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!

 

Waynesville -.Last 2.weeks in May

Finally got some rides in!

Blue Ridge to Great Smokey Mountains to the border with Tennessee 

Saw a couple Elk along the way

 

Another ride brought us past a firefighter training location.

That orange spot is the fiire

Headed to the Rattler ride on 209 towards Hot Springs 

.

Made it to the Trust General Store

And the Bridge of Madison County.  Get a room guys!

Next ride we go up to the Cradle of Forestry with our friends Ken and Carol from AZ who are visiting for the Summer.

Go towards the light!

One of our favorite stops on the 276 ride

A busy 2 weeks!