Carl Coulter McChesney was born on August 7, 1937 and ended his travels on this earth August 24, 2019.  Carl had a difficult childhood, as did many of his generation.  He instinctively knew as a child and throughout his life that when you are in a situation where you do not know enough, change.  He would take advice and criticism and adjust his goals to achieve what he needed.  This path took him to becoming a Civil Engineer working in the states of Arkansas and Texas.  Many of the roads and bridges you travel on were designed by Carl and the people he worked with.  He was especially proud of his work in his early years on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  No where in nature is there a straight line and his designs followed suit.  "Curvilinear" he would say, and he was right.  "Follow natures curves and the drive is more enjoyable".  He would send people to Wagon Road Gap Scenic Viewpoint in North Carolina to prove his point and garner inspiration in others.

In his adventures Carl never met a stranger.  Many of us know people, but Carl became friends with almost everyone he met.  It was easy for him and us.  He was a natural at it.  A testament to him as a person is the sheer number of people who respect, love, know and consider him their friend.  Carl made a difference, and he made this world a better place than when he found it.  Carl lived more than most by not turning down a chance to have an adventure.  He could hike further and faster than people half his age.  He had a joy and zeal for life that never stopped.  His thirst for knowledge of renewable energy and new technologies made him an expert in this area, and he tried to make us all an expert as well.  After some eye rolling from his captives, they usually developed an interest.  He was easy to talk to and an inspiration.

Carl knew three women that had a profound impact on his life.  The first was Dorothy, who loved him and gave him a daughter and two sons.  The second, Sara, gave him love and an extended family of her own, to which Carl immediately considered his very own as well.  The third was the icing on the cake.  The years he spent with Camila were a whirlwind romance taking them around the world and falling deeply in love with each other.  It was beautiful to watch.

As Carl would say….. "Live Long and Prosper"