Appalachian Trail - Tumblr Posts

Rainy lake day. You’re so beautiful.

I couldn’t thank these mountains enough for being my solace this past year. It’s been an absolute delight living near them.

Exploring Pisgah. Come on in, the water is COLD.

Those dog days of summer.

Camping Nantahala National Forest under some beautiful old growth.

Pisgah National Forest has really become a special place to me, even on the home level. What I miss so much about my home on the coast is how intimately connected I am to the Lowcountry. Knowing I am going back to it has given me so much hope for the future.

While this past year has been extremely difficult, Pisgah became a very familiar comfort for me. I use to travel, take days off from work, and get hotels just to come to Pisgah National Forest. Being a days trip away this year has been amazing. I will most definitely miss this the most.

This is a place I am very connected to. From Looking Glass to the summit of Mount Mitchell, this place will always be my home away from home. I am so very thankful to have had this escape for comfort. It’s the only place up here I truly know my way around on that intricate level.

And to think I’ve only covered a small portion of this land. I’ll always be back often.

Fyingpan Fire Tower in Pisgah National Forest. Right as the clouds were rolling in. The 3rd picture is the tower’s shadow from the sun.

There’s no picture on earth that could do Max Patch justice. I have been wanting to see this spot for years. Max patch was the last hike on my list that I haven’t been to yet, and the one corner of Pisgah I haven’t explored. So, I made a special trip today because it was my last Saturday before I move.

I’ve never choked up at a view before, but this place filled me with a rush of emotions. What a year it’s been. What a place to close this chapter. Max Patch is by far the most beautiful view I have seen here. Pisgah, I love you so so much.

Looking down at the storm in the distance.

As much time as I’ve spent in Pisgah. I’ve never seen it in the fall. When I left this place behind, it was green. Nothing speaks to the passage of time like seeing the tail end of fall. The colors peaking through empty trees ready for winter.

Those winter trees- just like I found it when I moved there last November. What’s strangely beautiful about leaving earlier. I always called Pisgah my home away from home. I knew exactly how to get to the coast from there. No navigation needed between two places which feels like home. Even if it’s a 5 hour drive now.

October along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Nothing quite as restless as stick season as I’ve come to learn the hard way. I don’t think I could’ve made it through another winter like this. I’m back to being a visitor again - for the better.

I love the snow. Most of my birthdays have been spent up in the mountains, and every time I get the gift of watching snow fall. This weekend was no different.

Birthday views and soundtrack.

Thinking about Pisgah.

For some reason this photo got deleted off of here so I’m reposting it. Sorting through some pics and found this from the winter of ‘22 right after I moved to the upstate.

Am I emotionally ready to drive through Pisgah on my way to Tennessee this weekend? Absolutely not. But I gotta rip the bandaid off at some point.

Let me tell you something about me… I’ma find a swimming hole. I missed this COLD mountain water. Swimming wasn’t in the plan for today, but I can’t resist a good spot when I see one.

Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountain National Park - TN

I’ll never get over Max Patch

What’s my fantasy? Disappearing in the forest and becoming one with the old growth.