Roan High Bluff {J.Commons Photography ~ Roan High Knob}

Monday, Deanna and I headed back to one of my favorite spots - Roan Mountain.  Last September I attempted the hike to Roan High Bluff (or Roan High Knob depending on what reference you are looking at).  I had done some light hiking that day around the Cloudland Hotel site and a little of the Cloudland Trail for around 1.5 miles.  When I reached the trail to Roan High Knob I was too tired and too out of shape to go any further.  I felt a bit defeated.  Earlier this year we did the Cloudland Trail and the Rhododendron Garden Loop for a total of roughly 3 miles and I was once again too tired to make the climb to the top.  On Monday, I was a woman possessed and more determined than ever to make it to the top of Roan Mountain.

On the drive up we got stuck behind a super slow vehicle and pulled off at one of our favorite spots to get a couple pictures.

Does anyone else see a problem with this setup?

We had planned to drive to the Cloudland Trail head, hike to High Knob, and then down the other side before turning around at some point.  These plans were thwarted by one simple gate.

We parked at Carver's Gap, picked up the AT, and headed for the top.  We were on a bit of a time crunch and I was so determined to get to the top that I didn't take a lot of pictures on the way up.  It was all up hill and the path, while mostly wide, was covered in rocks and pebbles.  Footing was awful and the hike was tiring, but we kept on.  Here's a few scenes from the way up.

 A clump of Mountain Ash berries on a cut log.

I guess it could be a good place to stop for the night.

 At the Cloudland Hotel site the AT continued off in one direction and we cut through the parking lot to join the Cloudland Trail.  This is the overlook along that part of the trail.

On the surface this is not a favorite picture of myself, but for everything it stands for I love it!  It was a 4.5 mile all uphill hike to get to this point. And with not being able to do it twice before with less difficulty leading up to it makes it that much sweeter! Celebrating my victory on Roan High Knob! (And I just noticed there is a "JC" carved in the wood below my elbow!)

The sweet reward.

 Much to our surprise, the AT does not cross Roan High Knob and the trail actually ends at this spot!  So back down we headed.

As I mentioned, we were on a time crunch.  We opted to follow the road back down the mountain instead of the trail to save time.  While we did save time, the pounding of the pavement on the decline hurt both of these bodies! #NotAsYoungAsWeUsedToBe

 Just enough time to check out the Miller Farmstead and the overlook!

This hike distance ~ 8 miles!!!  Our longest hike to date and for me, personally the most rewarding. :)

Appalachian Trail ~ Big Bald, North Carolina {J. Commons Photography ~ Big Bald, NC}

Last week, Deanna and I headed out to Wolf Laurel.  She has a cabin there that overlooks Big Bald and Little Bald along the Appalachian Trail.  I had not hiked Big Bald yet, and we were excited to see the fall colors.  Even 5,000+ feet there still was not a lot of fall color, but the day was beautiful and our views were magnificent!!

Mountain Ash berries against that blue sky are amazing!

Halfway up Big Bald and looking back at Little Bald.

The top of Big Bald marked with the AT blaze and a plaque.

The road less traveled.

Halfway up Little Bald and looking back at Big Bald - It was crazy realizing we were at the top of that!

So, on top of Little Bald there is a bird society counting and banding birds.  They have nets set up to catch the birds that will not harm them.  As we rounded one curve we saw a bird on top of a post and we got so excited thinking it was a big bird of prey.  My long lens confirmed it was a large bird of prey . . . made of plastic!  Oh well!

We hiked down the other side of Little Bald and on our way back to the top there was a loud commotion behind us.  We had been trying to catch a picture of a couple of chipmunks that were playing hide and seek with us when a group of deer crossed behind us.  It was probably a funny scene to watch from the outside.  Deanna and I were stock still waiting to see the deer better, the deer were still waiting to see what we were going to do next, and the chipmunks kept popping out to laugh at us!  We were in a thick area and I was only able to get this one not-so-great picture of a deer.  Shortly after they took off back the way they came.

The only winged creature we saw in the catch nets - a ladybug!

After our hike we drove over to the cabin to check on things.  I forgot how much I love their cabin!  Part of it is even pre-Civil War!  How cool is that?!

 The view of the Balds from the cabin.

We drove around Wolf Laurel so Deanna could show me this awesome mountain hole on the golf course.  Crazy!  Can you imagine playing that?!

Hike distance for the day - 7.5 miles!

October Photo Trip - Cades Cove, GSMNP

Sunday, Deanna and I took our friend Denise on her first trip to Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  My dad works in Cades Cove, so I have spent a lot of time there and have been fortunate enough to spot a lot of wildlife.  Deanna and I went a couple years ago and were blessed to see a bobcat, a very rare sight, but no bears.  Well, this time the whole park was on display!  We saw six bears, a couple coyotes, a grey fox, several deer, a dozen or so turkeys, and a pileated woodpecker!  It was an incredible wildlife display!!  I am so happy that Denise was able to see so many things on her first trip.

How many times have I driven Little River Road?  A lot.  How many times have I spotted this waterfall?  Um, I think this was a first!

The Sinks. 

The Loop.

I love goldenrod.  My allergies are not so fond of it.

Don't mind me, just gonna climb down this tree.

I've never seen coyotes in the cove, but this one greeted us almost at the beginning of the loop.

Primitive Baptist Church

I can't pass up an animal that poses for me!

My first grey fox! (Photo cred - Denise Schweers)

Love this cub walking the limbs.

We could actually hear one of the bears crunching its snack of walnuts!

 We had been discussing pileated woodpeckers and how Mike and I saw one at the park on our honeymoon.  While stuck in a bear jam this one flew over our head and landed in a nearby tree! (Photo cred - Deanna)

We drove the loop three times because we were having such a great trip!  As the leaves deepen into their fall colors the park will get busier, but I am ready to hop in the car and head back down there!