Situations

I know I have left this blog empty for two weeks again. I am truly sorry to anyone who's reading.
We have not bee able to make a hike the last couple of weeks. My dad was very sick when we went to Livingston a couple of weeks ago, so we had to cancel our plans to go to the Alvin C. York park while we were in the area. Nate and Logan had a little mini-hike at Standing Stone State Park while we were there, but I was busy with my dad and was not able to hike or to get any pictures.

My dad ended up in the hospital after we left that weekend and I spent much of last week on the phone with the hospital staff and family members. When Saturday rolled around I was so ready to go hiking and just get away from the stress that I had been dealing with all week. We got almost to where we were going when my mom called with car trouble and we had to turn back.
So in place of a hike last week we helped my mom with her car, came home and put the kid to bed, and I washed the car while Nate mowed the yard. Thrilling, no? Yeah..

Weather is not looking good for this weekend. Last I checked we are supposed to have high chances of rain and storms both Friday and Saturday. I feel my hiking project slipping away.

I will update here when we are able to get a hike in again. Might be this weekend, might be a week or two. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

Flag Rock - Norton, Va

So we managed a small outing today after all. We didn't really get a hike out of it, but saw some cool stuff that I'd like to share here.

We dropped Logan off with my mom this time since he is still recovering and it was raining off and on, then went to Flag Rock in Norton, Va. There are trails there which we will be going back for some time in the future, but considering Nate's cold and I aggravated my back injury yesterday (really about to have to go to the doctor for this), we decided to just scout the place out and explore.

First of all, there were campgrounds that were simple, but the view was amazing. We are planning a camp at some point later on just to see the view first thing in the morning. Here's a picture of the view from one of the upper campgrounds where we got out to look around.

There was no zoom used here, I simply pointed my camera where I was standing and took a picture of the beauty in front of me. Also, there were several more campgrounds in a more wooded lower camping area, but what little view there was near those looked over Norton. I preferred this view of the surrounding mountains.

We left from exploring the campgrounds and drove into the park to the Flag Rock Overlook. We found plenty of things to keep us busy. The next picture shows a small side trail off the graveled walkway to the overlook. You are only supposed to go so far, the tree near the back in the middle of the pictured trail has a warning sign that says no one is allowed beyond that point. We didn't venture but about two or three feet beyond, just to see what the trail led to. There was a rock that forked the trail there, but I imagine came right back together on the other side. It was so cool there, between the rocks with the rain misting down on us, that I first thought that it was a cave, but it was actually a passage between the rocks that was open all the way from the ground up. On our way to the overlook there is a small metal bridge across the gaped rock and you can see nearly all of the trail there. It comes out at the side of the overlook into the woods on the side of the mountain. Unfortunately, I did not get any pictures looking down on the trail.

Next is a picture of Flag Rock itself, from the overlook. Sadly, there is no public access to the rock. I'm certain there must be some sort of access road or trail, because someone is taking care of that flag, but we didn't look for one. No need going and breaking park rules which specifically state that climbing Flag Rock is not allowed.

The overlook is basically one big rock that you walk out on, or maybe a couple of big rocks. It is all neatly hemmed in by a metal fence to keep you from toppling to your doom, which I suppose is a worthy reason for a fence on top of a rock. I wish we had taken an extra sd card with us, because we were completely out of space on this one and had to delete pictures to make room for what we did get. I really would like to have taken more pictures of the texture on the overlook rocks. It bore a remarkable resemblance to the way sand looks under water.

The next curious bit of nature we explored was a giant rock structure, which is the best way I know to describe it, which sits next to a picnic pavilion near the head of the walkway to the overlook. I could not get a good picture to show the magnitude of this structure, nor the unusual way that the rocks look almost like they were stacked there on purpose. The rocks are built up around a round room in the middle, and one large but significantly smaller rock in the middle of the room, and a couple of others off to the sides, with small trails here and there between the rocks. (As you can see, the rocks have been, sadly, defaced with graffiti over the years. Not sure why people feel the need to spray paint things to feel cool.)

We scouted out the trails around the rocks, which led us both to the top and around the back side of the structure. Well, Nate went all the way around, but by this time, and after taking the hard way to the top instead of paying attention to the easy way just a few steps away, I was really feeling the injury in my back and hip so I waited, as the trail became rougher there. I tried to get a good picture of the contour of the trail here because there was a dip where the trail dropped off with nothing but some wet roots to climb and small, loose magnolia trees to hold to for getting back up to the trail. It really wasn't too bad, I just couldn't make the climb with the pain in my back and hip.

