Was I this crazy as a kid?

A few weeks ago, I redid a hike. Now when I say redid, I mean it has been over 40 years ago, I was just a kid and I ascended a mount that no longer can be ascended without a special permit. This is a very well known location, but is not known by it’s real name.

Sherriff Taylor talks of taking Opie to Mount Pilot … and this is part of the fictitious world of Mayberry … Barney, Aunt May, Gomer, and so many more. Mayberry, a quaint little town in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in upstate, central North Carolina. And though fictitious, my parents grew up there. Real name – Mount Airy. Real name of the hiking location – Pilot Mountain. My dad even knew Andy Griffith back in the day (so he said).

As a child, our family was visiting my grandparents and we spent time on the mountain. And ever since then, I wanted to do it again. Here’s the kicker … since then … they have closed the peak. Rare birds? Crumbly shale? Who know? It depends on to whom you talk.

Back then, they had a set of wooden stairs/ladders up the side of the knob. These creaky and creepy ladders were an adventure for this bright eyed lad. I rushed to the top, I don’t remember my parents joining us. I guess they had higher intelligence. But I did it anyway. My siblings did too. And we did something no longer allowed today.

But last month, I returned. And it was a beautiful day.

Though no wooden stairs, there were plenty of stone steps. You couldn’t climb the knob, but you could circle it – so I circled the knob, then re-circled it the opposite way. I then trekked around the small knob – where they do allow climbing the rocks. It was also on this part of the trail when a 6 foot snake slithered across the path in front of me (no pic, too busy checking if I had to change my shorts).

I got about four to five miles in, reacquainted myself with an old friend of Pilot Mountain, and enjoyed some nature. I even got to see Bambi and his mom. (Bambi is hiding, but he was there!)

So, what’s the lesson? Carpe Diem. Seize the day. you never realize if tomorrow won’t let you have the same opportunities.

Get to know or spend time with someone. Visit a National Park. Climb those stairs. Ride that rollercoaster. Go to Disney World. Read that book you put off (I am reading the complete work of Hans Christian Anderson – more surreal than you would imagine – Disney changed some of the details)

Extra to this day’s adventure in NC – I went to Mayberry/Mount Airy and ate at Barney’s Diner. Then went to see the old home of my maternal grandparents (the location my parents were married, and so many vacays were spent at) … ALL IN ALL – a great day.

Carpe Diem.