Alum Cave And Arch Rock Hike

Sunday, 7/26 Michele and I revved up for what we thought would be a moderate level hike through the woods. According to super reliable sources I.e. The Internet, it was supposed to be easy to traverse with little change in altitude, but promised scenic views and a pleasant day in the woods. Upon entering the trailhead we quickly realized that was not the case. The 2.5 mile trail consisted of steep, long inclines that ran along a mountain creek. It was a beautiful trail, but we were unable to really soak it all in because we were preoccupied with not dieing. At times I (Lindsay) felt like I needed to crawl in my hands and knees bc my legs were burning. We kept passing other hikers along the way who would cheer us on with words of encouragement like "you're almost there", turns out our definition of ALMOST is vastly different. The halfway point was Arch Rock a natural archway carved out by running mountain water. After a short rest we continued on to Alum Cave that was not in fact a cave but more like a natural bluff set high in the mountains. Drips of ground water from the cliff above welcomed us as we traversed the steep dusty earth. We decided this was the best place to have our burrito lunch which was interrupted by a boy careening down the steep embankment that formed the northern edge of the bluffs. He and his brother raced down, with his brother being the unltimate champian, because the younger one tripped and feel face first into the sand and Lindsay's back.

 

First Roadside Stop: Centralia, PA

Centralia is a near-ghost town in Columbia County, Pennsylvania. Its population has dwindled from over 1,000 residents in 1981 to 10 in 2010 as a result of the Centralia mine fire that has been burning beneath the borough since 1962. 

It looked like most of the fires have burnt out, or have simply moved down the coal vein. Even though there was no smoke coming from the cracks the abandoned route 61 stretch of highway was really beautiful. 

Most of the town was demolished through the powers of eminent domaine and 90% of what's left is hidden in the lush over growth which hides the scars of the demolition. Unused roads lead to forgotten driveways and form a lattice pattern which is the only hint that the land had once been developed.

Photos taken by Michele. 

Our yearly national park trip begins

Last summer when Michele and I were driving home from Acadia National Park in ME, where we hiked our asses off, swam in a lake with leeches and small fish that nibbled your toes and ate blueberry ice cream, we decided to make a yearly trip to at least one National Park every summer.

This summer we are headed to the 🌲Great Smokey Mountains🌲, a beautiful place Michele and I have always wanted to go.

This year we will not be taking Barb, my ever faithful 2007 FJ Cruiser, her 8 year old transmission and the 162,783 miles of roadway she's seen is keeping her home for this trip. [sad face] 😓🚎 

...but thanks to Scott at S&E Auto in Stone Harbor, NJ She's got a new alternator and battery and my husband and I could get home to VT so I could get my gear for our big trip! 

I can't wait to collect more miles and memories with my best friend of 17 years. Although I'm a Birkenstock and she's a Black Leather High Heel we love and appreciate our differences and always make time to support and challenge each other, not to mention make each other laugh beyond control and are totally ok with eating Slim Jim's and cheese for dinner. 

An excerpt from trees by Joyce Kilmer

"I think that I shall never see 

A poem lovely as a tree. 

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest 

Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast..."