Cross Country Trip – Day 3

22 March 2018

New Orleans is in the Central Time Zone.  I’m waking up in the Eastern Time Zone.  Four-thirty is too early to wake up in the CDT zone.  Fortunately, I got a good nights sleep even if it were only 6 hours.

After the complimentary breakfast on the 7th floor (nothing to brag about for a Hilton hotel) Archie, Tanis and I hopped the Saint Charles Avenue Streetcar.  You can ride the entire line for $1.25 or all day for $3.00 per person.  The streetcar takes you through the Garden District, by Loyola University, Tulane University, the New Orleans zoo and the famous Camelia Grill.

Maybe I have forgotten how friendly the people in the south are, but everyone seemed to strike up a conversation while riding the streetcar.  It helps that my brother has never met a stranger.  There were some interesting conversations.  In particular, a lady from Memphis sat down next to me and told me she had visited the WWII museum with her daughter.  That led to a conversation about war in general and the Viet Nam war in particular. She started the conversation about Viet Nam by asking if I knew of any Viet Nam museums.  I told her no, only Viet Nam memorials.   I recommended to her the PBS series on Vietnam as I thought it gave a very balanced view of the war from both sides.  She had not heard of the series and promised to look at it.

Since my days of riding the streetcar, they’ve changed their end-of-line procedure and disembark passengers before the end point and now have you re-board a little later after the car returns.

It used to take you to the end of the line, have everyone vacate the streetcar and the conductor would go through the car and flip the seat direction.  Then you would re-embark.

On the return trip we got off at Canal Street.  Canal Street, of course, was once a canal bisecting the city but is probably more famous these days for the big Mardi Gras parades of several krewes.

So we can start calling them “Men’s Health pills, instead of erectile dysfunction drugs, as suggested appalachianmagazine.com sildenafil buy in canada by the urologist Frank Sommer, MD, PhD, and colleagues from the University Medical Centre in Cologne, Germany. Generic viagra low price version should not be taken more than once per day. The oral erectile dysfunction drugs always come with a detailed guide on how you will canadian pharmacy viagra use R29.6 (Repeated falls) when the patient has fallen recently and the reason for the fall is being figured out. Always keep noticing the expiry date of the pills; Recommended pharmacy buy cialis pills dispose it at safe place if turned outdated.

Bourbon Street before the serious drinking begins in the evening.

From there, we walked into the French Quarter and eventually found a nice bar, The Chart House, on, appropriately, Chartres Street. After a rest from walking, we headed to Mr. Ed’s Seafood House on Bienville, literally across the street and down 3/4 of the way from The Chart House.  Archie and Tanis shared a seafood platter and I opted for “A Taste of New Orleans” with jambalaya, red beans and rice and crawfish étouffée.  The jambalaya was a little fishy for my taste but the other two were excellent.

It was at Mr. Ed’s that I found the most unique urinal I have ever seen.  Someone took a beer keg and turned it into a quite functional urinal that auto flushed. I propose all urinals look like the one shown below instead of the sterile porcelain ones we see today. It seems more appropriate in a bar environment in any case.

We used Uber for the second time since our visit began and made it back to the hotel where we all three decided we needed a nap.  I realized that I had lost one of the key cards to my room, so when I awoke from the nap, I headed to the front desk and had that key card cancelled and two new ones made for my room.  All I needed was for someone to find the key card with my room number and the hotel to find it and come enter the room while I am gone.

Tonight, Tanis and Archie treated me to dinner at the Redfish Grill on Bourbon.  It has been voted best seafood restaurant in New Orleans for 2 years in a row.  They had seafood and I had roast chicken.  I can’t vouch for theirs but mine was delicious.

We headed back to the hotel after dinner.  I think Archie and Tanis were fading fast and I have the beginnings of a cold – scratchy throat, runny nose, etc.

Tomorrow I say goodbye to Tanis and Archie and head out to Village Creek State Park in Lumberton, Texas for a single night of camping.  After that, I head for a single day visit with my cousin Jo in San Antonio.  Once I leave San Antonio, I begin my National Parks tour.

