Mt. Mitchell Returns...

Friends thought I was insane when I walked to the observation tower at Mt. Mitchell in August of 2024, three days after hip replacement surgery.  In all honesty, I questioned the sensibility, too, but the friend who was helping me through my recovery, who knows my deep love of nature, believed the challenge, combined with fresh air and a view, would do me good.

Using walking sticks instead of the prescribed cane to help with balance, I proceeded up the hill at a snail’s pace. I was walking so slowly one woman reached out to me, telling me not to worry; there was no rush. When I told her about my new hip, her empathy turned to wonder, amazed by my determination.

When we reached the elevation signage at the base of the tower, my friend had me raise my poles in celebration. I can’t begin to tell you the absolute elation I felt as those poles reached skyward. The journey to that moment had been incredibly trying, both physically and emotionally, making the experience seem that much more celebratory.

Even though a year had passed, and my hip had healed, I found myself filled with the same elation as I stood once again in front of that sign this fall, shortly after the park’s post-Hurricane Helene reopening. The journey to this moment, between being stranded for a few days after the storm, losing my apartment and car, and struggling to find a new rental, had also been incredibly trying.

Initially, just as I had the previous year, I hesitated about making the journey. This time, though, my hesitation wasn’t about my hip, but concern for the devastation I might see on my drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Back in the early spring, I had walked a small section of the parkway above Asheville and could still, in a corner of my mind, remember feeling distraught about the vast number of downed trees.

Nature, like so many of us who had been impacted by Hurricane Helene, had proven its resilience. While I could see remnants of Helene sprinkled here and there, I could also see how much had healed thanks to the incredible efforts of organizations such as The National Park Service, Federal Highway Administration, and Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation.

Everywhere I looked, I saw leaves at near-peak color. Overlook views were as extraordinary as ever. A gentle breeze sent the sunlight dancing across the hills and valleys.

My relief was palpable. I could feel my grip on the steering wheel loosen as my body relaxed into my normal Parkway wonder-mode. I have, for years, called the Blue Ridge Parkway my playground, always eager to drive the” long way” just to be able to spend more time wrapped in its magic. The smile that lit my face raced through my veins. I felt like I was welcoming a favorite friend home after a long time away.

I didn’t raise my poles this time when I asked a fellow meanderer to take my picture at the elevation sign. I didn’t need to. Being there was celebration enough!

I highly encourage you to carve out some time on your next Western NC adventure to visit. For those who don’t know, Mt. Mitchell, accessible through Mt. Mitchell State Park, is home to the highest peak east of the Mississippi (6,684 ft.) Located on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Yancey County, it can currently be accessed from Ox Creek Road in Weaverville, which feeds directly into the Blue Ridge Parkway. It can also be accessed from Asheville and the Blue Ridge Parkway. On a clear day, the observation tower offers a 360 degree view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and includes views of peaks such as Mount Craig, Balsam Cone, and Big Tom. From November – February, the park is open from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Given the potential for Blue Ridge Parkway closures due to ice and snow, it’s best to visit the park’s website before setting out on what will surely be a memorable adventure.