Since, like I said, we didn't really hit the hiking trails this time around, this is really all I have for this week. There were trails that went to High Knob higher up the mountain and to a reservoir further down the mountain, with trails to both from there near the overlook which we plan to go back for later.
One note that didn't really fit in anywhere else in my post that I would like to add as an afterthought is that the place was covered with magnolia trees. I have always liked magnolia trees, but aside from in people's yards where they have been planted and looked after, you don't see them much around here. I was pleasantly surprised by their prominence at the top of this mountain.

Still planning on trying to visit the Alvin C. York park next week on our trip to see my dad. Any fans of the 1941 movie Sergeant York, or fans of WWI trivia should check back for that one!

Sorry to continue to disappoint...

Just so anyone reading knows, I've not forgotten my blog or my hiking project! After my last post when I hurt my back, we were planning a hike at Cumberland Gap, but it fell through when first I got a horrible cold, then my kid got strep, then he got an upper respiratory infection, and now Nate is recovering from the horrible cold. Needless to say, none of us has felt much like hiking or much of anything else.
On the up side, we are planning to travel next week to the Alvin C. York state park near Jamestown, Tn and see what kind of hiking there might be there or nearby on our way to visit with my dad. Here's hoping it all works out and I will have a real blog post soon.

Laundry disaster = no hike this week

May not have a hike this week. I tripped over a pile of laundry in my closet Wednesday and injured my back (I know, I know, what in the world am I doing out on hiking trails when I am hurting myself doing laundry, right?). I'm feeling good enough right now that I could probably handle an easy hike tomorrow, but I believe it is supposed to rain. We will see what happens. If we do miss this week, I am certain there will be a hike next week.

Fire Tower

Yesterday our weekly hike took us to Kingsport, Tn to Bays Mountain Park and Nature Preserve. We had Logan in tow again, so it seemed like the perfect relaxing little day trip. We walked around and visited all the animals and birds, then hit the trail to the fire tower at the top of the mountain. 

It seemed perfect. The trail alternated between flat, then slight inclines, and just a few bigger hills. We encountered countless squirrels and one garter snake who was very unhappy with us for walking by him. Roots of the trail side trees showed through the ground, making beautiful designs where they crossed over one another and jutted in and out of the ground. There were quaint little foot bridges and this one striking tree that looked like it was sculpted. 

We all moved along at a good pace until we moved off of the Lakeside Trail and on to the Fire Tower Trail itsself.

Let me just say that as much as last week's hike was a disappointment, this week we made up for it with steep hills with almost sand-like trails that cause our feet to slip. The picture above is the last picture I took of the trail because I was concentrating more on just getting to the top so we could come back down. On top of the challenge of the trail, we made the rookie mistake of not taking enough water. I had slipped a 32 oz bottle that I had been sipping on into my bag, thinking I had barely had any of it, but didn't pay attention to the fact that there was only about 1/4 of the bottle left. I tried my best to ration it, and we didn't touch it until we were almost to the top. We each took a sip, and an extra for Logan, and that left just enough for a drop on our tongues at the top.

  One we got there, I decided to sit with Logan while Nate climbed the tower. I was going to go up after him, but the steps were loose and rickety, and my legs were a little rickety in their own right, so I resolved to stay on the ground.

The nice clear picture of the mountains is one that Nate took from the tower. On the ground, we couldn't see quite as much for the trees. But we had our own veiw of what I am assuming is the Holston River.

The trip down was, as you would expect, easier. We were all tired and thirsty, and ready for dinner. Logan crashed out on Nate's shoulder, which I wished we all could have done. We made it back about 45 minutes before the park closed. Then we rebuilt our strength with chick-fil-a, and, for Logan and I, a fantastic bowl of coffee, caramel, and marshmallow frozen yogurt (topped with graham cracker crumbs, cheesecake bits, caramel drizzle and a brownie chunk!) from Sweet Frog.

This week I plan to concentrate through the week on building up a hiking pack to take with us every trip and which will be used exclusively for that purpose. This should ensure that we do not end up out with no water again. And also, I will be trying to be more active through the week, because if I learned one thing yesterday it is that boy oh boy am I out of shape!
According to the map from Bays Mountain, we hiked a total of about 3 1/2 miles yesterday. Elevation at the base of the Fire Tower is 2,405. Elevation at the Kingsport Reservoir, where our trail began is 1,835.

http://www.baysmountain.com/
http://www.baysmountain.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Visitor_MapOpt.pdf

Taking (the hike to) the Leap!

