New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE! HERE'S TO A GREAT 2014!

When I show this to folk, many times they think it's somewhere out west. But it's right here in North Carolina.

Carver's Gap, Tennessee. Last January.

Last December

I'm continuing to work on my latest fiction projects. I may have to ultimately cut back on the Internet just to get the work done. Or switch completely over to photo-blogging. All options on the table.

Almost a year ago since our trip to Carver's Gap and my brief hike to Grassy Bald in frigid temperatures and bone-chilling wind. Sometimes you have to drive a bit to see Old Man Winter here in the South.

Looking at Roan Mountain. The Appalachian Trail is buried under all of the snow and ice somewhere. Some have mentioned the possibility of bringing the bison back to this area. They would have to be cordoned off in some way, at least initially. Returning such a large animal to this part of the East could be problematic.

Some of the deep snow had been scoured away by howling wind. This was on the Appalachian Trail.

Most of the mountaintop is made up of grassy fields. But here and there are small groves of spruce trees.

A little winter magic.

How'd I Miss That?

Damn. June 1st was National Trails Day! And I let it pass unnoticed. My fault, I guess for being too busy writing.

Well, in honor of a day I ignored but should not have, some photos of trails I have hiked.

Appalachian Trail (Don't go. Overcrowded, camping areas filthy.)

Yes, that's a trail. I swear it. Black Mountain Crest Trail.

Appalachian Trail at Carver's Gap, Tennessee.

Dolly Sods Wilderness, WV.

Panthertown, North Carolina.

A coyote was just in front of me along the Boogerman Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Stone Mountain, NC.

Engineering help on Stone Mountain Trail.

Volcano, WV.

One of the rim trails in the Linville Gorge Wilderness.

Blue Lakes Trail, Colorado.

Trail in the Weminuche Wilderness, San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

Glacial moraine on the Chasm Lake Trail, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.