After making the drive from St. Petersburg Florida to Pittsburgh and back several times, I’ve always thought the drive through West Virginia might be the most beautiful part of the drive. And the drive on US 19 connecting I-77 and I-79 is perhaps the most splendid single stretch of road in the entire 1100+ mile…
Category: Nature
Rocky Top
Seeing the name of this campground makes it easy to figure out where I ended up tonight. Rocky Top Campground is located in the farthest northeast tip of Tennessee, eight miles south of the Tennessee/Virginia border. This is not even close to where I thought I might end up this evening. I had no intention…
The Blue Ridge Parkway
Showcasing the age-old beauty of the southern Appalachians, the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) is one of America’s most popular scenic drives. Connecting Shenandoah and Great Smokey Mountains National Parks, the 469 mile two lane road rides the crest of the Blue Ridge and other ranges, occasionally dipping into hollows or climbing above timberline to heights…
The Earthbound Space Capsule
Now I understand why they call this part of the Appalachian Mountain Chain “The Smoky Mountains”. During the beginning of the drive we were completely socked in. Even when the weather cleared up, a smokey haze enveloped the mountains, valleys and forests. We set off this morning (myself, Robles, and Mountain Lioness from southwestern NC…
The Appalachian Trail
Hiking on the Appalachian Trail to Charlie’s Bunion from the Newfound Gap was perhaps the hardest hike I have done in my life. The hike was only eight miles but took me six and 1/2 hours to finish. I don’t think I will be hiking the remaining 2152 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Not wearing…