So today's hike to Lover's Leap at Natural Tunnel in Duffield, Va...I am slightly disappointed. I haven't made this hike in over five years, and I really had it in my mind that it was more challenging. Even with a two year old in tow, it was a breeze.

Once we realized how easy this hike was going to be, we planned to go down to the tunnel and back again this week, just for the exercise. Logan had other plans. Plans like lunch and a nap. The type of plans that you don't argue with a two year old about. But all in all, it was an ok outing, and I am thankful that at least we did get to go out. And despite the rain, it was a beautiful, cool spring day. The butterflies and this friendly lizard thought so too!

                                 

Also, the view didn't exactly stink. Lover's Leap looks over the tunnels, right down to where we hiked last week, and it felt as if we were looking eye to eye with the mountains around us.

                                    

Next week we are thinking of checking out trails either in Cumberland Gap, or in Wise county. A lot will depend on the weather, and if we can get a sitter for Logan. Either way, I will update again after next week's hike!

Rain...:(

It started raining in the night and has not let up. This, on top of the storms on Wednesday, will not make for a  good hiking weekend. But we will press on. Mostly sunny and 63 tomorrow. We will go back to Natural Tunnel and hike to Lover's Leap at the top of the park. Some place more familiar to be safe due to the weather. Will post again after the hike.

Since this is my first post, I suppose it is best to start by telling the story of why I have this blog.
I've never felt the need for a blog before (which means that this is my first attempt and I have no idea what I am doing so go easy on me!). I had a live journal account in high school that I still occasionally check in on, and the blog that came with the myspace account that I used to have, but I have never had any use for an actual blog. Until now.

My husband is a preacher. He decided about two and a half years ago that he is not only a preacher, but is being called into the ministry to be a pastor. He just finished his associate degree in theology a couple of months ago, and is preparing to look for a church. We don't know where his search for a church will take us, only that where God calls, we will go. We are certain, though, that we will be leaving this place that we call home.
I have been very torn about our forthcoming move and drastic over all life uprooting. It is exciting. It is scary. But only recently did I realize that it makes me a little sad.
I grew up in southwestern Virginia. If you've read or heard of the book Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani, well, that is precisely where I grew up. (I spent three summers as a cast member of The Trail of the Lonesome Pine and I even worked a few months at the Mutual Drug store.) I was raised here in the cacoon of my mountains, grew up running through them, and now I am preparing to leave them. Not that I have never been outside of the area. I have been as far south as Orlando, Fl and I have been East all the way to the coast of my beautiful state. I have not ventured very far north or west, but far enough to see the flat fields of my husband's home state of Indiana. Point being, I have left my bubble, my safe barrier of hills and ridges, but only for short visits. I have never left my home here in the mountains to migrate to a new place. I have never left them behind for more than a week. And until I faced this reality, I never realized how much of who I am is linked into my mountains.

So last week we went to a local state park, Natural Tunnel State Park, just outside of Duffield, Va. A familiar place, the setting of many a school field trip, family outing, and picnics. It is a place I have loved as long as I can remember. At the tip top of the park is "Lover's Leap" where my great, or maybe great-great grandparents were married. At the very bottom is the Tunnel itself, a natural opening in the mountain through which trains have passed for years, and still use today. Last week my husband, my two year old son, and I all trekked to the bottom to show our son the tunnel for the first time. We walked here and there, seeing the flowers that have began to open and the animals that have began the stir, then hiked the .03 of a mile back up, my two year old accepting no help from us, insisting that he could do it himself. Maybe it was that boost we all get after exercise, or the pride for my son being tough and independent enough to hike what about killed his parents, or maybe, and I'm clinging to this one, it was sentimentality for the fact that we will soon be leaving these familiar places for new ones. On the way home we decided that from now until we leave, we will do a different hike every week. Sometimes our son, Logan, will be along, and sometimes just us. But once per week, we will find some place else to hike. We will see my home from all perspectives before we leave it to make our home some place else.
Which brings me back to this blog. I will document our adventures here. I will post pictures, observations, and stories from each hike here on this blog. I will also be posting my own progress as a new hiker, and as a fat kid who is expecting the hikes to whip me into at least slightly better shape. It may be the most boring thing that has ever been places on the internet, or maybe it won't be..I guess we will see.

One last thing. I really need suggestions of good hikes for a couple of clumsy amateurs in southwestern Virginia. It would be really great to get some ideas!