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Roan Mountain, TN, and the grassy balds for several miles to the north contain the biggest collection of native growing wildflowers of which I am aware in the Appalachian Mountains.  Each year in mid June is the peak season of the blossoms of rhododendron, flame azalea, mountain laurel, bluets and…

On the last day of May, 2020, I took a hike on Grandfather Mountain.  The route was on the Profile Trail from NC Hwy 105 most of the way to Calloway Gap at the top of the mountain. This trip was my first real mountain hike in several years. Due…

People from Florida like to come to the North Carolina mountains in the summer because it is cooler and there are fun things to do, like river kayaking. The long weekend of July 20, 2019, Deena Thomas’ grandchildren Mileena, age 13 years, and Tre, age 9 years, came to visit…

Every summer about mid-July, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Wilkesboro conducts its Parish Retreat at the Conference Center in Valle Crucis, Watauga County. This year on July 20, 2019, Ranger Bob and Deena Thomas went for Bob’s about 25th trip and Deena’s first trip. Happily we took along Deena’s granddaughter…