getting very wet

This is the action shot of our rafting trip several weeks ago down the Nantahala River Gorge.  The river outfitter companies have a (semi)professional photographer stationed along the rapids areas; and by the time you finish your trip, back at the office they have your photos ready to purchase..... it's worth it, because there was no way my camera was in a position to get any shots at this point. 

Things you never think about: for those of us who wear eyeglasses... buy a pair of those little rubber grippers for the ear pieces, with a cord to go around your neck - just in case (kinda like life preservers, only different).

The next three photos are of Grandfather Mountain .... one BIG hunk of rock.

 

 

The suspension bridge was pretty daunting ..... but look at those tiny figures way in the background on top of the very tip top ......

Oh, look, one of them is Charlie!

more later, Marilyn

Leaf rain

Several mornings recently, we awoke to the sound of a light pattering of rain on our roof.  Turns out it is just a lot of leaves falling and sounds like rain hitting our motorhome roof. The colors of fall are "washing over" us "as we speak". Every day is a new look, every trip down the mountain into town is a surprise at what has changed overnite. 
Last year at this time, you may remember, we were still in Maine, and had experienced the same "washed over" effect. I believe that is the best way to experience the changing of the colors.. to stay still and let them come to you.  Right now is the peak season here in the Western North Carolina mountains for "leaf peepers", and the place is packed with tourists.

We have been packing in as much adventure as we can stand.  We actually hiked a portion of the Appalachian Trail. It was so exhilarating, and so beautiful. I've always thought it sounded so intriguing, but never thought I'd ever be "on it".  You know it stretches from Georgia to Maine, and covers some 1800 plus miles, almost all mountains.
This photo is a typical view of the trail as it winds around, up and over the hills.  It is marked with white tree blazes every few hundred yards.

 

 

 

This last photo is of our group of five walking up the road to the very top of the ridge where the trail crosses the gravel road. We took a left, and hiked (some of us) about 1.5 miles to an old fire lookout tower with a 360 degree view of the surrounding country side and mountains.  Actually, two of us didn't make it the whole way (I'll never say which two), but just being "on The Trail" was enough.  The elevation gain for the 1.5 miles was 700'...... so, needless to say, it wasn't classified as "easy" or "moderate".

The road crossing the ridge at that point is known as Teleco Gap.  You can see the power transmission lines going over the mountain ..... it's the lowest point on that mountain.

 

more later, Marilyn

 



Still here in NC

I am so sorry that I appear to have abandoned my loyal following ..... not true, but I have been really negligent.

Vera's brother-in-law is doing quite well. In fact at his follow-up visit to the surgeon, the doctor thumped on his chest and asked if he was sore and Charlie said no.  I can't imagine .... I think the old term "crack open the chest" is not entirely a figure of speech.

We returned here from the two week New York/ Pennsylvania trip and immediately took the motorhome in for some overdue maintenance.  The facility was a 2 hour drive from here, and it turned into a four day trip ........ however, it was farther east and closer to several attractions we had on our 'to see' list.  So it turned  into a vacation away from our permanent vacation.
We hiked Linnville Falls, went to Grandfather Mountain, and to the top of Mount Mitchell.
Photos to follow!

Then, we came back to our "home" for the last 5+ months, Cascade Lake Campground; and the next week took a three day trip (with our other two adventure friends here at the campground), back to the Nantahala Gorge, and on over the Newfound Gap into Gatlinburg.  We did a half day hike on the Appalachian Trail (just a few miles of it), near Teleco Gap.  That was another bucket list thing.  A friend told Vera that she didn't know how long Vera's bucket list was; but perhaps she shouldn't be checking them off quite so fast. :)
Photos to follow!

More later, Marilyn

Vera's family

Vera and I are here in Owego, NY. Vera's brother in law, Charlie, had open heart surgery this morning; and it was just reported that he "did well" ..... and the next 36 -48 hours will be important.

Yesterday Vera and I drove upstate to Watertown to have lunch with her other sister Donna.  It was beautiful country .... fall colors are definitely out.  At one point we were less than 20 miles from where Lake Ontario flows into the St. Lawrence Seaway ..... hard to realize we are so far north again this year (about the same time as last year).  It is a very different perspective when we are traveling by car, without the motorhome as a base to spend the nite when and where you want to.  I would have liked to explore the area a little more.

Wish I had the right equipment with me to attach some photos ... but I came unprepared: this laptop doesn't have a port for the camera card, and I didn't bring a card reader.... so you'll just have to wait until later for the visual aids.

Later, Marilyn

New York (upstate)

Well, things have certainly taken a turnaround.  Vera and I came north to Owego, NY to visit her sister for a few days.  Charlie stayed in North Carolina with the motorhome and the dogs. We also stopped thru Pennsylvania to visit some of Vera's school friends.  We had a nice visit with Susie and her family; started 'home', and got a call that Susie's husband Charlie is to have open heart surgery on Monday ..... so we turned around and came back with the intent that I would drop Vera off and drive back to NC ..... and that she would later fly back.   Not so easy to do when you are not near a major airline hub on either end.  Long story short:  I am staying here also until after the surgery and then we will drive back.    All told it will be almost two weeks that we will have been gone from "home" in the Asheville area.  By the time we return 'our' Charlie will need a vacation.
Later,
Marilyn

Motorcycle Mama

Bucket lists are important parts of our lives .... especially the older we get.  Vera got to mark one off, in a big way: 



orientation
(she's the short one)



dressed for success
 



ready to roll

is this a race?



and they're off
btw that's the gatehouse that Charlie works in



support crew
(Charlie on the right)

And then, to top it off, they went up to the Blue Ridge Parkway for a ride.  Can you visualize this from the back of a motorcycle ? :

sooo.... that's one down !
Later, Marilyn

Rafting !!!!

The Nantahala River Gorge is one of the premier places to white water raft near us ..... not the biggest white water around ..... but plenty big for us. 



Some friends from the campground here joined the three of us to book a half day trip down the Nantahala River day before yesterday.  We spent over 2 1/2 hours going 8 miles downriver, with a few class 2 rapids, and one good class 3 ...... which got us good and wet. 

The Gorge is about 2 hours northwest of us; we have to go over the mountains or around .... so on the return we came back on the Blue Ridge Parkway .... an absolutely marvelous place with absolutely marvelous views of the blue ridges.

Later, Marilyn