On Valentine’s Day we decided to go for a walk. The weather was cold but sunny and we have learned to layer for the cold days. Seems that several layers of loose fitting articles are better than something bulky and thick. We decide on a simple walk by the river, so we headed to the Oconaluftee Visitors Center at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is a nice easy walk that we have done many times. The trail is flat and follows the Oconaluftee River and is 3.2 miles round trip. It is one of only two trails in this park were you can bring your dog. We did not bring them today as they are not big fans of the cold.

Being able to spend time out-of-doors is one of the main factors that attracted us to this region. Going out to do an activity can be as simple or complex as you choose. This trip is a simple matter of packing some snacks with water,  jumping in the car and driving about 30 minutes and then enjoying. Other hikes require more time and preparation, but sometimes you just want to feel the breeze on your face and hear the music of the river flowing.

Leaving the parking lot at the visitors center, the trail leads past the Mountain Farm Museum. It consists of buildings one would have found on area  farms 100 years ago. It is a working site in the sense that crops are grown and livestock are kept during the season. The buildings are all of original construction and were moved here from other parts of the park.

Past the Museum it is a few yards to the river. We always stop here before we start our walk. It is interesting how much the volume of the water varies over the season. On this day, the water is fast and pretty high. During the summer months it tends to run much lower. This is one of the rivers people tube during warm weather. We have not tubed this river yet. Last summer we tubed Deep Creek with some friends visiting form Miami, and it was a blast. Tubing is pretty easy but it can also be tricky. A couple of summers ago we help a woman out of the water and rounded up her two children that were on tubes ahead of her. She was stuck on some rocks and just physically worn out. She did not appear to be in very good shape physically and it seemed the river was to much for her. Saskia helped her out and we got her safely on the bank. When we got to the visitor center we told the rangers what had happened and where she was. They called for a team to rescue her. It ended well for her but it reminded me that even the simplest outings can get dangerous.

We backtrack from the river a few yards a find the start of the path and begin our walk south. The trail ends in the town of Cherokee at the 1.6 mile point. We often see Elk along the way, however we see none today. We also often see people waking or jogging on the path, but today we only see a couple of people; probably the combination of the weather and Valentine’s Day. We did see a Great Blue Heron resting in a tree. The bird did not seem to notice the cold. It was hard to get a picture. The removal of gloves and the bulkiness of the clothing prove to be a bit of a challenge.

Much of the time we walked, enjoying the quietness of the place and our own thoughts. It is really nice to spend time with someone and not feel the need to talk to fill the silence. I’m not sure if it’s age, experience or both but I find myself loving the “Sounds of Silence.”

A little ways down the path we saw a “rafter” of turkeys. This is a common bird around here and they have very pretty markings. They will only let us get so close and then they move on as a group. These turkeys are very large and full. I guess they made a wise decision to live in the national park.

The landscape has changed so much since the summer. We are able to see so many thing that are hidden by the foliage of the other seasons. First, I notice that across the river on the North bank is Big Cove Road. I think I “knew” this, but the visual makes me aware of just how close it is. I also notice how close the trail follows US 441 on the South side. The illusion of being so alone I first had on this trail has been completely dispelled and this is okay as it is a beautiful walk. Another noticeable thing was the birds. We usually see none on this walk, but today there are many. They are the small birds that stay the winter, and they are fast and evasive.

I have found the idea of being distant from civilization to be both romantic and frightening. The thought of being in the wilderness promotes a sense of independence and self-reliance. It is on one hand, empowering and on the other scary. I am cognizant of my strengths and my weakness, one of the main being a lack of knowledge and experience about outdoor survival. I am working on filling this gap. I was recommended, by a friend, the book “Into the Wild'” by Jon Krakauer. It is the story of Christopher Mccandleuss, a young man who hiked into the wild of Alaska with the intention of living off the land. The adventure did not end well for him and is a good read for anyone wanting to go off on their own. It is a reminder to me to find balance.

As we continued, we notice many spots with ice in the water and the snow still on the path. This area is a little higher in elevation than where we live and seems to get a bit more snow. It reminds me of how Mother Nature answers to no-ones call, as the ground might be covered with 3-inches of snow were we are and none around the curve ahead. As we walked the trail we saw a man fly fishing. He was wearing his “waders” and a warm jacket. While I am not incline to fishing myself, I do enjoy watching the people who fly fish. The movements are so fluid and in a way, poetic. The curve of the pole leading the line as it cuts through the water and air seems so graceful. I believe this part of the river is a catch-and-release section so the trout, ultimately have a happy ending.

As we return to the Museum Village we take a path around the back side which is on the river. It is amazing to see the old buildings with the mountains in the background. I think of how it must have been for people living like this a hundred years ago. Life would be very physical with a constant focus on maintaining the items necessary to survive: food, heat, water and protection for self and animals. This helps me to understand the interdependence between the environment and the people who reside there. I guess this is true in all places.