Saturday Morning

“The morning greeted me with cool crisp feeling of fall. I headed north on the Blue Ridge Parkway in hopes of finding some morning photos, migrating monarchs, and some very needed solitude.

As I drove the sun was starting to peek over the mountains to reveal the foggy valley below. The acorns must be falling because there seemed to be squirrels EVERY WHERE...they were moving targets.

The monarchs migrate from Canada to Mexico and they fly through Tunnel Gap on their way...amazing how those little guys make it that distance. I waited a bit but didn't see any so I went on. Stopping along the way for photo ops.

I had thought I would stop at marker 417 and wonder down to Skinny Dip Falls (no comment dirt bags) but the p/l was already packed at 8:30 so I went on. Probably campers but still more than I wanted to deal with in such a small area.

My drive took me to Black Balsam which was busy as well so I parked at the Ivestor Gap parking area and headed towards Sams Knob.

As I headed down the trail I had to walk around (and into the brush) a late night camper who had set their tent up right in the middle of the trail. It was 9:00 by now and I wondered if anyone was even in there...as I listened closely I could hear the quiet snores of what was obviously a deep sleep!

As I ventured on down the trail I was greeted by flocks of junkos, finches, and other birds that I didn't recognize. It was amazing how many birds were in the trees it was like a sanctury. When I reached the field at the base of Sam's Knob the sky was crystal blue, no haze at all and you could see forever back into Shining Rock and beyond. The morning sun was so soothing and a gentle breeze was blowing..a perfect combination to relieve the stress of my previous week. However the stress momentarily returned as I came about 12" from stepping on a snake that was enjoying the morning sun as much as I!!! We had a nice conversation as I took his photo and I encouraged him to move on his way so I could pass!!! He was polite enough to oblidge!!!

As I reached the base of Sam's Knob I deciced to take a left and head down the Flat Laurel Trail. I really enjoyed the hike towards the river, stopping to watch the birds feasting on wild cherries and the butterflies sipping on nectar of the asters. As I approached the river I could hear the blood curtaling screams of what appeared to be a toddler...the first human voices I had heard since departing the parking lot! My skin curled and I was a bit disappointed...hoping to have the river to myself. As I entered the opening the family with two young boys greeted me as the boys fought over a ball. The argument, thankfully, ceased and I was able to enjoy the river in peace.

I can't have a hike without some sort of dilema...would just not be right...so the drama occured when I sat on the rocks to enjoy the bubbling water...I heard a 'plop' and looked down to find my phone resting at the bottom of the river!!!! I usually keep it in my pack to use as a clock...but had slipped it in my pocket after attempting to let the hubby know where I was hiking!!!!! Needless to say they aren't waterproof and Im back to using my old LG as my Razor sits bathing at home in sileca (sp?)!!!!

Well, the rest of the hike was nice but a bit exasperating as I thought of how I was going to explain this to the hubby!!!

When I arrived back at the p/l there was no room for another soul...they much of all headed down towards Ivestar Gap and Black Balsam because other than the family I didn't see a soul.

It was a much needed adventure...despite the mishape with my electronics!”

“Sounds like a nice day, excepting the phone bath. Better than dropping it in some public toilet somewhere, by far!”

“The Blue Ridge Parkway is awesome!

Sounds like a nice time crazygurl! Sorry about the phone though.

Thanks for sharing.”

“very nice. Thank you.


ps. My old phone fell into the toilet. Not a very good moment for me. Another one popped off my belt as I was crossing a road ... looked back in time to see it go under a tire.
last edited: 9/24/07 5:12:24 AM”

“Good report. My phone ended up in the Namekagon River this past summer. Oh well, I didn't like being in bondage to it anyway:)”

“Nice trip report CG!”

“Sounds like a nice trip other than drowning your phone. I read you can take the battery out of an electronic device and let it dry and sometimes it will be okay. You have to make sure it's totally dry. I don't know if it will still work, but might be worth a try.”

“Yea I took the battery out ASAP...I have had some friends drop cameras in the water so I was trying to recall what they did...when I got home we went and bough Silica ...you know the stuff that comes in the litle packs to keep things dry..well we bought a big box...and it is sitting in it now!”

“The monarchs are still up here.
last edited: 9/24/07 9:59:04 AM”

“H....mmmmm....they must be running late. They are usually here by mid Sept. I've seen a few flutter by in the lower elevation and even saw some in the upper elev. Saturday but not the big flocks.”

“

So what is it?”

“Sorry, not allowed to view your photos.”

“What?


:-(”

“nice”

“Hmmmm...I have my own company now! Please don't tell the IRS!

Thanks Tilt. That was what I was trying to attempt this morning...I wanted to share with everyone the majesty I experienced.”

“very cool!”

“Awesome picture!”

“Thanks guys”

“:-)”

“Come visit SS :-)”

“Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing.
~Sassafras”