Cold mountain

Today I dragged Mike out for a rare hike in the woods together! Mike is one of my best friends and we have known each other for a very long time. We have a rich history. Though...we are quite different people and getting more different in our ways daily it seems!

So I was happy he was keen to indulge my love of getting outside in the mountains and bring Kayla along for the jaunt. A cloudy morning gave way to sunny skies and colorful fall views in the afternoon. This hike lies west of the Blue Ridge in Jefferson National Forest. Though it is still only early autumn most places, up here on Cold Mountain the leaves barely remain. The mountain seems to be aptly named, but with or without leaves it was a pleasant hike.

The trail meanders close to the Appalachian Trail and we stopped by a shelter along the way filling out the AT trail log to leave our mark. I pointed out wild grapes, witch hazel, and hickories to Mike. Kayla ran around and sniffed at everything. And later in day we made it up to the open bald meadows that make this hike unusual. We laid in the grass and ate sandwiches. We played fetch with Kayla and took photos of the great views and enormous space over the mountains and just talked about life as friends, as we have always done.

Enjoying the brushstroke of autumn over the mountains.