The highlight of my 18.7 miles along the AT was seeing the Peaks of Otter. My previous visit to these mountains was 1961! As a kid attending second grade my family lived in nearby Lynchburg, Virginia for just one year. Having been born in Chicago and lived the first seven years of my life in only the flat Midwest, living near such mountains was a special time. I discovered the wildness of nature in the creek and meadows near our home. A look out our living room window revealed the Blue Ridge Mountains. I knew nothing about the Appalachian Trail, but it certainly was there in 1961. One day we all got into our 1957 Plymouth and drove to an overlook with a view of the Peaks of Otter. I doubt it was the same spot as shown in these photos. Regardless, returning to these mountains as a thru-hiker rekindled many memories of Lynchburg and the beginning of a personal journey of the mountains and the natural world.
Day 121, 21-Oct. Milepost: 1451.6 miles, Daily: 18.7, Ascent: 3775′, Descent: 3850′, Highest: 2705′. Camp: Wilson Creek Shelter, Jefferson Natl Forest, 1855′. Sunny weather until rain shower at 6pm. I was fatigued despite the well graded trail.
Thanks for sharing your memories. It’s really interesting to know when and where your journey of the natural world started. Native places…Passing through them must have been exciting for you.
Thank you, Ksenia! Your thoughts and words are always insightful.
You are still just popping right along. Making very good mileage a day. Hope that can continue with Nov and Dec a head of you. You have done remarkable so far. Good thoughts sent your way Roger♀️❤️
There’s supposed to be a bad storm coming. Pay attention to the weather. Stay low and safe if it gets really cold.