Spring Back To Winter At The Cabin (Part Two)

While that Springtime feeling outside had faded it was still there of the water kind at the Cabin. This is part two of working on the Spring at the Cabin.

Dad and I got an early start on Monday as we had to meet at J.C. McGee General Merchandise, with Dwight, to buy a pump for the fill tank Once over at the Cabin, it was a little sloppy from the rain and cooler than the previous day. We got quite a bit done.

Since today was New Year's Eve we came back (unlike last year we headed to Fort), but before heading back I did a hike out to the other barn and back, about two miles. I got back just in time for the Cross-country Skiing. Since tomorrow is the start of a new decade...Happy New Year!

It Was Spring At The Cabin More Ways Than (Part) One

It is Springtime at the Cabin in Southwest Virginia. No, I am not talking about the unnatural temperatures the last couple of days. What I am talking about is the project at the Cabin...connecting the Spring to the house. 

Dad had gone over Thursday with Terry and I went up Friday to relieve her, so I missed them bring the tank in. But I got up in time to help the people putting it in (a little). I did a little more Saturday, but we hit a stopping point and for that reason, this blog is part one. We are heading back Monday and coming back New Year's Eve where I will do part two. 

Oh, I did get some hiking in. I went out Friday evening and went over Russell and Robert Knobs to watch the sunset. This morning I did an early hike up to Gillenwater Ridge and back. However, sadly no fire pitting had to move it for the track hoe. 

Another Yuletide Hike On Boxing Day

For those who don't know, today is Boxing Day and I got to do a bonus Yule Hike, this time on the Tacoma Creation Health Nature Trail in Greeneville.

I was going to meet my friends Glen and Donna for dinner, but I had a little time so I decided to get a quick hike in. It has been a while since I have hiked here, over two years. At that time some things had changed and not for the good. There are these Life Coach signs and benches that have letters on them that correspond with the sign. Well, some of these had been vandalized as the letters on the bench have gone missing.

Besides that, the trail was still a nice 12-mile loop with views of Camp Creek Bald and the Bald Mountains. It was good as I got to burn off some of that Roast Beast.

Bald Eagles & Footbridges Start A New Yule Tradition At Seven Islands

I have holiday hiking traditions like Halloween, Thanksgiving Weekend and St. Patrick's Day, so I am going to try and start a new one...a Yule Hike. I have had some in the past, but the Winter Holiday Season is a hard one because it doesn't seem to have a normal pattern. So, on Xmas Eve I went to Seven Islands State Birding Park. 

I had wanted to come back after my last visit at the end of January The reason was they were building a new footbridge to one of the islands in the park. However this is no ordinary footbridge, but a nice big metal and wood one. So, I had heard they were opening it so I wanted to go. Let me say it is a mighty nice footbridge I have crossed, near the top of the list. It also meant a new part of the trail with great views of the French Broad River It is a great addition to this expanding park. They also added a new bathroom at the trailhead which is really nice.

The other highlight of the day was seeing a Bald Eagle. Overall, this was a nice start to what I hope becomes a permanent tradition.