Hike to Apple Orchard Falls

So this past weekend, we took Vega out on the trail. The plan was a fairly lite overnight backpacking trip. And so that Vega wouldn't be nervous of others on the trail, we went through a trail guide for south west virginia looking for some loops and such that would not be heavily traveled and found a stretch of the AT near Peaks of Otter that had two side trails which connected into a loop - the Apple Orchard Falls Trail and the Cornelius Creek Trail.

We got onto the AT just past Peaks of Otter at a parking area a mile or so from the Thunder Hill shelter, and set off into the woods. I didn't bother to look which way we were going, and after a few crossings of the Blue Ridge Parkway was almost convinced we'd gone the wrong way. Luckily right when I was ready to turn around (and go back to the car and get a map), we arrived at the shelter and knew things were correct.

After the shelter, this trail is 100% downhill. About 3 miles or so past the shelter, you intersect with the Apple Orchard Falls trail, and we headed down that. It is very steep in places, and as you approach the falls there are even stairs. Along the way there are a number of really great views, and the forest was cool with mossy boulder flows and ferns. Due to the current drought, there wasn't any water anywhere along the trail until we reached the Falls themselves, and the falls were pretty dry. Still very pretty though.

We hadn't picked a campsite ahead of time (more great planning on my part), so just hiked past the falls and started looking for a place. We found out the next morning there are several nice sites about 15-20 minutes just past where we stopped and "made do". It was right beside the creek and really was a good spot, but not as flat as would have been ideal. We built a small fire, cooked up some pasta, and drank a little wine before going to bed early.

Next morning we set out, still on the Apple Orchards Falls trail, but headed downhill some more and intersected with FR 59, the trail head for Apple Orchards Falls and for Cornelius Creek trail. As soon as we started up Cornelius Creek I knew we were in trouble. I hadn't really looked closely at the elevation changes along our planned route. Turns out, there is a LOT of climbing on the second day. Pretty much it's all uphill, and there is a lot of elevation to be gained back. And it's longer than the first day. Yep, another great plan by me.

Nevertheless it was beautiful and other than a very serious case of blisters on the heels from all the uphill, we enjoyed it quite a bit. We only saw a few other hikers, so it was very peaceful and Vega didn't have any trouble at all. Check out the photos here.

The drinking age...and age of driving.

Been a lot of press recently about the drinking age.

In the US, roughly 40% of traffic fatalities are related to EtOH use, and according to the NSDUH 18% of our population between the ages of 18-20 drink and then drive.

I know I thought I was a great driver when I was 16 and racing around town in my own car, but looking back I know I didn't know anything. Among others my age I was about average I guess, but on any meaningful metric it turns out that I was a terrible driver. All I had going for me was the good vision and reaction time of youth, and even that didn't keep me out of a few neighbors front yards. Luck and (most of the time) sobriety probably helped the most. Even sober, poor judgment and an unjustified feeling of invincibility were always my enemies.

So that's the rub. When people drink, we feel invincible and have crap for judgment - and your reaction time and vision go to hell too. So a young driver that is drinking pretty much only has luck to keep him out of the ditch, oncoming traffic, and and possibly the morgue.

I'm glad to see some discussion in this country about more reasonable drinking laws and behavior. Ultimately drunk driving, binge drinking and such are societal problems which cannot be directly legislated. We need laws which are compatible with human nature and still in the best interest of society.

I'd like to see the drinking age lowered, quite a bit really, but then tied to driving. Why not lower the drinking age in public to 16? You go out with your family or friends and you can buy a beer or glass of wine with everyone else. No one has to sneak anything in or get trashed in advance. Maybe restrict direct sales (ABC "off") until 18 or 21.

But, "peer pressure is so high on youngers! Drunk driving will increase if they start drinking even earlier." This is almost certainly true, but raising the drinking age has always been the wrong solution. The right solution is to raise the driver licensing age to 18. And perhaps even restrict it to daylight hours for another year past that. But ultimately if we believe an 18 year old can fight and die for this country, vote, drive, and be considered an adult in every other way, we need laws that allow them all the rights of adulthood.

Since the best part of drinking is the buzz, and no one enjoys waking up in your own vomit the next morning, we need laws that encourage good habits and good behavior.

By raising the driving age and dropping the drinking age, everyone learns effects of EtOH at a young age, how much is "too much". It becomes normal to have a drink with dinner, movies, and sporting events, and most won't feel the need to binge before going out. We all learn to walk, designate a ride, or use public transit to go/come from bars and other legal places to drink. In your formative years, adults are roll models to drink with, not avoid or trick. Imagine how different things would be if it was your mom, dad, or older siblings that wrote "kick me" on your forehead and then hauled your stupid drunk-ass home after the first time you had too much.

And the best part is that these habits are formed before actually driving there yourself is even possible. It's a lot easier for parents and society to restrict the use of a vehicle than it is to monitor every basement or backyard in the country for teenage drinking.

I often hear, what about young people that want to work, or support their family etc? Simple really: you want a job at 16? Take the bus. Ride a bike. Walk. Ride with an older friend or family member. Find a way. Apply to become an emancipated minor. There is no reason for the default to be, "here, drive a car." Somehow humans managed just fine before everyone had a car so I'm sure this is still possible.

And this is the kind of discussion I'd like to see...maybe we are getting there.