Grandfather Fir at Grayson Highlands, 6/01/16...

I took a day trip to Grayson Highlands yesterday, 6/01/16.

I went to visit a tree.

I had previously named the tree "Grandfather Spruce." But I realized yesterday, he's a Fraser Fir. So now, his name is "Grandfather Fir." He resides along the mountainside on the south side of Massie Gap on the Rhododendron Trail.

~*~

On Thursday, January 29, 2015, I took a day trip to Grayson, and I prayed to Grandfather Fir. My prayer at the time was simple, "Heal my limbs..."

As I whispered those three words, the sole human standing on the snow-frosted mountainside with the cold winter wind kissing my cheeks, gazing up at that tall, strong, graceful Evergreen, more words immediately followed. "You have limbs. Strong. Durable. Limbs. Heal my limbs."

It was at that point, I began my intimate relationship with Trees who have become my living witnesses. Sometimes they cradle me as I ride Olivia through the woods, or as I walk when I'm able, or as I just sit or lay and notice them.

On June 10, 2015, almost five months after that January 29, 2015, prayer, I added Charlotte's Web Hemp Extract to my therapy. In July, 2015, my limbs began coming back to life.

I guesstimate that currently my legs are about 45 to 50% better and my arms about 35 to 40% better compared to this time last year.

And...I've thought of that tree...and my prayer to it.

Does that mean I believe trees answer prayers? Maybe so! :D

Beginning in the fall, 2015, symptoms have spread to my back, neck, and jaws; along with shortness of breath and 5-weeks of dizziness (probably orthostatic hypotension).

So yesterday I took a trip to talk to Grandfather Fir about my "trunk" and "crown." He has a trunk and crown...I want to borrow his strength.

Maybe my trunk and crown will respond like my limbs have. Wouldn't that be Groot great! :D

~*~

My pictures are taken with my old iPhone 4.

Wild daisies among young domestic Fraser firs. Tucker Road.

Grandfather Fir 

Grandfather Fir's above-ground roots

One of the Fraser fir families, heading north toward Massie Gap.

Feral chestnut pony galloping 

Fabio chasing the chestnut

Fabio in motion

Feral pony nuzzling feral ponkey in Massie Gap Meadow

At the border of Grayson Highlands and Jefferson National Forest.
I was able to hike 2.25 miles.
I'm proud of that too!
I met one AT thru-hiker whose trail name is Quiet.

~ magical day ~

What inspires you?

A few weeks ago, I wrote the following in response to the question, "What inspires you?" or maybe it was "What brings you inspiration?" ...or something along those lines...

~*~
My Inspiration?

At the top of the list are my mom and dad, both deceased now. Dad lived his last 13 years as a quadriplegic after an auto accident at age 62. Mom was his main caregiver until his death. Because of her and because of Dad's determined attitude, those 13 years were filled to the brim with life and goodness. Mom and Dad really did make lemonade out of those lemons from the tree of circumstance.

Moving down the list, probably next are real life stories of so-called everyday people who continue to carry on, carry on. Most of those stories don't make it to the public media and news. Some we learn about in face-to-face happenstances. Some are hidden in script on pages between covers of a book. Some are publicly concealed deep in internet archives, along with billions of pieces of information. Some we live. There are lots more "somes" in this category.

Other inspirations are Mother Nature, the Cosmos, wildlife and domestic animals, so-called myth and stories, history, visual arts, music, poetry, gratitude, good memories, and...

Of course, my bike Olivia.
And the Blue Ridge Mountains.
And the Appalachian Trail.
And our National, State, and Local Parks.
And...

This list could go on forever....

~*~
This was fun to think and write about. That's inspiring too!
~*~

651.2 miles and counting...

Olivia and I rode part of the New River Trail today, from Ivanhoe to Gambetta and back to Ivanhoe. Total mileage: 21.3.

The New River Trail is 57 miles long which totals 114 miles if one rides both directions, which is what I am doing, in sections. I've now biked over half and will hopefully get the rest ridden by the end of June, or before.

I saw quite a few chipmunks today. No deer or bear. I did see one snake and quite a few hawks, as usual. I rode though one tunnel and over a few bridges, and I saw two dams.

On my trek home, in Edward the Explorer, I drove by a monument that sits by the side of a curvy, mountain road. It caught my attention because it was odd, out there in the middle of nowhere, "nowhere" actually being Austinville, Virginia. Three empty flag poles stood tall above a boulder-size, granite stone with engraved script and engraved outlines of the states of Virginia and Texas. I saw it out of the corner of my eye as I drove past it. I put on my brakes and backed up and pulled into the parking area, which also serves as a boat access for the New River.

The monument is a memorial dedicated to Stephen F. Austin (aka the "father of Texas") for whom the city of Austin, Texas, changed it's name -- from Waterloo to Austin. Stephen's father, Moses, developed the lead mining industry in the southwest area of Virginia. Stephen was born there, but the family moved west when Stephen was four years old. I wonder why the memorial is dedicated to Stephen and not his father?

The New River Trail reminds me of the green tunnel of the AT; it can get monotonous. But there is no PUD (pointless up and down) on the New River Trail. It's a rail trail, so it's level.

I like biking the Greenway and Salem Lake route more than the New River Trail. The Salem Lake route has ups and downs and lots of curves, and I get to ride through a creek if it's rained, and there always seems to be an adventure waiting for Olivia and me. It's like the trail thinks, Carol and Olivia will be here today..let's entertain them!

Last week, cycling my Salem Lake route, I saw a grey fox. S/he crossed the Greenway in front of me. At first I thought it was a small dog, and then wondered if it was a coyote, but then I identified it as a fox. I scared it...and it scared me. We both surprised each other.

Last week, I also saw a male turkey strutting his stuff for three female turkeys. I've seen quite a few female turkeys the past couple years on my Greenway rides, but this was my first time seeing a male. The four turkeys were on the golf course that is beside the Greenway. The scene made me laugh out loud.

Last week, I had three ground hog sightings. I think it was the same hog because the sightings were in the same vicinity each time. I also saw a few snakes, of course.

The finale of last week, was when Olivia and I survived a creek adventure. I'm thankful for the cyclist who saved us, quite literally. The cyclist happened to have his own creek adventure right before Olivia and I had ours; the creek took his bike! It's kind of a long story. Maybe I'll write it someday. Suffice it to say, I vow to never again misjudge the power of a creek after the rains.

My cycling goal for 2016 is 1500 miles.

So far I've ridden:
...January = 155.8 miles
...February = 67.5 miles
...March = 179.5 miles
...April = 130.5 miles
...May (through 5/24) = 117.90

651.2 miles and counting...

So far, doing good.