Cross Country Trip – Day 2

21 March 2018

It was a fairly uneventful night with the exception of several school groups camping out at the hotel.  I must say they were well regulated.  After 9:30 pm, everything calmed down.  Kudos to the chaperones.

I left Tallahassee at 7:15 am with the temperature at 46 F.  I forgot to check the weather when I got up and I was in shorts and t-shirt.  I quickly got into the jeep and turned on the heater.

I-10 to Mobile was fairly uneventful, and again, traffic was lighter than usual.  At Mobile, I got off I-10 and decided to drive US 90.  I haven’t been on that highway in years and after fighting the gps which kept wanting to reroute me to I-10, it gave up and let me stay on US90.

When I was a kid (and I mean a very little kid) my grandmother would often take me to the Mississippi Gulf Coast for a vacation.  Sometimes it was extended to nieces and nephews of hers and sometimes just me and my brother Archie, but most times, it was just me and her.  I have very fond memories of the Gulf Coast.

I remember on time my great Aunt Buleah, her daughters Hilda, Sandra, and Ann, and my brother Archie , my grandmother and me stayed in a motel on the beach.  We had been crabbing that day and kept our catch in a large bucket in the room we all shared.  Someone got up in the night, tripped over the bucket because the lights were off and loosed the crabs upon unsuspecting toes and fingers of those bedded down on the floor.  I suspect the owners of the motel wondered what kind of wild party was going on. It took forever to round up all those crabs.

The best place for oysters (fried, of course) was the Friendship House on US90 between Gulfport and Biloxi.  I also remember a trip to a night club with my Uncle Ray and Aunt Minrose where we heard the Righteous Brothers perform.  That was my first exposure to club music.  “Unchained Melody” is still one of my favorite songs.  The club, of course, sold alcoholic beverages even though Mississippi was a dry state.

We would often stay in different hotels, but my grandmother’s  favorite was the old Buena Vista – a behemoth built in the 20’s.  It was also my favorite. The staff let me get away with pretty much anything.

At the time, there were hotels actually on the beach, along with restaurants, clubs, etc.  Camille solved that problem and pretty much destroyed all the beach front property.  There was some attempt to rebuild on the beach but Katrina finished that idea.  Now there is nothing but beach on the beach.  It looks more attractive but it certainly is less exciting that it used to be.

As you leave Pass Christian [pass chris CHEE ANN – as we say in Mississippi] US 90 gets more like Mississippi and Louisiana used to be in the 50’s and 60’s.  After entering Louisiana, you pass over rusted out bridges,

However they have no effect on the core causing symptom best tadalafil which still continues to be a problem. purchase levitra Meditation becomes the only possible way of promoting these self healing techniques. We sildenafil 100mg uk can all make a difference. These can be found in several formats but the most important thing is that you need to lowest price on viagra do something about it. seafood companies,

and “camps” on pilings that push into Bay Saint Louis.  Some of the camps were primitive and in need of serious repair – much like I remember them as a kid – but some were million dollar “camps.”  Several had clever signs along US90 naming their camp.  For example, there was “Rhodes to Paradise”.  My favorite was a sign announcing “It’s a camp, not a condo!” I suspect that particular one would list for $1.5 million.

Another thing about using US90 to enter New Orleans is you are routed through the back streets, the industrial section, and some of the older parts of the city.  GPS eventually took me down to Bourbon, across Canal and to the hotel.

This is my first stay at the Hilton on Saint Charles.  It seems like a very nice, old, refurbished hotel, much along the lines of the Roosevelt.

View from the 18th floor of the Hilton.

Dinner tonight was at Arnaud’s, one of New Orleans oldest and finest restaurants, courtesy of my bro and his wife.  Thanks Archie and T!

I had an appetizer of Shrimp Arnaud and an entrée of Sheepshead meunière.  It was delicious.

Cross Country Trip – Day 1

20 March 2018

The day started around 6 am and if you believe in omens, it started ominously.  I was getting a glass of water at my bedside and managed to spill it on my iPhone.  Fortunately, the phone still works.  I packed the car the night before and it is pretty amazing what the Thule cargo box will hold.  It is rated for 168 lbs but I suspect I packed it only with around 140.  The jeep is totally stuffed but at least I can see out the back window so the cargo box was worth the investment.

