Celo and Gibbs

 Our plan was to go as high on the gravel roads as gates and terrain would allow. In our Asian compacts, the roughness of ground limited us. In fact, we went further than we wanted to because the track was truly narrow with no place to turn around. Finally at a switchback we parked and began our hike, far below where we had intended to be. 

We were feeling energetic and the weather was good, so we started out on our adventure.

My daughter challenged her husband to stand on this old bridge, but he said that was crazy. She replied, "My dad is crazy enough to do it." So, I did. The log beams were fine for one or two people. I well imagine that it had supported mules pulling logs to the mill or ore to the processing plant at one time.

The buttress construction was traditional and had withstood many decades of stormwater in the scoured creek bed.

My daughter was impressed with the size of the Yellow Poplar shade leaves like the one in her left hand, which were larger than the Fraser Magnolia leaf in her in right hand. She is all smiles to be out in the woods hiking.

Creek just above the bridge

Up that same creek, we had heard dogs baying just moments before and then a shot. These local guys told us that their buddy had killed a bear. My son-in-law is observing with hands on hips. The little guy understood that I wanted to take a picture. He proudly held his toy gun up for me to see.

Obviously, a trail marker, but I don't know what trail it delineates. 

Looking south along the Black Mountain ridge

One thing the locals kept telling us to know we were on the right track was the upper grade. I did not understand what they meant until one said it had been a railroad grade just below the ridgetop. For that reason it was nearly level, but it ran some 600 feet below the ridge. I am guessing that it had been put there for logging the ridge and/or the mica, feldspar, lithium, and other minerals mined along this track. My youngest son was patient with our slow progress.

I was amazed at the extent of low, thick growth so high on the mountain. Why do trees not fill in the open spaces and grow to any height? Is it wind? Is it very poor soil from mine tailings? 

Celo Mountain ahead!

Finally, we reached the Black Mountain Crest Trail. It goes around most of the actual peaks, avoiding constant up and down along the ridge. The peaks are mostly little side trails or manways through the bushes.

The hiking couple, daughter and son-in-law

The Siblings

And here is the manway up to Celo. The rock outcropping ahead is part of the "path."

The view on top made you feel on top of the world, especially since many other places were shrouded in cloud cover.

My son is contemplative, as was I. I sang a verse of a hymn after the others left. Grandeur should always elicit praise, for God is a great Creator and kind Father.

I am happy and thankful to still be able to hike enthusiastically and enjoy the beauty yet again. These mountains are in my blood. I find comfort and joy in struggling up and down them and observing their various seasons and moods.

Some benchmarks can be a bit hard to find.

Another one reached

Had we come up the other side, the elevation gain from this road below was said to be over 3000'.

My son-in-law enjoys the woods, too.

Things have certainly changed since I started hiking in the mid-seventies. Hike along, call home to check in with the wife, continue on.

A snack break in the shade before bushwhacking to the next peak

We could not find the benchmark on Gibbs Mountain. It turns out that there is not one, because you can see them all at the USGS site (National Geodetic Survey Data Explorer (noaa.gov))

Best view from Gibbs

Shag carpet of moss

Celo Knob is what the peak is called, though the whole mountain is called Celo Mountain.

View from High Rocks

I was amazed at how much low, shrub growth there was as if recently fields.

You could tell by several of the gullies that water really rushes off the top of this mountain.

There was a 1/2 acre Ground Cedar patch in the woods, the largest I'd ever seen.

My son-in-law's GPS unit shows 9.26 miles and 3684 ft. elevation gain. I think that the stop time, and therefore the moving average speed, are bogus. 

The after hike supper was in a Mexican Restaurant. My family thought that I was crazy when I started gushing over the wooden walls. "It's Wormy Chestnut!" I said. That is rare and crazy expensive. "How do you know?" was the reply. The grain pattern, color, and wormholes are very distinctive.

Yet again, we enjoyed God's Creation and had but a bit of soreness and tiredness to show for it.

A Few Colorful Climbs

With a new rope fresh out of the package and blue skies and temperatures just cool enough for long sleeves, we cherished the time in the woods not far from my new partner's house at Bays Mountain Park. Here he is figuring on a 5.7 I had led to give him toprope opportunity.

The rock definitely reveals its sedimentary layering. The trail to the climbing area descends from an overlook down through the wide crack in the cliff seen here.

Always a sure indication of light use are trees growing very near the rock face. Much traffic eventually kills the roots and then the tree.

Getting organized to climb, my partner sports a University of Michigan shirt. As we say, "He ain't from 'round here," but he is a real nice fellow anyway. By the way, how 'bout them Vols?

The colors were even richer than the picture indicates, especially a few minutes earlier when the sunshine was just right on the leaves.

We could hear people above and below, for it is a busy park, but no one else was climbing. It is nice to find yet another new crag, even if it is a bit small.

We talked about family, theology, football, climbing and equipment, work, and how we got here and where we came from. It was a good time to get to know each other. It was pleasant and encouraging to climb and discuss with a Christian brother. 

Grandchildren Run

Bluer sky or lake? Greener grass or trees? Brighter smiles or sunshine? More pleasant temperatures or conversation? We had it all on Saturday at a family reunion. Here my wife, our oldest son, and three of his six children walk beside the lake.

The bench is hidden in the shade, revealing a relaxing view of the lake and cool breezes across it.

My sister-in-law is holding her great-niece (our granddaughter) at the picnic gazebo. They are two of the most gregarious personalities I have ever met. But you may say, how can you know that about one so young? She will go up to anyone and start talking to them, smile and laugh, and reach up to be held. That goes for the little one, too.

This g-son is very diligent and good with his hands. I like talking to him about his projects.

This little guy is shy around cameras and most people, but he has warmed up to me and loves to hold my hand when we go for walks.

The eldest of the grandchildren from my eldest son took the next picture. I had taken several of him, but he is a force in motion who is hard to get either a decent or in focus picture of. My wife is facing away behind me as I sat and talked to three of the grands.

Again he took our picture. Big sis and little bro are all smiles. She along with her oldest brother are amazing at memorizing. You'd never know that I am proud and fond of my grandchildren.

There is little sociability smiling again.

The youngest also likes to move around alot, but he is actually very quiet. I don't remember if I have ever heard him cry. I he needs food or a diaper change, he just whimpers a little. 

Swings are a good way to keep them all in one place and content. Momma is about ready to have number seven!

Can you see the Moon rising above the horizon?

There it is along with a lone kayaker.

The swimming area is overtaken with ducks and geese this time of year.

A few minutes later it was glowing full grown in the city haze.

"God made ... the lesser light to govern the night." Genesis 1:16

The reflection has two parts. See both the wavy part and the very bright part just behind the spit of land? This is pretty good for a handheld shot with low light.