Jan. 29, 2022 – Bonus Pictures, it’s a snow day!

Not a bad overnight total (for central North Carolina)

Kodak enjoyed it

Jan. 16, 2022

It starts. We avoided the freezing rain, only snow and then sleet.

June 19, 2021

Busy day. Started with a sunrise ride at RAT

Then off-roading Engineer Pass

Michael Breen Mine ruins

As we got above the tree line and onto the shelf road, a hail storm hit – Watch the video here

but it cleared up on top, notice the hail on the windshield. Lunch spot!

Since the pass isn’t the top of Engineer Mountain, we hiked last 1/4 mile up to the 13,218 foot summit.

The actual pass…

A waterfall

Ute Ulay ghost town

A big hole in the dam

We took the long way home, something like 12 hours over the mountain and through the woods.

Two majestic elk and one derpy elk

March 12, 2021

Hanging on…. ice rings the pond during Kodak’s walk… she didn’t care and ran through it to swim.

I didn’t have a route in mind, instead just rode quiet roads… I noticed all these late 1700 and early 1800 villages have a square, gazebo and a white church in the middle.

Nov. 12, 2020

Rainy day.

Nov. 1, 2020

A walk in the woods.

The trees on the other bank were reflecting in the river.

Then I tried some long exposure but tight.

I can’t choose!

I did see other things than just water. A great day to bike and walk in the woods.

July 30, 2020

Lynn and I debated what to hike today, long hike or drive to waterfalls, or shorter hikes… I finally decided. To the top of Table Rock, the guide said it was strenuous and plan for 5 hours as it gains 2000 feet from the start.

After last night’s thunderstorms all the creeks were flowing nicely.

As we climbed, it started getting foggy.

But when we reached Governor’s Rock it had cleared up. I heard voices below us while we rested and Lynn was reminded I have a competitive side, we had gotten an early start and I wanted to be the first to summit today.

Back on the trail and back into the fog.

The overlook on Table Rock

I love fog, but not after hiking for 2.5 hours for an overlook. After a quick lunch, we started back down (it’s an out and back)

I bushwhacked down to the creek to see this water feature.

Pumpkintown is on teh far left, I still haven’t seen Table Rock (it’s behind the clouds)  ; )

 

July 15, 2020

NEOWISE Comet and lightning in the clouds

July 14, 2020

The NEOWISE Comet is reflected in Lake Brandt

NEOWISE was discovered in March 2020 and won’t be back for over 6,700 years

 

April 26, 2020

When you make the turn on a bike ride and realize you are going to get wet!