July 1, 2023 I really enjoy my job, especially some of the benefits geared towards employee well-being. Every seven years we are afforded a months long paid sabbatical. My first attempt at taking this break was in April 2020, which turned out not to be a great time to travel. Fast forward to 2023, I … More Cucumber Gap Trail
June 3-4, 2023 This spring and summer has been a lot of fun. My daughter and I have done several trips (the Virginia Creeper Trail and a beach trip) and she finished up her second spring of soccer. I love being a single dad, it is far-and-away the single most wonderful thing I have ever … More Panther Creek Trail, Ramsey Cascades Trail
December 10, 2022 Warm winter days in the Smokies are few and far between. When one comes, you must take advantage of it. The projected high in Gatlinburg was 61 degrees, so we had a nice window to grab some higher-elevation trails. I had three trails left in the eastern portion of the park: Brushy … More Trillium Gap Trail
October 3, 2022 We needed a reprieve from all the bears near Mt. LeConte. They had not been bothering us per se; I just yearned for a hike without my heart racing at what seemed like every turn. Gatlinburg surely has drawn the bears in close this year, obviously from the buffet of eating options. … More Road Prong Trail, Chimney Tops Trail