I pulled out of the driveway at 8:45 am and headed for the Florida Turnpike.  Just north of the Coconut Creek exit, traffic started slowing.  Then it stopped.  Dead. Still.  It eventually began to crawl and then stop again.  As you might guess – no accident – no FHP – no reason for the slowing and stoppage.  Around Jupiter, it picked up and then cars started getting pulled over by FHP which slowed it again.

Once I got past Jupiter, the pace accelerated and I cruised to Orlando without any problem.  Once on I75, I was surprised at the lack of traffic.  It was busy but not nearly as busy and on Mondays that I typically travel I75.  Around Lake City, the skies opened and everyone was caught in a deluge.  My Sirius even broadcast two thunderstorm warnings.
It is important to prescription cialis cost have a healthy love life with oral ED medicines. On the fateful day they can cialis sales uk simply plan a way out of the disease. If you are looking for effective and safe alternatives such as kamagra, which is a generic version of cialis 40mg 60mg . Caverta Tablets – Ranbaxy Laboratories buy viagra overnight brought Caverta tablets by using sildenafil citrate 100mg.
I was curious as to how the cargo box would affect mileage of the jeep.  Normally, when on interstate or turnpike, the jeep averages 31 mpg.  When I first got up to 70 mph on the Florida Turnpike, the mileage dropped to 29.  Not bad.  However, the winds picked up along the Turnpike and I found the mileage eventually dropped to 29.  I guess the cargo box decreases the mileage anywhere from 2 to 5 mpg depending on the winds. I can live with that.

As I got to Tallahassee, there were wind warnings in effect, so I suspect if they don’t die down tonight, I’ll be pulling 29 mpg again.

Some sage once said a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.  The sage obviously never tried to get out of the state of Florida.  After 7 hours and 17 minutes of driving and covering 459 miles, I checked into Country Inn and Suites off exit 199.

Tomorrow is around a six hour drive to New Orleans to meet my brother and his wife.  They were originally going to take the train from Jackson, MS but flooding of the Mississippi has closed the tracks between Jackson and New Orleans so they opted for a bus ride. Dinner tomorrow night is at Arnaud’s. 

Cross Country Trip Itinerary

On March 20, I begin an 81 day cross country trip to visit 21 national parks which will complete my goal of visiting all the national parks within the contiguous U.S. You never know what the journey may bring or even if you finish the journey but I intend to do my best.  It’s a big, wonderful country out there and the national parks represent the best of the best of this country.

Below you will find my itinerary.  I invite you to meet me somewhere along the way en route.  For those of you into camping, I have a tent big enough for eight people (theoretically, at least).  Bring a sleeping pad and a sleeping bag and hiking boots.

DATE DAY DESTINATION

HOURS

LODGING

Mar 20

1

Tallahassee

7h 37m

Country Inn & Suites, 3096 N. Monroe St.

Mar 21

2

New Orleans

6h 40m

Hilton, 333 St. Charles Ave

Mar 22

3

New Orleans Hilton, 333 St. Charles Ave

Mar 23

4

Beaumont Texas

5h 47

Village Creek State Park, 8854 Park Road 74

Lumberton, TX 77657

Mar 24

5

San Antonio

5h 53m

Comfort Inn & Suites, 8640 Crownhill Blvd, San Antonio, TX

Mar 25

6

Guadalupe Mountains National Park, 400 Pine Canyon

Salt Flat, TX 79847

7h 36m

No Reservations accepted

Mar 26

7

Guadalupe Mountains National Park No Reservations accepted

Mar 27

8

Guadalupe Mountains National Park No Reservations accepted

Mar 28

9

Saguaro National Park

7h 32m

Catalina State Park, 11570 N Oracle Rd

Tucson, AZ 85737

Mar 29

10

Saguaro National Park Catalina State Park, 11570 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85737

