This is the time of year I miss the years we lived in the Blue Ridge mountains the most. I crave winding scenic drives, hikes down mountains just painted with leaves, and peering into valleys and hollers, realizing how very small we are.
Brown County is about as close to SWVA as we can get, so after a mostly peaceful morning where I mostly got to sleep in until 8:30, we found our way just outside of town.
We walked the friendship trail, some of us feeling a little unfriendly, ate a snack, felt friendlier, visited the nature center and silently stared out a picture window where birds ate from piles of birdseed and happily ignored small nose and hands pressed up to see them. We also declared
the tough bumblebee would represent our state well, said hello to a rattle snake clearly wishing for release, and found our way down to the discovery trail.
While most of the trails in Brown County State Park are moderate or extreme, the discovery trail is a perfect .5 mile hike up and down the hillside. 27 discovery stops along the way point out different trees or geological features. Both kids (and maybe a big guy) loved finding the next stop.
We learned about shag bark where bats like to live, chewed on spice brush, and saw Pawpaw, American Beech, Chestnut, Maple, and Pine trees.
And while I'm still missing old homes, like I do every autumn, there are treasures here- treasures that remind us to stop, squeal, and be present with all that is good in our moments.
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