6/26-7/6/17
Current location: Corral Pass Campground, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie NF, WA
We woke to a cool morning and made moves for a quick start up the Appalachian Trail to Mount Rogers, the high point in Virginia. Our trail run-hike took us up to a high meadow where a few dozen ponies and their foals bedded for the night. Most of them looked like they were still sleepy-eyed and weren’t ready to have their photos taken by the human visitors. They watched us closely as we took a few pictures as we made our way past them, but otherwise didn’t care that we were there. We passed a few AT thru-hikers making their way north, but otherwise had the trail to ourselves. The weather was picture perfect as we headed up the 9 mile, 1,000’ of Mount Rogers. Throughout the ascent we had great views of the green rolling mountains of Virginia and into North Carolina. Oddly, the high point was thick trees with only a very large boulder and summit marker to indicate we had made it to the top of Virginia.
As we made our way back down the trail, there were more people out and about trying to catch glimpses of the ponies, which had mostly moved on from their earlier snoozing spots. Back at camp, we changed and packed up the tent before completing our long mid-Atlantic loop by ending back in Shenandoah NP.
We set up camp at Lewis Mountain Campground and made a quick dinner before a sunset hike up Bear Fence Mountain.
Although it was a quick drive from the campground to the trailhead, it is quite beautiful. The road is almost tunnel like as it weaves through the trees, popping out to a look out every now and again. From above, it’s nearly impossible to pick out the road in the swath of trees below. The mountain top was quiet, with only 6 people all up there for the same impressive spectacle mother nature was about to put on for us. Everyone sat in near silence, sipped their beers and snapped a few pictures as the clouds lit up in shades of pinks and purples. We made our way down to the car in the fading light and back to camp as darkness was setting in. Once again, the cool mountain air was quite pleasant for sleeping.
In the morning, we packed up the Subie and made our way north to the Jerz. We look forward to spending time home over Eric’s Birthday/the Fourth of July each year. This one would be extra fun as Rooney would be around to join us in the festivities and visits that surround the time home. Over the course of the next week, we got to visit with parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends. No July trip home would be complete without the “Groundhogs day effect” of the 4th of July. The day has been identical since I can remember: It rains the night before, enough for the roads to still be wet in the morning. You wake up early, have some Dunkin’ Donut munchkins for breakfast and make your way down to Borough Park where we meet with high school friends and old teammates. The cannon start for the Milltown 5K gives everyone on the start line a mini heart-attack because it catches everyone off guard. The sun comes out of the clouds as the race turns along the 2 mile mark, and quickly turns the streets into a sauna filled with thick humid air. After the finish, everyone gathers around to watch the winners receive their medals. We return to the house, take some quick showers and then head over a few blocks to watch the parade, a truly fine piece of Americana. The afternoon is spent with extended family on the deck, passing the time with stories and jokes. The BBQ is a celebration for Eric becoming one year older. To end the evening, everyone makes their way down to Borough Park once more to sit in the field of the elementary school on blankets to watch the township fireworks. Any variation to this day is few and far between, and that’s what makes it so special! Time honored traditions have to be consistent.
Other New Jersey adventures included spending time in the swimming pool, hiking the old stompin’ grounds of our youth, sailing, wandering NYC, and spending quality time with those we only get to see a few times a year.While all of our trip has seemingly flown by, our time at home always goes too quickly.
