2020-08-21 Family Visit to Virginia

Family Visit to Virginia

August 2020

Hanging with Family at my Brother Bill's House

My cousin Jim and his wife Flow got married back in May up in Pennsylvania.  We were all suppose to get together for their wedding before Covid-19 nixed those plans.   It just wasn't quite the same watching over the internet.

When Amy and I heard the newlyweds were making a trip down to Virginia, we decided to join in the festivities as well.

We also wanted to check in on my parents, so for the first time since Christmas, Amy and I made the drive up to Virginia to visit my side of the family.  We spent a few days at my parents house with my sister Mary and my brother Bill.

It has been years since my siblings and I spent a night together at my parents house and was wonderful visit!

After a few days with the parents, we continued on to my brother Bill's house for the remainder of our trip.  Jim and Flo would be staying there as well.  It was probably the first time as adults that I've spent any quality time with Jim and my first time ever meeting Flo.  

Judging by the photos, we spent a lot of time drinking.  We visited three wineries and one cidery, all of which I felt did an excellent job maintaining a safe environment during this Covid-19 pandemic.

And with safety in mind, thanks to Amy and Mary for taking on the designated driver duties for our winery excursions!


Here are some of the photos from our visit:

Group Photo at Chrysalis Vineyards

Group Photo at Mt. Defiance Cidery 

Group Photo at Bluemont Vineyard

 Bluemont Vineyard

 My Cousin Jim and his wife Flow

The Newlyweds!

 Amy and Me

 My brother Bill and his wife Michelle

The guys escape for a beer

Group Photo at the Bogati Winery

Enjoying some Apple Pie  

(Thanks Chris!)

My brother Bill and his wife Michelle

He picked a good one    (obviously I am not talking about his beer choice)

My brother Bill and my nephew Liam

One year ago Liam was pitching in the Little League World Series!

Poor Duke got his paw stuck in the window blind draw-strings

My complete set of photos is posted here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8146392@N05/albums/72157715727451778

2020-08-17 Mountains-to-Sea Trail with Brenda

Mountains-to-See Trail Shuttle Hike

Beetree Gap to Rattlesnake Lodge

with Brenda Wiley

Buncombe County, NC

Monday, August 17th, 2020

I joined Brenda on a shuttle hike along the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST).  Anytime I head up to the Blue Ridge Parkway I like to give myself extra time to stop and enjoy the views.  Today was no exception!

 Blue Ridge Parkway Sunrise

 Morning Glory along the Blue Ridge Parkway

Along the Blue Ridge Parkway

We met up at the Tanbark Ridge Tunnel trailhead and shuttled up to Beetree Gap to begin our hike.

Brenda and Me

GPS Track from our hike

Click here for Interactive Link

This section of the Mountains to Sea Trail offers up some impressive viewpoints.  We were in the for some of them, but fortunately we both love hiking in the fog. I really enjoyed this section of the MST! 

Here are some of the photos from our hike:

 view from the MST

 Brenda along the MST

 Me along the MST

Panorama along the MST

along the MST

Brenda between a Rock and a nother Rock

Brenda by a Spirit Tree along the MST

The Captain was recovering from Hernia Surgery and wasn't able to join us for the hike.  But he did have time to join us for a brew at the Burning Blush Brewery in Mills River.  

Captain John, Brenda, and Me at the Burning Blush Brewery

My complete set of photos is posted here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8146392@N05/albums/72157715646565906

2020-08-15 Granite City and the Chattooga River Trail

Granite City and the Chattooga River Trail

with Mindy and the Professor

Along the Jackson / Macon County Line, North Carolina

Saturday, August 15th, 2020

Scott and Mindy taking a break along the Chattooga River Trail

I joined Mindy and the Professor (Scott Burns) for a shuttle hike along the Chattooga River Trail.

As usual, I was ahead of schedule so I made a few short stops along the way.

Sunrise from the Wigington Road Overlook

Silver Run Falls

I met Scott and Mindy at the Whiteside Cove Trailhead on Whiteside Cove Road and we shuttled down to the Iron Bridge Trailhead on Bull Pen Road.   

Since the shuttle drive took us right past Granite City, so we decided to explore around there a bit.  This would be both Mindy and my first visit to Granite City!    Fortunately Scott had been there before and was able to show us the way into the Heart of Granite City!

The Professor shows the way into Granite City

 Three Went In!  into the heart of Granite City

Mindy taking off her pack to squeeze through a tight spot

Mindy and the Professor entering the Heart of Granite City 

 Mindy shows off the Heart of Granite City

The Heart of Granite City

 Mindy and the Professor exploring around Granite City

Granite City is an amazing place, but eventually we had to continue the shuttle down to the Iron Bridge to begin our hike up the Chattooga River Trail.

GPS Track from our hike

Click here for interactive Link

Here are some of the photos from our hike.

 Mindy and the Professor at the Iron Bridge

Three Went In - To the Wild and Scenic Chattooga River Trail

Mindy and the Professor along the Chattooga River Trail

Mindy along the Wild and Scenic Chattooga River

The Wild and Scenic Chattooga River

Mindy and the Professor along the Chattooga River Trail

Mindy and the Professor along the Chattooga River Trail 

This was right before the skies opened up on us for the rest of the hike!

Enjoying some post hike Pale Ales with Mindy and the Professor

My complete set of photos is posted here:  

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8146392@N05/albums/72157715539276998

 

2020-08-12 Middle Prong Loop - Blue Ridge Prky Sunrise

Middle Prong Wilderness Area Loop

Pisgah National Forest
Haywood County, NC
Wednesday, August 12th, 2020

I've been eyeing this loop hike around the Middle Prong Wilderness for quite some time and finally decided to go for it.   But first a few Blue Ridge Parkway Sunrise shots on the drive to the Trailhead at Buckeye Gap.

 Morning Twilight along the Blue Ridge Parkway

 Sunrise from the Blue Ridge Parkway

 Sunrise from the Blue Ridge Parkway

 Sunrise from the Blue Ridge Parkway

 Sunrise Panorama from the Blue Ridge Parkway

Here is the GPS Track of the hike I did.  I started at Buckeye Gap and did the Loop Counter-clockwise. I also included a little side trek up to the Summit of Mount Hardy.  

GPS Track from my hike

Click here for interactive link

It was in a thick fog and light rain for much of the hike so I didn't take many photos.  I had a very enjoyable day of solitude with nature while also giving my body a nice physical challenge. 

Entering the Middle Prong Wilderness

 At the Summit of Mount Hardy

view from Mount Hardy

 view from the Green Mountain Trail

 view from the Green Mountain Trail

Trail Snail

 Waterfall along Middle Prong

My complete set of photos is posted here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8146392@N05/albums/72157715513767673