My son has uploaded some more photos as he continues north along the Appalachian Trail. He is currently headed up the section of the Trail that runs along the Tennessee/North Carolina border and has encountered some snow and cold temperatures (18 degrees F in the photo above). Among the places he has traveled through with other through hikers is Clingman's Dome, the highest point along the Appalachian Trail and which provides a 360ยบ view of the surrounding mountains and an average viewing distance of about 22 miles and, on clear pollution free days, maximum views of as far as 100 miles into 7 states. As the photo indicates, viewing conditions were less than perfect, not to mention frigid.*
I am very proud of my son and while I initially had reservations about this adventure (I suspect most parents would), I am very happy that he has undertaken the hike and believe that he will learn and experience a great deal in the process. "Playing by the rules" and doing what's expected of you often leads to a dull and unfulfilled life - I did that for most of my life up until the last few years. I am proud that my son is setting his own course instead of living someone else's life.
