backyard hike

We have not been up to the top of our property for a long time. Sunday was beautiful so instead of a walk in the neighborhood or trip to the gym, we decided to see what was growing on the mountain.

The only flowers in bloom were small -

We have never managed to be up on the ridge when the massive rhododendron were in flower - everything green in back of Cheryl is rhododendron.


At the top of the ridge, the violets came in a second color -


We also saw this little flower, but only at the top. It was windy up there, so a little assistance was needed to keep the bloom in focus.

Of course we wanted to check up on the old chestnut. Norris posed beside some of the sprouts from the roots, just starting to show leaves.

Here's a closeup of the leaves - the little teeth of Castanea Dentata already evident. These were only a couple of inches long - they get to be more like 8 to 10 inches.

We were sad to see the chestnut log itself is finally giving up to decay.


Not everything we came across was natural. This barbed wire at the top of the ridge grabbed Cheryl's pants and ripped them near the hem.

But we don't want to leave you with that ugliness - it was a gorgeous day to take in the sights and sounds - here's the view to the other side that we don't see very often.

Thanksgiving - a little late

On Thanksgiving day before dinner, Norris and I went up the logging road in our backyard to check on the part of the road Roger and I found while doing some clearing work. There were some trees on the way there that the tools Roger and I had were not adequate to handle. So Norris had donned his Carhartt overalls and brought the chainsaw.


Unfortunately the chainsaw gave out before we got to the downed tree that blocks the "new" part of the trail to the top of our property.

Even that extension of the logging road peters out quite a distance from the top. Here's a picture I took of Norris on our way down. We were using a gully that's pretty steep to make the last part of the climb. The trees and a walking stick can be very helpful, especially on the way back down where the deep leaves make for slippery going.




I made it all the way to the top but when I told Norris it was too hazy to afford a view to Mount Mitchell, he declined to do the final few feet. The best part of climbing to the top though is there seems to be a trail right along the ridge (where our property line is) and we'll have to hike that some day when it's clear.