Oh, how I love my mac, but iphoto can kiss my, you know. Twice now I've lost great pics, and I know it's my fault, but I prefer to condemn iphoto right now.
Great hike this weekend at Turkey Pen Gap...sorry, no photos (see rant above). We hiked a 6 mile loop, most of which was along South Mills River, so lots of water for the dogs, not to mention soul-nurturing scenery. A fair amount of ice, still, and the road was atrocious...extra deep mud and lots of sliding around, so take 4WD if you've got it. Here are some highlights:
- winter views from the ridge that you normally wouldn't see during the summer
- shaky cable foot bridges (2) over the river, fun for us, freaky for the dogs
- beautiful bronze and red galax, luminous when the sun hits it just so
- relative quiet for a sunny day in January...mostly we had the trail to ourselves
- gorgeous, gorgeous Mills River, with lots of places to sit by its banks and enjoy a picnic
Take I-26 East to Airport Road. Turn right at the end of the ramp. Follow 280 towards Brevard. Go about 7 miles to right on Turkey Pen Road. Drive to the end of that road to get to the trailhead.
In the parking lot, find the Turkey Pen trail. Follow it up (strenuously up, I'm here to tell you). And down, and up and down. Turn right on the Wagon Road Gap trail, which will drop you down to the river. Turn right onto South Mills River trail, and it will take you straight to the river where you will cross on one of those fun for the whole family swinging bridges. Now you will follow the river all the way back to the parking lot, and you can stop anywhere along here for your picnic. I can't wait for the summer to come back and camp along the river. It really feels like Eden in some spots.
Here is a link to more information.
I wish I had pictures, but such is life. You get one of Quetzal, instead, enjoying herself at Christmas.
