Today is March1st, and what a beautiful warm day it is. The sky is blue, the temperature is around 60 degrees and the wind is low but steady, a perfect day to walk. These last weeks I have walked at the park where I recycle. This park only has ball fields and a playground, so I've actually been walking in the neighborhoods that surround the park, which is fine. I enjoy walking along looking at the yards and porches, seeing the plants chosen by the homeowners and imagining the views each house enjoys. Views are important. We have purchased and lived in 5 different homes, and each time we house hunt I check out the views and the yard before the kitchen, baths or anything else.
The last time I walked at that park I decided to explore the area by car. I drove down the road by the park, and came to a dead end of the paved road. The path continued on gravel, but I wasn’t sure I was allowed down the gravel road so I returned home. The very next day I was playing tennis and my partner asked if I had walked on the Priceville trail. I had no idea we had a trail. It turns out the gravel road I was afraid to drive on leads to a dirt road many people hike, drive, and bike on. It is part of the Wheeler Wildlife Sanctuary. Today my son and I drove the short 3 miles from our house, only one right turn, and parked on the gravel road. The dog joined us, off leash, and happily running ahead, coming back, sniffing the grass and running ahead again. The trail, or dirt road, passes along between corn fields, the dried stalks left behind over the winter. We walked, and were passed by a red truck, kicking up some dust. The path led down close to the Tennessee River and stopped, but before the river another road continued to the right. We walked in silence. Joseph is one of those people that isn’t bothered by silence, he doesn’t expect to be entertained with small talk. We chat when we have something interesting to say, and don’t when we want to just walk and think. He makes a good hiking partner. A couple of more trucks drove by, down to the river and then back up to the right turn and on out of sight. We walked, and looked at the trees, the fields, the birds and the path. I love hearing my feet crunch on the rocks and gravel as we walk. We passed lots of privet, growing between the road and the fields. I had read that Privet is the most invasive plant species in Alabama, and on this walkway it was everywhere. A bicyclist passed us, then a dirt bike. We watched a red tail hawk fly along the trees, then land on a branch. Four men jogged by, each accompanied by a jogging dog. The four men and four dogs passed us by, and we continued.
We came to a metal bridge over a stream. Our dog refused to pass over. I’m not sure if it was being able to see through or the uncomfortable pattern of metal, but she wouldn’t cross. We turned back, and slowly made our way to the car.
I walked almost 18 miles during the last week, for a total this year of 82.12 miles. That places me on the AT in North Carolina, my home state! I am excited about that. Right now I am not in familiar territory, but soon I will be on sections of the trail I have walked before. If I were on the AT it would be extremely cold right now. Lots of hikers end up in Georgia, NC and TN during the coldest time of the year, and they miss the absolute beauty of the NC mountains. In late spring these trails are covered in trillium, may apples, blooming azalea, rhododendron, and so much more. I am still watching hikers that post their journey on YouTube, and right now the landscape is barren, wintery and cold. The bare trees allow a hiker to enjoy the mountain views, and winter birds are easier to see. Winter hiking is fun, There are no mosquitos, and no humidity and heat. The sections of the AT in NC and TN are high in elevation and can be extremely cold, and a hiker needs to be prepared with cold rated sleeping bags and warm clothing. I am glad I actually hiked these areas in warmer seasons.
No comments:
Post a Comment