Great Smoky Mountain N.P. Trail Survey 2- August 2007

For the second year in a row I have been fortunate to be part of the trail survey in the Park. Christine, with me as her assistant, evaluate last years trail work and catalog what still needs to be done on the AT trail that runs through GSMNP







It is not always about the "BIG" views in GSMNP. The park is just as beautiful upclose






Some days it is beautiful weather.....

.....And some days its NOT

Rain is always in the forecast in the Smokies

Bears are always active in the Smokies, but this year they seemed to be especially agressive

Shelter life is the norm when you hike through the Smokies. You are required to stay in a shelter, no tent camping allowed. Some nights you might be alone and other nights you might have 10 additional friends!

In the end, it is a magical place

Almost toward the end we came across a mother and 3 cubs. When she saw us, she pushed the cubs up the tree and watched us from the base as we passed. I took this while keeping one eye on her.

Well worth the 80 miles and 5 day

Hummer Off Road Adventure August 2007

My Hummer dealer, Lynch Hummer, sponsored a day of off road adventure at a Bison Ranch in southern Missouri. It was great day and we had lots of fun in woods.

Virginia AT Hike June 2007

Christine has a week off in the middle of her trail crew session at Konnarock. This time we did a 50 mile section of the AT near Roanoke. A very lovely section containing some great scenic views from places called McAfee Knob and Dragon's Tooth.

McAfee Knob- Incredible view if you can stand the height

Dragon's Tooth - was quite a scramble to climb, but the views are worth it

Life again in a shelter, This night our shelter mates snored the loudest I have ever heard

Taking time to appreciate the small beauty is one the great joys of being outside

The trail is lovely through the tall trees in the morning light

many fields in this section had ladders to climb to get over each fence

A shelter and a quiet fire....

Brings the wildlife to investigate....

Sometimes you don't know who is watching who

If you are really lucky you will see the Black Bear. This was my first sighting of a Black Bear in the wild. A very large mother and cub

Cuirve River State Park- Day Hike March 2007

Christine came for a visit and we did a 14 mile loop near my house at Cuivre River State Park. It was an early spring day, not many leaves yet, but some of the wild flowers had started to appear.

Lone Spring- does not flow during the summer months

a couple of stream crossings to make the day more interesting

A few weeks later I did the same hike. It had 'greened' up and more water was in the river