Standing on the shale outcrop yesterday afternoon, I shifted my weight from one foot to the other and back again, feeling the big slab rock like a teeter-totter. In front of me, through the trees, I saw the eastern summit of Hall Mountain and the valley floor hundreds of feet below.
A soft breeze brought the scent of cedar.
It reminded me that all those fancy tools I use to help me navigate — GPS, online utilities, even paper maps — are no substitute for getting out and walking the land.
The intriguing spot we discovered yesterday isn’t dramatic enough to show up on any topo map. The terrain isn’t sufficiently severe or craggy, so even hillshade doesn’t show it. We found it both intentionally and by accident — meaning to explore, and yet not expecting what our exploration would reveal.
I’m pretty sure that’s how it’s supposed to work.
It’s time for propane. We’d planned (sort of) to do that today — there’s rain in the forecast tonight and tomorrow and another cold snap right around the corner — but we’re devoting our Saturday to R&R instead.
Ernie’s propane run (across the campground) will happen tomorrow. That should work out fine. I can deal with a little rain.
I also need to catch up on routine maintenance — fluids, batteries, tires and so on. I’ll set aside a day next week and knock out that stuff.
But today, we rest.
Take care of yourselves, Patriots. Stay calm. Stay sharp. Stay free.
#WiseUp #LibertyOrDeath
#LetsGoBrandon #FJB