This is a very fun, little hike that is simply beautiful. You feel like you need a jacket in September in the parking area but by the time you are on the top, you are warm. We met people from Asheville and other places and talked—even in this time of pandemic there was joy. We [...]
This time we noticed some really funny things on the trail. Like this practically new left-behind shoe. Someone even placed it on the sign that asks us to help keep the trail open! Notice that the greens of summer are fading quickly. A hula hoop! Who knows what on earth this is doing here—over 6K [...]
A few weeks ago, Pat and I discovered this little field of Asters in North Carolina. At the time, I refused to photograph it because I know that Asters are Anne's favorite. We were able to revisit the area recently, and this time Anne came along. (Smile) It's located in the Standing Indian Gap area—on [...]
At last a tree hugger! It seems more important (at this moment) to write more about the tree in the Joyce Kilmer Forest than it does to give directions to the park, or talk about the path in, up, and back out. My only admonishment would be: go! We went several years ago and so [...]
This is one of those summers when all it seems to do is rain. I guess I could get frustrated but I usually don't, especially when a camera is involved and when I believe you can learn from rainy days that you can't learn in sunshine. Last week, a few days after I [...]
T When I want to take time away and get lost in my surroundings, I usually head to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Waynesville, and/or the Appalachian Trail (AT) in North Carolina. I realize there are closer places but there's something about these dear, dark woods and thundering mountains that bring contentment and wonder to the [...]
Click on images to enlarge A few weeks ago, I got us caught in a horrendous thunderstorm complete with thunder, lightening, and hail. I had never been as wet as I was that day! And the hail hurt!! We were out in the middle of a forest with no place to shelter. My [...]
Click on photos to enlarge them. Hiking Black Balsam Bald was a little different this year. Pat and I were determined to do it and we did, but Anne and Beth were not with us. Too much going on in our lives. Plus, this has been a rough four months for us and [...]
