The top of Roan Mountain, in Tennessee. Brian and I took a HIKE today.
More accurately, we hiked TWICE today Our first hike was easy-- it was a leisurely half-mile.
The longer, two-mile hike that we took was much harder. It was a bone-fide hike through the side of a mountain. The trail was NOT for beginners, or anyone with physical limitations. Both Brian and I are in good physical condition, and the trail challenged us.
Here is how we found this amazing, exhausting place to hike:
Last evening, some friends who live here during the summer months, told us about Roan Mountain State Park in Tennessee. We woke early, ate breakfast {and COFFEE, of course} and drive down Beech Mountain. The park is easy to find, we just veered right at the foot of the mountain rather than or usual left-hand turn towards Banner Elk. Roan Mountain is just over the NC/TN border.
We TRIED to find the park of the park that is part of the famed Appalachian Trail, but that effort did not yield fruit. However, the view from that mountaintop is AMAZING.
Me contemplating the beauty of God's Creation. If we ever come into some money, I want a summer place here in these Appalachians. First, we hiked an easy half-mile trail that went around the " river" {it is more like a creek}. This was marked " easy" on the trail map, and we had no problem hiking the half-mile trail.
The " creek" that runs through Roan Mountain. The second, longer hike was two miles long and ran along the edge of the mountain. I am grateful that Brian had the foresight to buy hiking poles, because-- as healthy and fit as we both are-- the poles were needed to maintain balance on this trail. It started up a HUGE, rocky incline.
The " small rock" at the beginning of the two-mile trail. Brian is amazed at the huge rock formations of these mountains. I'm thankful that North Carolina and Tennessee had the sense to preserve these mountains, rather than ruin them by strip mining for cola and now raping the hills for fossil fuel gas.
I led the way through most of the hike, but there were certain parts of the trail where I let my husband, a former park ranger at home in Florida, take the lead. Tennessee State Parks does a pretty good job of maintaining these trails, but there were certain parts where the trail was hard to navigate.
Thankfully, there was no time constraint, because both Brian and I needed several breaks, especially after climbing the steep, narrow inclines.
We saw some beautiful scenery. Honestly, there are no words {in English at least} to describe these mountains. They are among the oldest geographical features on Earth, and every time I get totally immersed into the Appalachian forests, I feel a connection with the Holy Other.
Brian on the difficult trail. He is such a good sport! This was on one of the rare {relatively} safer parts of the trail.
Me on the trail. I look surprised. Everything is so GREEN and lush here. We were deep in the woods when Brian snapped this photo. I'm resting my upper body on my hiking pole.
We are tired and sore. However, our souls are full. I love our Pensacola life, but a part of my DNA is Appalachian.
Peace, love and music, friends...
No comments:
Post a Comment