Leaving Stuff Behind

Posted by AR on February 18th, 2010 filed in Fall and Winter in the Mountains, Winter Woods
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Why is a shoe hanging from a tree on the Appalachian Trail? This sight usually has an entirely different meaning in a city, but here it is a sign that you have either packed too much stuff for the journey or you have the wrong kind of gear. Through hikers heading north usually stop at the Walasi Yi Center (billed as the only covered spot on the trail) located at Neel’s Gap to wash clothes, buy supplies for the long miles ahead, and dump unnecessary gear. It is here that many hikers throw their deeply valued hiking boots up into one of the hemlocks that blanket the gap. Center workers said one backpacker told them she had paid $600 for the pair of leather boots she was leaving behind! This “dumping” comes when hikers realize they have either too much of a good thing or simply the wrong equipment. In many cases it becomes a symbol of letting go of the old and of the “not needed” in order to reach a greater goal.

As I took this photo, I couldn’t help but wonder how many of us continue to carry unnecessary baggage through life—baggage that weights us down and prevents us from being all that we can be. Really, we need to be lean hikers—free of worry, anger, frustration, and bitterness—carrying only what is expedient for the trip—love, joy, and forgiveness. Most of the time this requires leaving some personal desire, demand, or “self perceived right” behind. Jesus basically told His disciples: carry only what you need for the journey that I have given you to walk. (Luke 10)

I’m in Love with Gates!

Posted by AR on February 16th, 2010 filed in Fall and Winter in the Mountains
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Okay, I confess I have fallen in love with mountain gates. I know, call me weird. Call me won over by Miss J’s mom. Gates rock, and if I could find a way to put one on my property, I would do it. Well, actually, I have been thinking and who knows . . . . gates are so cool and this one is totally “there.”

Side Treking

Posted by AR on February 16th, 2010 filed in Fall and Winter in the Mountains, Winter Woods
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Isn’t this one of the smoothest winter roads you have seen? We passed it on our way down from Neel’s Gap this past weekend. I could have gone down it with the four-wheel drive but decided just to photograph it instead.

Neel’s Gap

Posted by AR on February 15th, 2010 filed in Hiking Through Northeast Georgia
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It is really cool (literally) to get away on the weekends. On this past one, we headed up into the mountains. Here’s a photo taken at Neel’s Gap in north Georgia as the snow moved in and then moved out. I love this place. It was a favorite of mine years ago when I was in college and it continues to be that today. There’s always lots of people around because it is located squarely on the Appalachian Trail. More about this later . . . .

Happy Valentine’s Day

Posted by AR on February 14th, 2010 filed in Paw Prints
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Silhouetted and waiting to go up into the mountains for the day, these two share a Valentine’s moment together.

PJ, the kitty, found a fun place to sit and watch the snow on Saturday morning.