Assault on Black Rock III

I was searching for local events on Active.com.  I came across ''Assault on Black Rock III'' and thought it was the coolest name.  It benefited the Community Table, a hunger-relief group in Sylva, NC.  This was a roughly seven-mile trail race.  I would go picking a difficult trail race for my first mountain race. The elevation increase was over 2000 feet, with the peak sitting at around 5000. My race bib was stamped when I made it up there. It says ''I swear I made it to the top.'' I took a quick look at the view, then got moving, as I was trying to make time. I refused to look at my watch...no need to depress myself. It took just over three hours. Those who did it in 101 minutes got a belt buckle.  I ran some, walked plenty. At some points, running wasn't practical or safe. I had planned to wear boots and hike, but decided to stick with my Asics. I wanted to have the option of running. It wasn't that rooty, but I did have to watch out for rocks. With the summit as high as it was, there was still some ice near the top. I made it okay going up, but slipped going down. I went slightly off the side of the trail. I let out a little scream, but quickly got moving again. I was quite dirty when I got done. Fortunately, I had a towel in the car (lesson learned). Someone came along shortly after I slipped and confirmed that it was me. It was kind of like doing a marathon; really hard, but I would do it all over again. And I got a cool lime green shirt out of it.    :)  

At 5,000+ feet!

Polar Plunge!

Haywood Waterways Association sponsored a polar plunge at Lake Junaluska.  IT WAS IN FEBRUARY!! This is the only time that you can legally get in the lake.  I thought, why not? I got a shirt out of it, as well as bragging rights.  I also won a great door prize: a one-month pass to the Waynesville Recreation Center.  I wore a swimsuit, cape, knee-high athletic socks and a tutu.  Thankfully, I have water shoes and didn't have to mess up my running shoes.  The event got some great media coverage. 

HWA has a program called ''Kids in the Creek,'' which this event benefited.  The program works with 8th graders in the classroom and then takes them out to the creek.  A neat fact about Haywood County is that all of our water originates here.  It's particularly important to take care of our water because of that. 

http://themountaineer.villagesoup.com/p/taking-the-plunge/966945
If you look to the right of the guy in the white top and red pants, I'm behind that person.  You'll see a little blur of red, which was my tutu. 

http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013130225003 
I'm two people to the right of the same guy in the white top and red pants.  I'm also the first person out of that craziness.   

http://www.smokymountainnews.com/outdoors/item/9915-taking-the-polar-plunge
I'm not sure if I made it in here. 

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/v77ajnja7a2nhdr/bxSv_Oa0b7
This is the photographers site.  There are quite a few, so you may not see me.  You will, however, be entertained. 

Thomas Divide Hike

Thomas Divide is in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  This was in Swain County (Bryson City).  This was harder than my previous hikes, but still a really good one.  We saw a waterfall called Indian Creek Falls.  This is 35-feet high.  Visitors are allowed in the water and tubes can be rented nearby.  I look forward to enjoying the pure mountain water and waterfalls in warmer weather (some falls have swimming holes beneath them). 

 

 

Little East Fork Hike

This hike was in the Pisgah National Forest.  We entered the area through a scout camp.  It ranked up there with Shining Fork in terms of difficulty.  We enjoyed a mild day and having a view of the water.  We were able to see the water for most of the hike.  There were also some adventures crossing the water! Talk about teamwork.  This was a short drive and a fairly short day.  I was wiped out after a few nights of skiing and then heading into the woods. 

This pictures are from the camera of Randy, a fellow group member. 

 

Top 10 List Update

I created this list before moving.  Check out what I've had the chance to do.  You may have seen these pictures already, but I thought they would be nice to show again.   

10- See waterfalls (Transylvania County has 250) http://www.visitwaterfalls.com/

I've seen several large, named waterfalls.  Looking Glass Falls is in Transylvania County (Pisgah National Forest).  Indian Creek Falls (35 feet) is in Swain County (Great Smoky Mountains National Park). 

 

 

This is Looking Glass Falls (85 feet high!!)

 

9- Go skiing (Cataloochee and Wolf Ridge are nearby) http://www.skinorthcarolina.com/

I've been three times; two of these times have been since I bought a season's pass!

 

 

8- Visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park; hike and watch animals http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm

I've done several hikes through the park (Thomas Divide and Bradley Fork). We saw animals on the way to Bradley Fork.

Some pure mountain water in the GSMNP. 

 

7- View Christmas lights in cute downtown areas http://www.visitdillsboro.org/specialevents.html

(scroll down Dillsboro Lights and Lumaries)

I enjoyed the lights in Waynesville and also went to the festival in Dillsboro. 

 

 

6- Go to local festivals (the Apple Harvest Fest is on 10/20) http://www.haywoodapplefest.com/

I briefly strolled through the Arts and Crafts Festival, but spent several hours at the Apple Harvest Fest.  I had the chance to volunteer with the Chamber of Commerce. 

 

 

5- Observe elk in Cataloochee Valley http://www.romanticasheville.com/elk.htm

I saw elk on the way to the one of our hikes, but it just wasn't in Cataloochee. 

 

No elk, but a photo from that hike.  ;)

 

 

4- Run around Lake Junaluska http://www.lakejunaluska.com

I've done two runs at the lake.  Since I haven't gotten a picture, check out their website. 

 

3- Cook yummy food with locally grown apples (from above said apple fest)

 

I softened them up in the microwave and sometimes doctored them up a bit.  Yum!

 

2- Breathe in lots of mountain air

I have a screened-in porch and have done lots of exploring.  Check!

1- Pack my suitcase to visit the folks back home! :)

I'm currently on my fourth trip back home!

ECU vs. Marshall game- trip #2

Looking Glass Falls

When I woke up on Saturday, I needed an adventure.  I quickly decided to check out a local waterfall.  A little online searching led me to Looking Glass Falls.  This is an 85-foot waterfall in Brevard (Transylvania County).  Transylvania County has 250 falls and is known as the Land of Waterfalls.  This waterfall was busy with visitors that day.  You can view it from the road or go down the steps to the viewing deck.  For a better look, you can go around the deck.  The rocks are slippery (be careful).  You can park along the guardrail on that side of the road.  The roads are pretty curvy, so take your time and enjoy the view.  I am ready to check out even more falls...stay tuned for my list.  And now, some breathtaking photos. 

 

Imagine how high the rocks above are (85 foot falls)

 

Love mountain water...so pure and pretty

 

Did some climbing to get this one

 

Ahhh.... :)

 

Festival of Lights and Luminaries

The Festival of Lights and Luminaries is in Dillsboro (Jackson County- next one over).  I live 30 minutes or so from there.  The town is so cute and pretty, especially during the festival.  The shops are also lit up and stay open later on festival nights (two nights each over two weekends).  We went in one store with a guitarist and passed by a shop with a band.  Some of the businesses have treats for visitors to enjoy.  We went in the Fudge Factory and the general store (with an ice cream counter...cute!), among others.  A friend from high school, who now lives here, accompanied me.  I highly recommend checking out the festival if you're ever here at Christmas.  Checking out Christmas lights in cute downtown areas was on my top 10 list (list update will follow soon).