Buck Mountain
I had not finished cleaning The house when The Donald arrived. Fortunately, a process of housekeeping triage had ensured that most abominable of the abominable had been addressed to some degree.
Anyhow, The Donald arrived with his kit bag of meats and cheeses and nuts and green leafy vegetables and we did partake of them for a dinner of grilled steaks and salads that evening before setting out for Buck Mountain the next day.
Located in Grayson County, Virginia, Buck is the farthest mountain that can be seen from the house to the north. The CFO and I had been to the base of it one day when we identified it. It turns out that I subsequently learned that I have known the owner of the mountain for some time and he generously offered for me to climb it. So we did.
The climb to the summit was along a roadbed used primarily for agricultural purposes. Beginning along a creek in the valley, the road wanders in and out of woodlands, through clearings along the hillsides offering beautiful views of the valley below.
About a third of the way up, the first drops of rain made their appearance just as we began to find a profusion of wildflowers.
Upon entering a grove of trees on the south side of the mountain, we found the largest growth of Dutchman's Britches I've ever seen. A plant describes as "rarely seen" in some wildflower books, they must have been covered 10 acres on this one hillside alone. The micro climate must be just perfect for them in this little cove.
The mass of Dutchman's Britches eventually gave way to an expanse of Purslane with their flowers appearing as a dusting of snow on the hillside.
Emerging from the woods, we had a great panoramic view of the valley below ... with clouds hanging overhead, of course.
Undaunted by The Donald's seeming propensity to attract foul weather, we continue our hike to the summit ...
... where, of course, the wind was howling, blowing the clouds by us with such force that we have trouble standing while wearing our parkas! We could not see squat beyond our noses.
On the descent, naturally, the clouds began to pass, teasing us a glimpse of the beautiful vistas that we might have seen on a clear day.
Thanks for the opportunity to visit your mountain, Johnny. We'll take you up on your offer to climb it again ... when the weather is better.
Anyhow, The Donald arrived with his kit bag of meats and cheeses and nuts and green leafy vegetables and we did partake of them for a dinner of grilled steaks and salads that evening before setting out for Buck Mountain the next day.
Located in Grayson County, Virginia, Buck is the farthest mountain that can be seen from the house to the north. The CFO and I had been to the base of it one day when we identified it. It turns out that I subsequently learned that I have known the owner of the mountain for some time and he generously offered for me to climb it. So we did.
The climb to the summit was along a roadbed used primarily for agricultural purposes. Beginning along a creek in the valley, the road wanders in and out of woodlands, through clearings along the hillsides offering beautiful views of the valley below.
About a third of the way up, the first drops of rain made their appearance just as we began to find a profusion of wildflowers.
Upon entering a grove of trees on the south side of the mountain, we found the largest growth of Dutchman's Britches I've ever seen. A plant describes as "rarely seen" in some wildflower books, they must have been covered 10 acres on this one hillside alone. The micro climate must be just perfect for them in this little cove.
The mass of Dutchman's Britches eventually gave way to an expanse of Purslane with their flowers appearing as a dusting of snow on the hillside.
Emerging from the woods, we had a great panoramic view of the valley below ... with clouds hanging overhead, of course.
Undaunted by The Donald's seeming propensity to attract foul weather, we continue our hike to the summit ...
... where, of course, the wind was howling, blowing the clouds by us with such force that we have trouble standing while wearing our parkas! We could not see squat beyond our noses.
On the descent, naturally, the clouds began to pass, teasing us a glimpse of the beautiful vistas that we might have seen on a clear day.
Thanks for the opportunity to visit your mountain, Johnny. We'll take you up on your offer to climb it again ... when the weather is better.
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