When I go to the swamp, which is close to home, I never tire of walking the same little one mile stretch of trail. It’s different every time because of the weather, the season, and because I never know what wildlife might pop up.
I’m realizing I could go back to the same 40 mile stretch of the AT that I hiked a few weeks ago and feel the same way. I’ll have to go back in the fall sometime – I bet it’s gorgeous! The hike I recently took and my thru hike were only two weeks apart month-wise – so it was spring both times. But the weather couldn’t have been more different. Let’s start with Spy Rock:
May 18, 2009 – pretty chilly! And the trees are in their spring green coats.
Spy Rock, June 1, 2011 – decidedly more summery. Sorry that the view in the background isn’t the same – it’s a very big rock!
Some places that were cold and misty with no views in 2009 were hot and sunny with clear views to forever this time.
Like Cold Mountain:
Cold Mountain in 2009, on May 15, was misty and chilly.
This spring, on June 3, it was covered with butterflies and wild strawberries. With far more leafed out trees! Two weeks makes a big difference in the trees!
In 2009 I was entranced by this view of a woodland stream with cute stepping stones.
This year it looked so different because the big leaning tree had fallen across the stream, right over the stones! See the difference in the leaf cover just two weeks later in the season?
And at Seely Woodworth Shelter, instead of Gangsta and Wags and the gang (on a 38 degree morning, May 18)
The shelter was empty – too hot and buggy to sleep there – people tented instead. Someone left some Tabasco, though!
And the swing at the road crossing where I got picked up in ’09 looks pretty much the same as it did when I camped here this year.
Change and constancy. We crave both and fear both. Either way, they happen. I have a feeling I’ll walk this 40 mile stretch of trail again, and it will be the same and different just like it was this time. I’ll be the same and different too.
Great – a wonderful back and forth. Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed!
Love reading about your experiences on the trail! Very cool!
Thank you! Can you tell how much I love it?
Aw! I loved seeing that picture of us in the shelter – I remember that night and morning like it was yesterday. It was sooooo cold that night! And your pictures reminded me of spy rock and how gorgeous the trail is in Virginia. Thanks for sharing!
On a different note – how is your kitty? I hope she’s feeling better!
Yay! You and the crew were missed! And it was COLD! I didn’t go to the Dutch Haus this time either, but it was quite the thru hiker haven – they’re slacking people all through that section!
You would not believe how different it was there this time – HOT and buggy!!
Thanks for checking on my kitty – he’s in recovery and much more like his normal self – as normal as he’s been since he was really sick back in January. He’s eating, meowing and running, so that’s all good!
Great photos! I love how you thought to contrast the same place several years later. What a great idea. Looks like a beautiful place to hike as well.
Thank you! It is a beautiful stretch of trail with several chances for great views. Of course that means lots of climbs as well!
I feel like I could walk into the picture of Cold Mountain. I’m going hiking this summer, but I have a month to wait. Only camping so far has been two straight days of rain with the cub scouts. They didn’t seem to mind, but I was done after the first day.
Glad the photo evoked that feeling. Where will you be hiking?
Yes, hiking or camping in the rain is never as much fun, is it? Especially when everything begins to smell like mold . . .
I *love* the compare and contrast… and I like seeing shots with people in them, too. I can’t begin to wrap my mind around hiking the AT – so seeing people in the pictures helps me begin to get some sense of it. Wonderful blog post all around.
Thanks, Stef! Someday in the next several years I’m going to lead short trips for women on the AT – at least that’s my intention! Maybe you can come on one!
Seriously, if you led a trip on the AT, I would come.
So cool! I will definitely let you know!
You have lots of wonderful memories in these photos. Fantastic…
It was a great trip – I feel so lucky to have hiked this little section twice! Thank you!