Category Archives: PEOPLE

DAY 63 – 11/16/2012 Hiking Mt Pisgah

Posted on November 19, 2012 | 1 comment

A comment was heard the other day on the trailhead: “A day this gorgeous in November is a gift”. A gift, indeed! We have been blessed on this journey in just this way, so many times. As readers of this blog well know, we were waylaid in New York for two weeks by a blown head gasket. Two weeks worth of ever-colder weather in November could have easily meant that our trip through the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina could have been darker and winter-y. But, instead, the days have been breathtakingly beautiful.

Here's Cold Mountain, of literary and movie fame, as seen from Mt Pisgah.

Here’s Cold Mountain, of literary and movie fame, as seen from Mt Pisgah.

Friday was such a day, sunny and mild. Cold in the morning with a shining glaze of icy white frosting on grass and leaves, the crispness wilting in the rising sun. Until late afternoon when the sun retired behind towering mountains, the gentle air gave just the barest hint of the steel grip of winter soon to come.

It’s true – the leaves, with their riot of color, are gone. The showy drama may be over, but what remains is beautiful, too. Brown and gray trees stand in relief, their branches intricate against the bright blue sky. OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERARound a corner and you come upon the surprise of rich brown oak leaves, deep green pine needles and Christmas ferns, soft tan seed pods exploding and chartreuse mats of moss with their companion lichens in fairy-tale shapes.

 

Let's just call them "Shrek Ears"!

Let’s just call them “Shrek Ears”!

Friday was a day made for a hike. We had our friend, Marshall, with us. Marshall currently lives in Wilmington on the North Carolina seashore but drove west to meet us in Greensboro. From the Blue Ridge Parkway, we hiked 2-3 miles up the Shut In Trail to another trailhead leading to a 1.5 mile hike to the top of Mt Pisgah.

Friend Marshall, wearing around his waist our dorky water-bag!

Friend Marshall, wearing around his waist our dorky water-bag!

We love to mountain bike, but one of the great things we’ve found about hiking is that great conversations can be had. Well, when you’re not gasping for breath as I seem to do a lot! We hadn’t seen Marshall for seven years so we had a lot of catching up to do. He was Best Man at our wedding fourteen years ago but we had lost touch. Sure, there was the occasional phone call but we hadn’t been in each others’ company for quite a while.

Sky-high on Mt Pisgah.

Sky-high on Mt Pisgah.

David has said that Marshall is one of the most easily lovable people that he has ever met and I concur. Marshall bravely agreed to be our guest in the Tramper and spent two nights in our spare bed while traveling with us. So much fun was had! Lots of laughing…

We all wanted to see the

So, this is why I've got a cell signal! On top of Mt Pisgah, NC

So, this is why I’ve got a cell signal! On top of Mt Pisgah, NC

Museum of the Cherokee Indian in (where else) Cherokee, NC but we needed dinner and a good night’s sleep first so we threw our weary bodies into the 4Runner and found the Fort Wilderness RV Park, not far from the lavish, enormous Harrah’s Casino on the Cherokee Reservation.

– Jane

 

 

 

Here's Pisgah from the upper parking lot. The Shut-In trail led to this spot, then we hiked up to the tower.

Here’s Pisgah from the upper parking lot. The Shut-In trail led to this spot, then we hiked up to the tower.

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What was the best thing about the trip so far? “Questions while visiting home”

Posted on November 14, 2012 | 9 comments

When we visited family and friends in Baltimore a local friend posed the question; “what was the best thing about the trip so far?”

While thinking about my reply, my mind whirled through visions from the “road movie”.  I thought about deep clear rivers, green forests, panoramic foliage, skies as blue as Sept 11 and  broader than I could turn my head.  I thought about the mountains I so love.  The roaring little creek where we beached the kayak and sat still and silent for twenty minutes (me too, really!) and cried at the beauty combined with the privilege to view it.  Then, before I spoke, I realized the greatest part.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERATrying not to sound perfunctory or patronizing I managed to form a sentence.  The best part is the relationship and flow that Jane and I have formed with each other and the Tramper.  Our symbiosis with every system is evolving as we create a system for every daily task.  We “really like each other” as an observer asked about spending time in the small space.  We LOVE each other these 14 years into our marriage.  In fact, this time has us closer than ever.  We do nearly everything together, 24 hours a day.  It feels odd to run an errand without the other. We like it!  We reeaally like it! (Jean-Philippe and Anne know how to pronounce that)

