Matt and Jamie's World: Looking For Shelter

So, about 3 weeks ago now*, Matt and I traveled to Greenville, SC, the home of Matt's second job. He usually travels there once a month and I tag along as much as possible hoping to get in some hiking in the Carolinas. On this particular trip we decided that instead of heading over to our usual place, Bonclarken in Flat Rock, NC, we would drive out to Jones Gap State Park in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness, bust out the ole tent and camp.

I have a friend who measures every fun thing in life against her love for watching movies. This is a “general rule” for her and is quite funny when she comments on events as, “almost,” or “as fun as” watching movies. When I think about it I must admit my measuring stick o’ fun in life is hiking through mountains. Matt and I absolutely love hiking and would go every day if given the chance. While I might not always remember the names of State parks or trails, I almost always remember how I feel when I hike: free and happy. I sometimes feel like I can walk on forever and never look back.

Matt and I left Greenville on a Thursday afternoon and about the time we arrived to the trail that held our reserved camping spot it had begun to drizzle. Now, the original plan was to hike in to Jones Gap Falls (5.3 mile round trip) while taking a gander at our campsite along the way. We love waterfalls. So with a strong will and undeterred spirit we set out for the falls . . . in the rain. About 2 miles in the skies opened and in the words of Patty Griffin, it was "strange how hard it rain[ed]." It was as though the clouds were holding off for just the right moment..."Wait for it, wait for it...now!" Did this stop us? Of course not. We put our heads down, clinched our jackets and leaned into the storm. We ascended the “slippy” (thank you for the new adjective Bear Grylls) mountain until finally: Jones Gap Falls. It was a gorgeous waterfall, totally worthy of the wet climb, but I couldn't help but think, "now we have to go back down; in the rain." After about 30 seconds of admiring the waterfall we turned on our heels and slipped and slid our way back down the mountain.

Back in the parking lot we both agreed this would not be the place to camp overnight. Immediately, we ran to the truck stripped down to our underwear in the parking lot (don’t worry no one was there but us) and jumped in the cab. As we caught our breath I couldn’t help but think, “Whew, glad that’s over! I don’t think I could’ve taken much more hiking in the rain!”

Matt looked at me soaking wet and announced, “Well that was just a bonus!” How differently guys and girls think!

But before we headed off to North Carolina we got a few picks.

The next day was so beautiful and bright we all but forgot about the rain as we set out on another hike now in Caesar's Head State Park. We decided once again to hike to another waterfall (we really enjoy hiking to waterfalls) and this time we did a 8.5 mile loop.

Although our little 8.5 mile stumble through the woods can't possibly compare to a through-hike of the Appalachian Trail, our misadventures on the trail still remind me of Bill Bryson's book, A Walk in the Woods. I first read this book about a year ago and now I think about it almost every time I hike. The book chronicles Bryson's ambitious and naïve goal of hiking the entire Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine with his childhood friend. It usually takes 6-9 months to complete the AT and many folks drop out before Maine. The reason I mention this book (besides the fact that it is a laugh-out-loud hilarity in written word that everyone should read at least once) is his description of hiking the southern regions of the Appalachian Mountains. Bryson compares the Shenandoah to the Southern Appalachians mountains by saying in the Shanandoah there were times when he would climb 500 feet in four miles. In the Southern regions he might "climb 500 feet in, well, about 500 feet." According to Bryson one foot forward might also mean one foot up. This rang true for potions of our hike. We hiked down Dismal Trail to Natureland Trust Trail. After hiking both, I am convinced they should trade names. "Natureland Trust" sounds far too Dora the Explorer this trail needs a name that carries a Lord of the Rings type dismality. We ascended 1200 feet in 1 mile, I kid you not. It was the slowest I have ever hiked. There were even ladders on some parts of the trail! Whew! All in all, we finished sore but satisfied.

The next two days were low key and spent mostly reading and hanging out together.
*sorry this took so long to post!