Adventure to a Realm Known as Dolly Sods
Saturday, October 3, 2009
In West Virginia, south of Blackwater Falls, in the Appalachian Mountains of Monongahela National Forest is a wilderness area known as the Dolly Sod’s. This special place is found on a mountain top and is home to countless types of flora not found in the lower valley. Vast fields stretch across the mountain top that boast wild cranberry and blueberry that turn brilliant colors during this time of the year. Rich crimson and vermillion with shades of scarlet and maroon blanket the meadows while various other trees and plants embellish those few locations that remain. Great rocks and boulders are found decorating portions of the undergrowth like sentinels keeping watch. A single and narrow nine mile dirt pathway offers accessibility to vehicles. This pathway leads the adventurer back to a location known as Bear Rocks, where I found ample evidence of the resident bear family in the form of scat near the parking area.
My good friend Jana invited me to spend a weekend camping. Since I have never been to this place and love to discover new realms, I decided to accept her offer. Much to my delight, it was both rewarding and fun. Her friend Mary Jo joined in and all three of us enjoyed photographing the Dolly Sods with Jana as our veteran guide.
From Pittsburgh at 5:30am, I traveled the 200 mile journey down 79S, 68E, 7E, 219S, and 32S to Lanesville Road designated as Forest Route 19. Both 219 and 32 are very nice and scenic routes with bucolic farmlands. As the elevation increased the fall colors became more pronounced. Some sections of the mountains were bedazzled with orange, lemon, and ruby but it was about a week early. I had to stop many times to try and capture the beauty on a memory flashcard. After climbing up remorseless roads leading to Dolly Sods, I arrived at 10:30am and found Jana and Mary Jo already well into a day of photography along the dirt pathway. So, the 200 mile trip down, traveling secondary roads half the time, stopping several times to photograph and a sit down breakfast in the small town of Thomas WV, took about five hours.
The adventure was on and Jana made sure to show me all of her favorite locations across the mountain top. Jana is 78 years young and this 48 year old man found it difficult to keep up with her. She has an engaging history that is noteworthy in learning to respect her. To make her biography short, anything you or I have endured is dwarfed by the journey she has traveled in this life. Yet, at the same time, she has been blessed with many joyful and wonderful experiences as well.
Some of the stellar locations she revealed to me were bog trails with countless, unique to the area, flora, including many varieties of fern, moss, wildflowers, and the like. The overlook treats spectators to a vast view of the Appalachian Mountains that neighbor the one we stood upon. Layer after layer fade into the distance like fog. The Bear Rock location opens up into a fantastic view of wide meadows of wild cranberry and blueberry red with the season. Gray rocks rise up above it all looking down upon the place protectively. As they should, Dolly Sods wilderness area should be added to the honored list of National Monuments in an effort to further protect her.
Since the blue bird sky was so clear, we decided that the sunset would not be among the most spectacular that have set upon the mountains and turned in for the evening. Along with photography, cooking is another of Jana’s many talents. Her beef stew was a welcome delight after a good day of trail blazing.
Our camp site is a primitive one with no electricity or any other amenity other than two relatively new outhouses within a short walk and a very sturdy picnic table. As the sun went down so too did the temperature and not long after night fell the wind let its power be ever so mildly known.
Jana provided me with a tent as it has been a long time since I was tent camping and had none to bring. I was also given an air matters to help aid my comfort. We reviewed images on the laptop that was powered by a car battery by a converter. Exhausted, I turned in for the night with as much warm clothing as possible. The jug of water outside the tent said that it did not reach freezing temperatures but you could have sure fooled me. Jana and Mary Jo energetically talked into the evening continuing to review and critic the days work. I crashed like a run away train with loud snoring keeping the wildlife well distant; although, I did hear the sound of sniffing and rummaging just outside my tent. Bear warnings were posted talking about increased bear activity in the area. I became deeply concerned and decided to make additional noise besides my loud snoring and what ever critter it might have been scampered away into a remote section of the woodlands surrounding me. It might have been a dear because not long afterward the distinct snorting sound that they make echoed through the woods.
