Escaping Washington (I know that sounds like a harsh gerund. [I wish that sounded less pretentious!]) via Route 66 West to hike the Appalachian Trail in the Shenandoahs, Hannah and I see 16 miles of stop-and-go traffic heading to Washington going in the other direction. Not once do we see an accident or any construction. Later we learn that’s what passes for normal during the morning commute. Country mice beware.
As a one-time true believer in GPSs, I now realize their limitations and the need to have a Rand McNally atlas close at hand when driving in unfamiliar territory. In tandem, these two take us out Route 211 through Warrenton to Sperryville, a rural community at the base of the Shenandoah Mountains where there are just traces of snow. Blissfully, we take hairpin turns, climbing to the park entrance at Thornton Gap; as we drive up the mountain, it becomes quite obvious that more snow has fallen here than at lower elevations. Arriving at the park entrance, we see the sad face of the ranger, which tells it all. The park is closed; Skyline Drive is closed. Saying we have come all the way from Maine to hike won’t cut any mustard today. She tells us that ten inches of heavy wet snow has caused trees and limbs to fall on the roads; in addition none of the buildings has power.
Bummed, we head over the mountain west to Luray, a rural town, known for its nearby caverns (http://luraycaverns.com/). There, walking into town, I ask an elderly woman how much snow fell. That she tells me four inches is not nearly as interesting as my wondering about myself and my unconscious stereotyping of her. I’m thinking “Fox Republican” because of her strong southern accent and that she lives in Virginia. I catch myself almost immediately, as traveling across the country gives me time to reflect more and likely to judge less. As Malcolm Forbes says, Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one. My education on the road helps open mine, I like to think.
Resigned to an afternoon hanging out in Winchester, VA (a city rated top ten for retirement living by AARP and captured and recaptured 72 times during the Civil War [Thank you, Ken Burns]), I remember from last year’s trip to the Shenandoahs that at the north entrance to the national park we can park before the entrance gate and hike the Dickey Ridge trail. Used by the locals from Front Royal, VA for hiking when wanting to get away for an hour or two, it is in good shape, I learn from a man I approach. He is most proud of losing 130 pounds since March, regularly hiking this trail.
In 46 degrees we hit the leafy trail with an inch of snow or so to our right and left. Crews with axes and chainsaws are already out removing the trunks of small trees from the trail and cutting up leafy limbs to clear a path for us hikers. Wet with fallen leaves and a trickling brook to our left, the trail is not muddy and is easy on the feet. Dickey Ridge is a steady climb, but gentle and satisfying.
An hour into our hike, we wipe the snow off a fallen log and have our go-to lunch on the trail, Subway subs. Refueled, we have only one bottle of water between us since we thought we would have been able to get water at the ranger station prior to our hike at Thornton Gap. Alas, on this cool, partly cloudy day, fresh fallen snow is our reserve water supply.
The trail parallels the road to the top of Dickey Ridge. We love this trail. Why? 1. It’s easy to follow and clearly marked. 2. It’s a workout but not insanely steep or precipitous. 3. There are no rocks to climb over. 4. The trail is mostly dirt and easy on the feet, unlike the AT in much of New England.
After four miles of hiking the trail is covered with 3-4 inches of snow now; slogging through it is like hiking in sand. We about face and sail down the mountain knowing how fortunate we are to have hiked at all, so soon after the weekend snow storm. Today, we luck out and make something out of nothing. As always when hiking, know thyself, thy limits, and the conditions. Be prepared.
PS. Ever think you have what it takes to be a leader, whether in your job, career, and life? We learned the following from a mayor from the heartland (Nebraska!) that we met in Virginia with our friends Steve and Amelia. The mayor rightfully believes her time is valuable and wants to really serve her constituents. Ergo, she has her administrative assistant tell citizens when they call with a complaint or a problem that the mayor has 15 minutes for them. She wants the citizen to be prepared with three things for their meeting: 1. The complaint or problem. 2. A possible solution. (And this is the gem) 3. How that person is going to be a part of the solution! Many people say they will call back later and never do.
Pretty cool, huh?
No comments:
Post a Comment