Feb. 24, 2018

Everything you need to upgrade your Tacoma brakes to the bigger Tundra brakes.

Nothing is bolt on…. this is only trimming the dust shield

This should be a 3 hour job for the home mechanic, I picked up the parts at 9:30am, went for a bike ride and had lunch, so really started at about 1pm, Clay and I finished at 8pm, after the first bedding of new pads and rotors, we decided to try one more system bleed and one wheel wouldn’t open, so we called it a night. Thanks to Clay for helping and loaning tools.

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Oct. 31, 2017

Witches

Oct. 22, 2017

I headed to Moore County for a road ride with friends then stopped at Bear Creek Trails in Robbins for a hike. #44 #52hikechallenge

My series, Clay taking pictures of things got an upgrade, no more cell phone as Clay upgraded to the Sony A6000

Aug. 21, 2017

The day started bright and clear skies (we made a great choice) we did a quick hike – Hike #30 of #52hikechallenge on the Upper Chattooga River trail.

After the hike, we claimed the big rock in the middle of the river and I feel asleep on my blanket under a bright blue sky. I awoke an hour later with a chill to a completely gray sky –  (we made the wrong choice)

Even in the cloudy woods, as total eclipse started, the woods got as dark as night! This picture is only the start, I gave up it was so dark!

After totality, the sun broke through the clouds for some pictures – it was still so cloudy, this is without a filter!

as the eclipse continued, we saw more and more…

Even Kodak was protected!

James, Beth and my family. We may have missed seeing the totality, but had a blast, experienced the feeling of totality, and enjoyed the long drive home on small back roads, following the Gazetteer.

Aug. 20, 2017

Where to go for the Eclipse 2017? After studying weather maps, forecasts, cloud coverage predictions, we chose a spot in Nantahala National Forest near the NC/SC line. We found a spot just above Pot Hole Falls.

Sam wades in the water in late afternoon light.

Mini pies and American Honey = a great evening!

Aug. 6, 2017

Vacation Day 9

Hike #28 #52hikechallenge High Knob Trail to fire tower

We packed up camp in the morning and headed back up 33 to the trail head for one last hike.

The group.

Again what won’t Clay do for a picture?

Moth Macro

After the hike we had a picnic lunch at the the roadside overlook and said our goodbyes!

What a relaxing and fun week of camping and exploring with friends!

Till next year…

Aug. 5, 2017

Vacation Day 8

More trail riding, this time north of State Route 33

 

What Clay won’t do for a picture!

Clay sent me a few photos from the day – “Oh What A Felling”

My front wheel drops into a hole…

I think I can get a better picture of my truck from here…

Thanks for the share Clay!

Aug. 4, 2017

Vacation Day 7

The day started with some pew pew (or bang) Jim and Beth had not shot their new shotgun, I wanted to shoot my 357 and clay brought a fun target 22 with 200 rounds.

 

The clip is empty Sam!

The main reason we left the southern part of the forest was to drive the well known forest service roads, there were some rock ledges (no pictures, I was spotting) and a little mud.

and some great views. This is Meadow Knob, we finished on Flagpole Knob before heading back to camp!

Butterfly wing macro, just because it was pretty.

July 30, 2017

Vacation Day 2 – Staton Creek Falls. A great roadside waterfall that kept going.

You had to bush whack down to see the whole series of falls.

Then back on the road and lunch at Ben Salem Wayside and this old lock

Canal boats used the lock in the late 1800’s on the North River.

A quick stop at Panther Falls. It was too crowded for us, we watched for a bit and decided to come back later. I am counting it as Hike #24 of #52Hikechallenge, it is a short walk, but I did it 3 times this week, so totaled I am counting it!

The end of the day.

July 29, 2017

Vacation Day 1 – A foggy on top Brush Mountain deep in the George Washington National Forest, in fact only 1 truck passed our site in 3 days.

Camping with Beth and Jim mean you do things like, I wonder if this leads to a overlook as we bush wack through head high brush.

It didn’t, but at least there were butterflies.

Camping with Beth and Jim also mean you eat well – dessert? Bananas Foster flambe.