The systems requirement comes from the space and the road.  We just don’t have room to leave anything unfinished.  Every shoe, every type of clothing has a place now.  We are packed for 4 seasons, downhill skis, cross country skis, Mt Bikes, kayak, hiking boots all take up space and could be in the way.  We could each tell you how many shirts, long and short sleeve, pants, underwear and socks we have.  Daily tasks, sleeping, cooking, cleaning, changing, getting water,  all take on new meaning in this rig.  Monitoring all power use, solar gain, water use, food intake, money spent all create an awareness we hope follows us home.

How should we start our day?

How should we start our day?

TWO OTHER CRUCIAL LESSONS HAVE SURFACED TOO:

The Earth is still very much alive and beautiful.  The skies and seas blue, and the myriad of beauty thrives wherever you look.  Leave the towns, get a mile off of a parking lot, look up and we are all still blessed with a miraculous universe and a world of wonder, mysteries and room for a curiosity that fills a life daily.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAPeople are Wonderful!   There is kindness, help, warmth everywhere we look.  Even the places we weren’t looking.  Strangers all seem interested in the Voyage.  It seems every day someone is telling us they have a contact or friend further down our journey.  Today a “stranger” showed me pictures of his farm and home, opening his doors to us “any time we get out that way”.  I wish I could communicate the soft and wonderful net that is out there if you step away from the familiar.  This country is full of WONDERFUL PEOPLE!  Writing now I shed tears at the desperation I didn’t look at until we started away from our house. (traffic and daily news breed an underlying mistrust we keep under our surface, why else does someone blow up so easily at little things?)

– David

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DAY 57 11/10/2012 How far South are We?

Posted on November 11, 2012 | 5 comments

All my Baltimore life I’ve heard the standard axiom that Maryland is little America.  “Yes, just drive three hours West to the mountains or three East to the ocean.  You can reach everything from here”.    Years later I’ve made observations of my own.  OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAJust drive three hours north and you reach New York, the bustle, Times Square, Broadway, theaters, and all they have to offer.  Then when you drive three hours South, folks ask; “How y’all doing?”, and they wait for a real answer.  They really want to know.  It’s still that way.

When we awoke here in Waynesboro Virginia without a plan, the good and possibly renowned  outfitter, Rockfish Gap seemed the place to go for our morning question:  Where should we go today?  The clerks directed us to a knowledgeable bearded customer, Tony who rifled through the maps in the store rack.

Witch Hazel in bloom in a sheltered valley

Witch Hazel in bloom in a sheltered valley

He pointed out hikes of varied lengths and types,  showing us where the most hunters would be and trying to ensure we’d have a good time.  He added that we could be using retired “Smartwater” bottle instead of the 2 new Nalgene bottles I picked up in the store.  I mentioned something of helping with business economy in my usual fashion, now forgetting our own newly chosen economy, which, without jobs, clearly goes only one way.

We picked a modest hike off the Blue Ridge Parkway OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAand after a few miles and some elevation gains, saw evidence of the snows from Sandy and the Nor’Easter.  Yup, there was a faceless snowman to greet us.   OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOur hike did its elevating job on our legs as we found ourselves thinking about a meal.

We rolled carefully down a switchbacked mountain road Eastward off of the Blue Ridge Parkway seeking a campground called Montibello.  The store was open, we hoped to check in after our nice rocky hike, but the clerk informed us the campground was closed for the season.  I had just started my response that we didn’t need hookups or anything and she reached for the phone.  Our friendly Southern cashier was calling ahead to another campground she knew to be open.

Dave and Sue run a nice little place called Crabtree Falls Campground where we were happy to pay the nice country fee of $26.  Many bigger sites charge over $35 and this in part is why we “camp” in some of the strange places we use.  Every dollar saved could be another day on our voyage.  OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOnly Dave was there to register and greet us.  He and I could have talked another hour if that hiker-hunger weren’t simmering in my belly and Jane was waiting in the Tramper.