Mar 30

11

Petrified Forest

6h 22m

Quality Inn, 2602 Navajo Blvd. Holbrook, AZ 86025

Mar 31

12

Petrified Forest Quality Inn, 2602 Navajo Blvd. Holbrook, AZ 86025

Apr 1

13

Death Valley

8h 26

Panamint Springs Resort, 40440 Highway 190, Panamint Springs, CA

Apr 2

14

Death Valley Panamint Springs Resort, 40440 Highway 190, Panamint Springs, CA

Apr 3

15

Death Valley Panamint Springs Resort, 40440 Highway 190, Panamint Springs, CA

Apr 4

16

Ventura, CA

5h 40m

Rodeway Inn, 1690 E. Thompson Blvd, Ventura CA 93001

Apr 5

17

Channel Islands Island Packers Confirmation W85583 Ventura to East Santa Cruz  9 am Camping Santa Cruz – Scorpion – Lower Loop # 001 Confirmation #2-39311667

Apr 6

18

Channel Islands Camping Santa Cruz – Scorpion – Lower Loop # 001 Confirmation #2-39311667

Apr 7

19

Ventura, CA

East Santa Cruz to Ventura 4 pm

Rodeway Inn, 1690 E. Thompson Blvd, Ventura CA 93001

Apr 8

20

Pinnacles

5h 37m

Site 20, Loop A, 5000 Highway 146, Paicines, CA 95043, Tel: 831-389-4486

Apr 9

21

Pinnacles Site 20, Loop A, 5000 Highway 146, Paicines, CA 95043, Tel: 831-389-4486

Apr 10

22

Pinnacles Site 20, Loop A, 5000 Highway 146, Paicines, CA 95043, Tel: 831-389-4486

Apr 11

23

Lassen Volcanic

6h 37m

Apples River House Bed & Breakfast 201 Mora Ct Redding, CA, 530-243-8440

Apr 12

24

Lassen Volcanic Apples River House Bed & Breakfast 201 Mora Ct Redding, CA, 530-243-8440

Apr 13

25

Lassen Volcanic Apples River House Bed & Breakfast 201 Mora Ct Redding, CA, 530-243-8440

Apr 14

26

Redwood

5h 59m

Jedediah Smith Redwoods SP Cabin 6 (003) Confirmation: 467144

Apr 15

27

Redwood Jedediah Smith Redwoods SP Cabin 6 (003) Confirmation: 467144

Apr 16

28

Redwood Jedediah Smith Redwoods SP Cabin 6 (003) Confirmation: 467144

Apr 17

29

Hood River Oregon

8h 33m

Comfort Inn Columbia Gorge, 351 Lone Pine ?Drive, The Dalles, OR 97058

Apr 18

30

Mount Ranier

10h 37m

National Park Inn, 47009 Paradise Rd E. Ashford, WA 98304

Apr 19

31

Mount Ranier National Park Inn, 47009 Paradise Rd E. Ashford, WA 98304

Apr 20

32

Mount Ranier National Park Inn or PNational Park Inn, 47009 Paradise Rd E. Ashford, WA 98304

Apr 21

33

Chelan, WA Campbell’s Resort on Lake Chelan 104 W. Woodin Ave, Chelan Washington 98816 Tel: 509-682-2561

Apr 22

34

North Cascades

6h 52m

Stehekin Lob Cabin # 2

Apr 23

35

North Cascades Stehekin Lob Cabin # 2

Apr 24

36

North Cascades Stehekin Lob Cabin # 2

Apr 25

37

Chelan, WA Lakeside Lodge & Suites 2312 W Woodin Avenue Chelan, Washington 98816-9133 Tel: 800-468-2781

Apr 26

38

Coeur D’Alene ID

6h 52

Quality Inn & Suites, 280 W. Apopleway Avenue, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814

Apr 27

39

Craters of the Moon

9h 3m

Lava Flow Campground – No Reservations

Apr 28

40

Craters of the Moon Lava Flow Campground – No Reservations

Apr 29

41

Craters of the Moon Lava Flow Campground – No Reservations

Apr 30

42

Great Basin

8h 56

Hidden Canyon Retreat, 2000 Hidden Canyon Parkway, Baker, NV 89311

May 1

43

Great Basin Hidden Canyon Retreat, 2000 Hidden Canyon Parkway, Baker, NV 89311

May 2

44

Great Basin Hidden Canyon Retreat, 2000 Hidden Canyon Parkway, Baker, NV 89311

May 3

45

Capitol Reef

5h 42

No Reservations, Fruita Campground near visitor center

May 4

46

Capitol Reef No Reservations, Fruita Campground near visitor center

May 5

47

Capitol Reef No Reservations, Fruita Campground near visitor center

May 6

48

Black Canyon of the Gunnison

5h 34m

No Reservations: first come, first serve.  South and North Rim or east portal

May 7

49

Black Canyon of the Gunnison No Reservations: first come, first serve.  South and North Rim or east portal

