AT south of Erwin
My craptastic camera distorts the view, but the maples, hickories, tulip poplar and the oaks are all in various stages of leafout. There's this week or so of vibrant middle green, the green of adolescent leaves just getting their chlorophyll on, where the forest is surreal. We keep hiking in and out of this Spring with every climb. It's noticable in all but the highest elevations now. It's a visual rush that re-energizes; one feels renewed just at its sight. This is walking down to Erwin.