The imaginary Meeting Place of Babbling Campers

It is a good thing that you have headed west, @2sweed ! I just was reading an article in the paper about the city of New York, and they have alligators there !
It has been a story for many years that there were alligators livingin the sewers of New York; but city officials said that it was too cold there for an alligator to survive.
However, stories have persisted since an alligator was actually seen at the bottom of a manhole many years ago.

Now, it seems, they roam the streets of Manhattan Island, giving at least some credence to the old story.
Thankfully, the fearless law enforcement of New York have captured the beast and took him off for animal control to deal with.

http://www.rt.com/usa/310715-alligator-caught-jaywalking-manhattan/

 

Well, come and sit a spell with me on the front porch and relax. We will have fresh coffee (chocolate raspberry if you like flavored coffees), and enjoy the coolness of the shade and greenery here.
It will do your soul good, and I will enjoy your company. Hope things are going better with your friend.

 

My summer reading included A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. A humorous and then again a serious view of his exploits on the celebrated Appalachian Trail. Two thousand one hundred miles seems daunting.

And then I read this -

The Trans Canada Trail is the world's longest network of recreational trails. When fully connected, the Trail will stretch 23,000 kilometres (14,000 mi) from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic oceans. More than 16,800 kilometres (10,400 mi) of trail are currently usable, making it approximately 75% complete in 2014. Two hundred forty gaps totalling 6,200 kilometres (3,900 mi) must be bridged in order to achieve a fully connected trail. The Trans Canada Trail has given itself until its 25th anniversary and Canada's 150th anniversary in 2017 to reach this objective.

Oh...the spirit is willing; but the flesh, the flesh is weak. Maybe if I could canoe it ...but that's not likely.

 

Though I haven't contributed anything of any consequence - I've enjoyed reading and following this thread. Really glad to see you online .

 

Since the the colder weather has past, Cheowa (don't tell him that he isn't a real otter) and I set off going north in your direction. Cheowa wanted to carry his own pack, but his legs are short and he would tire soon. We may be a little slow since we have started out above Gatlinburg tn on the Appalachian trail. We are headed north toward Charlies Bunyon. Supposed to rain, so I hope Cheowa's rain suit fits or he's going to be a mess.

 

...so happy to see that [I mean the bear in the pack], I always have a Baden Bear with me - big, small or huge - I've got to have a (Teddy) bear with me.

 

Cheowa has been around on trips with us, but this is the only time he has been hiking. Here he is on the Delta Queen river boat when it was docked Chattanooga. The river boat was built in 1927 and was still functional. It has been sold and taken south to be restored. Cheowa has stayed on it a couple of times. He loves looking at the river, but due to his physical make-up he has to stay out of the water.

 

Ok, continuing on with the trip
We started at New Found Gap, which is the border of Tn and NC top of the Smokey Mtn Park, and headed north on the Appalachian trail. We stopped at Mount LeCont for lunch.

The cabins can be rented, but used to book up a year ahead. The only way to them is to hike. There is no road, but they do have propane for heat and lights. The propane tanks have to be flown in by helicopter. This is one of the trails up it's the Alum Cave Bluff trail.

 

@ 2sweed, my wife and I have been wanting to go to Grandfather Mtn (I noticed you talked of this place last year) we only live about 3 hours from there. It's one of those things we talk about doing, and always busy with something else.

Any how my wife is busy navigating this Alum Cave Bluff trail. They have actually attached a cable into the rock walls to some parts of the trail incase you get nervous or it gets slippery.

 

Of course mountain streams were made for dogs to play in. We always liked the hikes and camping where there is a lake or river. Hikes are sort of boring with out the sound of a river or stream trickling or gushing over rocks and down falls as it decends toward the lowest reaches it can obtain. We have to hold onto Cheowa when we get around water. Rainbow falls, it was a little dry that year.


Well I better call it a night. Grandson has the tent setup.