Hawk's Bill in front of Table Rock
It is referred to as simply the Gorge around here. I’ve seen it from all angles in every imaginable weather with any number of people, though mostly my children. It is a miniture of some of the greater canyons of the world but it is a compact bit of beauty and extremity. Some of the best rockclimbing in this part of the country or anywhere is on the sides of this “draw”. Well, the day was unparalleled for temperature and better than average for clearness of sky, with no evidence of insects after a frosty night up high. I had the afternoon off and went with my fourth born to take a short hike, search out some climbing routes, take in the view and hang out with my youngin’. Here is but a little of what we saw.
Linville Gorge
The sun angle was not conducive to landscape shots from our vantage point, but it did remind me of how awesome are the cameras we carry in our heads. We had no problem discerning buildings and towers and people on adjacent ridges. The camera was also quite good on zoom.
See the 5 people on Hawk's Bill Mtn?
The last bit of Fall colors at elevation
Autumn colors were not so extremely gorgeous this year as the past two years, but they were just as beautiful in individual trees and clumps of trees. I certainly enjoyed these trees that I presume from this distance to be hickory trees.
The Sitting Bear
And I did find some new climbing along with seeing the starts on the Sitting Bear, a rock on top of the ridge that does indeed appear to be its name sake when far off at certain angles. I guess I have numerous excuses to come back. The stress of living is enough reason for me to keep coming, but there are challenges to rise to and beauty to see, and quiet to absorb, exercise to have, and long talks to be involved in. There is much here to gorge the mind and spirit and body upon. And I am privileged to know the Creator and Owner of it all Whom I can worship and thank for such blessings.
