Cataloochee Loop Hike GSMNP October 2008

DAY 1

All togged up and ready to go on a 3 day adventure in the Smokies. It was a very beautiful, if chilly day. I was really glad to get back on a trail. It has been some time since I was hiking and I forgot how much I miss the woods.

Christine is the Trail Crew Supervisor for the Cataloochee District of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, so we took a tour of some of the trails she is responsible for mantaining and improving. About 30 miles in 2 1/2 days.

The leaves on the ground made for some great color as they completely covered the trail in golds, greens, reds, purples.

Everytime you got a glimps through the trees you could see a sea of color

Colors of the trees were in their prime

Laurel Gap Shelter, still has the old bear fence on the front, not too inviting, but we thought we would have it to ourselves... but around 7 pm, 9 first time hikers from Vanderbilt and their teacher showed up to join us.

Chistine made a great fire that warmed everything up

DAY 2
A cold and chilly morning- I look like the cousin to the Michelin Man

The moon was still up and the day was clear and inviting. Heading up to Mt.Sterling and the big climb

Along the trail there was still color, some wild flowers have survived through October.

Mt.Sterling lookout tower

Made it to the top of Mt.Sterling

What spectacular views from the top of the tower on Mt.Sterling

Perfect camp site on Mt. Sterling. 3rd Highest campsite in the Park

Went to bed with the promise of a beautiful evening full of clear skies and shining stars

DAY3 HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY CHRISTINE

Things change quickly in the Smokies especially at 6000'. Woke up to blizzard conditions with complete "white out" from the fog and clouds.

Christine had on everything she brought!

Off of Mt. Sterling in the fog and cold and back on the trail toward the Little Cataloochee trail also part of the Benton MacKaye Trail through the Park

As soon as we dropped off the mountain top the beautiful weather reappeared. Bright sunshine and the trail looked great... going down hill!



The highlight of the day was looking up! The colors of the forest canopy were spectacular.

We passed old cemetaries

Churches

and homesteads

The Smokies are always alive with color and diversity

And at the end, some of the Parks famous inhabitants.. The Elk.

Family Vacaion July 2008 Vegas, Zion, Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam

The Vacation was great with the kids enjoying Mystere and the Pirate show at Treasure Island and being impressed with size of the hotels. We didn't make them hike in the Grand Canyon, but they did enjoy the water in the Zion Narrows

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More Family Vacation

Mom in the North Woods- July 2008

Well it is my mother's annual trip with me on the road. We started this last year when she came out to the Dakota's for a week and this year she chose a week in Minnesota. I made it a loop driving from St.Louis to Rochester, Mankato, Minneapolis, Duluth, and then home via Wisconsin (La Crosse and Madison) down through Illinois.
Vacation for my mom means two things; eating and reading books, and she did both with great gusto! I will post all the restaurants we ate at all week, but for scenery that was really at the end of the week when we made it to Northern Minnesota and then down into Wisconsin along the river road and toward LaCrosse.

The 1000' ships came in through the lift bridge in Duluth. We watched them right from our hotel room on Lake Superior

We woke on Friday to fog and 49 degrees. This is July!

First stop after Breakfast in Two Harbors was Gooseberry State Park. The sky was overcast but the wild flowers were still spectacular as was the waterfalls

The wild flowers are always a treat no matter where you go.

The Falls were very nice and running very well, so mom got a great view up close

Can you tell we are related! hehehe

Next stop was Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. Normally spectacular view of Lake Superior as far as you can see, but today, only your hand in front of your face.

We left Split Rock and headed back south for the long drive to LaCrosse WI., but not before stopping for pie at Rustic Inn, a must stop for food, desserts, and T-shirts

We made it to LaCrosse and the Presidential Suite at the Courtyard Marriott. And after a great dinner at Manny's Mexican Restaurant and a Lobster Burrito for me and Lobster Enchiladas for Mom we departed saturday morning. It was a beautiful day on the river front in LaCrosse.

Restaurant Recommendation-

Rochester, MN- City Cafe (by the Mayo Clinic)

Minneapolis, MN- Blue Point in Wayzeta

Minneapolis, MN- Maynards on Lake Minnetonka

Duluth, MN- New Scenic Cafe

Two Harbors, MN- Vanillia Bean Cafe (great breakfast!)

Castle Danger, MN- Rustic Inn, great pie!

LaCrosse, WI- Manny's Mexican Restaurant

CONGRATULATIONS CHRISTINE- July 7, 2008

Chrstine has been hired as a FULL time NPS employee in Great Smoky Mountain National Park. She will be a professional Crew Leader in the Park. Christine is the Trail Crew leader for the Chataloochee District in GSMNP