I brought a flashlight to help navigate my way in the darkness but found no need for it as the bright full moon cast glowing silver highlights over everything. Making it to the outhouse was no problem during the night. Sadly, the glory of the heavens was obscured by the bright dominance of the moonlight.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Early in the morning, Jana and I hiked to a nearby overlook to photograph the sunrise. At first we agreed that the sunrise might not be that grand because the sky lacked clouds. However, as we discussed the finer points of art photography, Mother Nature sent plenty of clouds for us. We meet a team of bird banding folks at the overlook and waited for the sun. A pale fire glow illuminated the top of a distant mountain as we watched. The air was crisp and the wind made the trees dance all around us. We set up our tripods and made prudent adjustments to our cameras and stood ready. Suddenly, at the edge of the mountain top appeared the inferno glow of brilliant orange. The fire cast magical paint onto the clouds in shades of lavender and magenta. Our camera shutters started to sing and the glory continued until a second sunrise took place above the first layers of clouds. Rays of light flashed across the Appalachians like mystical fingers, pointing to select trees or meadows for exclusive attention. Sections of forested mountainside began to glow with color as the suns power warmed the chill air. Such a spectacle is gifted only to those willing to do what is necessary to witness it. And thus began a new day filled with new opportunities and discovery.
Jana prepared a wonderful breakfast of French toast and Mary Jo provided homemade black raspberry jam to season it. We then broke camp, deciding to descend the windy mountain top and regretfully depart from Dolly Sods. The wind provided us with a small challenge while breaking camp but it was not too much trouble. Jana and Mary Jo wrote the book on how to camp. I was surprised when I heard Jana announce to Mary Jo that she was bringing the battery. I have heaved batteries of the same size on several occasions and for her to do so was yet another amazement considering that she has a bad back and a foot that has lost all feeling not to mention her 78 summers.
We took each our own vehicles down the unsympathetic mountain road into the valley and spent the day exploring several different locations nearby. Blackwater Falls is a famous local park that is bejeweled with many spectacular views of its canyon where a great waterfall resides. Elakala waterfalls can also be found down a short trail near the lodge. Jana decided to put her camera away for a moment and soaked in the view at a special canyon overlook. Some places in the high country of West Virginia are in near peak color but most places are early and should be near peak color within 10 days time.
After a picnic lunch we parted ways and I returned home. The fall colors are so close to being perfect that I told myself a return trip in another week would be time well spent. I told Jana she must write a book with the title, “Primitive Camping in Remote Wilderness for those Over 70”. It would be a best seller.
In West Virginia, south of Blackwater Falls, in the Appalachian Mountains of Monongahela National Forest is a wilderness area known as the Dolly Sod’s. This special place is found on a mountain top and is home to countless types of flora not found in the lower valley. Vast fields stretch across the mountain top that boast wild cranberry and blueberry that turn brilliant colors during this time of the year. Rich crimson and vermillion with shades of scarlet and maroon blanket the meadows while various other trees and plants embellish those few locations that remain. Great rocks and boulders are found decorating portions of the undergrowth like sentinels keeping watch. A single and narrow nine mile dirt pathway offers accessibility to vehicles. This pathway leads the adventurer back to a location known as Bear Rocks, where I found ample evidence of the resident bear family in the form of scat near the parking area.
My good friend Jana invited me to spend a weekend camping. Since I have never been to this place and love to discover new realms, I decided to accept her offer. Much to my delight, it was both rewarding and fun. Her friend Mary Jo joined in and all three of us enjoyed photographing the Dolly Sods with Jana as our veteran guide.
From Pittsburgh at 5:30am, I traveled the 200 mile journey down 79S, 68E, 7E, 219S, and 32S to Lanesville Road designated as Forest Route 19. Both 219 and 32 are very nice and scenic routes with bucolic farmlands. As the elevation increased the fall colors became more pronounced. Some sections of the mountains were bedazzled with orange, lemon, and ruby but it was about a week early. I had to stop many times to try and capture the beauty on a memory flashcard. After climbing up remorseless roads leading to Dolly Sods, I arrived at 10:30am and found Jana and Mary Jo already well into a day of photography along the dirt pathway. So, the 200 mile trip down, traveling secondary roads half the time, stopping several times to photograph and a sit down breakfast in the small town of Thomas WV, took about five hours.
The adventure was on and Jana made sure to show me all of her favorite locations across the mountain top. Jana is 78 years young and this 48 year old man found it difficult to keep up with her. She has an engaging history that is noteworthy in learning to respect her. To make her biography short, anything you or I have endured is dwarfed by the journey she has traveled in this life. Yet, at the same time, she has been blessed with many joyful and wonderful experiences as well.
