I haven’t been camping up in my go to area since early October. With my changing of rig plans, work and weather all conspiring to keep me from hanging off my favorite mountain ridge I haven’t made my way up there. 7 months is quite a break for me. The terrain will have pumped itself full of chlorophyll over the last month, bugs are starting to bug out a little and it’s just a matter of time before a horny whippoorwill wakes me up crooning in the early morning hours. I love it. I love all of it. There are certain places in this world that rise you up, center your head and heal your soul. It’s not the same places for everyone we all have our own little chambers of powering up.

This is mine

Linville Gorge, NC.

Spring and fall are the best times for me although I’ve spent many a cold nights up there with zero insulation. I’ve fixed that now. Summer nights rarely peak above 70° at night towards the top and if it’s too warm there are plenty of shady spots opposite the ridge. I’ve gotten to where I like these spots more. Better camping canopies and privacy. The ridge will reward you with an amazing sunrise but you are usually closer to the dirt road. During drought times you’ll get covered in road dust from drive by’s. It rained a tad last night so I’m grateful for some heavier dirt. There may be a burn ban up there I’ll have to check. I’m already one fine deep last time in New Mexico from not seeing a 3×3 index card on a nearby bulletin board stating there was a temporary fire ban. $330 for that miscommunication. I was irritated by the transaction. I’m not the biggest rule follower but when it comes to nature I always maintain respect for any guidelines in place. I’d be the first to stomp out a fire in a fire ban situation. Regardless it was my fault for not double checking.

I brought my propane fire can for backup. I love a good fire and it’ll get a little chilly tonight. My plans are to get up there early and sit under the trees all afternoon. Monday I’ll hike and maybe explore Boone. I may tackle Grandfather mountain, the fun side. Other option I might sit in my chair for a little longer and head back home. I keep my itinerary loose. If it rains I’ll sit under my awning and read. The area has been calling me for weeks.

Sundays are a swell day to head up most are breaking their camps from the weekend so the gorge goes quiet for the early week. Holidays that revolve around Mondays I stay away. Peak leaf peeping season I stay far away. I love that yall will go out to the mountains to observe some beautiful scenery but I’d rather you not do it while driving 25 in a 45.

That’s all

The work weekend was well worth the sweat and I’m rewarding myself for it. Normally I take a few weeks off after my long trips but I’ve got some catching up to do. And as I said earlier she’s been calling me.

And I must go

The moon is in a Waxing Gibbous phase this evening. I’ll get some natural light post sunset and its moon sign is in Virgo. If you follow this type of thing all it means is I should have a chill night. I’m good with that. I’m not a huge astrology guy but I enjoy reading about it and sometimes it hits just right. The more I study it the more I dig it.

My intention is to settle in after dinner and prop my chair on top of my camper and sit in stillness until I get sleepy eyes. Today will be a slight fasting day. Dinner will be my only meal. Somedays my stomach will test my patience and I’ll bring a small pack of nuts to keep me from getting nauseous. It’s the coffee on an empty stomach for me.

I’m stoked.

Super

Stoked

And I’m done. Time to pack up. Later gators.