A hike on the Shining Creek Trail

Think I'd rather see a bear warning

Alpin was able to come with us!

We passed on this side trail

The Rhododendron are just coming out here.

Lots of mushrooms this year

Then back to the Blue Ridge highest point with Ken

The week ended with a good rainstorm 

 

Back to Waynesville, NC

Back to North Carolina.  We get an early start.

Then get into some rain 

Passed by this roadside artwork

Back on I 40 between TN and NC

My Tomatoes and Peppers survived

Back to riding the Blue Ridge Parkway. This is one of the best views on the Blue Ridge Parkway 

The next rest area is the highest point 

And my lifesaver cactus bloomed

Nebraska Trip - 4th of July week

We head to Nebraska to spend 4th of July at Gary's daughter's, his granddaughter will be there with his 2 great grandsons and great granddaughter.

Gary checks out the boat.

It looks like his Great Granddaughter might be a future artist (the colored artwork is is his great grandson's)

She also took her first selfie (I photobombed it)

Gary's granddaughter with Aurora 

And hanging with Big Papa

Future fashion model

Gary's son in law and youngest grandson, Valor

Val helping drive the boat 

Lots of nice houses around the lake

His daughter's house

Good water skiing

Gary and I tried to go tubing, we got dumped so Gary tried solo.

And he's off!

Molly did a great job with Jax hair l

The boys Valor and Jax

And Big Papa combs Aurora's hair

There was a boat parade

They tossed drinks and treats to viewers

A fire truck took kids around the neighborhood

Great to cool off in the water

Even Oliver had a good time

Snack time

There were fireworks all week but the main event was on  July 3rd

Finished off a nice week with dinner out

Waynesville NC - June

Friends from Tucson came to stay at the Park for the Summer to go riding with us.

A trip to Great Smokey Mountains National park

To the border of NC and TN

Then to Kuwohi - formerly Clingman's Dome.  Kuwohi is Cherokee for mulberry place.  The mountain holds significance in Cherokee stories and traditions, and was a place of refuge during the Trail of Tears, according to Cherokee leaders. 

It is a short 1/2 mile hike to the some but is all uphill.  At 6,643 feet, Kuwohi is the 3rd tallest peak East of the Mississippi.

A hike up to the Appalachian Mountains Science Research Center

First stop - the Ferguson Cabin 

Then the Science Center

A well deserved rest

At least it's all downhill back.

Gary and I take cooling ride up to the highest point

But make sure to continue to the next pull off that has a better view

Spring comes later up here

We took part in the No Kings Day Rally.  

They had a great turnout - @1600.  The Republican Rally got a couple hundred then Fizzled out.

Nancy, our 96 year old friend here at the park

Gary and I went on the Pink Beds hike to check if the wild Rhododendron are open yet.

They are starting, lots of buds and a few flowers.

Log bridges 

And wooden boardwalks

Oops bridge out

More boardwalk 

Listened to some good music at the Frog Level Brewery

Ride with friends up to the Pisgah Inn

Just enough time to make a hostess gift for our trip to Nebraska

Great times ahead!