Some of the stellar locations she revealed to me were bog trails with countless, unique to the area, flora, including many varieties of fern, moss, wildflowers, and the like. The overlook treats spectators to a vast view of the Appalachian Mountains that neighbor the one we stood upon. Layer after layer fade into the distance like fog. The Bear Rock location opens up into a fantastic view of wide meadows of wild cranberry and blueberry red with the season. Gray rocks rise up above it all looking down upon the place protectively. As they should, Dolly Sods wilderness area should be added to the honored list of National Monuments in an effort to further protect her.
Since the blue bird sky was so clear, we decided that the sunset would not be among the most spectacular that have set upon the mountains and turned in for the evening. Along with photography, cooking is another of Jana’s many talents. Her beef stew was a welcome delight after a good day of trail blazing.
Our camp site is a primitive one with no electricity or any other amenity other than two relatively new outhouses within a short walk and a very sturdy picnic table. As the sun went down so too did the temperature and not long after night fell the wind let its power be ever so mildly known.
Jana provided me with a tent as it has been a long time since I was tent camping and had none to bring. I was also given an air matters to help aid my comfort. We reviewed images on the laptop that was powered by a car battery by a converter. Exhausted, I turned in for the night with as much warm clothing as possible. The jug of water outside the tent said that it did not reach freezing temperatures but you could have sure fooled me. Jana and Mary Jo energetically talked into the evening continuing to review and critic the days work. I crashed like a run away train with loud snoring keeping the wildlife well distant; although, I did hear the sound of sniffing and rummaging just outside my tent. Bear warnings were posted talking about increased bear activity in the area. I became deeply concerned and decided to make additional noise besides my loud snoring and what ever critter it might have been scampered away into a remote section of the woodlands surrounding me. It might have been a dear because not long afterward the distinct snorting sound that they make echoed through the woods.
I brought a flashlight to help navigate my way in the darkness but found no need for it as the bright full moon cast glowing silver highlights over everything. Making it to the outhouse was no problem during the night. Sadly, the glory of the heavens was obscured by the bright dominance of the moonlight.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Early in the morning, Jana and I hiked to a nearby overlook to photograph the sunrise. At first we agreed that the sunrise might not be that grand because the sky lacked clouds. However, as we discussed the finer points of art photography, Mother Nature sent plenty of clouds for us. We meet a team of bird banding folks at the overlook and waited for the sun. A pale fire glow illuminated the top of a distant mountain as we watched. The air was crisp and the wind made the trees dance all around us. We set up our tripods and made prudent adjustments to our cameras and stood ready. Suddenly, at the edge of the mountain top appeared the inferno glow of brilliant orange. The fire cast magical paint onto the clouds in shades of lavender and magenta. Our camera shutters started to sing and the glory continued until a second sunrise took place above the first layers of clouds. Rays of light flashed across the Appalachians like mystical fingers, pointing to select trees or meadows for exclusive attention. Sections of forested mountainside began to glow with color as the suns power warmed the chill air. Such a spectacle is gifted only to those willing to do what is necessary to witness it. And thus began a new day filled with new opportunities and discovery.
Jana prepared a wonderful breakfast of French toast and Mary Jo provided homemade black raspberry jam to season it. We then broke camp, deciding to descend the windy mountain top and regretfully depart from Dolly Sods. The wind provided us with a small challenge while breaking camp but it was not too much trouble. Jana and Mary Jo wrote the book on how to camp. I was surprised when I heard Jana announce to Mary Jo that she was bringing the battery. I have heaved batteries of the same size on several occasions and for her to do so was yet another amazement considering that she has a bad back and a foot that has lost all feeling not to mention her 78 summers.We took each our own vehicles down the unsympathetic mountain road into the valley and spent the day exploring several different locations nearby. Blackwater Falls is a famous local park that is bejeweled with many spectacular views of its canyon where a great waterfall resides. Elakala waterfalls can also be found down a short trail near the lodge. Jana decided to put her camera away for a moment and soaked in the view at a special canyon overlook. Some places in the high country of West Virginia are in near peak color but most places are early and should be near peak color within 10 days time.
After a picnic lunch we parted ways and I returned home. The fall colors are so close to being perfect that I told myself a return trip in another week would be time well spent. I told Jana she must write a book with the title, “Primitive Camping in Remote Wilderness for those Over 70”. It would be a best seller. 
1 comment:
Very colorful peaceful place. So great to know that these areas of such beauty exist. You are the perfect person to preserve such natural art. Thanks for sharing your experience and admiration for the place and your friends with your readers.
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