CL-October 2024 - 31

EXPLOREMORE
Matt Creasey marvels
at The Channels,
a maze of sandstone
boulders and crevices.
REACHING THE SUMMIT
We navigate a small rock scramble
and arrive at the top of the trail, where
stands a massive fire tower, stretching
toward the sun, its lower landings
chopped off in an attempt to prevent
would-be climbers. From this vantage
point, we're treated to a spectacular
panoramic view of the mountains
surrounding us, and the valley below.
We are in The Channels.
We had shed most of our layers
during our trek uphill. Here, in the shade
of the rocks and rhododendrons, we
don them all again. We wander amongst
the great stones, leaving bright pink
dog waste bags in various places to help
us find our way back out again. The
temperature difference from one place
in the labyrinth to another is striking.
In search of a warm place to enjoy
a snack, we clamber up the face of a
monolith and emerge into the treetops
and sunlight. Two black vultures circle
overhead. We are on the 4,208-foot
summit of Middle Knob on Clinch
Mountain, but I feel like we're on top
of the whole world. Nothing but silence
and sunshine. We stay like this for a
while; my husband, our dogs and I
splayed out on a rock in the sun at the
top of the world. I close my eyes and
Amanda Creasey holds Soda (left) and
Nacho (right) in the depths of a sandstone
crevice within The Channels.
co-opliving.com
feel the warm sun on my face, the solid
stone beneath my back. The insides of
my eyelids darken as a vulture's shadow
passes over my face.
" Should we set a timer? " My
husband's suggestion interrupts my
reverie, the human world of time
constraints encroaching upon the
timelessness of this mountaintop.
" A timer? "
" If we're going home today, I don't
want it to get too late. "
Neither do I. But I can't bring myself
to set a timer. " Just a little longer, " I say.
" We don't need a timer. "
BACK TO REALITY
A few more minutes and we climb
back down, passing our dogs between
us and setting them safely on the
ground amongst the towering rocks.
We wander around just a bit longer
before following our carefully placed
pink bags back to the trail.
As we descend, the way back feels
a bit less laborious, gravity on our side.
Aſter a while, though, our hips, thighs
and calves begin to complain at the
constant bracing, and my shoulders
grow tired of my backpack's weight.
Still, I'm delighted by the fresh breeze,
the quality time with my husband
and dogs, the achievement we've all
experienced together.
Four hours aſter we began, my
husband announces: " I can see the
parking lot! I didn't think I was going
to make it. "
" But you did, " I say. " We all did. "
By the time we reach the car, we
have encountered perhaps a dozen fellow
hikers and one other dog. Including
ours, six cars now wait in the parking lot.
As he buckles his seatbelt my
husband says, " It wasn't that bad. "
" No, " I say. " It was totally worth it. "
I lean my head back against the headrest,
the open window letting the sun kiss
my face, and the breeze muss my hair.
I take a deep breath.
The car ride takes me back to the
human world - the realm of work
and time and responsibilities. But
the rocks are still there - the realm
of rest, wonder and timelessness.
I carry their serenity with me. Their
tenacity, fortitude and steadfastness
are resources I can always draw on
when the man-made world becomes
too much for me.
*
October 2024 * Cooperative Living * 29
http://www.co-opliving.com
CL-October 2024

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