9th high point Mt.Mitchell,NC

view from top of Mt Mitchell

Another Mt. Mitchell view

on Deep Gap trail, that is not a level trail in front of me it is a long way down across that rock slab

at the top of the Eastern world

view from Deep Gap trail somewhere

Deep Gap trail start

Archie is about to climb down that rock slab.

On Saturday May 29, Archie and I drove to Mt.Mitchell State Park, and did the summit as a drive up (photos will be added here as soon as I get home). We wanted to get a good hike in though so decided to do the Deep Gap hike across the ridgeline of the black Mountains here. We meant to do the 4.5 mile out and back that ends at Cattail Peak but ended up hiking past that and making it around an 11 mile hike. (And a hard 11 miles that involved climbing some ropes, scrambling across slabs of rock etc). Saw some lovely vistas and it is probably about the highest hike to train on in the Eastern US with the entire length of it being over 6000 feet in altitude so we may come back for it again later this summer. The photos of us on the trail are from the same spot, he just took the one of me after he climbed to the bottom, there was quite a bit of scrambling and turning around backwards and climbing down. The two plaques are elevation plaques for two of the 4 high peaks we crossed on a ridgeline. There is one photo taken from the last peak where you can see two of the first ones we hiked over on the ridgeline.

Oh my darling Clementine

OK so here she is, what will hopefully be some protection for my sheep from the *&^$%$ coyotes here. Clementine a 9 month old gray spotted with white jennet. She looks to be around 12 hands or so high.

Hmmm, an equine version of a wookie?

Elephant Rock State Park MO

Neat state park in MO. We had to do a little rock scrambling there.

8th High Point MO-Taum Sauk Mt. 1772 ft

Here are various photos from our 8th high point in MO on May 7 2010. We visited the observation tower across from the park ( 120 ft high) took some photos then went into the park to the high point and surrounding area and took some more.

MO high point Taum Sauk Mt our 8th

Will have photos next week on Friday Archie and I visited Taum Sauk Mt in MO, it was our 8th state high point since we started this quest. Very pretty and scenic place ( but not like our Smokies) . We also visited elephant rocks state park in MO and Fort Davidson. We took several photos and those will be up next week. Archie and I did a bit of rock scrambling at elephant rock SP (if you are in the area it is really unique and a beautiful spot for photos.

Also went to a dogshow in Gray Summit, met with my friend Diana Embry and her husband Dwight ( they are always so delightful !) she took home her new puppy Athena and Veenus got a ride with Diana too. Her new owners are picking her up on Monday. Keelo went out to MO to hang out with Diana while his nephew Cipher is here for the next several months showing. Cipher showed like a dream today but didn't get the nod. That's OK. Tory won open class of 3 and lost to the bred by bitch whose owner spent the entire time we were in Winners class when it was time for my dogs individual exam squeaking a squeaker (of course she didn't do this while stacking her dog). Needless to say I was and am still irritated.

Disney Vacation April 2-7

Just a few photos from Disney, my son Mike, his wife Tara and I hit all 4 parks Animal World, Disney Studios, Magic Kingdom and Epcot in that order. The first day at AW we were all there from around 9 AM until 6 PM. the other 3 days I left at the 6 PM shuttle and the kids stayed until whenever ( I think they closed Magic Kingdom and Epcot to see the laser light show, parade and fireworks). I enjoyed it but my "age" is showing. At 48 I just cannot stay up until 1 AM on a regular basis anymore nor do I even want to. The photos are of myself with my son and his wife Tara where there are people and there are a few of the animals at Animal Kingdom. It was such a blessing to spend time with them but it was rather quickly on the heels of my father's passing and funeral so it was kind of difficult to "consume" it all at once.