I said that I wouldn't try and catch up with old news,
but this was only 10 days ago so I'm giving myself a special dispensation!
The tires on the living quarters trailer were growing square;
it has sat unused by the garage since last winter!
We've been riding regularly and trailering the horses to day riding spots with our small trailer,
but hadn't planned an overnight trip since last winter.
Finally the stars aligned:
we thought the horses were in good enough shape to handle some back-to-back long rides
AND we were able to set aside a few days to get away.
We decided on the eastern section of the Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area for no particular reason other than that we'd never been there and it was an easy 3 hour drive from the barn.
There are several primitive (and free) campgrounds in the area for horses,
but since it was a weekend
and we wanted to be assured of a place to park,
we anted up and paid in advance for a reserved site at Iron Mountain Horse Camp.
Cloud and I at the camp entrance
Atta's trail riding days are over, especially in the mountains,
but she was along for the adventure and so was Noel!
We decided to give the old 19 year old tabby a chance and see how she'd handle camping in the RV and she did brilliantly, loving every minute of being in the trailer.
Sleeping in.....
She rode over and back in the truck securely in a crate next to Attagirl;
aside from a few quiet meows to remind us that she was there,
she didn't even seem fazed by the truck ride.
We joked with people that if she escaped and was lost at the campground, we'd never be able to Lexington. So we were paranoid about remembering to close the door immediately
though she never gave any sign of wanting to slip out.
While Atta and Noel entertained each other in the air conditioning,
we logged almost 30 miles on the trails and never had any issues.
It was rocky.....VERY rocky.... in places
with a some substantial elevation changes but nothing we weren't expecting.
Thank goodness that we both ride with a Garmin GPS because the map provided by the camp was more confusing and wrong than helpful!
The most difficult section of our weekend riding: Devils Den
Parts of the Virginia Highlands Trail were dead ringers for our old regular riding territory near Gloster MS, in the Homochitto National Forest.
This was one of the very few distant mountain views as we were largely in deep woods,
but if we go back in the fall or winter there should be plenty of visible long range views.
Noel isn't the only one who is 19.....
Sarge is also closing in on 20 and is still looking good and showing no signs of needing to retire.
The camp was quiet, neat and clean and the manager was very helpful and friendly. The barn was also spic and span and with sturdy stalls.
It's been almost six months! I've thought about posting almost every day but it remained just a thought and a nagging desire.
I had to do some thinking about why I was blogging. I guess it's a natural temptation to try and "grow" the blog, get comments and have an audience. But that's NOT why I started recording my thoughts and activities. It was primarily for me in order to remember this period of my life and stay in touch with friends and family.
A very wise son told me yesterday that I should "Just Post"; the blogging version of Nike's Just Do It. Dive in and not worry about trying to catch up.
So here goes.... a deep breath in,
a step to the edge,
and a post....
I'm still hiking with the Friday group through Newcomers but rain and travels have made me miss quite a few recently so I had to stop and catch my breath more times than I'd like to admit and I was sorer than I'd thought possible after the hike to the top of Short Top Mountain.
Without a doubt it was the hardest hike I've done lately.
We're headed up to the top of the mountain on the other side of the lake. With it's steep little cap, you can see why it's called Sharp Top. The trail gains 1,500 feet in 1.5 miles and we hiked a little over 6 miles that day by returning along a different route.
When we reached the top there was a stone summit shelter nestled in among the boulders.
I couldn't find any info on the web about who built it and whether it ever served any purpose, but I'll guess that it was another of the many CCC projects that we still benefit from in our forests and parks across the country all these years later.
Once again, I was proud to have a son who works for the NPS which administers this area off the Blue Ridge Parkway.
It was a hazy day with low clouds but the 360 degree views were worth the aching thighs that plagued me for two days post hike!
The day after the hike, I varied between thinking that I was woefully out of shape or that I was doing better than many my age who wouldn't have even attempted it!
Tonight when trying to research the history of the shelter, I found that in 1815, Thomas Jefferson and two friends climbed Sharp Top with surveying equipment in order to try and estimate the height of the mountain. Jefferson was 72 and I'm only 59; so that's a little embarrassing, but maybe he rode a pack mule?
I'm a lucky person to live among this natural beauty.....