Blog Post Number 5700

After Eleven Years of Blogging, This is Post #5,700!

On the Lands Run Trail. Photo by Frank.

Later today I'll post something for the City Daily Photo Theme but first I want to keep up with my tradition of writing an anniversary piece for every hundredth blog post. This time I'll write about my love for the Blue Ridge Mountains.

My parents brought me here many times throughout my childhood. My sister laughs at how I disliked camping because it was dirty, but I loved being up high and also being in the woods. There I'm "in my element." There's a spiritual connection.

One day's exposure to mountains is better than cartloads of books. - John Muir

Good Fences

Shenandoah National Park seems timeless. It changes with the seasons but otherwise it's pretty much as it was when I was a small child. But of course there are updates. Here the walkways and railings are being redone at Skyland, a resort area which actually predates the National Park.

I thought the smooth new concrete ramp looked like it may get slippery when wet. Then I saw that someone thought of that and added texture using stamps that look like tracks and leaves.

The park has over 500 miles of hiking trails and I've only walked a small portion. The Appalachian Trail runs the entire length of the park and then continues on to Maine and Georgia. When I was younger I thought it would be exciting to walk the entire distance and many people do it. Right now I'm not hiking at all until my foot heals. (Stupid bone spur!)

Still, I have a Parks Pass so I can drive in the park whenever I get a chance. The road through Shenandoah is Skyline Drive and it is spectacular!