Bears In Elkmont...It Must Be Summer!

While it might be a fortnight back, let's briefly revisit when Spring became Summer (meteorological) at Elkmont in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP).

GSMNP

Now, there is no way I can top the colorful story spun by my hiking partner, "Psycho" Pete. He's right there was a bear in our section of Elkmont Campground. I talked with someone, and the Mama Bear and Cub had been spotted the previous night near H-7 where we were set up. Yes, the Park Rangers put a baited bear trap across from my campsite. Oh, and yes, the woman camped across from us left, and the couple behind us left late in the evening and didn't return. But we stayed, and I can't verify Pete's account, but he's sticking to it. 

Elkmont Campground

This was right across from my campsite.

The bears didn't scare us off.

The next morning & are neighbors (BR) didn't come back.

The rest of the trip included some somewhat synchronized fireflies, a hike through Daisy Town, and the old ruins of the Wonderland Hotel. Then, I ended the trip at Cataract Falls and Fighting Creek Trail at the John Ogle Cabin, which is being refurbished...

Daisy Town before Firefly watching Wednesday evening.

At the Wonderland Hotel on Thursday...

...the Cataract Falls...

...& (T) The John Ogle Cabin. (B) View of Gatlinburg & Mt. LeConte.

SmugMug Photos

Any Excuse Is A Good One To Hike The Roans

Hello, my Peteoholics and I were out doing what the Hiking Machine does...crushing trail!

I'm going to surprise everyone when I say I was happy that the Lummox wanted to see some flowers. That's because this pansy pursuit got me on the AT (Appalachian Trail) in the Roans. I first had to do some hiking on the trail rated W (for wuss) around the Rhododendron Gardens. But, I did get a good laugh as those flowers he wanted to see weren't close to peak (bloom)...now that is good sh*t! 

I missed the thrill of hiking here in winter. It was more demanding and a lot fewer humans! 

Once that was out of the way, it was on to the AT up Round Bald. He got to see some flowers, and I got to go PYSCHO PETE SMASH trail! We only went as far as Jane Bald, and while I wanted to head on for camping on Grassy Ridge Bald, not the Lummox. No, he wanted to camp at the state park campground...what a wuss! Still, it wasn't all bad.

On Friday, the Lummox wanted to do what he thought was an easy half-mile loop on the Peg Leg Mine Trail. Well, it was a real trail with a loop about a mile longer. Good for the Hiking Machine, bad for the Lummox...that's more, good sh*t. With that, I have one more thing to say, I'm out...BITCHES!

AT Maintainer Just Another Job For The Hiking Machine!

Alright, Peteoholics and welcome to another edition of Down the Rabbit Hole as I chronicle how I whupp tail and crush trail!
This time, I was up on the AT (Appalachian Trail) on a part of the Lummox calls "his section " he takes care of for the CMC (Carolina Mountain Club). While he claims that the Peteoholics know it is the Hiking Machine, that is really the brains and brawn of the operation. Seriously, does anyone think the Lummox could care tools and a weedeater two miles up the Round Knob Road Trail...LOL! No, that would be me Psycho Pete because being crazy just isn't enough with the Lummox! His puny weedeater didn't cut it, so I ate a trail to the shelter. I mean, I don't need weeds cut down because I can hike through anything (that's why I'm the Hiking Machine). 

Once at shelter (Jerry Cabin), I laughed as the Lummox attempted to rake the sh**ter (privy). As soon as the smell and flies hit him, he turned green as leaves and left with projectial vomiting I took over. Let's be honest, raking the sh**ter is Hiking Machine work. Well, it didn't make the trip back any harder as I'm always carrying the Lummox. Well, my Peteoholics with that I'm out...BITCHES!

Wildflowers For The Rest Of May '23

With the beginning of summer (meteorological), it means that it is time for the last Wildflower Blog of Spring.  Since I had two earlier blogs covering May (here & here), this one will cover the rest of the month. There was a good number with a lot coming right here in St. Clair. Also, the change over to the wildflowers found in summer has begun. Well, this blog is about pictures, so let's get to it...

St. Clair, TN (05-14 & 15)

Yellow Wood Sorrel

(T) Eastern Blue-Eyed Grass, (B) Needle Blue-Eyed Grass

Southern Blackberry

Oxeye Daisy

Yarrow

Common Vetch

Small Ragwort

Common Dandelion

Meadow Buttercup

Carolina Cranesbill

Daisy Fleabane

Long-Stalk Crane's-Bill

Rocky Fork State Park (05-18 & 19)

Wild Geranium

Tulip Poplar

Jack-In-The-Pulpit

Carolina Springbeauty

Lance-Leaved Core

AT @ Cliff Ridge, Cherokee NF (05-19)

Mountain Laurel

Bear Corn

More Mountain Laurel

Rattlesnake Weed

Mountain Laurel

The Cabin, Ft. Blackmore, VA (05-21 to 23)

Oxeye Daisy

Wild  Comfrey

King Devils - (L) Field Hawkweed, (R) Meadow Hawkweed

Canada Lettuce

Solomon's Seal

Southern Blackberry

(L) Needle-Tip Blue-Eyed-Grass, (R) Stout Blue-Eyed-Grass & (B) Summer Bluet

Attention Bears! I Was Back Whuppin Tail & Crushing Trail

Hello my Peteaholics your Hiking Machine here and I just returned to a crazy overnight at Elkmont Campground. By crazy I mean I went "Crazy Pete" on a bear that terrorized the campers in my section of Elkmont. See when I got there it seemed a lot of uneasy in the H-Section of the campground. We were setting up camp and the host recognized me. It turns out he was a Peteaholic so he was glad I was there and gave me the lowdown on bear issues at the campground. The (US) Park Service was setting up a giant bear trap across from our campsite. While the Lummox got his panties in a twist I was fine. I talked with the Forest Service boys and told them to just shut the cage, I got this. The Campground Host told them who I was and they closed it. 

To calm down the panicking Lummox I agreed to go and look at some stupid bugs (fireflies), but I had that bear on my mind. When we got back at least two groups, a girl across from us and an older couple, fled from fears of the bear. That couple left their tent and stuff! Well, the Lummox sat in terror and wanted to leave too, but I would have none of it. After I slapped some sense into the wuss and changed his diaper I then hunkered down in my tent. Well, during the night that damn bear was dumb enough to come into our camp. I charged out of my tent and opened a big can of whup-ass on that bear. He was a big boy, maybe 300 pounds, but he was no match for the Hiking Machine. Let's say I stomped a mudhole in him and walked it dry...don't mess with Crazy Pete! 

Well, the next morning the Lummox crawled out of his tent to see where the beating took place. With no bear, I ate my carrots and we headed for a day of hiking to Cataract Falls and Fighting Creek Trail, and John Ownby Cabin. While it wasn't crushing miles I was a little spent opening that can for the bear and all. Well, with that I'm out...and I made that bear my BITCH!