My day in the Virginia Mountains

What a day. I woke up in Christiansville early. Couldn't sleep. And I somehow found my way all throughout the mountains exploring some really cool stuff.

Take a look at my words and pictures. And... video!

Buena Vista

In the morning I had decided to drive a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway on the way back to Richmond. When I got into town on Rt 60 before that segment began I stopped at a gas station for ice.

Then I saw a visitor center and stopped to see if there were any cool things to check out. Very nice woman gave me some really good tips.

Since the day was very hot, I opted to go into the forest for the Panther Falls to hide in the shade.

Panther Falls

Yokay... I finally took Vanessa on a gravel/dirt road! Super exciting. No cell service, very little map detail. I just dove into the National Forest. Thankfully the entrance to Panther Falls was readily apparent.

A short walk in exposes the small falls and it's little swimming areas. Some boys were there, and a family. Later some girls showed up and a couple.

The group of boys and girls seemed quite young and saw some classic/stereotypical boy/girl tension play out in front of me. It was really powerful given my minimal experience the last ten years regarding flirting/dating/sex. And reminded me of my high school years.

I played my violin for a bit behind the roar of the water fall.

On my way out the family I mentioned earlier, were also leaving, and had missed out on my violin playing. They seemed disappointed so I offered to play a song.

After, the husband gave me a suggestion to go to Crab Creek Falls. Gosh am I glad I felt free to follow his idea.

Crab Creek Falls

DAMN. 1.7 miles up a goddamn mountain. The view was epic. I'm spent. I recorded a lot. Played my violin atop. Worth the carry. I barely got there in time before it got dark. Worried my nap on the parkway fucked things up but it didn't. Wish I had gone up more prepared. Needed water, and charged phone for panorama.

Before going up I spoke with Pam. Someone with troubles sitting as well. We talked, I took pictures of her cushions. It was nice, friendly, and they assumed I was female.

I keep thinking about the women I have been attracted to. I wonder what would happen if I allowed myself to meet men.

I thought a lot about who I am. I seem to have circled again and again around the fact that Who I am is about identities. And What I am, could be Who I am should I identify as it. I only identify as Luna Inanis Umbra, Solis Amor Occultus. Everything else is a What. And it primarily seems to boil down to who people see me as. Who I am, is who I am to you. That is certainly more important than who I think I am. But I need to know what I am in order to keep making progress. I go through phases of learning and change. Where my world is different. But this does not seem to be who I am. I don't know. Maybe I'll figure that out one day. I seem to be stuck on the edge somewhere about it.

Later

I drove down 56 until I got to 29. Then found a gas station with a McDonalds in it. Asked if I could sleep. Guy butted in with "nap" haha. Little does he know I'll be here till morning. Hope there isn't an issue.