Memorial Day Weekend - a holiday meant to honor the fallen service members of the U.S. military. A holiday typically spent being jovial around throngs of meat products, picnic tables and endless Bud Light. A holiday that should highlight the atrocities of war instead of flexing military muscle. A holiday that we decided to spend in the middle of the Dolly Sods wilderness, away from any sign of civilization. What better way to honor those who fought for the country then to spend it on public land that we as citizens own? After all, Ken Burns stated that National Parks were America's best idea. Dolly Sods may not be a national park, but it is a federally protected wilderness area in the Monongahela National Forest. Close enough for me.
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| the main campsite - photo by eric fizer |
Thirteen of us entered the Sods via the Red Creek Trail, hiked about 1.5 miles in, and set up shop in a wooded area on the gravely banks of the beautiful, tannic acid-stained waters of Red Creek. The highlights of the weekend included Doug and Mike catching seven large trout from the Potomac River, a gnarly hike to an excellent waterfall upstream on Red Creek, and plenty of whiskey imbibing fireside. It was a bittersweet weekend for Eric and me, as we said goodbye to a few friends for the final time before the rope trip officially starts TOMORROW!
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| the waterfall and swimmin' hole - photo by eric fizer |
The West Virginia wilderness....one of the many beautiful things of our state that should be on the top of the list to support and foster for economic growth instead of coal.
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