Part 2 of 10: Shenandoah in the Rain

The color, the power, the forces of nature at play.

The thunder shakes your core, the wind shakes your tent, the lightening shakes the darkness.

You are humbled by your fear,

And by how easy it is for the primary to startle you.
You grow to love the rain and find ways to enjoy it,
A tarp, a couple of chairs and a fire.
You're lulled to sleep by the grumbling of thunder through the forest.

In the morning, all is clear. 
The ashes are wet.
Rain covers the flowers and the tent.
The forest wakes up and stretches its greens and pinks.
You light a fire to warm up, dry off.

You fill your belly and start walking. 
Everywhere you look in Shenandoah, there is something new.
The birds come out, the deer families graze, the butterflies greet the morning dew.
You find mountains, hills, meadows,
But you're drawn to the mist rising from the trees. 
The low hanging fruit in the shape of clouds.

A tiny piece of the great Appalachian trail leads you to Stony Man Summit.
You see the world like never before.
Miles of sight,
Show you the forest for the trees.
You smile at the mountains and they smile back.
There is meaning here. 
And you will return next year to learn it a different way. 


Part 2 of 10: Shenandoah National Park

The Campsite.

The Life.

The Views.