Today’s hike was to Chimney Rock in Shenandoah National Park. I started a bit later than usual from my rig. There was light rain in the area, but it looked like it would clear off. As I drove up into the mountains, I soon left the rain behind and headed up Skyline Drive.
When I arrived at the Riprap parking area, there were only two other cars. It was going to be a quiet hike with no crowds today! I got out my pack, checked the essentials, put my index card in the driver’s window (to indicate where I was going and when I expected to be back), and set off.
The hike began with a climb along the Appalachian Trail (A.T.). The trail was wide and easy to walk on. The air was clear with the scent of the morning rain.
As I hiked up the ridge, I thought of Ben and Matt (my sons) who have hiked the trail. I smiled, thinking that now I’m doing it too. My mind wandered to the many who hike the trail. For those who hike the trail from one end to the other, they are called thru-hikers and have trail names. I thought about Matt’s nickname, “Bravo,” and Ben’s “coffee cup”.
The trail was marked with white stripes, giving me the assurance that I was on the right path. As I reached the top of the ridge, the trail intersected with the Riprap trail, marked with blue blazes. I left the A.T. and followed the park trail toward Chimney Rock.
The trail descended steeply, and I thought to myself that it would be interesting to climb back up. As I descended, a cool breeze brushed my face, and I was glad to have my windbreaker on. The scent of pine filled the air. The sun was out, and the clouds were long gone.
The ridge blocked the breeze, and the trail was quiet and still. A large doe walked gently onto the trail and was surprised to see me. I stopped, keeping my distance, and spoke softly to her. I waited. She slowly and cautiously crossed the trail, watching me. On the other side of the trail, at the edge of the woods, she stopped and looked back. I realized she wasn’t alone. I thought perhaps she had her offspring with her or maybe her mate. A long, still moment seemed like hours, then with a big crash, another deer charged across to her, and they bound away with their white cotton tails bouncing up and down over the brush.
I continued along the trail and came across a ridge of large rocks that seemed to reach the sky. I wondered if I had to hike up and through them. Thankfully, I spotted the blue blaze to the right and followed the trail around the ridge behind them, starting an upward climb.
At the top of the ridge, I descended to find a group of large boulders named Calvary Rocks. I tried to photograph them but found the space too tight to do them justice with my camera. I sat for a while, taking in the enormous boulders and how the boulders were amazingly stacked against and on each other. My mind wandered about the years they’ve been here. I thought about how I am on this earth for just a moment, and they have been here long before and will be here long after I am gone.
Off again. The trail descended and then rose again. At the top of each rise, the air was like an AC unit blowing cool air. The trail turned sharply, and I arrived at Chimney Rock. I sat on the edge, looking out into the valley. The view took my breath away. I felt like I was on top of the world. The sun warmed my face. The sweet scents of the forest filled the air, and the quiet serenity captured my soul.
My mind wandered how I could ever share this with you. If you’ve never been to a place like this, sadly, you will never know the feeling, smell the air, or enjoy solitude without the noise of mankind.
This thought haunted me as I took some photographs. Sadly, I couldn’t capture the beautiful smell of the fresh air or the gentle sounds of a bumblebee in the flowers along the trail.