Sharp Top Mountain - Elevation 3875
July 6, 2011
It's been ten years since I climbed this mountain. Ten years since we've moved from Virginia after living there a short two and a half years. We left behind these beautiful mountains which fit in perfectly to the views I liked seeing on a daily basis. I remember as a teen driving through the Shenandoah Mountains, Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Mountains and thinking that some day I would live there. At the time, my siblings complained of boredom and being dragged through the mountains by my parents. But I couldn't get enough of the views or the hiking trails. I would be the first on the trail pushing away the spider webs that spanned across the path and loving every minute of it. I was fitting into that perfect space that exhilarated the senses and left me wanting more.
View from Sharp Top Mountain
The summit of Sharp Top has a spectacular 360-degree view of the Peaks of Otter area, with the Piedmont to the East, the Shenandoah Valley and the Allegheny Valley Mountains to the west. Looking out I couldn't help but miss this beautiful state and was glad I was able to be back for a glimpse of the beauty. This year we left visiting our hometown of Pittsburgh and hiked, camped and drove the Blue Ridge Parkway through Virginia. Last year we tackled the mountain trails of the Blue Ridge in North Carolina. But it was at this mountain peak that had me breathing in, quenching that thirst.
As I took one last look before descending down the trail, I noticed that my smile was still intact and felt lucky once again to be here experiencing what I love to do. Heading back down and eventually toward the mountains of Georgia, that young girl inside of me kept thinking that maybe someday I'll live there.... again. :)
