Many of you know how much of a outdoors kinda person I am. Today as we got back into "civilization", a term I'll use for the crowed traffic, rude drivers and pornographic signs along the highway at a minimum, I felt the pull of the mountains with the clean crisp air that just a few days ago filled my lungs with each breath I took. I have found myself already yearning for the view of all the lakes with that special ingredient known as glacial flour, that is grounded rock into a fine talc-like powder making the water a beautiful opaque turquoise. Add in the smell of the ponderosa pine, western larch and the warmth of the early summer sun on my back and I guess you can figure where my mind could be if I should have that "glazed-over" look when you talk to me the next time we meet.
In my early backpacking days with my friend Donnie Shirley from Seneca, SC, we hiked the Appalachian Trail together whenever we could. On one of our hikes we descended from a ridge where the trail crossed a road complete with a Trail information sign and picnic area. There were a few cars in the area and after having been in the woods for I think 3 to 4 days I was anxious to get going. We climb our way up and out of the saddle and stop briefly at an overlook back down to the picnic area. I felt so protected being in the woods and knowing that I could melt away into the surrounding trees added to my security. I felt that same feeling today as we cross into Illinois and started to mix it up with the populace again.
Only a day away from pulling into our driveway in Union Grove, NC, we are planning to see some family here in Noblesville, IN. A well deserved rest from being behind the wheel for two days (AK I don't know how you do it!) After a day of going to Conner Prairie with family we will push on to the house on Friday. With all this time on the road, you can bet that the thoughts are like the streams flowing from the glaciers on that warm summer day. We will submit a final post I suppose after we have had time to reflect and collect our thoughts.
And as My Love says - A post without a picture - isn't a post!
Until then~
God Bless you all
Just one shot of the jeweled peaks surrounding Avalanche Lake
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