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Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
This tiny insect found its way to the United States in the early 1920's from Japan and is slowly killing off forest trees in many areas from Maine to Georgia. Their effect on the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is clearly visible.
A Postcard of winter...
I'm not sure what a Parrothead is doing hiking in the snow but he likes it. As I entered the Great Smoky Mountains National Park the CD player kicked in a fitting Jimmy Buffett tune that sort of explains the mood on the mountain that day. I'm sure a few of you know these lyrics by heart.
Twenty degrees and the hockey games on
Nobody cares they are way too far gone
Screamin boat drinks, something to keep em all warm
For those of you who know me you're not surprised that my toes have left the sand for higher elevations that seem to call me back to their endless peaks over and over again. This trip is no different as Chimney Tops Trail calls my name and up I go in the snow and ice. Some 4,800 feet later I'm at its highest point. The steep rocky trail is normally tough on just about every muscle known to man but on this trip I think I found a couple yet to be discovered muscles that were not thrilled with the icy, snowy trail. Every step was an adventure since many had beaten me to the punch and smoothed out the snowfall from two days before and made it into a slippery slope that if not careful could be a huge pain in the buttocks. Thankfully I only witnessed the painful falls and managed to stay on my feet. This trip up to Chimney Tops didn't disappoint for the view was so crisp and clear and well worth the battle to make the climb. I must point out the final climb requires you to scale a small rock face and for those with a fear of heights it is a real challenge. For others an inner voice calls them higher and their reward is the view. You can learn more about Chimney Tops at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimney_Tops and the next time you visit the Smokies be sure to make this a must see destination while in the park. As for the climb down it was more of a slide down if you know what I mean.
For those thinking this strenuous trail isn't for me I'll fill you in on a little story. A few years back on my first attempt at conquering Chimney Tops Trail I had a chance to meet a husband and wife making the trek up the mountain. A nice couple out for a stroll in the Smokies. As we passed the couple I turned and wondered if they would survive this crazy climb. I reached the top out of breath and trying to find the easiest way on top of the rock face. After enjoying the view I spotted the man and his wife down below. They had reach the top and had plenty of fight left. I know your thinking this isn't much of a story but it is when you realize this man who was walking in penny loafers, and his wife were in their 80's. To top it off it was the second day in a row they had made this climb. That day Mr. Penny Loafer as I like to call him had scaled the rock face and enjoyed the view while his wife was more than happy to take it all in from down below. I truly believe nature can heal the soul and that day taught me a lesson of how important it is to live your dreams and never let a mountain stand in your way. Then again maybe Jimmy Buffett has it right...
Boat drinks.
Waitress, I need two more boat drinks.
Then I'm headin south 'fore my dream shrinks.
I gotta go where it's warm.
I'm not sure what a Parrothead is doing hiking in the snow but he likes it. As I entered the Great Smoky Mountains National Park the CD player kicked in a fitting Jimmy Buffett tune that sort of explains the mood on the mountain that day. I'm sure a few of you know these lyrics by heart.
Twenty degrees and the hockey games on
Nobody cares they are way too far gone
Screamin boat drinks, something to keep em all warm
For those of you who know me you're not surprised that my toes have left the sand for higher elevations that seem to call me back to their endless peaks over and over again. This trip is no different as Chimney Tops Trail calls my name and up I go in the snow and ice. Some 4,800 feet later I'm at its highest point. The steep rocky trail is normally tough on just about every muscle known to man but on this trip I think I found a couple yet to be discovered muscles that were not thrilled with the icy, snowy trail. Every step was an adventure since many had beaten me to the punch and smoothed out the snowfall from two days before and made it into a slippery slope that if not careful could be a huge pain in the buttocks. Thankfully I only witnessed the painful falls and managed to stay on my feet. This trip up to Chimney Tops didn't disappoint for the view was so crisp and clear and well worth the battle to make the climb. I must point out the final climb requires you to scale a small rock face and for those with a fear of heights it is a real challenge. For others an inner voice calls them higher and their reward is the view. You can learn more about Chimney Tops at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimney_Tops and the next time you visit the Smokies be sure to make this a must see destination while in the park. As for the climb down it was more of a slide down if you know what I mean.
For those thinking this strenuous trail isn't for me I'll fill you in on a little story. A few years back on my first attempt at conquering Chimney Tops Trail I had a chance to meet a husband and wife making the trek up the mountain. A nice couple out for a stroll in the Smokies. As we passed the couple I turned and wondered if they would survive this crazy climb. I reached the top out of breath and trying to find the easiest way on top of the rock face. After enjoying the view I spotted the man and his wife down below. They had reach the top and had plenty of fight left. I know your thinking this isn't much of a story but it is when you realize this man who was walking in penny loafers, and his wife were in their 80's. To top it off it was the second day in a row they had made this climb. That day Mr. Penny Loafer as I like to call him had scaled the rock face and enjoyed the view while his wife was more than happy to take it all in from down below. I truly believe nature can heal the soul and that day taught me a lesson of how important it is to live your dreams and never let a mountain stand in your way. Then again maybe Jimmy Buffett has it right...
Boat drinks.
Waitress, I need two more boat drinks.
Then I'm headin south 'fore my dream shrinks.
I gotta go where it's warm.
