Over the weekend, several good friends took a trip out to Sipsey Wilderness in Northwest Alabama. This neck of the woods has a total of 25,770 acres. All of this wilderness is located in Alabama and is managed by the Forest Service. There is no sign in sheet. It is extremely wild and free.
We started out near Rabbit Town, Alabama on the Thompson Creek trailhead with enough food for 3 days. We immediatly felt like we were walking back in time. The water is pristine blue and clean, unlike almost all creeks and rivers in this state.
The weather couldn't have been more pleasant on an Easter weekend walking with friends. The flowers in the forest floor were in full bloom. The birds and the bees seemed to be smiling with us! While most filled pews in churches in every corner of the state, we gave thanks in the house of God- Nature.
Our trip consisted of 12 mile loop to the largest tree in the state. This huge poplar is located in Sipsey in a valley called Bee Branch. It was filled with stone arches, waterfalls, and other huge poplar trees.
Along the way, we encountered a large rattlesnake that was extremely pissed off. It was a little unsettling as we almost stepped on it laying in the middle of the trail.
We passed old cemeteries from the early 1800's. We noticed that the infant mortality rate was much much higher in those times. It was a reminder to never take for granted the power of modern medicine.
We made camp at one of the most beautiful places I've ever layed my head. Incredibly large boulders covered in thick green moss, prehistoric looking flowers, and large tapestry of the medicine Buddha surrounded us. Large trees climbed the rocks with a web of roots shooting down into the soft soil. It was a neat campsite.
This weekend a filled me up. The seasons of changed. The wheel has turned. I am grateful. Onward!
Never stop exploring,
LeeJ
