Category: High Points

many mountains It’s not uncommon to hear about a hiker’s ambition to conquer a mountain, to not let the mountain gain victory over their desires to summit. What is this “conquer the mountain” idea and where did it come from!  No.  This is not the way to approach it.  The mountain is fine, whether we… Continue reading Conquer the Mountain

Stockton SpringsMaineMay  2015 Our next stop is the Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory in southeast Maine, south of Bangor.  What brings us here to the bridge is its design of modern cable-stayed construction.  One glance tells any one of us that it is modern cable-stayed construction.  Right?  Instead of the usual method of bundling cables… Continue reading Penobscot Narrows Bridge

Harney PeakSouth DakotaMay  2015 When we summit our high points, we like to get an early start, usually at daybreak which often happens before most restaurants begin breakfast service.  We like to get an early start to our hiking because, well, we like to start early.  Also in these midwestern states, thunderstorms often come up… Continue reading Breakfast at the Hill City Cafe

WythevilleVirginiaJuly  2011 We approach Wytheville from the east, after having climbed Mount Rogers, the high point of Virginia.  Huzzah! As you see, Wytheville, Virginia, shows its true colors, what with its diversity water tower.  (Don’t tell them.) On second thought, do tell them.

Black MesaOklahomaMarch  2013 We sit on the sturdy stone bench several feet from the native granite obelisk, the marker indicating that this is the highest land point in the state of Oklahoma.  How thoughtful of the Boy Scouts to have built this comfortable sitting area, this bench.  It’s lunch time and the air is clear… Continue reading Hooker

Spruce KnobWest VirginiaMay  2014 We are hiking to the peak of Spruce Knob, the summit of West Virginia.  What better song for us to be singing than If You Wanna Be Happy by Jimmy Soul.  As the music winds down, Rod and Diane tell us about the monkey balls. They were vacationing in Manuel Antonio… Continue reading Monkey Balls II

Hoosier HillIndianaMarch  2012 Girding our loins for the ascent from the parking lot to the summit of Hoosier Hill — this consists of putting on our jackets, which obviously doesn’t actually have much to do with loin-girding — we step from the car, trying not to trip on the monkey balls.  Lisa comments, “Hmm, smells… Continue reading Monkey Balls I

Humphreys PeakArizonaJuly  2013 Throughout the day, the only wildlife we see are chickaree squirrels, a couple of woodpeckers and other birds, and herds of hikers.  Grandma, back in the Ranger District office on the telephone, warned us to be careful of the ticks and snakes.  No need.  There are none.  What we do see other… Continue reading Gnats

Britton HillFloridaNovember  2013 Visit Lakewood Park in Florida.  We do when we summit the Sunshine State, by climbing to its high point at 345 feet.  We contemplate and celebrate this thrill, and we wander around in the open, grassy area of the park.  At the far end of the picnic area, we see this sign.… Continue reading Throw This Column Away

Baxter State ParkMaineAugust  2012 We cross the Park boundary and continue to wind through the woods, passing the Visitors Center and pulling up at the southern entrance, the Togue Pond Gatehouse.  And now we sit.  Our first significant Maine traffic jam.  There are five cars in front of us.  What an enormous crowd, actually taking… Continue reading Togue Pond Gatehouse