Natchez Trace

The Natchez Trace Parkway beings in Natchez, Mississippi and ends in Nashville, Tennessee.  It is a beautiful and educational drive filled with historical markers. I grew up not far from these trails that are steeped in Native American history.   The trails around the Mississippi section of the Parkway are very easy....after all it is Mississippi so not a lot of mountains to climb!  A few weeks ago I returned to my old stomping grounds.   

The mound at the Boyd Site

I love the history lessons along the Parkway

Bald Cypress-   A cone bearing tree that is deciduous....hence the name "bald"

 Looking for arrowheads

Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga

 The Aquarium in Chattanooga rocks!   I wish we would have spent an entire day there. We arrived after lunch and quickly realized there was too much to see in one afternoon.  However, that just gives us an excuse to go back next summer!

An awesome holding tank where you could touch the stingrays.

The jellyfish exhibits were my favorite.

My sidekick!

Cloudland Canyon State Park

 Cloudland Canyon is located in the northwest corner of Georgia.  Hiking the West Rim Trail around the canyon was the highlight of our stay in this quiet state park.  Spectacular views surround you for almost the entire journey.

 Best state park cabins ever!   Great price and fully furnished.  Sometimes it is nice to splurge and take a break from camping in a tent.

Cherokee Falls.......well worth the 600 steps down to the bottom of the canyon.















                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Orlando

A road trip to visit my husband

's 93 year old grandmother!

She lives in Sandlando Spring, which is a community named for a natural spring made private in 1971.  We spent 3 days swimming and playing in the sand.  

The grasshoppers in Orlando are HUGE!

Clawhammer Cove

Spring is finally here!  We celebrated with a hike around Clawhammer Mountain in Pisgah National Forest.

One of the first flowers to bloom in the spring is Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) 

This is why it is called bloodroot. 

The Cherokee used the juice of the root as a dye for baskets and clothing.  

Chillin' with the Goats

Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site

Gorges State Park

 This beautiful area is the only state park west of Asheville, NC.    Duke Energy sold land to the state to begin what now is a 7,500 acre park.

 Recent renovations to the park created a new visitor center with a fireplace,"waterwall", and overlook porch with rocking chairs.   

 Bearwallow Valley Trail was an easy 1 mile loop to a nice view of Lake Jocassee.  There are a few other trails in the area to make it well worth the drive to such a remote park.  

Snow Graffiti

When my sister and I were younger, my grandmother would paint the snow with food coloring in a spray bottle.  

The tradition continues........

Surprise Snow Day

Two weeks ago, a snowy morning took us by surprise. 

Parenting Fail=  one adult size glove

After I took this picture he said "Brrrr....cold" and looked at me as if to ask "why are we playing in this stuff?!"    Good question, let's go inside!

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Stay warm my feathered friends!

Happy Holidays

      I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season filled with much love and happiness.  We spent most of our time at home but had many visitors, which made the week feel even more special.  

                           We hiked around Plott Balsam in honor of my dog's 12th birthday.

My beloved Plott hound.  He is the best hiking buddy ever!

                                       We traveled near Helen, GA to visit family members.  
                            Along the way we passed the Nacoochee Mound in White County. 
                                       

I had many blessings in the year 2013.  The highlight was watching my son grow to become a toddler.  Cheers to the makings of many more wonderful moments in the New Year!