Weeee…let’s do that again!
Day 2 (or 3 if you count the day spent driving here)
Hmmm, I suppose I should back up to Day 1 and tell you how fan-freaking-tastic riding in the car along Tail of the Dragon was. Let me tell you, there aren’t many straight highways in this part of NC. Its alllll curves, but the Dragon has what, 318 sharp curves (many flip-flop hairpins) in 11 miles? Incredible. Did I mention we were in my GXP that is set up with 415 horsepower and performance suspension? Like riding on rails. Best roller coaster ride I ever had – with hubs at the wheel.
We drove along the Cherohala Skyway:
The Cherohala Skyway was completed in the fall of 1996 after being under construction for some thirty-four years. It is North Carolina’s most expensive highway carrying a pricetag of $100,000,000. Winding up and over 5,400 foot mountains for 15 miles in North Carolina and descending another 21 miles into the deeply forested backcountry of Tennessee. The road crosses through the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests thus the name “Chero…hala”. The Skyway is becoming well known in motorcycling and sportscar circles for it’s long, sweeping corners, scenic views and cool summer breezes. (www.cherohala.com)
Seriously, you are IN THE CLOUDS at the highest point. When we began the drive, it was 79 degrees – at the highest altitude, it was 66. You can totally understand why they are called the Smoky Mountains. Dotted all through the mountains, you could see fog drifting up through the trees, giving the appearance of smoke, as if it was on fire…
The name “Smoky” comes from the natural fog that often hangs over the range and presents as large smoke plumes from a distance. This fog, which is most common in the morning and after rainfall, is the result of warm humid air from the Gulf of Mexicocooling rapidly in the higher elevations of Southern Appalachia. (www.wikipedia.com)
Now, on to Day 2:
We woke to no electricity. Apparently a limb had fallen on a power line and disrupted the power. Perfectly fine with me. The temperature outside is comfortable and I finished a book while sitting in a rocking chair. Didn’t want to take off and go since I hadn’t had a shower….so…I was treated to the monotonous whining of “I’m bored”. Ugh. Pugs didn’t seem to mind either.
After a few hours, power was restored and all was right in the world of the teenagers. We took some more curvy roads to Franklin, NC to visit the Fun Factory – the nearest arcade/go cart/laser tag establishment. Wonderful drive there and back. Words can’t properly paint a true picture of how beautiful this area of the US truly is.
Worked on a puzzle I brought along and started a new book before finally passing out on the sofa bed. I slept like a baby for the first time since we arrived. Sometime during the night the power went out again. And now the cable isn’t working. Doesn’t bother me none, but I’m sure there will be other opinions from the younger faction…
Nice photos of Hubs and Kid riding the Dragon:
http://www.photoreflect.com/store/Orderpage.aspx?pi=0QAK00QE020262&po=262&pc=2061
http://www.photoreflect.com/store/Orderpage.aspx?pi=0QAK00QE020215&po=215&pc=2061
There are a few photographers that sit at various points in the Dragon and take photos of people driving up and down the curves.
I’ll work on getting the Cherohala pics posted later…
Ahhhh. Just what I needed!
Totally lazy this morning, but with good reason. I’m at a cabin in North Carolina in the Smoky Mountains. I have no cell service at all. None. Nyet. I am loving it.
The cabin is situated by a small creek. All I can hear besides the snorting of my pugs is the babbling of the creek and the typical “woods sounds” that accompany mostly uninhabited woodsy areas. Like where I grew up. Like where I went to Girl Scout camp. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed it.
I’m here for a week. Hubs and kid went riding on the motorcycle already – I’m hangin on the covered porch with kid’s pal. I don’t particularly care to be going 24/7 – especially on vacation. I plan to stay in my jammies as long as possible today…right in this glider swing…reading by book and surfing the net. With the pugs at my feet, quietly munching on chew sticks. Kid’s pal is enjoying the quiet too.
I stayed up until about 1am – wired from all the cokes I drank. I woke at 4am and actually GOT UP. Been awake ever since. If you know me, and how much I love sleep – this is very strange. The fresh air and relaxation I think is the reason. The more depressed I am, the more I tend to sleep.
I’ve already cooked breakfast, taken the dogs on a rather long walk thru some nearby trails, played on the computer, cleaned my mess up in the kitchen, watched an old episode of Three’s Company, a MotoGP race and swept the hardwood floor. This post will be logged on Central time, but it’s really an hour later where I am.
The cabin is quaint. Two small bedrooms, two baths, sunroom. Wide open kitchen and den. Furnished. Its private property, so it’s not a commercial rental. The air isn’t working real well, but the weather is much more temperate than it currently is in Marion, AR! Two acres of dense woods surrounds the cabin. Hot tub, long covered porch with inserts to keep pets or toddlers from the steps.
