Lots of folks faced nasty weather when a winter storm blew through a couple weeks back, as Leonard recounts in his latest update. He and his crew got a ride north and hiked to the Southern balds while the snow melted.

Southern balds are still a mystery to scientists. They are large, open, treeless meadows on the tops of mountains. Some researchers say they are naturally occurring; others contend that they were created hundreds of years ago when Native Americans burned the summits so that mountain oat grass and berries would flourish, thereby improving conditions for game. No one may know why they are the way they are, but Laurie and I knew that in good weather the balds provide 360-degree views and pleasant hiking mile after mile. The southward walking plan paid off and all the snow was gone when we returned to the balds. For two days we walked at 5,000-6,000 feet above sea level, reveling in thousands of acres of meadows stretching out before us, taking in dazzling views of deep valleys and high peaks. The scene reminded me so much of my ramblings in European mountains that I almost expected to come across Julie Andrews twirling around and bursting forth in song.

Heck, any hills not alive with the sound of heavy machinery carving all the coal out are better than the alternative.