Even though it was still fairly early in the morning, I kicked off my shoes and socks, dug my feet into the soft grass of the mountain bald, and rejoiced at the pleasure of being there.
June 15, 2013
I'm settled into the Mt Rogers Shelter for the night. The 12.5 mile day took me over two major mountains, the largest of which is Mt Roger. It happens to be the highest point in the state. It should be cold enough tonight to have the sleeping bag zipped tight with me down inside it.
The day was perfect in so many ways. The only down side was the rocky trail, which slows me down and puts the pain to my ankles. I was excited, however, to be headed towards the Grayson Highlands where I will see the wild horses and some beautiful overlooks.
One of the days high points (no pun intended) was my climb up Whitetop Mountain to Buzzard Rock. The climb tops out at about 5,200 feet and involved several of those rocky scrambles that I "dearly love." Once again, it is the reward that makes the climb. The trail ends up at Buzzard Rock, overlooking the whole world below. Even though it was still fairly early in the morning, I kicked off my shoes and socks, dug my feet into the soft grass of the mountain bald, and rejoiced at the pleasure of being there. I was joined by a group of grown up brothers and their sons who were out for an annual Fathers Day weekend camping trip. It was fun watching the different personalities interact, but it also made me homesick for my own boys..
My surprise for the day came at the shelter this evening. There I met a couple from Beckley, WV, Sunshine and Nonnie, who where up for the weekend. A friendly conversation turned into an evening of fellowship as we shared together from our lives and faith. I have crawled into bed tonight encouraged, grateful, and with a future invitation to have lunch further down the trail. My first food connected Trail Magic!
I find it is really true that the mental part of the hike is the hardest. It is so easy to be up and pumped about being on the trail, and before you can catch yourself you can be down. I have found that it is important to stay focused on the goals and reasons I am out here. Negative thoughts and feelings of failure can roll over like waves, but the reality is that I am out here and moving north.
Time to sleep. I've got a date with a herd of wild horses in the morning!
I'm settled into the Mt Rogers Shelter for the night. The 12.5 mile day took me over two major mountains, the largest of which is Mt Roger. It happens to be the highest point in the state. It should be cold enough tonight to have the sleeping bag zipped tight with me down inside it.
The day was perfect in so many ways. The only down side was the rocky trail, which slows me down and puts the pain to my ankles. I was excited, however, to be headed towards the Grayson Highlands where I will see the wild horses and some beautiful overlooks.
One of the days high points (no pun intended) was my climb up Whitetop Mountain to Buzzard Rock. The climb tops out at about 5,200 feet and involved several of those rocky scrambles that I "dearly love." Once again, it is the reward that makes the climb. The trail ends up at Buzzard Rock, overlooking the whole world below. Even though it was still fairly early in the morning, I kicked off my shoes and socks, dug my feet into the soft grass of the mountain bald, and rejoiced at the pleasure of being there. I was joined by a group of grown up brothers and their sons who were out for an annual Fathers Day weekend camping trip. It was fun watching the different personalities interact, but it also made me homesick for my own boys..
My surprise for the day came at the shelter this evening. There I met a couple from Beckley, WV, Sunshine and Nonnie, who where up for the weekend. A friendly conversation turned into an evening of fellowship as we shared together from our lives and faith. I have crawled into bed tonight encouraged, grateful, and with a future invitation to have lunch further down the trail. My first food connected Trail Magic!
I find it is really true that the mental part of the hike is the hardest. It is so easy to be up and pumped about being on the trail, and before you can catch yourself you can be down. I have found that it is important to stay focused on the goals and reasons I am out here. Negative thoughts and feelings of failure can roll over like waves, but the reality is that I am out here and moving north.
Time to sleep. I've got a date with a herd of wild horses in the morning!
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