Spruce Knob Lake
West Virginia

Even more into the green now, I’d spend my third night without running water in the gorgeous Spruce Knob Lake within the Monongahela National Forest, driving up to the highest elevation of the state. With starry eyes, I thought I’d see the stars best here–but weather was uncooperative once again as is the case inside mountains.

Leaving the Green Bank radio-free area, I no longer had cell service and so winged directions from the map that was still loaded on my phone. However, the local road was an arduous drive–steep with sharp curves, pot-holed and gravely. I wondered whether I should just turn around and get myself to a bolder name on the map. But arriving at Spruce Knob Lake was a clear pay-off.

Setting up camp quickly I realized the shower I thought I’d be able to take was a delusion conjured by hope. The site was primitive with only vault toilets.

Though you can’t see here, the campsite next to me was real close. So close that I heard the man snoring during the overnight.

But the Lake was magic. A taste of blue sky, which had eluded me the entire trip even when it was not cloudy out… summer’s haze might was well be overcast except way worse for picture-taking.

The clear lake. I had plans to take my “shower” here in the a.m.

Fragrant flowers…

…which were covered with butterflies.

Loving the lake, I walked around the entire thing gaping at it.

Stepping in briefly

Clouds gathering to make sure I couldn’t shoot the stars…

Since the forecast for the next evening was similar, I chose to leave camp after my first evening. I needed to bathe especially since Aunt Flo had arrived the night before with er, enthusiasm. I decided to head deep in regular ol’ Virginia to hit the dark sky park I did’t get to a year ago. Here I am, day 4 of no running water, ready to wash my hair finally. Though I kind of dug what was going on with it. Last day, here I come!