The winter in North Carolina has been damp and fairly cold which has chased many folks indoors to seek the warmth of wood burning stoves and fleece blankets. The television sets are working overtime and the electronics are in our faces constantly. A couple of weeks ago the weather cleared and warmed to a pleasant 47 degrees and the sun shone bright in the clear blue sky. I watched the fluffy white clouds slowly move across the sky as I drank my coffee waiting for a friend to arrive. Cabin fever had struck and there was only one remedy, and that was to go seek some outdoor playtime. A couple of weeks before, I purchased a 24mm-105mm Canon lens and could not wait to try it out on this day.

   Once my friend Jessica arrived, we said goodbye to my husband and we were off in a flash. I pointed my faithful Volkswagen north,  driving into the mountains with Virginia in our sights. Listening to some 1980's pop music, we drove through  Boone, North Carolina, home to Appalachian State University and on through some very beautiful country. Crossing creeks, valleys and forest, we drove on for two hours until we reached the Virginia state line. Around 3 pm we arrived at our destination. The Grayson Highland State Park in the Jeferson National Forest near the Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, is where we would spend the rest of the day exploring in the golden afternoon sun. The signage directed us to the trailhead where we would begin our trek up to the highlands where the wild ponies are said to roam free. These ponies graze between the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and the Grayson Highland State Park. With over 4,822 acres to roam, I was concerned that they might be not be within view ,so proceeded to stop the first person I saw on the trail, whom reassured me that indeed the wild ponies were just ahead. Double checking to make sure I had my camera gear, backpack, water and car keys, Jessica and I quickly hoofed it up the trail. Let me tell you, a winter of very little exercise sure caused me to get winded fast. Undoubtly it would benefit me to actually go to the fitness gym instead of paying dues and never showing up to get my body moving. I am guilty of watching my bank draft go through each month and then just shrugging my shoulders and thinking to myself that I would go soon. I should know myself well enough to know that I despise stationary exercise and that whole gym thing was a waste of time and money for me. I rationalized it off thinking to myself , that today I would get a month's worth of exercise at one time. Ha, if only that was true. Poor Jessica had to stop and wait on me at least three times before we crowned the hill. Ah,the wild ponies of the Grayson Highlands stood right in front of us, nuzzling through the winter grass picking out the tender green grass underneath. I have to say that they were much smaller than I had anticipated. They looked much like Shetland ponies, sporting thick full manes, tails and fluffy fur coats. It was understandable how they would be right at home on top of this mountain. To my surprise, these little equines were not skittish of humans in the least bit. In fact, a few would walk right up and extend their muzzles out curiously. The signs all around gave warning not to feed or pet the ponies due to that fact they were wild animals that should be left wild and that they might bite or kick. Do people generally follow directions? Hardly! These ponies were getting rubbed and pet by just about everyone and seemed to enjoy the back scratches. However, once their little ears pinned back and they pivoted around to positioning their rear ends towards us, it was evident that time was up for affection.

    Jessica and I hiked from one group of ponies to the next photographing each one individually. Taking advantage of the scenery, I composed my subjects in the viewfinder and fired off over 150 shots during our time in the Highlands with these wild ponies. Being that the Appalachian trail runs across the highlands for 2.8 miles, we took the opportunity to walk along the infamous trail for awhile to have some bragging rights. I love hiking with other like minded souls because it allows for conversations to take place which aids in taking your focus off your tired muscles and fatique. Eventually we ended up at a section of the trail that entered the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. Mount Rogers and the Whitetop Mountain peaks are two of the highest in Virginia. To be honest I found it was hard to believe that I was still in Virginia actually. The landscape resembled the scenery from the old western films that I grew up watching. I could almost see Little Joe Cartright galloping towards me riding his black and white pinto horse across the Ponderosa.

   If you have toddlers and children, bring them here to let them frolick, and to get them away from all the electronics that our society spends so much time being distracted with. I promise that kids and their parents will sleep better at night with some fresh air and the sights and sounds of the great outdoors. If you love to take photos, this scenery is perfect with the Blue Ridge Mountains rolling in the distance. The enormous  boulders that jut out of the ground in the meadows, all of which provide some nice contrasting along with the always green spruce trees. The colorful markings of the wild ponies with their blond sun bleached manes hanging across their big brown eyes make for intriguing photos. Get away from your home turf for the day and go find a new adventure with your family and friends and remember to take pictures of everything! You see, my plan is to be able to sit in my rocking chair one day when I grow old and have my grandchildren and great grandchildren go through my photos and together we will talk about the adventures of the Gypsy from Nowhere! My advice is to live an adventurous life and make memories with your family and friends so You will be talking about those adventures for the years to come. Never forget to thank God for everything! Your life is a gift.