Lots of pollen in the air
Springtime is tornado and severe weather time in the southeast US. Our most recent storm included a tornado warning. I woke to some strange sounds outside and a glow in the sky to the east. I wasn't crazy about sharing the laundry room in the middle of the night with a bunch of people in masks and
PJs so I put in my earplugs to avoid hearing "the end". Two nearby towns were hit by tornados and lots of downed trees. We were spared this time.
Looking for a hair salon speakeasy.
Ten years ago, I worked in Ashville, NC at Mission Hospital's trauma and neuro ICU for three months giving us the opportunity to hike to many waterfalls and trails in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
We enjoyed day hiking the Appalachian Trail and sharing trail magic, food and treats, with thru-hikers as they shared their tales. Later, we would follow their online journals as they trek further northeast.
The town of Franklin, NC at mile marker 110 of the Appalachian Trail, is the first community that welcomes A.T. thru-hikers before they press on towards their goal of completing the 2,200 mile journey.
Each year from the first day of Spring until Earth Day, Franklin devotes itself to celebrating northbound thru-hikers. Franklin is a welcome respite from the cold and usually wet early spring weather. Hikers find plenty of good food and drink, great conversation and lots to do during this month-long celebration.
Except this year, people from all over the world, hiking the tail found themselves unable to get a hotel room or a way to get home once the trail closed due to Covid 19.
The governor is opening the lakes and boat ramps this weekend. Once the state parks start opening up, I doubt if we will try to hike. The people will probably head out in full force making distancing impossible. Cycling has turned out to be the best exercise away from people for us.
Everything is blooming and the pollen finally settling down. Let's hope the storm heading our way will be kind.
I'm kinda surprised there are hikers doing the AT, with so little infrastructure to support them. It's "A Walk in the woods"~Bill Bryson.
ReplyDeleteAlthough San Diego is not opening up yet, I'm with you ... staying clear of 'Opening Day'.
Stay Safe!
They get pretty hungry and appreciate the magic.
DeleteThanks for sharing the azaleas with us... I think now would be a great time to do a thru hike on the AT
ReplyDeleteThe rain and black flies would be my undoing.
DeleteWe're wondering what it's going to be like with things opening up...we're happy right now to be in a remote area. But it also is crazy-making trying to decide if we should stay or go. :-(
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, we're just trying to enjoy the spring beauty. Your flowers are gorgeous!
We just signed up for another month and glad we are away from people.
DeleteI've done some day hiking on the Appalachian trail in NY & VT, kudos to those who thru hike it. We're getting ready to leave an area that will overrun with folks when the stay at home order is over, time to go to IL farming country.
ReplyDeleteGood plan. Now if the weather will settle down.
DeleteIt's hard to beat the colors of springtime in the south. Glad to missed the tornados.
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful once you get around the downed trees and mud slides.
DeleteThose are beautiful photos - if you didn't know better, you'd think it was just a regular, perfect Spring. I hear you on the park openings. We so want to salvage our summer and try to go somewhere if it becomes allowed, but we know that everyone will be stir crazy and everything will be packed. It just sucks, no matter which way you cut it. It's great that you all have access to nice bike trails. That truly is the safest way to get outside and get exercise.
ReplyDeleteWe are heading to a small town in Colorado once it warms up. Lots less people, I hope.
DeleteEven with our newfound love of long distance hikes, I have not conjured up a shred of interest in hiking the AT. I don't understand it myself, maybe it's just not old enough. :)
ReplyDeleteDay hikes are my go to. I don't want to sleep in a tent.
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