2026 Happy Blog Challenge

 April 22nd Happy Earth Day! There has been no rain during the days since we have been in the Carolinas. The weather report predicted rain was possible a few nights ago, but I saw no evidence. Water levels are down.  It has made for great hiking conditions.  Hopefully there will be rain soon. Stephanie and I went on part of the Lakeshore Trail hiking today in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There was not much water in the part of the lake we saw. Still, a nice hike. We went up one side trail hoping for evidence of a former goldmine but didn't find it. We did find the Woody Cemetery though. I believe this would be one of the cemeteries that was stopped being used when people were displaced for the dam being built and the land becoming part of the National Park system. The majority of the stones have crumbled. Someone has replaced many of them with newer ones. That was good to see.  We began and ended the hike near the tunnel we went through a few da...

 Friday April 18th. Travel Day The cabin was lovely, but our time near the Foothills Trail is over.  The original plan was to hike part of the Appalachian Trail this week.  With my foot sore from yesterday's slip-up, that may not happen.  However, we are planning other great things to do.  I'm hoping to keep up with my daily step goal of 10,000 steps, but that depends on my foot. Anyhow, we checked out of the cabin this morning and had breakfast at a local place.  It was good.  We followed that with a drive up Sassafras Mountain.  Stephanie and I hiked it yesterday and only briefly spent time at the top.  It was Silena's turn to see the views from South Carolina's highest peak.  I took the time to actually read the signs today and learned more about the area. View from the cabin with the sun behind.  Down the road from the cabin Some of those hills are where we hiked this week. Close-up of a blossom, probably a magnolia. Different s...