The Forest Hums

I'm sitting in a North Carolina' McDonald's, close to Little Switzerland.  I've never been to Little Switzerland but it sounds interesting.  

I was up on Roan Mountain last night.  I had a fire which helped to cook my mac and cheese and keep me warm.  It was a beast of a fire in that I got warm just keeping it going.  But once it was well underway it turned into a nice, slow-burning bed of coals.

Yes, it was a cold night.  Fortunately I had my goose-down leaking bag from my 2003 AT thru-hike.  I do not think it is as warm as it used to be but with a double upper layer on and a single lower layer I stayed pretty warm.  My pillow which was a bag filled with rain pants and a quick drying towel was inadequate; so was my sleeping pad- a eighth of an inch pad that is only meant to go under a blow-up pad to keep from popping (My blow up popped a long time ago.)  I tossed and turned but finally fell into a long sleep. 

The morning sun coming through my tarp tent woke me up.  I ate my muffin, packed up and said a-dios.  

So here I am in Mickey D's still waiting for my food.  I considered stopping and pulling out my little backpacking stove and finishing my mac and cheese but this seemed faster.  Well, so far it has allowed me to write this blog!

I love getting out into the woods.  Even the night is exciting with the stars and coolness, fire and sounds in the night.  

My pack was pretty well filled and I didn't go too far.  Just up the mountain till I found a nice spot to camp.  I spent some time drawing the view.  I will have to get a pic for you.

The mountain was very busy so I went the way I thought wouldn't be so busy- the way away from all the grassy mountain top balds.  I hung with the old pines and moss and occasional flutter bys and chirpers.

I would recommend it- getting in the out; the cool mountain air is so refreshing.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday.  

The tiny tinyies in the moss spring up

Lime-green tinged fungus rock

The forest hums in the stillness

In this wondrous universe, so much beauty, stillness and joy abounds.