So, to continue a month or rather summer of anniversaries, we recently returned to Wayah Bald. As we were easily walking up the pathway that was home to bunnies and wild flowers, I remembered that this was the first place I walked/hiked after chemo. We were here on June 18, 2018! I also remembered how [...]
Before I leave the subject of the Blue Ridge Parkway for a few weeks (or less), I want to share some parting shots—photography only. The last day of our last trip to Balsam found us chasing destinations not too far away from the house. These were places we said we would visit, but time had [...]
We have vowed to hike to the top of this summit many times but because the trail is short, we have passed it by. This time we stopped and were treated to some pretty amazing views of the Parkway's mountain peaks. Devil's Courthouse is located at milepost 422.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's a [...]
I've wanted to paddle the French Broad River for years but just never have had the chance. When we thought about doing it over this past 4th weekend, I said, "Let's do it!" You never know where life will take you in the future, so do it now before things change and move in another [...]
I wanted to hike Sam's Knob (elevation 6,045 feet) for the past six months. I read about it as I was learning more about nearby Tennent Mountain, which we hiked over Memorial Day weekend. But during the colder months, every time I tried, the Blue Ridge Parkway was closed. Finally, I realized that I was [...]
As I looked out from the top of Black Balsam, I was sure that Tennent Mountain was right in front of me. Wrong! I knew it was a little shorter and I thought we would follow the ridge line perfectly over to its summit. Wrong again! So, we started hiking and as we did, we [...]
Some people ask why I'm hiking these mountain peaks in North Carolina. I hike because I want people to know that life does not end with Chemo. Yes, I still have side effects from the treatments. My joints ache and my feet are numb at times, but I refuse to let adversity prevent me from [...]
This past weekend we all pitched in and helped to get the Balsam house open and ready to be "base camp" for our hike to Tennent Mountain; and, hopefully, Max Patch. For a while rain was coming down pretty hard but that did not dampen our spirits. I love screen doors! I once added a [...]
