A little over a month ago I was making my way home from a wonderful weeklong hike in the Smokies but my post hike euphoria was hampered by the drive through torrential rain. It crossed my mind that Hurricane Helene, that I just learned was heading our way, had arrived a few days early. Unfortunately, … Continue reading Hiking after Helene!
Some people might celebrate the conclusion of a 2 ½ year personal ordeal by opening a bottle of champagne. Me, I head to the Smokies and go for a walk. I chipped away at my 900 miler challenge for a three day lollipop-loop out of the Smokemont area. The beauty and solitude helped clear my … Continue reading Ahh, but the Smokies in the Fall!
The Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) starts at Clingmans Dome in the Smokies and winds it's way 1175 miles across North Carolina to the Outer Banks. My hiking friend, David and I had been talking about hiking segment 1 from Clingmans Dome to Waterrock Knob for some time and the planets finally aligned for us to give … Continue reading Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Segment 1
After a hectic and stressful week I was in need of some trail therapy plus hoped for a real life face to face with my Facebook trail friend, Yappy who I had never met in person. She flew in from the West to hike the Benton MacKaye Trail with her hiking buddy, Worries and they … Continue reading Ahh, the Smokies in Springtime!
....,sorry no children or pets for me at this stage in my life, but tell me I can adopt a trail and I'm all ears or should I say hiking boots. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park requested volunteers to adopt a trail and hike it 5 times over the year, reporting back on conditions … Continue reading I adopted…..
Recent record breaking, frigid temperatures and an early snow in the Smokies created an opportunity for daughter, Klaire to snag us a spot at the Mount Leconte Lodge in the Smokies. Just so you know how difficult it is to get a reservation at the Lodge, the 2020 season is already completely booked and your … Continue reading Making “National Take a Hike Day” a five day event!
The above quote attributed to Rachel Carson, one of my heroes. Wednesday, Day 1 It drizzled rain on the 2 hour drive to the trailhead at Big Creek Campground in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, though had stopped by the time I arrived. I pondered taking my new piece of gear, an ultra lite … Continue reading “A rainy day is the perfect time for a walk in the woods.”
So, after completing the Appalachian Trail and being inspired by hikers I met in New England who were attempting to hike all 48 of the 4000 foot mountains in New Hampshire, I set myself a local goal of hiking all the trails in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. There are approximately 800 miles of … Continue reading One step at a time in the Smokies!