“Soak it in,” one woman said.
“I’m taking deep breaths as I look out,” I replied.
we
climbed
two
miles
steep
rock and root strewn
terrain
every
step and heart flutter
worth the summit
Driving well off the main roads, dusty gravel crunching beneath our wheels I said, “We’ll probably be the only ones there…”
We were driving from Copper Falls, where cars were circling looking for spots in an ample asphalt lot, to St. Peter’s Dome.
I was wrong!
The parking lot was full. Twolegs and fourlegs—a full cross-section of the melting pot was there climbing with us—appreciating Mother Nature and natural spaces maintained by park services.
Somehow, the day was dry and we’d hit “peak color”.
climb
and
destination
left
me
longing
for
next
stretch
Growing up in northwestern PA, autumn meant football, a slight shift toward pumpkin spices, and Autumn leaves. The county seat declared itself “The Autumn Leaf Capital of The World.” A week of festivities - old ‘20s and ‘30s restored automobiles, from Model Ts to Deusenbergs and Cords - numerous crafts and baked delights, and the parade on Saturday followed by the Homecoming football game at the local college. Lots of promotion even then. The memories that reflect kinship and Union with Nature? The views from the fire lookout tower in a nearby state forest, across the worn terrain of the Allegheny Plateau and the Clarion River. Attraction rather than promotion.
Thanks for the memories... I have a hunch Monty and JackH recall the song. You, Gail?
Fall climbs are always worth taking the chance. Not 100% payout, but the jackpots make up for it!