Back To June For The July Beard Blog

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For the first time since starting the Beard Blog I failed to do one during a month, that was the one that just past...June. It wasn't because I didn't plan to do one because I did. I will admit I got busy with a number of outings. That means I got behind on blogs, so much so I haven't finished the Wildflower Blog for May. There was also a time in June where I almost shaved it off. I had even written part of a Beard Blog telling why I cut it off. Since I am writing this it is obvious I didn't. Then I waited until Deb cut my hair last week, but by then (and after my trip to Cumberland Gap) I just ran out of time. So, here I am in July and I am putting up a Beard Blog. Like I mentioned I have had many outings to places like Mount LeConte, Gregory Bald and two trips to the Roan Highlands. Anyway, this is the 22 month of the Beard Blog and that adds up to 96 weeks and 675 days.

Day 626 at GSMNP on Porters Creek Trail.

Day 631 on the way...

...to Shuckstack Fire Tower.

Day 635 in Johnson City.

The water tower off the Persimmon Ridge Loop (Day 645).

Day 648 at Rainbow Falls...

...Mt. LeConte Lodge...

...Cliff Top.

Day 651 at Carvers Gap...

...& Roan High Ridge.

Day 654 at Roan Rhododendron Gardens...

...& Cloudland Trail Overlook.

On Gregory Bald....

...& Flame Azaleas on Day 657.

Day 663 as the AT enters Nantahala Outdoor Center...

...as it heads north on the other side on Day 664.

Day 668 at the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park...

...& the Saddle of the Gap.

Day 672 grilling.

Day 675

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It is A May-Day For 20 Months The Beard Blog

It is mid-May and that means that spring is winding down and summer is around the corner and this is as good of a time as any to do a Beard Blog. It seems I having been doing the last couple of Beard Blogs in the middle of the month, so why not keep the tradition going. Since I last did one of these the Blackhawks were knocked out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but I still kept my beard Also, I made it out a number of times. I hiked to Ramsey Cascades in the Smokies, down to Allen Gap, helped with some Trail Magic with the Greeneville Hiking Club and finally made it to Appalachian Trail Days in Damascus. In that time it has been warm, rained and we even had a slice of winter with some cold evenings. I trimmed my beard back a little more and Deb cut my hair this week.
Anyway, this is the 20 month of the Beard Blog...20 months. Oh, and that adds up to 626 days and 89 weeks.

Day 601: On the Gatlinburg Trail...

...in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP).

Day 603: On the way to...

...Ramsey Cascades in the GSMNP.

Day 607 on the AT to...

...Allen Gap.

The next week at Big Firescald Knob... 

...& Blackstack Cliffs (Day 614). 

Day 621: Under the AT enterence into Damacus...

...with AT US Geological Marker.

Day 625

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It Is Mid-April & It Is Beard Blog Time

Spring is in full swing and since it is mid-April I decided it is time for a new Beard Blog. One of the reason I haven’t done one lately is because I really had done much until the last week or so. When I posted the last Beard Blog at the end of March I was still recovering from the crud and as happens every spring my allergies hit and this year with a vengeance. But I have gotten to a spot where my allergies have been elevated to the point that I finally could do some hikes. My first outing was a four-mile hike with me Dad near the Cabin in Southwest Virginia. Then I hit the Smokies three times in six days. The first two, last Wednesday at Cades Cove on the Rich Mountain Loop and then Friday on the Gatlinburg Trail. These two helped me complete the Hike the Smokies Challenge for the 100-mile pin. Then Monday, I hit the Smokies High Country with a out-and-back hike on the Appalachian Trail from Clingmans Dome to Silers Bald Shelter. So, I have been busy of late, so I am just getting around to trimming my beard. Well with that said we are now two days short of 600 at 598 and 85 weeks...and counting!

Day 586: By a Poplar Tree in SW Virginia

Day 590: On the Rich Mtn. Loop in GSMNP

Day 592: Hiking to get my pin

Day 595 on Top of the Smokies at Clingmans Dome

Day 598

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The Spring Trim Edition Of The Beard Blog

It is the last day of March and you might ask…where is the Beard Blog? Well, it has been a strange month, but here is the Spring Trim edition of the Beard Blog. 

I had planned to do a Beard Blog before now, but it just seemed to get set back. As February ended I had thought about what I was going to do as the weather got warmer. I first entertained the idea of just cutting it off. Then I decided that I didn’t want to do that but instead opted for just trimming it back. While March was warm I figured it would get chilly again at some point, so I decided to wait until at least the middle of the month.   

So, I thought about trimming on St. Patrick’s Day, but I went hiking instead and with the cold wind I encountered on the Humps I was glad I kept it long.

Then the first official day of spring next came to mind, but it was around that time that I got this crud I still haven’t shaken. I am feeling better, but it is still lingering. However, my thinking was there had been no Beard Blog for March so I would try to get it in before the month was over. 

So, this afternoon Deb cut my hair and I trimmed my beard down. I think I may have taken off an inch or two. Deb seems to like it and I will keep it this length (or maybe even a bit shorter) for the summer. Anyway, I only got out twice this month the hike to the Humps that I mentioned above and the Sugarlands in the Smokies. So, with that said it has been a year-and-a-half, since I started the beard, which is 18 months, 82 weeks and 577 days.

Day 556 @ Sugarlands Mountain Trail...

...@ CCC Camp on the Old Sugarlands Trail

Day 563 On the AT.... 

...& Hump Mountain

Day 577: Before the trim...

...& after

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