Mile High Campground TTA

The Highland Rim and Murfreesboro TTA chapters hosted a camping and hiking trip in the Smokies and near Shining Rock Wilderness Area off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Maggie Valley NC. 

Monday after setting up camp at Mile High Campground, we hiked the short steep trail to Waterrock Knob. Beautiful views and saw pinkster azalea blooming along with Red Trilliums. Nice campfire for the evening along with Joanie's cool colapsing sticks for roasting marshmallows. 

Tuesday part of the hikers did and out and back on Rough Fork, 3 others hiked the 14 mile loop of Rough Fork, Caldwell Fork and Hemphill Bald. Sara and I drove up to Balsam Mountain Campground and hiked the Nature Trail. Another nice campfire and roasting marshmallows.

Wednesday morning I woke up early and walked toward the bath house. I saw what I thought was a horse next to the horse trailer they store firewood in. When I blinked the sleepyness from my eyes I saw it was an elk! 

After breakfast we drove the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway seeing lots of Pinkster Azaleas along the roadside, getting to the Art Loeb Trail. We climbed to Black Balsam Knob for the beautiful views. Saw a few azaleas starting to bloom, and milkweed. We hiked on to Tennant Mountain for more views, lots of trilliums and rose twisted stalk blooming. The rest of the loop included a road bed with campsites along the way, then the Art Loeb spur then back to the parking lot. Drove into Maggie Valley for a super meal at J. Arthur's. Another campfire and beautiful sunset watching lightning storm on the mountain tops in the distance. Rain and thunderstorms moved in during the night, fogging in the campground Thursday morning. Everyone headed home skipping the planned waterfalls hike (except Joe, I think he went anyway)

On the way towards Bryson City I saw roadside signs for peaches, so I followed and found Darnell Farms on the Tuskasegee River. Got peaches, strawberries fresh picked from the fields, and heirloom tomatoes. Stopped in Andrews, NC and walked around their historic town looking in a few shops. Stopped at Ms Bee's Purple Bus near the Ocoee River to see what was there. Cool interesting place if you're looking for unique gift ideas. 

Great time with Sara, Joan, Joni, Kathy, Georganne, Paulo, Joe, Charles and Barbara. 

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Tennessee Summer 2022

 

We had some beautiful weather for our gathering. Deanna and Dan came in Tuesday evening. Lora and I on Wednesday. Jim and Lynelle on Thursday.

Wednesday was a visiting session followed by a card game.

Thurday we started with a hike in the Smoky's on the Baskins Creek Trail. We hiked to the Baskins Falls and back. With a minor confusion on the amount of time it took, Lora hiked back to the car and brought our lunches. It was a great save! Ice cream on the way home made everything OK. Lynelle and Jim came in that evening.

Friday we hiked the Middle Prong trail enjoying the wildflowers. Once again we rewarded ourselves with an ice cream. Afterwards Uncle Rick, Aunt Linda, and Leslie came over for a visit. It sure was good having everyone together. 

Saturday we hiked the Maryville Greenway into town and back. Lots of good food including Lynelle's flower for dinner.

Sunday was departure day with early get ups and departures. Overall great time!

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