Mount Rogers

Mount Rogers, Virginia

5,729ft.

Kellisa and I went to Virginia in June of 2006 hoping to reach the summit of Mount Rogers. This would have been our first highpoint that required serious hiking. Unfortunately, the trail we had planned to hike was steep and rocky. We were unable to attempt the trail with Kellisa's store bought jog stroller. I was hoping that we "just weren't ready yet" for Mount Rogers.

6.13.06

Not ready to give up on reaching the summit of Mount Rogers with Kellisa, I decided to solo hike the trail in March 2008. It was a cold day and the trail was covered with fresh snow. I made it to the summit following the trail from Massive Gap in Grayson Highlands State Park. 

I found myself in the area of Mount Rogers and completed my second solo hike to the summit from Massive Gap in October 2008.

There are three trails and possibly a 4th variation using horse trails to the summit of Mount Rogers. Already ruling out the trail from Massive Gap, I decided to try a second route from Elk Garden Gap when I was in the area in June 2011. I reached the summit for a third time. Unfortunately, this trail is not suitable for an ascent with Kellisa. With options still remaining, I am hopeful that I will find a path for Kellisa.

The trail started out promising:



And then the roots and rocks appeared:

                                    

Santa Claus 2011

Avenue's Mall

Jacksonville, FL

December 23, 2011

A Wiggly Halloween 2011

Halloween 2000 and 2010

Kellisa's 20+ Highpoints (Summit Pictures)

Most recent update (September 2011): Kellisa reached the Highpoints of Wisconsin and Michigan with dad and cousin Matt.

Kellisa's first Highpoint:

Brasstown Bald, Georgia

4,784ft.

May 2004
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Highpoint #2 for Kellisa:

Britton Hill, Florida
345ft.

November 2004
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Highpoint #3 for Kellisa:

Hoosier Hill, Indiana
1,257ft.

May 2006
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Highpoint #4 for Kellisa:

Campbell Hill, Ohio1,550ft.

May 2006
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Highpoint #5 for Kellisa:

Black Mountain, Kentucky
4,145ft.

June 2006

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Highpoint #6 for Kellisa:

Mount Mitchell, North Carolina
6,684ft.

June 2006
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Highpoint #7 for Kellisa:

Clingmans Dome, Tennessee
6,643ft.

August 2007
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Highpoint #8 for Kellisa:

Black Mesa, Oklahoma
4,973ft.

April 2008
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Highpoint #9 for Kellisa:

Mount Washington, New Hampshire
6,288ft.

June 2009

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Highpoint #10 for Kellisa:

Mount Greylock, Massachusetts
3,491ft.

June 2009

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Hightpoint #11 for Kellisa:

Jerimoth Hill, Rhode Island

812ft.

June 2009
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Highpoint #12 for Kellisa

Woodall Mountain, Mississippi
806ft.

August 2009

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Highpoint #13 for Kellisa

Cheaha Mountain, Alabama
2,407ft.

August 2009

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Highpoint #14 for Kellisa

Ebright Azimuth, Delaware

448ft.

December 2009

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Highpoint #15 for Kellisa

High Point, New Jersey

1,803ft.

December 2009

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Highpoint #16

Mount Davis, Pennsylvania
3,212ft.

July 2010

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Highpoint #17

Hoye-Crest, Maryland
3,360ft.

July 2010

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Highpoint #18

Spruce Knob, West Virginia
4,863ft.

August 2010
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Extra Credit Highpoint:

Reno Hill, District of Columbia

429ft.

August 2010

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Highpoint #19

Timms Hill, Wisconsin
1,951ft.

September 2011

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Highpoint #20

Mount Arvon, Michigan
1,979ft.

September 2011

10.13.11

October 13th was a special day in our house...it's marked the one year anniversary of Egypt's arrival. We made it a dual celebration since we missed Kellisa's "discharge day" back on September 13th. That's the date she left the hospital after her stay of 16 weeks and 1 day after being born 15 weeks premature.

Egypt showing Kellisa her Barbie Doll present:

Kellisa showing Egypt her Hannah Montana watch:



Snakes (Update: 9.23.11)

The latest snake picture from our yard on August 3, 2011:

 Primo Matt was in Jax for a bird conference and was able to catch the snake so the girls could get up close to the snake:

                                                              In the backyard on 4.29.11:

Kellisa checking out the snakes at the National Wildlife Refuge Day at Merritt Island (10.08). Kellisa loves all things scary (notice her Spiders shirt).

A few snake pictures taken from our yard. We see many more, but when we return with the camera...they are usually gone. We've seen a Pigmy Rattlesnake, but haven't gotten a picture.

Egypt's First Day of Dance Class

The 13th Day of September, 2011: