Art Loeb Trail - First Trip

After Lauren and Sam camped out in the Shining Rock Wilderness  Area I decided I needed to learn about it myself. So I ventured out to Black Balsam Knob Road, Canton, NC (you can insert that into Google Maps to Find and Navigate there) and 45 minutes later I was venturing onto the Art Loeb Trail. 

The initial climb is a little steep and very rocky but not really too strenuous and it quickly brings you to some beautiful 360 degree panoramic views. Although in the heart of Pisgah Forest and minutes off the Blue Ridge Parkway, the scenery made me feel like I was somewhere in rolling hills of Loch Lomond. You are never really in a forest but rather traversing a series of grassy hills and rock faced knobs and outcroppings high stepping in a rutted trail that is often 12 to 16 inches deep. 

The wind was strong and steady and a nippy chill in the air that had not been the case when I left home less than an hour ago.

I met this hearty couple who were here to celebrate their  anniversary. Although I don't know how many years they have shared, I know that this anniversary, in the majestic beauty of these hills, is golden.
I stopped by Looking Glass Falls on the way home. All in All a very Glorious Day and all less than an hour away!

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Wilhelmina's Tail - Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area

We are fast becoming regulars at this eating establishment we've created mid way out on the Pinnacle Pass Trail. This time we arrived via a whole new route. I dropped my car at the foot of Oil Creek Camp Road and we drove back to Jones Gap. The result was a 7.5 mile one way trek with Brats and a Craft Brew from Marble Brewery in Santa Fe New Mexico.

Along the way we met some very nice folks with an extra special dog. An Australian Shepherd named Wilhelmina. Not only a trusted companion and trail blazer, but a true rescue dog as well. It seems that mans best friend had been cast aside in her early life and had taken refuge deep under a wood framed porch in an abandoned house. She had fashioned herself a home of sorts and was prone to keeping her privacy. A persistent protector tried to coax her out with fresh food and water but she was a bit gun shy and nipped at his advances. Time and dedication won out and the "little mean dog" eventually worked her way back into civil society and into the hearts of her new companions. Her name evolved from "little mean dog" to Wilhelmina, from whence she honors her earlier days. 

The flora and fauna were abundant during this very early spring weekend of April 1st and if we waited a week we might have missed the best part of this years display.

As it turns out I got home in time to run down to Hannah's for an order of Fish & Chips where this spry young lassie reminded me that I was an April Fool in deed.