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.