Saturday Shredding In The CNF

Well, Pete here, and the Hiking Machine was FINALLY back on the trail in the CNF (Cherokee National Forest) on Saturday. 

Yeah, I hiked at the Cabin, but that was last weekend and that is wayyyy too long!

We went to the Margarette Falls Trailhead and hiked up the Bullen Hollow Trail to the Deer Pond. I wanted to hike down to Kennedy Cabin and then to Reynolds Ridge but the Lummox was his usual wussy self and we didn't. Add to that he brought that damn drone, but I got to shred six miles of trail, so I was happy. Anyway, with that, I just have three words for you...I'm out BITCHES!

It Isn't Winter Until A Snow Hike On The Roans

It is the first weekend in February and that means the last month of winter. While mild would be an understatement for this winter and contradicting outcomes on Groundhog Day (Punxsutawney Phil predicts more winter and Beauregard Lee an early spring) So, back in January when I had the chance to hike in the snow I jumped at the chance and I headed up to my favorite places for white stuff..the Roans.

Heading into a weekend in mid-January I waited to find out about snow.  On Friday night and Saturday, we only had a dusting in Hawkins County, but from what I can gather above 4,000 feet, it was six inches or more (Mt. LeConte in the Smokies got 16 inches). Since Newfound Gap Road was closed and I had heard the road to Cavers Gap was clear, at least on the North Carolina side, I decided to head up Sunday morning. It was a chilly 19° when I started out and was about that when I reached Carvers Gap, except it was really windy.

Because of that and knowing how snow works on the Roans, I declined a trip to the Balds and headed up the road to the Rhododendron Gardens. Because I was trying to stay out of ski tracks, I put on the snowshoes and used the edges where deeper snow is. It was between nine inches and more than a foot with drifts in spots nearly 20 inches.

I visited the old hotel site (where I ran the drone), the Rhododendron Gardens, and then on to the Appalachian Trail (AT). I eventually made it to the Roan High Knob Shelter, and I made right the crash of the drone from June.

Getting back to Carvers Gap, I was surprised to find it packed like it was Rhododendron season. Anyway, it was a great day of snow and ice on the Roans in the wintertime.

SmugMug Photos

PPE Test Just Part Of Trip To The Cabin

Here is the first test of the new era of the blog. This past weekend I went to the Cabin, with Dad and Lester, to check on things and also start whittling away on a tree that has fallen across the road past the barn. It gave me a chance to test out new personal protection equipment (PPE) I got for using my chainsaw. See, I want to get my Forest Service Chainsaw Certification and I would need this PPE. So, I just took Skip, from Carolina Mountain Club, advice and got PPE.

I also did some hiking, built my first fire of 2023, and of course, ran the drone. Well for more pictures click on this SmugMug link... 

Here's To 10 More Years Of This Blog!

I hate to admit it, but Pete is right. Tales from the Wood Booger have been all Down the Rabbit Hole lately. So, I am making some changes to the blog, and no, I'm not turning it fully over to Pete. 

See, I still love the blog, but it has sometimes felt overwhelming. Writing and getting pictures ready takes time and adds to that just getting things loaded on the blog, and can become a task before I know it. I mean, I still haven't done a blog on my trip to Emerald Isle, and that was in 2022. 

I will also admit that since getting the drone, I have been more into the picture side. Add to that I started doing trail work with the Carolina Mountain Club, which includes maintenance of a part of the Appalachian Trail (from Big Butt to Round Knob Connector, including Coldsprings Mountain and Jerry Cabin Shelter). I also want to push ahead with some writing projects that might earn some revenue, and I just want to do so. These projects are book ideas I want to finally make happen. I could get my commercial drone license and make a little money at that. What all this means is that I need to simplify my blog process. 

That means the picture blogs will be on SmugMug. On the main blog, I will do shorter entries with a couple of pictures unless a longer blog is warranted. Hopefully, this will lead to another 10 years for the blog.

SmugMug: December 2022 Trail Work; January 2023 Trail Work

If The Lummox Isn't Going To Talk About Roan Snow The Hiking Machine Will!

Welcome to Down the Rabbit Hole, the blog formally known as Tales from the Wood Booger. I mean I'm the only one typing out anything for the blog. All my Peteaholics know why and that is that damn drone! I mean this past weekend we went to one of the best places, the Roans, in the f**king snow! 

Before I get to the snow on I have to quickly mention that I finally got up my Knob in Southwest Virginia. Oh, and yes I had to carry the dead weight that is the Lummox up.

Now back to the Roans and the trip up to the Rhododendron Gardens and Roan High Knob. I was ready to go while it snowed, but you can guess the Lummox soiled himself just entertaining that though, so I made him go the following day. When we went to Carvers Gap there was plenty of snow. I plowed up the road to the Roan Gardens with the Lummox huffing on my back. By the time we got to the top the crying about how cold it was had really gotten old. 

Our return trip was on the AT (Appalachian Trail) and you know I loved that. The Lummox wanted to straight back, but I said "HELL NO" we were stopping by the shelter on Roan High Knob. I would have stayed the night, but I showed mercy on the Lummox, so we headed back. 

Still, there was plenty of snow and fun for the Hiking Machine. oh, and when we arrived back Carvers Gap was full of my adoring Peteaholics! Well, with that I'm out...BITCHES!

Hiking Machine Here Closing Out The Old Year!

 If you were expecting the Lummox, too bad the Hiking Machine is here with a quick blog about hiking in the GSMNP (Great Smoky Mountains National Park). Since this is supposed to be his blog I was waiting for him to write one, but he is MIA. We should just change this blog to Down The Rabbit Hole since I do most of the blogging these days...what a wuss!

Anyway, we went to the Sugarlands Visitor Center and hiked the Gatlinburg Trail. While it is easy for a Hiking Machine like myself I did get out in the Smokies. The only downside was all of the other people. Well, with that Happy New Year if you are into that and I'm out...BITCHES!

Back On The Snow To Laurel Falls

Well Peteoholics I know it has been too long, the whole month of December. Well, the Lummox computer got fried so getting time to share with all my fans has been hard. There also haven't been many hikes. I did carry the Lummox around, to his embarrassment, doing trail work on the AT (Appalachian Trail) with the CMC (Carolina Mountain Club) the Friday before Festivus Friday. I also tested my winter camping gear.

But, I did get out (dragging the Lummox) for some snow hiking, on the AT, to Laurel Fork Falls. Being an AT Hike it is Hiking Machine approved. However, with snow...two paws up!  We started at the Laurel Fork Falls Trailhead, in Hampton, and hiked the Blue Line Trail to the AT. From there it was on the AT all the way to the Falls. I will say seeing it frozen was pretty cool. 

On the way back I carried the Lummox up the Bad Weather Trail and past the Laurel Fork Shelter. There we some cool ice on the creek going and coming back. It was a Hiking Machine kind of day. Well, with that said I just have one thing to add, I'm out...BITCHES!