Buddy Is Back & There Is Going To Be Trouble

This blog on going to the Cabin was going to be the usual...but when I arrived I knew things would be different because Buddy had made a visit (or two).
Because the truck wouldn't start, I was going to have to hike the mile from the road in. Then I had to take Bax to the vet, so it made no sense to take them home so Bax and Lester went with me. After a hot hike in when I got to the Cabin, I noticed something. 

Limbs had been broken out of the front Maple trees and two of the feeders had been trash. The green one he had worked over a couple of weeks ago and I thought I had it high enough, but no he brought it and the whole limb down. I think I can salvage it, but the wood one...he splintered it.

The third one, the crappy plastic one,  was still intact, but the branch it was on was cracked, but the feeder was still hanging. So, from the damage, I knew it was Buddy, but I did have a way to definitely prove he had committed the crime...I had a trail cam nearby. I had to wait until I got home to check the surveillance footage. When I did there was Buddy, like Yogi Bear with his paws on the feeders. 

I also found another sign he was there in the yard. 

Anyway, I didn't have time to fix the green feeder as I had to mow. So, I didn't get to feed the bear...I mean birds. Anyway, there are also some photos of the rest of the time at the Cabin.

Clouds & Refurbished Tower Can't Beat Hiking In The Smokies High Country

Saturday I took a few hours to hike in the High Country of the Smokies around Clingmans Dome with the Sierra Club. In was my first hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) since November, so it was my first trip out there in 2019.

It was a beautiful day out on the trail, but as can happen clouds can roll in on the highest peak in the Smokies. It obscured the view towards Mount LeConte, but it did make from some cool pictures. I also got to see the work on the refurbished tower (the changes are subtle).

Oh, Pete was happy as we got to hike on the AT (Appalachian Trail). Finally, I am about 100 miles to my 500-Mile GSMNP Pin.

Time To Upgrade My French Press

I have written about my love of coffee before. Whether it was how I made it or the Top 5 place I like to get it, coffee is something I love. So, when I discovered that my French press was cracked it was time to get a new one.
I have to say the French press is my favorite way to make coffee. With the fresh course grounds, it is my preferred way to go. My old French press was a metal, plastic and glass Bodum. The main part was mostly glass. I got it because I didn't want plastic and it wasn't too much...just under $20. Well, it worked pretty well. It had some shortcomings like it cooled down fast, especially in winter and it was made from glass, which can break.

Anyway, when I looked for a new one I wanted a stainless steel one. I thought it might be too pricey, but I found one on Amazon for $25. It is a Secura full stainless steel French press. It is double walled so it stays hot for longer, is more durable and it came with two replacement screens. Oh, and it makes a great cup of coffee...nice!

New Era In Seasons: WinterOutdoors '18-19 Top 5

This is the dawn of a new age for the Season Blog. It has been a staple of the blog since the beginning. But it is now time for a change, so I am going to a Top 5 Favorite Day Hikes of each season. Backpacks won't be a part of this I will do a separate one on those at year's end.
There are a number of reasons, but the main ones are the Season Blog is time-consuming and I am tired of tracking stats. So, I am just doing a Top 5 and I will mention some facts. Like the highest peak, I climbed, Rich Mountain (3,670 feet) or the largest waterfall, Burgess Falls (136-feet).

Honorable Mention: Hikes at the Cabin (December 2018 & January & February 2019) - Most of the hiking I did during WinterOutdoors was at the Cabin in Southwest Virginia. I did eight hikes and went to most of the spots I hike too. I also cut some new trails by clearing and marking. I do love hiking those woods and they deserve mention.

Number 5:  Panther Creek SP (January 7, 2019) - While this hike took place in
January it felt more March. This hike took place on the boat launch side using the Horse Connector Trail & four others. It offered beautiful views of Panther Creek and Cherokee Lake. Oh, I got to see Teddy the Barred Owl.

Number 4:  Seven Islands SBP (January 31, 2019) - You will notice that this Winter
hike has something the other outings don't have... snow. While it was a good hike having snow is what earned it the fourth place on this list. It was also the coldest hike of the winter to start. The hike was partly on a new path, the Hickory Ridge Trail. I also passed the bridge been built to connect with one of the Islands. It was a nice hike at an excellent park.

Number 3: Burgess Falls (January 25, 2019) -  While a short hike (around two miles) it
had a lot of bang for the buck.  The trail passes two falls the Upper Falls and the Middle Falls. In most parks, the 80 footers would be the main event but not at Burgess Falls State Park.  No that goes to the massive waterfall that gives the park its name. This 250-foot behemoth might be the most impressive waterfall I have visited. This hike might have been higher if I would have gotten to the base, but the stairs down got washed out by a flash flood. Still, Burgess Falls is one incredible waterfall.

Number 2:  Laurel Run Park (January 22, 2019) - No, Laurel Run Falls or any other
waterfall in this park can match the power or beauty of Burgess Falls. But this is a Top 5 Hikes, not waterfalls and this one comes in second for one reason...ice.  I did this one after a cold snap and because of this the main Cascade, Laurel Run Falls had plenty of ice. It was nothing compared to Kiner Creek Falls because it was shaded by the cliff it pours over was coated with ice. While beautiful, it made going under it treacherous.

Number 1: Rich Mountain (February 27, 2019) - Well, had to know this would be Number One as I wrote an entire entry just on the refurbished fire tower, so I said all I needed on the mountain sentinel. It was also the last hike of Winter, so you can say that I saved the best for last in m more ways than one. Anyway, this is a favorite hike of mine and with the improved fire tower just makes it even better. It is fitting that I closed WinterOutdoors with the top hike. Like I said above Rich Mountain was also the tallest peak too. Oh, and I got a coffee at Laurel Run Store...win, win and win!