January 28, 2023 This is a delightful trail; the type of hike that you revisit in various seasons just to experience it. Stepping onto the loop, you feel as if you’re being greeted by a wise old friend. One that is kind, desirous to instruct and show you things of old. At only 2.9 miles, … More Twentymile Loop Trail
July 11, 2022 It is fascinating to let your mind wonder when hiking in the Smoky’s, because certain paths have feelings and sensations that are unexplainable. Almost as if one can sense the timeliness of the trail. Perhaps the Cherokee or some precursors cut this path to reach water or to hunt. Did settlers bring … More Mt. Sterling Trail, Long Bunk Trail
July 31 – August 1, 2021 Shining Rock Wilderness is quite breathtaking, chockfull of sweeping vistas, balds, and several peaks over 6,000′. It is also jammed with people hiking the trails and driving to the trailheads. Right next to Shining Rock, separated by Hwy. 215, is a gem. Middle Prong Wilderness has beautiful vistas, gorgeous … More Middle Prong Wilderness
August 26, 2018 The second hike of the day was to another fire tower in Western North Carolina. This one located near the border of Henderson and Buncombe Counties in what is called the Hickory Nut Gorge area. I have not done any hiking in this area, so I knew little of what to expect … More Bearwallow Mountain Fire Tower
July 8, 2017 “Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit, and as vital to our lives as water and good bread. A civilization which destroys what little remains of the wild, the spare, the original, is cutting itself off from its origins and betraying the principle of civilization itself.” -Edward … More Grandfather Mountain State Park – Grandfather Trail
November 11, 2016 Oh, these vast, calm, measureless mountain days, days in whose light everything seems equally divine, opening a thousand windows to show us God. – John Muir I am beginning to understand the mythical allure of the Smoky’s, with its wildlife, epic views and tough, spindly paths. At the end of a tumultuous … More Mount Cammerer Trail, Lower Mount Cammerer Trail
May 2-3, 2015 “If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien; The Hobbit Some weekends are not about hiking twenty miles, testing your fortitude over tough terrain, and roughing it. Some weekends are for beautiful, easy-going trails, cooking marshmallows and hotdogs … More Farlow Gap
April 5, 2015 A wondrous Max Patch Easter Sunday picnic with my family.
March 11, 2015 Laurel Fork Falls to Bearcamp Creek Campsite Doug and I started hiking at 6:15 am. I had not read very much on the terrain, and knew very little of what to expect. As we approached Lake Jocassee we heard barn owls hooting and answering, turkeys gobbling in the daybreak. Today is hard … More Foothills Trail – Day 3
January 17-18, 2015 It’s hard to write about a place that you found, when in reality, you don’t want anyone else to know about it. But, we want people to experience nature and explore the beauty our Nation holds. Ramona, Gracie, Emily and I set out to hike and camp in the western portion of … More Ellicott Rock Wilderness
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