Driving through Virginia and West Virginia was more beautiful than Tom and I had known to expect. The endless rolling hills offer ample scenic views that go on for miles.
We arrived at Malena’s on Sunday evening and stayed 3 nights.
Monday was my Niece, Emila’s 19th birthday and we spent most of the day running errands. We first stopped at a recycling collection site where Tom and I were able to drop some excess weight. Between our campsites and hikes in West Virginia, we picked up a few bags worth of littered recyclables but could only ever find trash cans. We kept most of it stored in our camper, which began smelling stale due to the campers heat and lack of airflow. Needless to say, we were both relieved to have it gone. Next, we stopped at an auto parts store to buy a second actuator. Replacing the first offered a temporary fix for the grinding noise that returned with a furry on the opposite side. Tom spent the remainder of the afternoon installing the new part and flushing the power steering fluid. Michael, Kat, Ethan and Adam (their ultimate teammates) arrived late in the afternoon. Tired from their tournament and long drive, we eased them in with some puppy therapy. Malena’s dog had given birth 6 weeks prior to 5 adorable pups that were hungry for attention. We had an awesome taco dinner followed by games and good laughs in celebration of Emila’s birthday.
On Tuesday, we hiked through the first battlefield of the Civil War. It took place in Manassas in 1861 and is known as; The Battle at Bull Run. Being there was a somber reminder of the death that has taken place in order to allow us our current freedoms. It was impossible to imagine what it would have been like to march those grounds during war, but the thought was more than humbling. After walking for a few hours and getting turned around multiple times, rain began to fall. Protected by the thick canopy of trees, we didn’t realize how hard it was coming down until we were out in the open field. The drops were massive and falling quickly due to high winds. Although each of us were drenched and the falling rain stung as if it were hail, it was a blissful moment. We laughed and hollered as we ran for the shelter of our vehicles. The days heat and emotional heaviness seemed to be washed away as if we were kids again.
We took off from Malena’s on Wednesday morning. Kat, Michael, Adam, Ethan, Tom and I headed for Shenandoah National Park. While in route, we found that the replacement part did not mend the truck’s issue and that fraudulent charges had been made on my debit card. We were reminded that being on the road doesn’t guarantee a smooth ride. I was in the middle of filing a claim with Wells Fargo when we completely lost service. It was the perfect opportunity to take a deep breath and put things in perspective. When we are close to our problems, it is easy to be blinded. Our tunnel vision sees only our disappointments even though our blessings are not only close, but also far outnumber our troubles. We spent the afternoon hiking two different paths within the park. Both were unique in scenery and terrain but were equally beautiful. The first was an extension of the Appalachian Trail and ended at a breathtaking lookout point. The second was along a stream with countless waterfalls, the last being the grandest. We shared good laughs and felt a sense of accomplishment in completing the ten mile excursion. As the sun began to set, we enjoyed a forty minute drive that landed us in one of the park’s campgrounds. Clearings next to the windy pass offered amazing views of the valley below. The timing was perfect as the sun offered a silhouetted layering of the distant mountains and illuminated the lush greenery. Once at the campsite, we cooked veggie dogs over the fire and reminisced on the day’s highlights.
After fixing breakfast and coffee the next morning, we took off for Seneca Rocks, WV. Our plan was to get there early enough to rock climb. We arrived to find that none of us had cell service, which meant we wouldn’t have access to climbing information. Malena had also planned to meet us and we didn’t know how we would contact her. Kat and I found a climbing shop in town where the owner eased our agitation by offering the use of his wi-fi and climbing guidebooks. We were unbelievably grateful for his desire to help us in any way he could. He began explaining that the rock in the area wouldn’t be suitable for our climbing style or ability. His suggestion was to climb in an area that was 30 minutes away in Franklin, WV. Thank you, Tom at Seneca Rocks Mountain Guides, we a really appreciated your time, resources and assistance. As we turned to leave, all set with directions, Malena walked up. She was also without service, but had driven passed the store and noticed our car. Things always work out one way or another. We met the guys where we had left them and took off for Franklin. Once there, we climbed a route that was fairly exposed and had the potential of swinging falls. Almost everyone took a stab at it, facing a number of paralyzing fears. Kat demonstrated unbelievable perseverance that was a testament to everyone on the ground. After the first route, the guys left to set up camp, while the ladies stayed to climb one more. We had another awesome bonfire, soaking up our last night as a group and showing gratitude for the awesome times we shared.
Friday morning was traced with the dread of saying goodbye. Although we will see Michael and Kat later in the trip, we had come to know and appreciate Adam and Ethan as friends. Where we are and who we are with offers a certain degree of ease and security. Leaving those people and places has felt unnerving, but each new destination helps us release our detachment to those comforts. Once they took off, Tom, Malena and I went back to Franklin for an afternoon of climbing. She headed home after we climbed that areas most classic route, and once again, it was back to the three amigos (Tom, Mogli and I). We walked to the truck to drop our climbing gear and grab swimsuits to take a dip in the river. Parked next to us, was a guy named Zach who we approached to ask about the best place to eat in Franklin. He was smoking in his car and offered us a puff to which we gratefully declined. We sat and talked to him for a while before rinsing off in the icy water. His dinner suggestion was Korner Kafe, a small business that was an obvious town favorite. Shout out to Zach for his stellar advice and for being a kind and generous individual.
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