I’m rather proud of myself for finding this place, even if the ride here left a bit to be desired (not because the scenery wasn’t absolutely fantastic!).
Thinking about rafting, zip lining, and hiking while here. Right now I’m happy to sit on my butt and listen to nature for the day… ;)
Meet Ryan…
Ryan
Ryan is the youngest of our Red Eared Sliders. My daughter found him in a ditch near our home. Currently, he is about the size of the palm of my hand. He is in a tank by himself because our oldest RES, Tony, picks on him. He enjoys his solitude and seems to have “come out of his shell” more – (hahaha)
Bye bye, Facebook.
Enough drama. I cancelled my facebook account. Life is too short and precious to get caught up in a bunch of hogwash put on by people who can’t seem to get a real job instead of hanging out on Facebook all day stirring up crap!
Bedtime Pet Prayer
found on the May “Greg Biffle Foundation” newsletter:
(pronouns have been changed to reflect my own furry household…)
Bedtime Pet Prayer
Now I lay me down to sleep, this king sized bed is soft and deep.
I sleep right in the center groove, my human being can hardly move.
I’ve trapped her legs, she’s tucked in tight, and here is where I pass the night.
No one disturbs me or dares intrude, till morning comes and, “I want food!”
I sneak up slowly to begin, and nibble on my human’s chin.
For the morning’s here, and it’s time to play… I always seem to get my way.
So thank you Lord for giving me, this human person that I see.
The one who hugs, and holds me tight, and shares her bed with me at night.
By: Dawn from Animal Rights online
Bruised foot, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, and a weenie dog.
Remember that Early Riser Challenge? That hasn’t been working out so well for me. I really do like the extra time in my day on the weekends, but it’s just too difficult getting out of bed. I’m gonna keep trying! Note to self: don’t expect to get up at a decent time while taking Benadryl. It ain’t happenin…
I tilled up a fair size of my backyard to level it out after removing most of a flower bed. I figured I’d give it back to the yard since the yard keeps eating it every summer. Bad thing is, I was tilling barefoot since my shoes kept filling up with dirt. I now have rock bruises on both feet. Ow. For real.
My mom and I went to see the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Chorus perform Mozart’s Requiem. It was wonderful. The Central High School Concert Singers performed along with the Chorus creating a wonderful vocal sound that would rival any professional chorus.
The Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus performs the Requiem that I enjoy the most. On Saturday night, I felt as if I was listening to the same CD – it was incredible!
A little brown dachshund was found wandering our neighborhood and with me being the dog lady, guess who ended up with him? Took him to the vet and he doesn’t have a chip. He had no collar. I’ve not seen anyone out looking for him, but he is obviously someone’s house dog. I’m hearing from a couple of sources that he may belong to a family on the other end of the neighborhood. – who allows this dog to roam around. wtf? I know, I already ranted in an earlier post about this very thing – but it still makes me angry. The little guy is scared. He doesn’t like our pugs and doesn’t like being left alone in a strange place. I posted signs in the neighborhood before I left for work. I hope I get a phone call. I hope that he wasn’t just dumped in the country 
Getting up early is great, until it catches up with you…
I’ve been too busy to post! Imagine that…
Weekend before last I did manage to get up at 5:30 Sat and Sun. It was great. Got lots done in the yard and in the house. Went to the zoo with my mom, Kayleigh and her friend Destiny on Saturday. Enjoyed myself immensely. Then Sunday came along. I diligently got out of bed, enjoyed my morning. Went grocery shopping early and then…
came home and crashed HARD. The week before I was getting up early but couldn’t manage to fall asleep any earlier. Thursday night I did listen to some classical music while reading and it seemed to help a bit. Being dead tired and not being able to fall asleep really stinks.
I slept most of the afternoon Sunday – and it didn’t help that I was suffering from a condition that requires copious amounts of Pamprin. :(
Last week I did “ok” – not as good as the first week. I fell back on the snooze button several times. My goal is to make it two weeks with hitting the snooze no more than one time in a morning. This morning would be day one.
This past weekend was a complete bust. Kayleigh had to wake me up at 9:15am Saturday because she had a hair appt – I made the mistake of taking non-drowsy allergy meds Friday evening and was up allllll night.
Sunday I drug myself out of bed about 8:30 am. I was disappointed because I really wanted to finish the housework and enjoy the weather…
All in all, I’m still set on getting up early everyday. I do enjoy the quiet time and seem to have a better day at work when I’ve given myself the gift of “me” time each morning.
Pics
