Great Sand Dunes National Park

Is this really Colorado? Sand dunes are supposed to be in North Africa. With a mountain range right behind them, they don't look that big. Get up close and they are huge. We tried to climb a steep one and failed. Picture the effort required to run on sand multiplied by the effort required to run up stadium steps. Now lose 75% of each step to sliding sand and you get the picture. I wore about pretty quick.

Running down dunes was awesome. W felt like we were five years old doing summersaults, barrel roles, and back slides down the slope. Each jump sets off mini sand avalanches that roll down the slope in slow motion. We had a blast. The downside – sand everywhere.

 

Past the sand dunes is the 4x4 trail up Medano creek. The trail crosses the creek nine times. The first crossing is 24” deep. It's an odd sound when the water hits the floor pan and the fan belts start flinging water, but the jeep took it in stride and we continued on. Soft sand was another obstacle, but it did make for a smoother ride than the rocks further up the pass. The pass it self was a meadow with mountain views. We chose a camp site off the trail by creek to enjoy a quiet starry night. This was much better than a day of working.

Smoky Mountain Blue Grass

It's been a busy couple of weeks. We passed through the great smokies and scored a nice stream side camp site. Some of the trails we wanted were closed so we hiked up the dome. This hill top is crowned with a lookout tower offering 360 degree views. Another short trail down the valley wandered through old growth forest. We saw another bear on the road side and snapped a few pictures at a safe distance.

Friday we headed out of the park for the blue grass festival. It was just getting started so the real action was not on the state. Musicians gathered for impromptu jam sessions under every available shade tree. If you didn't like one song, it was only few paces over to here something different.

A friendly local commented on our car, loaded down with bikes and boats. Soon she offered advice on where to kayak as we passed through Alabama on our way to Baton Rouge..

Buffalo River

“You just missed it. The water is usually high enough this time of year.”

You simply can't float a river that doesn't have any water in it. But the river valley has more to offer than float trips. We were looking at the river bed when I struck up a conversation with some backpackers. They were hiking three days on the Buffalo River Trail (BRT). I appreciate a cold beer after backpacking, so I offered one to them. In return they mentioned a hike that winds up a narrow canyon to a waterfall.

Indian Creek, and the Indian Creek trail, runs through a karst landscape. Water dissolves the carbonate rock forming sink holes and caves. This means that the creek isn't always visible. It drops beneath the surface and reappears here and there. It takes a heavy rain to sustain a surface flow. As the miles went by, the canyon walls closed in. For us, the trail ended at the base of a cliff and waterfall. For others, it continues up that wall. Unlike desert canyons, this one is full of lush green vegetation. Trees overhang the canyon and ferns grow out of the rocks. This place is alive.

Perigee Moon

Perigee moon rise over a mountain lake in Alabama.  We paddled out from the campsite after dark.  Around the bend from our cove we were rewarded with this view.

Pisgah National Forest, Asheville

Asheville has it all. Biking, hiking, white water, and climbing. We opted for the mountain biking. The staff at West Side Cycles sized us up about right and recommended trails at the Bent Creek area of Pisgah National Forest. A long, winding, forest road passed by some mountain bike art as it climbed up to the ridge. After that long, hot, climb we arrived at Five Points. The descent was well worth the climb. The trail was fast and flowing. Water bars were sized perfect for moderate air. The finishing touch was the Explorer Loop. A tunnel of vegetation meandered up the hollow before descending a stream valley. The day was well spent and we slept well in our tent that night.

Blacksburg, VA (VT)

Kate and Micheal graciously let us stay with them in Blacksburg. They recommended hiking the Dragon's Tooth section of the Appalachian Trail. True to its name the summit is a series of jagged rocks jutting out of the soil like dragon teeth. This was also our first encounter with VT people. They are everywhere and they wear school colors and logos all the time. My theory is that the Orange and Maroon color scheme keeps them safe during hunting season.

While Saturday morning washed out our mountain bike plans, the afternoon was perfect for testing four wheel drive in our trucks. Micheal chose a trail up by Mountain Lake, the film location for Dirty Dancing. In 2008, the lake level dropped significantly, revealing the body of man who drowned in 1921. The level is still very low. The dock and gazebo are high and dry. That can't be good for business.

The 4x4 trail follows a ridge line and parallels the Appalachian Trail at its start. A viewpoint overlooks the forested valleys below. Hard packed rocky soil makes for a sustainable off road experience. We cruised down two track gravel paths and picked our way through rocky descents. The puddles were well established. One of them; headlight deep. We both pulled through, Mike in his Lexus Land Cruiser and I in my Jeep. And we didn't have to use the winch.

Pic 15.56.36

Sunday did permit a mountain bike ride. Kate chose a loop of rolling single track, easy climbs, and fast descents. At speed, it felt like we were weaving our way through the forest. While we were out, Micheal took Liam and Corbin on the easy trails down to the Lake.

We ended the weekend with a relaxing cookout at Kate and Michael's. It was great to catch up with old friends.

Skyline Drive

We started out the trip on Skyline drive in Virginia. Built by the CCC during the great depression, this road follows a ridge line through Shenandoah National Park. From a civil engineering view, this road is pointless. It is the most difficult path between the points it connects. However, it does make for a nice park and offers stunning views along it's entire length. Off the pavement, hiking trails descend in to valleys. We picked a trail that descended in to a dark hollow. Following stream, the trail terminated at a pair of waterfalls. Definitely worth the effort.

On the pavement, there is wild life. Deer were grazing the street for road salt. At one point, five cars were lined up to watch a mother bear and her cubs forage on the road side. They are excellent tree climbers. They seemingly walk straight up the bark.

The weather forecast for our first night's camping was cold rain. So we roughed at the Skyline lodge instead. That morning, from out hotel room, we looked down at the clouds in the valley.