If you go to Oconaluftee, you have to see the Elk. I keep seeing them but don't "see" the herds as much as the people, who live in the area. By that I mean, there's a whole group of people that follow the Elk (and now the eagles) around and report where they are at [...]
We were pretty much "earth-bound" on this last trip to Western North Carolina. Rain and then snow fell but our spirits were bright. The Blue Ridge Parkway was closed. Big Sigh from me. I wanted to hike to the upper falls at Graveyard Fields but that did not happen. We did find a couple of [...]
Since I was in college, I have been driving up to Mountain Crossings on or near New Years Day. Sometimes, I would drive to Fort Mountain and walk out on that platform to enjoy a late day view. This year it was Neel Gap, without the "s," that got my attention. In recent years, the [...]
It was the day after Christmas and I wanted to photograph winter woods but did not want to go far from home. It was already late in the day, so I decided to drive to the trail head for Panther Creek, which is the infamous "back way" to the popular Panther Creek Falls. This alternate [...]
I have gotten fairly close to the wonderful people who watch over and run Travelers Rest. Recently, it was open to the public for a small fee, and I can never resist visiting the Inn for a "step-back-in-time." What a blessing it is to know Sandra Fisher and her team of volunteers and to meet [...]
On this Sunday, we decided to stay close to home and take Chip to see CeCe. While she was super sweet, he lost his brains and barked at her. Poor CeCe; she had to settle for us petting her through the fence. She's grown and still beautiful—just so much bigger! The babies watched us from [...]
Waterrock Knob holds a special place in my heart. It was my first "real" over 6,000 foot hike after cancer and chemo! Looks like I could have chosen another hike to begin with; but looking back, I feel like this was the place God had for me. Made for the Mountains! . . . as [...]
Sunday afternoon was spent walking along a roadbed on what we call "the South Carolina side of the Tugaloo River." We have often wanted to hike this trail to the dam, but we still did not make it. There was a stream near the end that we could not cross on foot. This is a [...]
