Rain Storm

We were out hiking which is one of Kiska’s favorite activities. As you can see, she is excited about the prospects.

So off we go on the trail.  We are hiking the Richland Balsam Trail, a relatively unknown trail.  It is a simply loop trail that tops out at the peak of Richland Balsam.  Most people do not do the trail because there is no view from the peak itself, but we like it precisely because there are few people there.  As we were nearing the peak, the rain started. A drizzle at first, then slightly larger drops.  Do we turn around and go back?  A debate ensues, but we decide, what the heck, what is a little rain in the summer?

The rain got harder and we kept going.  Just a brief storm, it will stop soon.  Besides we need the rain since we have been in a drought and the wild fires have been bad.

And harder.  Now we are getting wet.  I should also mention that, even in July, the temparture can drop pretty quickly. So while we started a hike in the 70′s, the temps had dropped into the 50′s.  So we were wet and cold.

About 3/4ths of the way on the trail, well after the peak, is a great point where you come out above an overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This overlook on the parkway is popular because it is the highest point on the parkway (i.e., the road at the highest point) and the views are spectacular. Normally, we come out and there are lots of people and many spot us and wonder about the people with the wolves.  (Sibe owners get this all the time). Since so few people know of the trail, they have no idea how we came out on the mountain above them and then disappear again into the woods (should sit up there one day and play Dueling Banjos).  But on this particular rainy day, there were not people there.  Here are pictures to show how wet it was (and, no, I can not explain the two motorcyclists except they were probably as wet and cold as we were).

So, wet and cold, we went back to the Jeep.  Oh yeah, Jeep. Top may be up, but the windows are all out (and stored at home), so now we have to drive down the mountain with the windows out, rain pouring in, and cold wind blowing.  Now I could tell you how miserable I was, but let’s let Kiska explain it, shall we.  Is this a look or what?

That about sums it up.