Skip to main content

My gift to my son.

Photo by: Tim Bindner Photography

 

April 25th, 2019 @ 3:08pm.  This is the date and time upon which I found the rock I plan to give to my son someday.  Right now to him, it would be just a rock, later, as he matures, I hope he will return this symbol to its original place and enjoy the journey as I did that day to this wonderful destination.

The specific location is located at Black Balsam Knob off the Art Loeb Trail.  More specifically the rock was found here; https://goo.gl/maps/TdskvwuTb6iEpVg28 .  I picked up a rock at the location seen at 1:54 on this video (and at the spot in the picture above).  More on that decision as to why in a bit.

Thinking back on this trip I have narrowed my favorite locations between Black Balsam Knob and the location of my Top Ten picture #6. Ironically I have a rock from both locations.  One was given to my wife (from West Prong Little Pigeon River), and another will go to my son (as I will write about now).

Mark and I arrived at Black Balsam Knob (well the parking area for it).  From the Jeep, we walked a few feet and were on the Art Loeb Trail which meandered through the woods, across some open plains, over rocks and eventually to our summit.  The beginning of the trail (where we were) placed us in the forest, but unlike the previous hike these cedar trees were thin and a carpet of needles blanketed the ground.  The light showed through openings in the treetops above and I imagined this is what northern California might look like.  As we continued up the trail the trees disappeared and gave way to an open plain.  This topography in this section reminded me of a desert, other than the wonderful 55-degree temperature.  Off ahead of us I could see one lone giant tree as seen here at 2:01.  We reached the large tree passed it and I turned around to take my shot.  I love the trees.  What I had not noticed was behind us the fog was rolling in like large waves on an unsteady ocean.  In front of us were some large rocks (1:01) and we made our way up to them.   As we stood there and photographed the fog rolled toward us.  We both marveled at the sites before us.  The dark green trees in front and below us and blue/grey fog heading our way.  The contrasts of light and color provided the perfect setup for my love of monochrome photography.  Some of my favorite shots happened at that moment.

Mark and I stood in anticipation of the fog rolling in and engulfing us, but as nature always does it surprised us.  Just as the fog seemed to be within arm’s reach it dissipated.   Waves of fog kept rolling towards us, but each time they disappeared, only feet from us.  After a while, we turned and headed up to the next peak where we saw a plaque about Art Loeb.  The 30.1-mile trail we were standing on was named after him.  The sights were amazing, but for me, I was in love with the previous summit just passed and could be seen below us.   Mark explained that the next peak over (maybe a ½ mile walk) was Sam’s Knob and that it was similar to where we were standing, so we agreed to skip it.  We made our way back down the trail and as we reached the area where the waves of fog hit us previously, I picked up a rock.  I told Mark I intended to take that rock home to Gavin, give him the coordinates, and ask him to someday return the rock.  At age 16 I don’t think he will be mature enough to understand, but I hope someday I can give it to him and he can return it for me and see the beauty I saw in this place.

As you can tell this trip meant a lot to me and was needed so badly when I took it.  I will always be thankful that Mark showed me this place that I likely would otherwise not known or gone to.  Words (at least mine) and pictures do not do it justice, but I hope my son will go there someday, and if lucky, get the same feelings and experience Mark and me had.

This may below on the top travel destinations of the world much less this country, but for me (and Mark) the Carolina Mountains hold a special place in my soul, and Black Balsam Knob ranks in my top three destinations I have been too.

Until next time,

Tim

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Love to get your feedback on what you read!

Popular posts from this blog

A gift from a friend

Photo by: Tim Bindner Photography Recently I received a gift from a friend.  It was unexpected but it meant so much.  A simple gesture, an act of kindness, a show of love and friendship. I met Miranda via Instagram based on a recommendation from my buddy Mark.  Like most things, he recommends I seriously consider and highly respect his suggestions.  This was true to form.  I began following Miranda on Instagram, Facebook and even viewing her website.  I stuck up a few online conversations and got the nerve to ask her for an interview.  I wrote about that here . Eventually, text and online correspondence led to a few phone calls.  I admired her work and even discussed creating a book of my own and she admitted wanting to do one as well.  Specifically, I saw two pictures that I loved.  My passion for nature, especially trees is well known.  When I saw this photo (single tree) I was floored.  I even asked her if I could buy a copy.  Nothing really came of that.  I then saw another photo ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Martin-Hogan-Long Cemetery

Photo by: Tim Bindner Today’s journey was to a seldom visited cemetery call Martin-Hogan-Long Cemetery (N38°06.621 W86°14.238). It is in Harrison-Crawford State Forest, but by the looks of the road to get there, few have traveled this way, or at least not traveled there in a long while. The bright sun made the 30° temperature feel warmer than it was. Something I would soon discover upon entering the thicker part of the forest ahead. Today’s hike was one mile one way, and I had a friend named Amanda join me upon this adventure. After grabbing our gear, we scurried around the locked gate at the end of a gravel road. By crossing the gate, we moved from a public road to the State Forest property. I was armed with a GPS and printed map showing “ overgrown, barely discernable fire lanes ” as given to me by my contact, a local Indiana DNR–Division of Forestry Resource Specialist. Amanda and I made our way downhill on the fire lane that quickly changed pitch and had us g...
Post a Comment
Read more

Over Think?

Photo by: Mark Wilcoxson Last Friday I met with my Psychologist and as usual we had a great conversation about what things were troubling me as well as the things that were going great. One such topic I plan to discuss here. After a very emotional week for me, I discussed the three main impacts this past week held for me. While discussing the details with her, I mentioned two specific conversations I had recently. I was told by some “friends” that I am an over thinker. During our conversation, I provided the detail and the label I was given. She disagreed with that statement and diagnosis. As she described it (or I interpreted it) an over thinker is someone who harbors on a subject to where it affects them so much that it debilitates them. They will focus on a particular subject or issue and that exercise will affect other areas of their life. They may change their behavior, actions or lives because of it. She said if anything I ruminate. The definition of ruminate is ‘think deeply abo...
Post a Comment
Read more