"A monadnock is a special type of mountain that is formed when a massive blob of lava hardens and creates a very hard clump under the earth. Over millions of years the softer rock around the clump is eroded away leaving a huge mountain that juts out of the flat landscape around it. This process is how Arabia, Panola, and Stone Mountains were all formed."
Ha! A massive blob of lava, I love it! There, you see Arabia and Stone Mountain, but I have not spoken of Panola Mountain that much. That is because you can ONLY climb Panola Mountain with a guide and that is only allowed on certain days. There are trails that are near Panola Mountain and you have seen our photos of the lake and river trails there but Panola Mountain itself can only be climbed with a guide. Last year, I did a post where I did Stone Mountain and Arabia Mountain on the same day, just because I thought it be neat to say that I had done them both! Well, guess what? During the month of March, FOR THE FIRST TIME, they are having a fun event called "MONADNOCK MADNESS" and the plan is to climb all three during the month of March. (Hmmm... could they have gotten the idea from me? Gee, that would be neat if I inspired anybody to think of that! Cool, even!) They even had some dates that you could sign up for all three on the same day and I really wanted to try for that, but the dates didn't work out for me, so I will just be taking a photo of myself on each peak and sending it into the website for the different dates during the month of March. I know, I am such a big kid, but hey, I love my mountains/monadnocks, as you all well know! Here's the link if you'd like to read more: monadnock madness
We went to Stone Mountain this past Sunday and have been to Arabia Mountain twice in the month of March already...now we have signed up to do the Panola Mountain climb on March 30th! (Yes, we are just getting in by the end of the month!) We have only climbed Panola just one other time (we climbed it in early December) but I didn't post any photos of that trip. Richard was behind me and all you mostly see is my rear end...speaking of which, at the end of the hike, they actually call it the "Panola Mountain Butt Slide". I kid you not, it is so steep that some find it more comfortable to slide down on their bottoms. Now, what do you think that I did when I came down? After all, I am getting on in years and I am not in the best shape... Of course, I stayed on my two feet, it would have to be VERY steep to make me slide down on my bottom!! Goodness, I am such a dignified lady after all! HA!
That is the photo of me with my huge basketball head that I will be sending in.
Also, I wanted you see the photo of the sparkling water in one of the pools on top of Arabia. Hey, I took this photo!! I only had the camera because I was about to take a photo of Richard...
I am telling you, I LOVE these monadnocks!! (And you know, of course, that Richard took this photo of the rocks with the diamorpha.)
Monadnocks! Thanks for teaching me a new word today.
ReplyDeleteYes! Now, just remember I want to make sure you use in a sentence today! :-)
DeleteNear me, there is Steptoe Butte that became the archetype for its classification. I can't recall the exact nature of the "type". But you can Google it.
ReplyDeleteHere is the definition: steptoe - a hill or mountain that projects like an island above a surrounding lava field. This landform, a type of kipuka (q.v.), is named after Steptoe Butte, a quartzite protrusion above the Columbia Plateau lava flows near Colfax, Washington, U.S.
ReplyDeleteThat is interesting. The funny thing about these monadnocks is that they rise up from the surrounding countryside which is rolling hills with lots of trees.
DeleteIn other words, many people do not believe me when I describe Arabia Mountain to them, you could drive right by it and not see it, there are so many trees.
Stone Mountain was called "Lone" Mountain by the native Americans, the Cherokees, since it rises from the landscape and is so very different from the landscape around it.
Thanks for your comment, Dennis!
If I lived in your area, you'd be sure seeing me participating in the Monadnock Madness, too! And then the two of us could send our pictures to the website :-) As for winning a prize - well, you've won so many readers already through your wonderful blog posts about the Monadnocks (and plenty of other things) that you won't mind leaving those prizes to other people, especially since you are such a dignified lady, he he
ReplyDeleteLove the last picture, is it just me or does it look a bit like a cross naturally formed from bits of rocks and diamorpha?
I forgot to say how beautiful your current header photo is! You already know that I love the bluebell picture, so I won't repeat that ;-)
DeleteYes, you would love to climb over the monadnocks with me too!! Of course, you know what an elegant lady I aspire to be!
