...





JUST A SHORT .7 MILE a pied TO THE TOP of the world,
during which my camera took matters into its own hands
(sigh) once again.



I wrested control with this 360-degree view at Craggy Pinnacle, Blue Ridge Parkway, second day of June, 2010: the scene every bit as impressive as all the man-made sights of Asheville. (Sorry, George. I hope you would've agreed, Napoleon's chess set notwithstanding.)



I had to send my hiking companions out of the picture (so they wouldn't distract, you know). They grumbled a bit, but obligingly absented themselves
until summoned back. (One might suppose they are
always so docile; one might suppose.)
...



In spite of the cool and overcast sky (we followed a rain shower to the top of the mountain), it was hard to leave that high point. We got hungry, however,and didn't feel like scrounging for berries and wildlife.














So instead we made our way down the mountain and had this:
a fabulous vegetarian meal.









---------------------------And this (but only for the half of our party who live in Asheville, and not the half spending their final night at the motel, tossing things into suitcases and preparing for an early morning departure.)






...