Thursday, May 19, 2022

Settle In, Grab a Coffee & Put Your Feet Up- A Rare Long One

For their first "real" hike since dad's surgery, mom and dad headed south on the Blue Ridge Parkway last Sunday morning to Pisgah   National Forest for a moderate 5 to 6-mile hike.  The fog in Asheville was pretty thick in spots that morning, and even though rain was called for later in the day they were eager to hit the trails.  As the parkway wound its way through twists and turns and many of its amazing tunnels, the sky grew clearer and brighter, and before long mom and dad couldn't resist the urge to pull over at a few of the many overlooks to catch a glimpse of what looked like a giant sea of cotton blanketing the valley below.  


Generally, one photo or two would suffice, but bear with us as dad felt the need to put a couple of extras in. 



As awe-inspiring as it was these pictures just don't do the view justice.  When they hit the trailhead, the sun was shining and the air was warm, but as they trekked their way along Laurel Mountain Trail the clouds and slightly cooler air decided they wanted to accompany mom and dad on this fine spring morning.  About 2.5 miles out, rain drops and rolling thunder decided they didn't want to be left out, so together the whole party turned and headed back, albeit at a quicker pace than when they started out. 

Honestly, we'd decided that 2.5 miles out was about enough for the day and were already heading back by the time the thunder started.  Sometimes the old girl likes to make things a little more dramatic and long-winded than they really are.  The part about the quicker pace, however, is true.

Long-winded?  Me?  Whatever you say, scaredy cat.  Anyhoo, after returning home and settling in for the afternoon dad, as he often does, decided to scroll through the Ring videos on his phone.  Now, it's not unusual to catch overnight visitors sauntering up our stone walkway.  Neighborhood cats, foxes and occasionally unidentifiable other such critters use the path as a cut-through on their nocturnal wanderings.  Suddenly, dad gasped with surprise while watching the videos, unaware that while they were hiking, someone a bit, umm, bigger came a-knockin'.  Yep, at about 9:30 a.m. and in broad daylight, mind you.  The first clip's only about 6 seconds long and the second one's 20 or so. 


 
There have been multiple sightings 'round here lately, but this is the first time one has come right up to our door.  He probably looked in the window, saw me (asleep in the chair, of course), and figured he didn't want to mess with me.

21 comments:

Lynn and Precious said...

Cleo, first I have to tell you that Lynn was scared right out of her snow boots as soon as she saw this post. But of course that's because she was foolish enough to look at the pictures first. I had to tell her to go back and read it. Anyway she thought your mom and dad climb to the top of a mountain so high that you were looking down on a glacier. That's because after this winter all she can think about is how bad it was. And then she thought you had a full size grizzly bear trying to come in the house and get your dad's Vermont maple syrup. Not that you want a baby bear in the house either or a mama bear especially. She has a friend who lives in Salem Virginia who has bears walking through her yard on a daily basis summer and winter. They evidently don't hibernate there much. Don't let that bear in the house. Precious

Brian's Home Blog said...

The sea of clouds sure is pretty. WOW sweet Cleo, that was quite the visitor you had during snooze time, but I'm glad he didn't decide to venture in.

Sandee said...

I love being above the fog or cloud line. So beautiful. Glad dad is back out and about.

Love the visitor. So cute.

Have a purrfect day, Cleo. My best to your peeps. ♥

Leah said...

Fantastic views ... That bear is so interesting but a little scary too!

da tabbies o trout towne said...

cleo....for sure dad cap sured sum AWESUM fotoz .....trooth.... !!!! thanx for sharin...and for sure we noe that bear waz terra fied oh seein yur dad :) ...two funnee !!! ☺☺☺☺♥♥♥

Summer said...

We had a FULL SIZED guy like that around our house a couple of years ago! Like massive! Fortunately he did not stay in the neighborhood for too long, although he wreaked havoc on any unprotected trash cans for a couple of weeks. And I had to stay inside for a while.

I hope that was just a one-off for you guys.

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

Those are great photos looking down on the fog. It is like being in an aeroplane flying above the clouds. The last photo looks like a dinosaur has popped up for a look around.
Great Ring captures of the bear too.

pilch92 said...

That view is spectacular! Great photos. And the bear-yikes ! How rude to peak in the window. I am upset their is no photo of beautiful you Cleo. Tell your dad you don't mind him writing about hikes as long as your fans still get to see you. XO

Eastside Cats said...

Amazing to be above the clouds like that.
Cleo, nice job of scaring off the bear.

stevebethere said...

beautiful captures very atmospheric nice post :-)

Have a scarybeartastic weekend 👍

Zoolatry said...

Such beautiful and "rare" photos. Saw something similar in my "salad days", skiing in the Austrian Alps, but never since. The Shenandoah, Blue Ridge, Pisgah areas are all
beautiful ~
BTW, best leave a bit o' breakfast for Baby Bear should he visit again!

The Island Cats said...

Beautiful photos from your peeps' hike. And OMG about the visitor you had! Thank cod he didn't know how to open the door.

My Mind's Eye said...

Brian what absolutely stunningly breathtaking photos of the clouds. WOW...Thank you for each one. It really does take time to build up you stamina after surgery. Bryan used this phrase a lot to explain things: Due to my recent surgery I cannot do this and that. He used this for many many months.
It made me giggle each time.

As for the videos
Bear: Knock knock
Cleo: Who is there
Bear: Yo it is Yogi
Cleo: Back off dude you just awoke a sleeping lioness and I ain't one bit happy

WOW that was up close to your home
Hugs Cecilia

Tama-Chan, Benny, Vidock, Violette, Ollie, Heloise, Momo, Ryu said...

We absolutely LOVE the sea of clouds pics!

And the bear! How amazing to have a bear come up to your door!

Purrs,
Tama and Benny

Ivan from WMD said...

Wonderful photos! We can only imagine how wonderful the in-person version is. Wow on that bear! We've heard of bears actually letting themselves in to homes, so keep your doors locked!

Katie Isabella said...

We have bears here in town occasionally as we are about 30 miles from the foothills of the Smokies.

Melissa, Mudpie and Angel Truffles (Mochas, Mysteries and Meows) said...

Those photos are breathtaking! And what a brave tortie you are, scaring that bear away!

Darla M Sands said...

Wow! Just wow all around! Thank you for sharing, sweet Cleo. :D

https://hairballsandhissyfits.com said...

wow what an adventurous day!! And i totally agree with you Cleo--I am sure that bear knew better than to mess with a tortie!

Cat and DOG Chat With Caren said...

OMG OMG OMG!!! That baby bear!! What nerve!! He actually looked like he was ringing your doorbell!!!! ROFLMAO! I would have peed all over myself!! You're right Cleo, he saw you and didn't want to mess with you! The photos your Dad posted were AMAZING, SIMPLY AMAZING AND GORGEOUS!!! WOWZA WHAT A POST!

Saku said...

Mom bean has seen clouds like that from the window of an airplane but she's never climbed anything high enough to see them from land. Very cool!

Hopefully the mama bear wasn't far away from the little one. Poor baby, he was probably looking for something to eat. Porridge perhaps? MOL!