July 27, 2019

The Great Channels in SW Virginia. I hiked here a couple of years ago in the cold and snow, today was much warmer.

It’s fun to explore the cracks and crevices.

and a daughter to show scale

these are the main “slots” – we explored trying to find more remote ones, but only got tangled in vines and bushes.

 

Another fire tower I can’t climb (Middle Knob) and since I was here last, the care taker’s cabin is gone.

Elizabeth recorded our track through the Channels

One last sunset

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July 26, 2019

Today was spent closer to camp, we started by hiking the Lakeside Trail around High Knob Lake.

Kodak was happy to go in and out of the water

Then we visited the High Flag Recreation Area overlooking Norton, VA for a picnic lunch

Norton is a Bigfoot Sanctuary city, locals call it a Woodbooger

and explored a bit

we spent the next couple of hours driving forest service and dirt roads looking for hidden camp spots or whatever else we could find… this trail dead-ended and required a 10 point turn around

The woods are full of these flowers, maybe an upside-down Cheetah Lily

 

Next up – going to see Once Upon A Time in Hollywood

July 25, 2019

Today started with a hike to Devils Bathtub. This hike requires at least 11 creek crossings and had been on my to do list for years.

Most pictures of Devils Bathtub show this turquoise pool, but it is a great swimming hole just 100 yards from the actual “bathtub”

The “bathtub” is a 3 foot wide by 9+ feet deep pool at the base of a small waterfall.

I tried to touch the bottom… it’s deep!

The next stop, Stony Creek Waterfall

This one is awesome, you can swim behind the falls!

My cooking success tonight – I melted Hersey Miniatures in a double boiler and poured over cheesecake and strawberries!

July 23, 2019

Good morning from Jefferson National Forest, a rainy and foggy morning!

The whole site! 2 Tacomas, a tear drop, Flippac and Sam’s tent.

A cool log on the way to Cascades Falls.

Fungi

Cascades Falls

the 4 wheel drive trail to Butt Mountain

The fire tower was on top Butt Mountain, but you couldn’t climb to the cab.

On the way down, we took a different trail and James slid into a hole,

on Butt Mountain : )

luckily Maxtrax worked again… no damage! (other than a mud flap)

Keto Taco Tuesday. Chicken on bell peppers, cheese and sour cream.

 

June 16, 2019

Father’s Day started with a long mountain bike ride, and a nap in the Flippac before heading home.

Since it’s “my” day, I choose a family hike to the top of Little Long Mountain for a supper time picnic.

That makes a good day!

 

June 5, 2019

A busy day, up early for a run at Bass Lake, then time to explore, driving foreat service and dirt roads

a couple of short hikes

the view of Grandfather Mountain from Grandmother Mountain.

Ended the day at USAT summer singles league, I won my match 6-1, 6-3

June 2, 2019

After the race, I wanted some peace and quiet, this place covers it! Until almost dusk, then a thunderstorm hit, including pea size hail…. I didn’t bring my rain fly because I didn’t bother to check the weather. Opps!

A short hike to Widow’s Creek Falls

Keto meal on my tailgate

the view from Wolf Rock

a cactus in full bloom

Kodak gets a look at Stone Mountain from Cedar Rock

ending the day with a a Four Saints Gose and Times Square pizza

July 26, 2018

So nice to see my student’s film on the big screen again, the Real to Reel International Film Festival in Kings Mountain. This audience was really into the documentary, laughed at the funny parts, reacted to the suffering, etc. in fact, this was the best crowd reaction so far for the film. Tonight had film makers from Texas and Illinois too, each film maker took questions from the crowd after their film.

During the day I got to hike a state park that has been on my list since last year’s 52 Hike Challenge. Crowders State Park. Did the more interesting Crowders Mountain trail to Rockhop a great hike to the Crowders Mountain overlook.

July 3, 2018

The day started early with a trip to Wolf Creek Falls.

We had the waterfall all to ourselves.

After lunch, we hiked to a 2nd waterfall – Little Fall Branch.

Then on to Max Patch for a sunset and Milky Way viewing party. Lighting plays in the clouds.

the sunset was amazing!

 

But the Milky Way was awesome with lightning still bouncing around the clouds below it!

June 22, 2018

Day 2 – DuPont State Forest. No bike pictures, but after the ride I hiked to Triple Falls

and Hooker Falls for a quick swim

Then to New Belgium Brewery for recovery fluids.

and the drive home sunset.

An Instagram follower asked me for interior shots of the Flippac