Asheville Hiking

Perfect day for hiking!

We had a couple of mess ups. Wrong starting point on the first trail, wrong turn (to a trail that goes over a mountain) on the second trail, but it was fantastic hiking. We broke a rule on the second hike and weren't well prepared for the wrong turn (aka didn't realize other trails intersected) -- missed the waterfall, and did some technical hiking with the dog instead. Our smartest move was to turn around. The trail was supposed to be an "obvious" loop, but we called it and luckily we did since we were off the loop and on a trail that went the length of the state -- dang. 

No more mountain hiking without a full map (left it at home) and GPS. We also had some supplies, but I left extra water in the car. We were fine, but when we felt off course, I was worried about enough water if we had trouble navigating back. When you turn around everything looks different. Fortunately, I have a good sensory memory -- vision (that flowering tree), sound (running water), scent (trees), touch (the rocks I had to jump over the stream) and could figure out which way back. 

I have ZERO sense of direction though, but if I've been somewhere, I can usually remember enough to navigate. Helps on a trails with lots of intersections.

Duke walked through a puddle that ended up with a hole over his head. He hates to get wet, but all was well (he was on a leash) and he dried fast. It was really funny, poor baby. No picture because we were at the point in the hike where we were getting a bit worried. But, THAT puddle was a good marker on the way back. 

Overall, an excellent day. We were all good-tired by the end of the day. 

A few more pictures. 

Strawberry and herbs on vacation.

LFL

Ready for our grandson

May Day family tradition inaugural weekend begins today.

Possibly the first and only, but I hope not. 

My sister and I are trying to get the next couple of generations together regularly enough to know each other. Cousins and their children. Family connection with "good" family. 

Happy Saturday. I'll update when I can -- tomorrow morning might be too hectic for solo time. Later gators.