We live mere minutes from the Appalachian Trail. That beautiful byway weaves its way all through our mountains, en route to Maine. When I was a young child, I had never heard of the AT. But my children walk along it often, and inquire about where it ends, and how long it takes to walk its' entirety. This past weekend, we were able to make the short hike to one of my favorite places along the trail, Big Bald Mountain. Aside from hiking in along the AT, the only way to access Big Bald is through a gated community. In the end that means that most of us are unable to get there for most of the year. For a variety of reasons, this past weekend was one of those few opportunities to climb the mountain, and we took advantage of it. 
There is just something magical about seeing a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains that puts everyone in a great mood, instantly. And in the dead of winter, it is often just what the doctor ordered. Speaking for myself, getting out of the house and on top of a mountain on a sun splattered day lifts my February spirits like nothing else. Doing it with friends, family, and a few capes - just makes me feel like a million bucks. We took a fair amount of pictures up there, but we spent most of our time just running, jumping, talking, and trying to locate the places that we could see in the distance. And after a few hours, we headed back home - feeling a little bit smaller and in less control of things. And for me, that is beautiful.
Comments