Foothill Blue

Foothill Blue, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

I hope you like wildflowers, because you're going to be seeing a lot of them very soon...
These flowers are baby blue eyes. They grow in small patches along the Hite Cove Trail near Yosemite National Park. If you can get to Hite Cove, do so now, as the conditions are spectacular!

Sandy Paws is Comin' To Town!

Sammie here: I was a bit wary of visitin' Sandy Paws last year... I wasn't sure what to make of him, but he was furry nice to me and when I actually had a woofie chat with him, tellin' him what I really wanted, it got better... especially when he gave me a couple of treats! And speakin' of "comin' to town," here is a furry weird version of that which I've had on my Facebook page for eons. Hope you enjoy to get you in the mood for the season!
Hope you are starting to have Happy Howlidays! We are loving your cards! They smell yumzers!

Great Smoky Mountains National Park - II

After a relaxing day Thursday, I was ready for a day of being "Tourist". Early out from the motel. Stopped in Cherokee, NC for breakfast. then on into the Great Smoky Mountains NP.
Two days ealier I drove up to Newfound Gap. Today, my destination was Cades Cove.
On the way to Cades Cove there are some waterfalls in the Little River Gorge. I bypassed Laurel Falls - not wanting to do the 2.5 mile hike. Stopped by The Sinks and Meigs Falls, both that can be viewed from the road.
While the falls are beautiful, I saw a little falls/rapids in the river. No name, just one that looking nice, with the moss-covered rocks. There is a HDR Photo of this above.
Cades Cove loop road is one-way. Lots of bicycles on the road. BTW, on Wednesdays and Saturdays the road is closed for all BUT bicycles until 10am. I was thinking of staying last night in the area to ride the loop. But, it is a bit hilly - with some very steep climbs.
At the entrances to the one-way, stop by to pick up one of the booklets that describes the cove, the buildings, and the road. Very much worth the $1.
I stopped at the first historic house. Met a park employee that gave me some tips for other places to shoot in the cove. In addition to the building, he suggested a hill on one of the cross-roads. A great spot for a full 360 degree panoramic.

The photo to the right is of the John Oliver House, where I met the park employee (5 exposure HDR photo).
There is one thing that really frosted me during the drive in Cades Cove. There are several signs that suggest that you pull over to let other traffic pass instead blocking the road. While some drivers where not really "stopping" they were driving soooo slow - about 5-7 mph. And, they would NOT pull into a turn-off to let other vehicles pass. At one point I was the 5th or 6th car in a line and I could not see the back end of the line. The lead driver just kept on moseying on. (For reference, the speed limit in Cades Cove is 20 mph.)
There were a couple of the stops along the loop that I missed. At least 1 was an house that meant a bit of a hike. At that point I needed to stop for a restroom break. I found it at the Information Center. There is a collection of building in that area, including a grist mill.
On around the loop, stopping at a couple more houses. By the time i completed the loop, I was getting hungry. Picked up a snack thee to tide me over until dinner.
Back on the loop, for a second tour of the first section. Had to drive that section to get to the Rich Mountain Road which was my way out.
Rich Mountain Road is a one-way road (while in the park). Gravel road the climbs up across the mountain. Stopped one place to take a photo (recommended by the park employee) where I had a wide view of the cove with the Methodist Church.
Other than the un-courtious drivers, and the confusing ordering system at the snack bar - I had a good drive. Thanks to the fellow of Cades Cove Heritage Tours, i was able to log on the make motel reservations for the night. Ended up staying in Knoxville.
With that, I am ready to head home. See you all later this weekend.

Familiar Trails

The last couple days were awesome, weather-wise. Monday I rode the hybrid for a pavement ride. Just wanting some miles, again.
Yesterday it was back in the dirt at Lake Manawa. I had not ridden my hardtail (Trek4300) for a couple weeks, brought it for the ride. Besides, the trail bike (Fuel EX7) was along for the trip to Wisconsin. Didn't want the hardtail think I didn't like to ride it!
Perfect wind direction - WSW. Was into the wind on the way over to Manawa. Rode the west side first. The peeps have been busy building the log fence again. Have to talk about that in the next time we do a trail day here. I do not like the "fence". It is "confining". Have problems riding that section.
I had heard that there is a tree down at Manawa - Tony's Playground. It is a good sized tree - one that can't just be moved - will need to be cut. Across the trail in 2 section just at the exit of Tony's Playground.

Was good to be back on familiar dirt again. Couple days off, now. Then Full Moon Ride Friday night at Lake Manawa. Charge up those lights!

Horncastle, Romans, Horses, Antiques & Pubs

A short and very scenic drive over the Lincolnshire Wolds took me to Horncastle. A small, bustling market town, home to many antique shops, charity shops, and lots of small independent shops.

The Romans built a fort there, luckily several small sections of the Roman wall still survive. One is at the back of a supermarket, another in the public library, one small section forms part of the wall of the community centre, and there is at least one other small section, hidden away somewhere!

I always park near the old cattle market and walk the short distance into town, so one of the first shops I come across is this fruit and vegetable shop - wonderful, fresh vegetables and fruit, with the added bonus that when you go inside to pay, your nose is greeted by the perfume of a flower shop. That makes it a winner in my book. Double delight.

Horncastle was mentioned in the Domesday book and was granted a market charter in the 13th century. Markets are still held every Thursday and Saturday, with Farmers Markets taking place on the second Thursday of the month. Throughout the summer local craftsmen and women have stalls alongside the Saturday market.



I often stop for a coffee at this café - I am always lured in by the quaint appearance. Sometimes the coffee is wonderful, sometimes not. It depends who is on duty, I suppose.



This is the River Bain, one of the things which attracted the Romans to Horncastle, as you can see, it runs right alongside the café. How different it would have been in those days.

Horncastle is now famous for the number of large, and small, antique shops. Whole days can be spent browsing them. Some are pricey, others affordable - but you need to have a good rummage around.

This is the very beautiful 13th century Church of St Mary - I'll save that for another day.

I learned something new about Horncastle, apparently every August since the 1229 a horse fair was held there. It must have been some fair because it lasted for a week - sometimes two - and was reputed to have been the largest horse fair in U.K. It was discontinued in 1948.

One final snippet - in 1860 there were 48 alehouses and inns which equated to one for every 100 inhabitants. They were a thirsty lot.

These days there are probably around 8 or 9.