Panther Creek Falls

"and the sun, it does not cause us to grow
it is the rain that will strengthen your soul
and it will make you whole"
 - The Oh Hellos "I Have Made Mistakes"

I have been listening to their album, Through the Deep, Dark Valley, almost nonstop these past few days thanks to my sister's recommendation.  Good stuff.  Especially while driving to North Georgia on a misty Thursday morning.  I decided to make a short getaway to the Cohutta Wilderness in Georgia's Chattahoochee National Forest.

I needed to breathe that sweet mountain air.

I'm starting a new job this coming week, and though I'm very much excited about it and looking forward to having a steady schedule with free weekends... I wanted some time with the trees before diving in.

I had not been camping since the Trail.  The last time I was in a tent was in Baxter State Park, Maine, the night before climbing Mount Katahdin.  It had been too long, and my heart was racing as I prepared my gear.

Everything brought back fond memories of our time on the Appalachian Trail.

My packing routine.
The smell of my pack and rain jacket.
Lacing my boots.
The grip of my trekking poles.
The smoke of a campfire mixed with wet soil and leaves.
The pitter patter of rain against my tent.
Reading my Kindle while wearing four layers of warmth.
Bear bagging my food.
Wading across frigid water.
Purifying my water in a cold stream.
Even the pain in my legs and feet reminded me of the pain we felt on the Trail.

I hiked to a spot my father and brother and I frequently visit when camping in the Cohutta.  Panther Creek Falls.  It can be a strenuous hike but has a rewarding view once you arrive.  I camped right at the top of the falls (only about a tenth of a mile from where Anna and I camped during our only practice overnight before the thru-hike).  It rained on me almost the entire time with the exception of the last couple hours as I hiked back to my car.  Very appropriate, I believe.

The rain reminds me of what I have.  Even on a short excursion like this, I was looking forward to a hot meal and shower when I returned home.

I want more constant reminders of how good I really have it.  I think going into the woods helps put things in a bit of perspective.  That's something I could really take away from thru-hiking the AT.  When you have less, you appreciate more.

If it is always sunny, how will we grow?

Photographical update

Haven't had much luck posting videos lately. I probably have about ten or so lined up waiting for a good wifi hotspot.

Doing everything from a phone can be a bit frustrating at times, but then I have to remember that I am blogging FROM A TELEPHONE. Life ain't so bad.

The White Mountains have been breathtakingly difficult and rewarding.

Here are some photos from the past week or so. In no particular order.

Full Moon Forest

The sun sets over the Grand Mesa National Forest.
Blazing fire clouds of bright orange and red.
The snow capped mountains in silhouette.

I climb into my tent and immediately slip deep into the sleeping bag.
The air is cold and biting my skin.
I can see a few lone stars through the cloudy sky.

The full moon is rising.

When it appears over the horizon, it is like the sun.
Bright and shining.
Lighting up the entire forest surrounding me.

It's a beautiful sight, and I'm thankful the clouds don't open up and pour out their snow, sleet or rain.

Life in the forest is quiet and still.
Just the wind blows, bringing the leaves of the trees to life with each gust.

The sound of flowing water murmurs in the distance.
A mountain stream thriving on melted snow from far above.

I close my eyes and hibernate until morning.

"The Mountains Are Calling"

"...and I must go."
-John Muir

The desert is beginning to cool down a little.  Instead of highs in the upper 90s and 100s, it's been in the mid 80s.  A nice change, actually.

But I still crave the mountains.

The cool, refreshing mountain air.  Lush greenery.  Cold mountain streams.  Aspen trees!  This is what I especially enjoy.

I decided to check out Grand Mesa National Forest, about a three hour drive from Moab into Colorado (recommended by Miss Anna Tucker).

I hiked the 10.3 mile Crag Crest trail along the summit of the mountain forest.  About five hours and breathtaking at every turn.  The aspen leaves are beginning to turn from green to bright yellow for Fall, and the clear mountain lakes reflect a bright blue mirror image of the surrounding trees.

The desert is great and glorious in its own right, but the mountains are bliss.



Note:  I also had the added bonus of editing this video in a Chick-fil-a in Grand Junction.  However, I must have been so enthralled with my Georgia lunch that I forgot to add a quotation mark in the end of my video.  A small, yet disturbing grammatical mistake that is not worth correcting.  Many apologies to my grammar OCD friends (and sister).