DeleteI hadn't noticed it but now that you point it out, I do so the cross shape in the rocks and red diamorpha, thanks for pointing it out!
And the header photo for right now, is a tulip tree in front of Stone Mountain, which was very near the Cherokee Trail which encircles the mountain, we love that walk with all the trees at any time of year.
Hello Kay. Yes I did receive your snowflake package and completely forgot that it was in my Internet free time! I am sorry I have been so remiss in mentioning the fantastic parcel you sent. Thank you very much indeed, I loved all of the items you sent and your handmade snowflake was brilliant!
ReplyDeleteGood, I am glad you got it and liked it. Did you see my snowflake Christmas tree on my post? It was tiny but I liked it. Hope you are settled back to your life in England. :-)
DeleteI can't wait to see photos from Panola. I love that word monadnocks! You do not have a basketball head - you have a great head of hair that a lot of folk would give their right arm for!
ReplyDeleteOh Sulky Kitten, you are my best friend for life!!
DeleteAnyone who says one kind word about my horrible hair is always in my good books. Thank you!
I hope I make sure that Richard gets a better side of me THIS time when we climb Panola Mountain!! :-)
Kay, That mountain provides you with much adventure, doesn't it? I would be all over it , if it were near me . Just always be careful, please. I enjoy seeing your photos. xoxo,Susie
ReplyDeleteDear Susie,
DeleteWe just love these monadnocks/mountains!! I am in danger of becoming known as the MAD MOUNTAIN WOMAN who wanders over these mountains constantly. Oh well, better than being a crazy cat lady!! xxx
Well, I am mad about all rocks. Would love to try this type one day for some real good climbing.
ReplyDeleteI don't know that it is allowed for the kind of climbing that you do. The rock is so very smooth you see, not like normal rock that you see on a mountain.
DeleteIn fact, they have huge fences warning to not go beyond a certain point, there have been deaths for those who do not heed the warning. Better to climb to the top and just enjoy the views and the wildflowers on the way!
It's so interesting, and these places are very beautiful and impressive. I had to go to forvo.com to feel confident about how to pronounce the word, though!
ReplyDeleteMOE-NAD-NOCK...there, it's easy!
DeleteYou would LOVE these, I am sure of it!!
Your enthusiasm is contagious, and i hope you have the time of your life!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mimi! Come on up to Georgia and climb one of these with me, you know you want to. Get someone else to take care of those kitties!!
DeleteAlways something new to see, these are wonderful places.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jenny. We love them as you can certainly tell!
DeleteSuch beautiful photographs, it's urging me to take a vacation.
ReplyDeleteIsabella
http://sweetzenlife.blogspot.com/
Thanks, you can always fly into Atlanta and get yourself to Stone Mountain!!
DeleteMonadnock madness! Sounds like so much fun. The word monadnocks is new to me. It's a really cool one!
ReplyDeleteHey Martha!
DeleteAnd just like I told your friend Debra above, please remember to use your new word in a sentence!
HA! Do you remember your teachers telling you that?
:-)
Since there are no mountains here in Indiana, I have never done any mountain climbing, well, really no climbing except stairs and ladders. You and your hubby must be really fit to do mountains! Your new word (to me) is fun sounding.
ReplyDeleteTake care climbing!
Hi Norma!
DeleteThanks for your comment, please visit me again!
Well, I call it climbing, but it is really just an uphill walk, honestly. Although, the climb up Stone Mountain is not for everyone and I am glad that my husband and I are still able to do it!
Please stop by again, you are very welcome. :-)
I've never heard of monadnocks either. What fun! I'm never one for wanting to climb mountains or hills, but this looks great! Love your photos!
ReplyDeleteHey Kay!
DeleteYou would love it! Oddly enough, the rock underneath you shoes almost is like getting a massage! When I walk on a concrete path, it feels so flat to me and makes my feet hurt. These monadnocks are high enough for some views, especially Stone Mountain, and are very much worth the climb. You could even take the sky-lift up Stone Mountain, and a lot of people do!!
And thanks for loving the photos, dear Kay!
Monadnocks! What a funny name. Thank you for sharing, I've learnt something new today! I always love your pictures, they are so lovely :D
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! My husband takes most of the photos, I just skip ahead and observe nature and let him take them!
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