a couple great hikes

Monday, January 14, 2008


a couple great hikes
Current mood: drained

Well, where to begin? Besides normal busyness, we also took a fun little family trip to Gatlinburg for a few days. What with all that going on, my poor little blog has been neglected. (We did have wireless at the hotel, but the signal was wonky whenever I managed to squeeze a second in on the computer). I had a nice time, though it was a bit exhausting. The hiking (predictably) was the best part. We hit two trails in the Smokies: Porter's Creek Trail and a Nature Trail behind the historicNoah "Bud" Ogle Cabin. Both were excellent family hikes, not being too strenuous or technical, and having some interesting history to tell. Porter's Creek is also very, very beautiful. (It probably helps that all the waters were high from recent rains when we were there). The trail there has many lovely places to stop and enjoy the creek, plus a great many signs of the settlers that lived in the area long ago- most notably a cemetery and some historic farm buildings. I hear that in the Spring, it is perhaps the most gorgeous wildflower hike in the Smokies. The Nature Trail we hiked was also really nice, with interesting evidence of settlement. There is of course the historic cabin and barn at the beginning, but along the trail you also find wonderful stone walls, an old foundation and ornamental boxwoods (now grown up all straggly, in an enchanting sort of way) and an impressive little flume with a (still turning) small grist mill. The riverside back there is beautiful. I do hear however, that this trail has a lot of poison ivy in the summertime. Come prepared with knowledge of the history and habits that shaped the area, and bring snacks or lunch (pack it ALL out, my friends). Don't forget your camera! Enjoy!

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I have a variety of things I'd like to blog about, but I. Am. Tired. And I have to get up early to take Sweetcheeks to Montessori. So. Tired.
'Night!