Sylvester Goes Camping & Abrams Falls

 

His name is Sylvester and he is changing my mind about camping with cats.  This is the stray from my last post who finally got a name.  Although table sitting is not allowed, an exception was made for this picture. 

My camping experience with our two older female cats was miserable, putting it mildly.  They were afraid, wailed constantly in the car and cowered under the Casita bed.  Their litter box was huge and I feel into it more than once!

Sylvester has been a perfect gentleman, so far!  Sweet, affectionate and complained only mildly about being crated for the trip….oh, we are at the Tremont Campground, only a few feet from the entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located in Townsend, TN.

This is the 6th annual Eggscursion….a fiberglass egg rally hosted by the Egg Camping Club of TN, GA and AL.

Thursday is the perfect day to go hiking….and our only chance since abundant rain is in the forecast.  Cades Cove is a short trip away and halfway around the 11 mile Cove loop is the Abrams Falls trailhead.

Since the goal is exercise, not photography, most of the  loop pictures are taken on the move.  This loop is one of the most heavily traveled routes in all of the Park and a good reason to only go off season.

Traffic is not too bad…we are hiking by 11:30.  The hike’s rated as moderate, 5 miles with 3 climbs, and we’re unsure of our fitness…..hope we can do at least 5 miles!

 

This is the peak of the spring wildflowers and I am wondering if we will see anything.  We are not disappointed!

Star Chickweed

Crested Dwarf Iris

Trillium, unidentified type

Bleeding heart

These rare bleeding hearts are all around the waterfall cliffs.

After one hour and forty five minutes (due to the picture taking) we arrive at Abrams Falls.

Looking for a bit of shade, we find the perfect place for lunch.

Playing with the shutter speed…..which do you like better?

The sun gets hotter as we trudge back to the car.  There’s few leaves to offer any shade.  We are counting the hills; one, two, and then, almost to the top of the third hill…. a blow out occurs!

The sole of hubby’s hiking boot comes loose! 

There’s no duct tape but a plastic grocery sack helps.  I’m concerned that his gait will be altered, placing stress on the hip replacement so we slow way down….and due to the turtle-like pace, we see a black racer heading through the brush.

Two tired hikers are happy to see the parking lot!

Coming attractions……more on the Eggscursion….and pictures if it ever stops raining!

Spring Thoughts

 

Four years ago this month, after turning 60, I left my full time job.  It was a decision easily made as the husband was retired when we married 13 years ago and he had been patiently waiting for me to be free of the work commitments.

It was easy to leave the job that I disliked....but, hard, due to the fear factor.  The fear of not having enough money,  irrational fears of being homeless and hungry!

Now, approaching my 64th birthday, I’m looking back on a wonderful 4 years, loving the freedom that this life gives me and hoping to be blessed with many more years of happy living!

And the money thing?  There is none to throw around but there’s always enough to do what needs to be done.  Years ago, when gainfully employed, I would not thought of enjoying NOT spending money!

Contemplating life is one of the great things I get to do with my freedom.  Getting up early, making the coffee and watching the sun peep over the ridge from the warmth of my kitchen. Feeling grateful for life.

No, this is not through the kitchen window but dawn at Chester Frost park just north of Chattanooga.  Contemplating, again, how grateful we are to be able to travel and come home to a beautiful area.

Speaking of travel…..

No progress to report on the reflectix window project.  I did go back and get the longer length, hoping to be able to secure the coverings without velcro.

Also no progress on the solar panel redo.  While looking at the forums, found someone was using piano hinges to secure individual panels.  Guess we will try that.

Evenings have been spent perusing The Milepost, an Alaskan travel planner and reading blogs of others who have made the trip.  It feels overwhelming when imagining the distance, so I’m just going to ignore it.

During the daylight hours we have been getting exercise by working in the yard and walking.  Inspired by reading too many cooking blogs, I made a place under the steps to use the dutch oven.  Hubby has always been in charge of the outdoor cooking so it was a first for me when I made City Chicken…….

http://dutchovenmadness.blogspot.com/2010/06/day-160-city-chicken.html

Other than wasting lots of charcoal briquettes (none were needed for the lid), it turned out great!  Wish I had a photo!

In a few weeks we will be heading to the Smoky Mountains and the spring rally in Townsend.  There were over 80 trailers last year… and more expected this year.

2011 Eggscursion

The spring wildflowers are always peaking during the rally.

Maidenhair Fern

Dogwood at Cades Cove campground….Smoky Mountains National Park

Glad it’s finally spring…thought it was never going to show.

Good times are happening now, good times coming in the future.  Who could want more?