August 16 Camels Hump

Originally, Couching Lion. Not crouching, couching. Got that. Camels Hump, the second highest mountain in Vermont was once known as Couching Lion. If you view it from I-89 as I did, it looks like a crouching lion. I don't know what a couching lion looks like. So, it is cool place because it is the highest mountain in Vermont not marred by a ski resort. It is one of the only mountains in Vermont not marred by a ski resort. The Long Trail traverses the mountain and it is a State Park.The top is an rocky alpine outcrop with struggling vegetation. Probably very harsh environment in the winter.

We started hiking up the Monroe Trail toward the top. Paper Birch forests were quite scenic. It was a tough uphill climb with lots of rocks and roots to negotiate. It is one of my favorite places. Not sure why, but it has attained mythical status with me. Great view of Mount Mansfield and north, above.

There were 36 persons and 3 dogs on top when I passed through. All enjoying a great afternoon.

Paper Birch

August 15 Island Tour Bicycle Ride

The Island Tour Bike trail is one of the top bicycling destinations in New England. I was surprised to learn it was not signed as the Island Bike Trail but as "Burlington Bikeway, Champlain Trail, Causeway Trail and one other I can not remember. This caused a bit of confusion and caused us to ride an additional 2-3 miles due to poor signage.

As we drove to the starting point just south of downtown Burlington VT, I noted the street was lined with parked cars. Then we entered the park, paid $8 to park. Coincidence? It was full upon our return.

We started out with Lake Champlain on our left and downtown Burlington on our right. That was the case for about 2 miles until it gradually transitioned to suburbia. We rode through neighborhoods and through woods until we got to Causeway Park. Initially making a wrong turn here, we eventually realized our mistake and returned to find the most delightful trail you can imagine. The railroad had built a causeway into the lake to link the  mainland with South Hero on  Grand Isle in Lake Champlain. The causeway was lined with huge chunks of marble. Some were carved by amateur sculptors. The causeway is about 3 miles. Toward the end as you approach the island, there is a break in the causeway. I'm certain it once was bridged but is open today for boat traffic to pass. On weekend you can board a bicycle ferry for a very short ride to the other side. It not being a weekend, this was the turn around point for us. 

The wonderful tailwind we enjoyed on the ride out was negated by the 20+mph headwind for the return. It was a tough slog back.

Somehow we managed to bicycle back. Once on the mainland, the wind disappeared and we were able to ride normally back to Burlington. Our 27 mile ride took barely 3 hours. 

August 10 Mass Central Rail Trail

We're in Massachusetts. Bicycling. The Mass Central Rail Trail is a 90+ mile proposed trail. It is complete only in a few sections like this 10 mile spot we bicycled. The future is to connect the Boston area to Northampton. When that is complete, it will connect with the Farmington Canal trail, all the way to Yale campus in New Haven CT. That trail is mostly complete and a great bicycling venue already. However, today we just rode this short section mostly through a white pine forest. This is a watershed so it does have its charm.

There were many wet areas, marshes and swampy spots. Those are something we don't see much of in central and western North Carolina. It appeared to be a nice birding area as well.

This is a typical trail scene. The tread way was in great condition. A few sandy spots do trip you up but otherwise this was a splendid ride. 

August 6 Mussel Hike

The hike is secondary today to the meal afterward. We're hiking Graybeard in Montreat and eating "all you can eat mussels for $15" at Bouchon's in downtown Asheville. We begin at the end of the road in fashionable Montreat, a mountain enclave of old money summer homes. Starting up the West Ridge trail, we pass many homes before leaving the civilized area. The trail is steep and our small group spreads out early on. That is the standard procedure for the entire uphill haul. I am drenched in sweat - no surprise there. We stop at a wonderful rocky cathedral where a trail relocation eliminates a tough rock scramble which Nicole was concerned about most of the way up.

Here is the point at which the West Ridge trail joined the Graybeard trail for the short steep climb to the mountain's top. The top was very pleasant with a nice view. 

The hike down was along an easier graded trail. Much of it was a former railroad bed. It was along here I walked with Ruth and had a great time talking about plants, wildflowers and fungi. 

And now the main attraction, Bouchon's. It was there weekday special, all you can eat mussels. Monsieur Bouchon told us they had run out of mussels the day before but had just received 240lbs. He expected to go through 170-200 lbs tonight. We consumed 26 of those pounds among the 8 of us. There was a muscadet wine on the menu which pleased David and Nicole as that wine is not normally seen in the US. Nicole conversed with Monsier Bouchon in their native language and learned how he ended up in Asheville from France via Texas.

Dale tells another lie

August 5 Meal fit for a Snake

My mushroom forage was interrupted by this snake. It had just eaten and was slowly digesting its meal.

I suspect it was another snake based on the size and shape of the bulge but that is just a guess.

It didn't like me taking these close up shots. So I did not linger long.

August 2 Summer Ride on the New River Trail

Today's ride on the New River Trail began at Foster Falls and went south to the Fries Junction and back. It was as pleasant a summer day as you could ask for as were my two riding companions. One of which was a Texas gal. As we came upon the Austinville crossing we had to do a very short road ride to the Stephen Austin memorial. The Texas Lone Star flag fluttered above as she paid Austin a salute. A nearby lead mine was at one time in Stephen Austin's family. It was lead mining interests which caused Stephen Austin to leave the area for Oklahoma and eventually Texas. As they say, "the rest is history".

Recent rains had me somewhat concerned about the condition of the trail but my worries were for naught. The trail was in fine condition less a few soft and wet spots. The river was running close to full tilt. I don't recall having seen it at this level before. All spillways at the two dams were being used. One of the dams had suffered the loss of a generator earlier this year in a flood. I hope that has been replaced since it has been a great year for water powered electricity. 

I concluded my ride with a sprint to the finish from the tunnel above to Foster Falls. Any normal hot summer day would not have seen me do that.