Last big hike before sciatic nerve:
Chip picked another Classic and Memorable Hike from the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Pisgah Inn. It was great but also totally exhausting. At least 10 water crossings. The first two with bridges but eight from rock to rock. They were very doable, just be careful. I had planned to turn around at 1030 in order to keep my day shorter But about that time we were able to see the Pisgah Inn through the trees up above us. Chip offered to let me stop and turn around but that visual was a big incentive. On the map it looked like less than a half a mile. I was able to get a signal and call Tess and with that I decided to forge on. Well wouldn’t you know that that last 1/2 mile was all up hill and steep. We got to the Inn by 1130. Greeted by a level green ribbon of mowed grass and a line of golden brown rocking chairs basking in the sun. The morning had started in the dark, cold and windy early dawn and culminated in a balmy mountain spring day with breathtaking panoramic views of the Pisgah Mountain Range. The Pisgah Inn was Opened on April 1 and barely populated today but still a very welcome surprise brush with other people. All of whom arrived by more conventional means. A couple walked past us on their casual exploratory walk on the grassy green carpet. In our greeting Chip said we have a 7 mile hike back to our car. The man responded, you picked a beautiful day for it! Minutes later after saying hello and congratulations to Jesse on her grand babies, I started back while Chip stayed behind to finish his conversation. When I reached the first rocky downhill I realized I had left my walking stick with Chip. He brought it with him and caught up when minutes. Four hours later I saw a sign saying 500 feet to the parking lot. Yet another sorely needed visual incentive. I can make it, I told myself, as every ounce of water in my backpack and every ounce of strength in my body was completely drained. I can make it…. I pleaded with myself as 500 feet turned into 500 yards with a couple of huge downed trees blocked the otherwise level trail. I can make it. As I thought about the horrible misery in Ukraine where Putins vicious bombardment is destroying the civilized world. I can make it and I did and all I can do is pray and thank God that I still get to live to have and enjoy days like this.