No secret I love my mountains. Even better than that is hiking those mountains. Not too many local to me share that notion, some even mocking it. Walking along trails alone never seemed a smart idea but on this bright blue beautiful day I couldn't bear to waste any more time.... to waste any more of these short lives we are given.
So I set out solo.
By the time I reached the trail that I had been pining to explore for years, the sky had grown foggy, cool and dismal. Having spent way too much time waiting to Live this stage of life to it's fullest, I was not deterred and set out anyway.
So happy I did.
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| Who lives here? |
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| The rock eating tree. |
Coming across reminders of how the land was once used was fascinating. Contemplating the lives that the mountain people lived before they were forced to leave when Shenandoah National Park was created gave me more than just a moment of pause.
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| Old stone fences have such a story to tell. |
I trust they were not much different than I, simply wanting to live content lives, balancing out hard work with pleasures among their families.
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| Next time, I will not be too timid to cross on my own |
I think I will venture out on more hikes alone, when I make moments without family obligations and other duties happen.
{It's so important to do so.}
Unless of course, you'd like to join me.
Playing in the leaves is not wasteful.
Never ever.
