Three Ridges

Isn't the view gorgeous?

To my right you can almost see the three ridges whence this trek lends its name. Looking out, the ridge tops run South to Pisgah, Nantahala, and the Great Smoky Mountains beyond.

We warmed up here for a moment in this wonderful sun. On the summit there were small water seeps over the rocks completely frozen and lonely, wind scoured trees. Beyond, the trail winded down for about five miles through boulder strewn ridgetop forests full of oaks. We stopped to sit on a fallen log for breakfast after we had finally warmed up. A thermos of cold day old coffee never tasted so good!

From there the trail continued to descend and we ate up the last miles very quickly. Having survived the night unscathed by frost bite we celebrated with a real breakfast. One of the best things about big overnight hikes is the anticipation of a greasy, calorie laden meal at the end. I mean who doesn't inwardly drool at the thought of gooey cheese pizza, greasy french fries and burgers, or in our case, a heaping Sunday morning breakfast after a long, physically demanding hike?

We found just what we wanted at a local country diner, in the tiny town of Crozet on the way back to Charlottesville. Eggs over easy, country ham, warm biscuits and sausage gravy with coffee was divine. Coincidentally, it happened to be nearby the StarHill Brewery, a local Virginia brewery tradition in these parts. Early as it was I wanted to pop in to take a look and bring back some of their award winning beers for an occasion. As it turned out the local brewer behind the taps was a friend of ours and so we talked brew lore and were given many fine samples.

When I finally got Will back to Julie and Rosie our legs felt like stiff rawhide from all the hiking, and I am still cold! That evening I came up with the perfect antidote. A hot cup of tea curled up beside a roaring fire on a bright starry November night.

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