Cherryholmes

I was lucky enough to again see one of my favorite bands live last night.  If you even vaguely like bluegrass music, Cherryholmes is definitely worth a listen.

How can you not love this face?

Cute Chick!

We have newly hatched fuzzybutts!

Walking

A few pics from a walk along Puncheon Creek Road.  This is my favorite road to walk on.  There is something new and different to see everyday, if you look for it.

Fog in the garden

The garden was looking great this morning after a little rain shower last night.  Yesterday evening we planted cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, sweet banana peppers, eggplant, zuccinni, sweet onions,  and yellow summer squash to go with the cabbage, brocoli, peas, green beans and corn that were already there.

White Oak Sinks

On April 18th, 2010 we took a hike to White Oak Sinks in the Great Smokies National Park.  I didn't really know what to expect because I hadn't hiked the trail before and I didn't choose the trail.

After hiking the 2.2 miles of the School House Gap trail and then about a half mile on an unmarked trail we entered the Sink.  Purple phlox were blooming in great abundance.

Small paths wind their way through the sink taking you to different areas.  A few disrespectful souls ignored these paths and made their own through the flowers.

Scattered amongst the thousands of purple phlox are about 20 or so Shooting Stars.

As we left the Sink we took a side trail to see a disappearing waterfall.  The falls are created by three small streams that we crossed on our way out of the Sink.

Mountain Laurel grows around the top of falls, making the water seem to come from nowhere.

We were lucky enough to see a rainbow at the bottom of the falls.

There is no stream at the base of the falls.  The water descends into a cave.

Catching site of the bridge means that the hike has come to an end. 

Sand Cave and White Rocks

On January 23rd we took our first hike of the year.  Instead of choosing an easy hike to ease into the year we chose a strenous hike.  We questioned our choice many times during the ascent, but the views at the top were well worth it.

We hiked from the Civic Park up the Ewing Trail to Sand Cave.  From there we hiked along the ridgetop to White Rocks.  From White Rocks we hiked down the foot trail and back down the Ewing Trail.

At the top of the Ewing Trail we walked through a rhododendron thicket in heavy fog.  It gave an otherworldly feeling to that portion of the hike.

A waterfall to the left of the mouth of Sand Cave.  I'm at the bottom of the falls for an idea of scale.

The same waterfall as viewed from inside the cave.

The hardest part about telling someone about Sand Cave is the scale.  It's hard to express just how grand a place it realy is.  J is in the lower right of this picture.

The ceiling of the cave is covered with many, many colors.

Sitting on top of White Rocks preparing for the descent.