Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Trail Quest Goes Southeasterly! Part 3 of 3 - Heading Home

From Charleston, it was time to point ourselves back toward Boulder. Happily, there are quite a few states with trails between South Carolina and Colorado!

North Carolina - State #24 - March 23, 2017
Many folks had recommended a visit to Asheville, North Carolina and it just so happens that a magnificent trail runs through there: the Mountains to Sea trail that travels 1,175 miles from the North Carolina/Tennessee border in the Great Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I was lucky enough to run a bit of this trail near Asheville - followed by a wonderful day and evening enjoying many of the delights that Asheville has to offer.


Starting down the forest trail
  











 






There is a teeny tiny runner crossing that bridge!

















Yummy post-run breakfast at Tupelo Honey!




An evening of bluegrass - a perfect cap to the day!

















Tennessee - State #25 - March 24, 2017
Next up for us was a visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.


My hope was to find a trail to run on the Tennessee side of the Park, and a trail was indeed found - none other than the Appalachian Trail which running buddy Amie had said was a "must do" during this trail quest. It turns out that it crosses Newfound Gap Road, the road we were cruising through the Park to get from North Carolina to Tennessee. And it turns out that the bit that goes from a parking area at the Tennessee/North Carolina state line hugs the Tennessee side of the state line. I only ran a little tiny piece of the trail (and walked some as well through the not-real-runnable bits) - but it was enough to realize that this trail could be rather addictive.


































And after the trail run, a real treat! A rendezvous with our friends Mort and Lysa who were also doing a Southeasterly road trip. Picnic, hike and visit. An excellent day!






























 

Kentucky - State #26 - March 25, 2017
We had debated whether or not to go to Lexington, Kentucky to try to catch some Sweet 16 and Elite 8 games of the NCAA women's basketball tournament - but impending snow storms and Paul's upcoming birthday kept us on more of a direct route to Colorado. Lucky for us, this route took us through Kentucky's Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area which offers up a plethora of trails. Which to run? Which to run? Ah hah! How can one pass up a loop called the Honker Trail?!  Forest, lakes, birds galore, and all kinds of woodland creatures. A honking fine run, indeed!












 
 













Between the lakes!

 













Missouri - State #27 - March 26, 2017
The 237-mile-long Katy Trail that runs across Missouri (much of it following Lewis & Clark's path) has been on my dream list of runs since way before this Trail Quest. I figured I'd just have to find a span of time when I was able to fit in 237 miles of running in order to check Missouri off the list. But, when we left Kentucky and headed into Missouri on our way to I70 and Kansas, lo and behold, we went right past a sign for the Katy trail. I quick got out the maps, told Kendall to take the next exit, and we found our way to a Katy Trail trailhead in Matson, Missouri where I waved goodbye to Kendall who would be picking me up a couple of trailheads down the way in Augusta. 'Twas a thoroughly enjoyable run - and it is definitely a trail worth coming back to to run from end-to-end.
 










River!




 











Rock bluffs!
 
Kendall's overlook discovery

Vulture overlook. Yikes!












Forest flora





 








Blooming redbuds against the rocks
 

I'll be back!


















Missouri was our last state of this southeasterly trail quest - but the fun continued with a visit to the Stanley family in Kansas City, Kansas. Our eldest's partner, Corinne, a teacher, arrived in KC from Portland for spring break with her family the same day we were to be passing through so we stopped in for visit. Thank you Stanleys, we do so enjoy seeing y'all!


From KC, it was a long haul back to Boulder - but not without some treats along the way - most notably an actual soda fountain in Quinter, Kansas just off I70. Road trip surprises continue!
Root beer float time!













 And best of all - a welcoming party when we arrived back home in Boulder!




Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Trail Quest Goes Southeasterly! Part 2 of 3 - Charleston!

Now on to what started the Souteast portion of the trail quest: Charleston, South Carolina where the Morris Island Lighthouse awaits! Not just any old lighthouse - the first light for Charleston and the sixth oldest lighthouse in the nation! And to get there: a run along Folly Beach!

But before the run, first we settled into Randall's family's country home just outside Charleston.

Hedwig gets to take a break, nestled in amongst the azaleas at the Country House
A lovely sunset - the first of many during our visit with Randall and Dan in Charleston

Our first full day in Charleston starts with a morning run, followed by a visit to the Magnolia Gardens and to the Angel Oak, followed by the best breakfast ever!!!! Shrimp and grits at the Hominy Grill.

The first day's run, around about the Rockville community
Tree moss overhead

Rockville Presbyterian Church - 1850











 
And along the Island's creek border

 
Then gardens, a magnificent oak - the 400-500 year-old Angel Oak - and breakfast






 'Twas the second day of our Charleston visit - the first day of Spring, March 20th - that I got my South Carolina run - a run along Folly Beach to the Morris Island Lighthouse. A fantabulous run and state #23 in the Trail Quest!
The ocean awaits!

WE'RE READY!
WE MADE IT!






Just us and the pelicans!
AND! Made it back!

Now for the grand finale'! Randall introduces us to boiled peanuts. YUM!!!!

Activities for the rest of our stay - touring Charleston and environs with our most excellent hosts!

Fort Sumter
1713 Powder Magazine. There is soooo much history in Charleston

Lots of zig zagging for sure!


Rock used as ship ballast and converted to roads in downtown Charleston


















A Charleston home
 
One kind of gateway


And another kind of gateway


















 A huge thank you to Randall and Dan for a marvelous visit to Charleston!