on the Huffington Post.