Spring is Springing

I’m taken aback by the wild swings in the weather over the past few weeks. I had a day where it hit 80 degrees followed by a night two days later that got down to 24. I was so busy coping with the cold that I didn’t realize how demanding it was until I was through it (note the past tense – I hope I’m through it). Being cold all day was tiring, staying in the van most of the day made me antsy, and wondering when spring would arrive tested my patience. I think we’ve arrived, though…whew!

Addendum: I wrote that paragraph a couple of weeks ago. Since then I had another night that was cold enough that when I went to fill my water jugs I saw a stalagmite had grown up in the sink from the drip of the faucet and the water didn’t turn on. Now I’m close to Philly and while it was 85+ last week, it’s suppose to drop to 29 tonight. I’m no longer making any bets on when the weather will truly turn toward spring.

The Big Meadows Campground in Shenandoah National Park was delightful, especially being amidst the energy brought by the families taking spring break there. I’ve been one of just a few campers at most campgrounds over the last couple of months and it’s nice to smell the campfires and see kids playing and riding their bikes. There were three kids with walkie talkies within about 30 feet of each other, looking at each other and screaming into the walkies to test them. It was hilarious. The scene here reminds me of all the camping trips I took the boys on. The many sweet, funny, challenging memories I have make me feel sentimental, a little sad, and a longing to recreate those trips. Nighttime was nice with a full moon that had a fuzzy halo around it…apparently that’s from ice particles loitering 20,000 feet up. Although the wind has been strong and gusty since I’ve been here, the temp was comfortable, even after I failed at campfire building 101.

Terrific hikes, waterfalls, and panoramic views of farmland and rolling hills abound in Shenandoah National Park. I walked some more of the Appalachian Trail, but the best hiking was the Rose River Falls and Dark Hollows Falls. I heard thunder in the distance and eventually a few big rain drops plopped down, but the downpour didn’t start until the last half mile climb to Dark Hollows. The falls were impressive and the hikers oblivious to the downpour. I represented AFT loudly with my royal blue poncho I dug out of my backpack…and I didn’t get as soaked as I would have without it. With limited space in the van I had to get creative on where to hang things to dry, but it all worked out just fine.

From Shenandoah I headed to Pennsylvania, where I’ve been for the last couple of weeks. I stopped off to see the Gettysburg National Military Park before arriving at the Pine Grove Furnace State Park, the location of the half-way mark on the Appalachian Trail. In the park is a museum of the Appalachian Trail…how it became a thing, rock start hikers that set records and nourished development of the trail, and a kids’ museum. Gettysburg was interesting and the cyclorama that helps tell the story of Pickett’s Charge was impressive, especially considering it was painted in the late 1800s by a French Artist and it had been moved to multiple locations for display before it arrived in Gettysburg.

After a couple of days camping I headed west stopping at Bedford, a cute town on the Lincoln Highway where I visited the National Museum of the American Coverlet – that was a delight I hadn’t anticipated. One coverlet was dated 1771. In honor of the country’s 250 year anniversary the other 80 or so on display had patriotic images and phrases. It was an impressive display and the co-founder, Melinda, gave me a terrific lesson on the history of coverlets and the specific story of how she and her husband started the museum 20 years ago.

A loom in use and a few examples of the coverlets in the museum

On my way to Laurel Hill State Park I stopped at the Flight 93 Memorial. The displays, news footage, and personal stories were chilling and emotional; seeing the actual site of the crash, considering what the passengers experienced and their bold moves, and imagining what it might have been like for the residents who saw or felt the plane crash practically in their back yard was intense.

And then there was Pittsburgh – that was a fun visit! The Pirates lost to the Padres (and if I’m honest, they looked a bit sluggish), but the sun was out, I had a great seat and the view of the city was lovely. PNC Park is ranked high on the list of MLB parks and it earned the rank, other than the meager vegetarian options. I walked across one of the bridges into downtown, wandered around and then made my way back across the river to my van.

After a night in the Cracker Barrel parking lot I went to the Dusquene Incline to take a steep ride up a short hill, looked around and went back down. That machinery is impressive! On my way out of town I stopped in an area of Pittsburg called Etna. A struggling town, a development plan is under way, notable in its environmentally and socially responsible approach to the work. It’s also the home of rapper Mac Miller and he’s honored with a mural full of energy. Sadly, he died at 26 years old from an accidental overdose.