I've been to quite a few places in America but I have to truly say the drive through the Appalachian Mountains was one of the most beautiful areas in this country that I have ever seen. I say this when the trees haven't even leafed out yet! This picture is one of the rare straight stretches in the road and I was able to get a half-way decent picture without the camera focusing on a bug on the windshield. The rest of the drive was two hands on the steering wheel going up and down, twisty curvy. The poor Little House on the Highway really got a workout. No, there was never a place to pull off and stop for some good photos. It killed me, believe me.
Early on in the drive the road crossed the Appalachian Trail and there was a parking area there for hikers. I wheeled over across oncoming traffic, stopped and fulfilled a dream I've always had - to hike on the Appalachian Trail. Even though it was for only a few miles (the entire trail is over 2100 miles long) I enjoyed every step. This was one of the highlights of this trip and like many other events, I hadn't planned this. Here I am enjoying the view into the valley below.
Yes, I got myself a souvenir rock.
We are now camping in West Virginia for the night.
8 comments:
first photo by the roadside are they flowering prunus'? Looks to be a lovely location.
just awesome! i love that you're not planning these latest things. and just deciding to do them. :)
It looks so gorgeous!
I remember an old professor speaking about time he spent in the area. You could see the love in his eyes as he spoke.
Takes me back to my teens in Maryland. Love those hardwood forests!
oh this is beautiful. Oh for sure smell the roses of life.
Have you seen the area in the fall--that is when it is most beautiful of all! But it is pretty in spring, too...I will take either one.
Funny that you and I were both on the AT for the first time within a couple of days of each other!
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