The next day, Dave had more questions about the Tramper.  His avionics mechanic background coupled with his Mt Bike and snowboard social ways again led to timeless shared joy.  I love to talk about things, learn about things, laugh with these great people we are meeting on the road!  Before long, unprompted, Dave responded to our voyage by pulling a $20 back out of the register and “investing” in our trip’s future by refunding most of the camping fee!   Jane and I were baffled, complimented, nearly cried and could only say THANK YOU Dave!

– David

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At Crabtree Falls Campground, Tyro, VA

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“Pants were sacrificed”

Posted on November 1, 2012 | 7 comments

Our friend Doug was on task when he suspected the dirty pants were thrown away.  During the final hectic weeks before this Journey started, I worked “about” 52 hours on the truck while also working full-time at Sinai.  I would arrive home from patient care, slip into those dirty pants and grind away on truck preparations.  They were SO dirty once after the 90 weight gear oil of the axle, brake and bearing job that I wouldn’t even put them into the washing machine.   They served me well, practically standing upright in the corner between uses until the repairs were completed; Then as we packed the trailer, Pants were sacrificed.  Into the trash they went!

-David

…in Maine, Andrew must have sensed my need for pants.  He and Hannah gave me a perfect pair of Carharts (also known as Cah-hahts).

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DAY 45, 10/29/2012 Moved out of Camp…

Posted on October 29, 2012 | 11 comments

We had a quiet night despite building winds and storm anxiety.  I always try to block and limit the hysteria generated by the media.  I know my risks, make my choices and get to live with them.  We have had 4 DAYS of building concern and hype.  This has allowed time our forefathers wouldn’t have had to actually prepare our properties or to worry ourselves sick.  We have confab-ed with Olivia, talked about cat boxes on basement landings, sump pump contingencies and our own decision tree (no pun intended).

By noon today, it still hasn’t rained here yet.   Sorry Baltimore, I know you are getting it now.  But I have chosen a house made of Aluminum and the big bad wolf has not yet arrived here.  We had time to have a relaxed outdoor cookout of fork-held hot dogs with our camper-neighbor friend.  New York City is shut down like much of the Mid-Atlantic.  As we cooked and ate prior to the impending days Jane and I will spend out of the rain in our little box, we heard three different trees break.  One far into the woods, eight inches in diameter.  Another just at the campground driveway 200 yards away snipped the power lines right off the telephone pole.  J and I went down, confirmed that no wires were hot (they were sheared clear off the pole), and cleared the driveway.

Casual lunch as Sandy slams the South

Casual lunch as Sandy slams the South

I made the difficult decision to impose upon our friend to take us out of camp.  This journey is temporarily inconvenienced by the absence of the truck. But I must place safety concern for Jane and I above the conveniences of camp here.  I also consider the Tramper to be irreplaceable at this time.

Just a few branches to clear our egress "just in case"

Just a few branches to clear our egress “just in case”

We now sit in town, in the middle of the Recreation Center parking lot several hundred yards from the nearest tree.  The storm is still impending, but here they expect ~2 inches of rain and 30-40 mph gusts.  We are safer.  the truck has been disassembled at Chilcott’s (they wouldn’t let me help).  And I was right, the head gasket is blown, only one cylinder had leaked, there appears barely any rung-groove, denoting little wear on the remainder of the motor.  The heads are at the machine shop with “if it aint broke, don’t fix it” instructions.  In a few days we may resume.  I may drive two or three small journeys nearby while under warranty to explore the repair before hitching up and leaving town.

The lonely little Tramper, far from any trees or limbs that could fall, ending the Voyage

The lonely little Tramper, far from any trees or limbs that could fall, ending the Voyage

Meanwhile we wait, read, and play a few games.  “Good thing Jane and I like each other.”

Wow…As I finished writing, Ken and Karl the Highway Supervisor informed us that the Rec Center has hot coffee and bathrooms available for us.  They deemed us Parking Lot Security, laughed and welcomed us heartily!

PEOPLE ARE GREAT!

– David

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