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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Right

Below

It was No Way Jose's (Cantina) & Yes To Holston's Kitchen

Today (Tuesday), since we had been doing a lot of cooking the last few days so Dad, Terry Deb and I headed to Morristown for dinner. We were originally going to go to Jose's Cantina, but there was one problem...it wasn't open yet. So, we went next door to another new restaurant, Holston's Kitchen. I had never been to one so I didn't know what to expect. We got an appetizer of Spinach and Artichoke Dip which came in a bread bowl with tortilla chips. It was pretty good. For the main course, I was trying to decide between three items. the first was the Rotisserie Half Chicken, which they were out of. Then it was the Salmon or the House Smoked Barbecue Spare Ribs, I ask the waitress and she said go with the ribs, so I did. I got a full rack and for a non-BBQ restaurant they were pretty good. For the sides, I got the Baked Beans, which were better than what I had at Big Wesser BBQ. However, the best side was the Sweet Potato Soufflee, it was really good. Overall, it was a nice place and gives another option in Morristown.

Happy 4th Of July Weekend

Well, it is Fourth of July weekend and that means it is what I call High Summer. Anyway, it has been a fun three days since the Fourth is on Monday this year. I actually started the holiday on Friday with a fire in the pit and test run with my camp percolator. 

Making coffee the old fashion way.

On Saturday I went to Roan Mountain for what is now an annual event, Glen's family's cookout, and fireworks. I have honored that Glen lets me tag along because the food is always good (especially the chicken) and help with the fireworks. On 

Loading up.

Name says it all!

Hump Mountain...

...can see some of the blog.

He is about to get it out.

Remember the UFO...

...here is what it is.

Here are...

...some...

...of the...

...fireworks...

...we shot off.

Sunday, we started the day with a great breakfast of waffles courtesy of Terry and some of the homemade maple syrup my Dad and I made back in March. Terry's brother, Shawn, and sister-in-law, Susan were in for the weekend. So, later in the day we had a cookout with steaks, plenty of veggies from the garden it turned out well. 

Breakfast at the house.

On the Fourth proper, we had another great breakfast and then a more traditional cookout. We had hamburgers, but while Deb and Terry had beef, Dad and I had venison. We got done just in time as some storms rolled through. That meant we watched fireworks from Washington DC and New York City. With that said it was a good holiday after all.

Food on the grill.

Barley Pop.

Wood Booger on the grill

Finished product.

Fireworks on TV.