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.
