WILDERNESS TRAAAAAIIIILLLLLLLL

Just got home from yet another MOUNTAIN TRAVEL today because after all, i am a MONS VIATOR(MOUNTAIN TRAVELER) hahah but anyways

A few months ago me and the Family decided we wanted to backpack and coincidentally carrie's father was pushing for a backpacking trip with her youth group through a methodist organization called Wilderness Trail. last week end his idea materialized as we drove up 421 headed for Damascus, Virginia.

The mount Rogers area is spectacular, full of picturesque views of rolling ridges, grassy highlands and wild ponies:) When we reached the property we met our group leaders, who were both phenomenal leaders. Throughout the day we bonded on the Group Building Course and held conversation sitting in the front porch rockers. Worship followed a hot meal, we sandg songs of priase that i was unfamiliar with....but within seconds i was flapping my arms like a fool and singing at the top of my lungs because i realized, " this is God we are singing about, who cares if i stumble, as long as im singing loud fromt he bottom of my heart :) " The next day was prep time for the hike, we assembled our pack and tents ( i used a hammock, SCORE) and that night walked up the HILL to the outdoor chapel. Now this chapel was a place that carrie had spoken of with wonderful praise and to be honest i thought she must be exagerating. As we topped the hill and rounded the trees i just stopped in my tracks and gasped. Infront of me stood a towering cross, and whitetop mountain stood as a glorious backdrop, splashed by the fading rays of the setting sun. We held worship and communion and in the end were at the verge of tears, the glory of God was around us and most importantly in us.

Tuesday morning we woke to a cacaphony of noise, grabbed and packs and headed out. We started hiking on the iron mountian trail, once a part of the AT, it was removed due to lack of scenery and rightly so. Before lunch we pickeup two odd hitch hikers.... 2 dogs, waldo and wolfgang. After  anear fight to the death several hours later, we let them go their own way, glad to be rid of their bipolar behavior. haha That afternoon we stumbled across some treasure ina mountain meadow...surrounding a spring were the biggest blackberry vines ive ever seen. Naturally I grabbed my owl and filled 'er up.


Wednesday we continued on the iron mountain and found ourselves climbing a series of ridge tops. After lunch we descended into a nice valley, filled with laurel, and followed a creek. (crossed it 11 times) at the mouth of the valley we intercepted the A. T. and continued to follow it to our campsite, pirates paradise. The campsite butted up to  the virginina creeper multiuse trail and was a gorgeous place. Across the VCT was a big creek and our guide James led us to the swimming hole, fully equipped with a 15 foot jumping rock.( the highlight of the trip)

Thursday was tough.... we hiked up the backside of straigh mountain( i assume it's name comes from the fact that when you hike up it you are litterally going STRAIGHT up) 17 switchbacks later we made it to the top, excited to see some glorious views. NOPE, just TREES. After eating lunch in a swamp we descended straigh mountain and found our campsite ironically sitting next to the VCT, (probably an easy walk from the campsite from the nightbefore) We had a made a giant Horse shoe over mountains down them, for nada.

Friday i wake in my hammock, and look up at the splendid blue ske, spotted with nice puffy white clouds. It was a GREAT day to hike. All week me and carrie had been bummed about the lack of views and carrie just wanted to see rocck strewn fields in particular. The night before, our junior staff let it slip that we were headed to whitetop in the morning and we were all pumped, we were finally getting what we had been waiting for. Five hours later we were almost on whitetop, that is, with our packs on the ground, sopping wet as lightning crackled through the ir so close that the thunder almost preceded the flash. After an hour of that mass, it finally let up, with our moods diminsihed we made the final bound to buzzard rock. As i walked out of the shelter of the trees my spirits soared, i walke din awe as i saw 7 states unfold around me. I quickly sped past my fellow hikers and ascended buzzard rock. It was surreal, i felt like i was standing on the threshold of heaven and hell. To my left, the grayson highlands were dark and foreboding as arcs of pink lighting pounded the ridgetops relentlessly, and to my right, blue sky was revealed and the suns golden rays illuminated the receeding thunderheads. The peaks floated on a sea of low hanging clouds that drifted in their laurel valleys. It was magnificent. That night's campsite was subpar and the cold set in to our soaked skin. Overall it wasnt a pleasent eavening, although the mmood was lightened by the promise of dry clothess.


Saturday came with the encouragement of comfort waiting for us at the lodge. Once our final 2 mile hike was completed we loaded the van and headed back to the property. Our day of rest ended with another trip to the chapel where tears glistended on our cheeks like the stras of the sky. Praise God.

Sunday morning we left bright and early and now, this evening i sit here at home with my family, who i have dearly missed, already recounting the tales of the past week.