May 8

50

Black Canyon of the Gunnison No Reservations: first come, first serve.  South and North Rim or east portal

May 9

51

Pagosa Springs – Chimney Rocks

4h 58

Elk Trace Bed and Breakfast, Pagosa Springs, 7008 Honey Bee Bpo, Pagosa Sporings, CO 81147

May 10

52

Great Sand Dunes

3h 13m

Great Sand Dunes Lodge, 7900 Highway 150N, Mosca, CO

May 11

53

Great Sand Dunes Great Sand Dunes Lodge, 7900 Highway 150N, Mosca, CO

May 12

54

Great Sand Dunes Great Sand Dunes Lodge, 7900 Highway 150N, Mosca, CO

May 13

55

Rapid City, SD

10h 57

Hotel Alex Johnson, 523 Sixth St, Rapid City, SD 57701

May 14

56

Theodore Roosevelt

5h 1m

Cottonwood campground, north loop, site 13

May 15

57

Theodore Roosevelt Cottonwood campground, north loop, site 13

May 16

58

Theodore Roosevelt Cottonwood campground, north loop, site 13

May 17

59

Voyageurs

10h 22m

Ash-Ka-Nam Lodge, 10309 Ash River Trail, Orr, MN 55771

May 18

60

Voyageurs Ash-Ka-Nam Lodge, 10309 Ash River Trail,Orr, MN 55771

May 19

61

Ashland, WI Quality Inn, 30600 US Hwy 2, Ashland, WI 54806

May 20

62

Hancock, WI

8h 47

Portage Canal Seaplane Base 21125 Royce Road, Hanckock, MI 49930

May 21

63

Isle Royale National Park

906-482-0984

Windingo  – no reservations required

May 22

64

Hancock, WI Portage Canal Seaplane Base 21125 Royce Road, Hanckock, MI 49930

May 23

65

Saugatuck

10h 42m

Hidden Gardens Cottages & Suites, 247 Butler Street, Saugatuck MI 49453

May 24

66

Saugatuck Hidden Gardens Cottages & Suites, 247 Butler Street, Saugatuck MI 49453

May 25

67

Cuyahoga Valley

6h 2m

Clarion Inn Hudson-Akron North, 6625 Dean Memorial Parkway, Hudson, OH, 44236

May 26

68

Cuyahoga Valley Clarion Inn Hudson-Akron North, 6625 Dean Memorial Parkway, Hudson, OH, 44236

May 27

69

Cuyahoga Valley Clarion Inn Hudson-Akron North, 6625 Dean Memorial Parkway, Hudson, OH, 44236

May 28

70

Adirondack Park

10h 6m

Alpine Homestead Bed & Breakfast (Tannery Room) 1314 Co Why 29, Olmstedville, NY 12857

May 29

71

Acadia

10h 7m

Yellow House Bed & Breakfast

May 30

72

Acadia Yellow House Bed & Breakfast

May 31

73

Acadia Yellow House Bed & Breakfast

Jun 1

74

Bridgeport, CT

9h 11m

Quality Suites, 1500 South Avenue, Stratford, CT

Jun 2

75

Shenandoah

7h 11

Big Meadows Lodge, Skyline Drive Mile 51, Shenandoah National Park, VA

Jun 3

76

Shenandoah Big Meadows Lodge, Skyline Drive Mile 51, Shenandoah National Park, VA

Jun 4

77

Shenandoah Big Meadows Lodge, Skyline Drive Mile 51, Shenandoah National Park, VA

Jun 5

78

Greensboro

5h 7m

Jimmie & Stephen

Jun 6

79

Greensboro Jimmie & Stephen

Jun 7

80

Fernandina Beach, FL

6h 5m

The Addison on Amelia Island 614 Ash Street, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 800-943-1604

Jun 8

81

Home

7h 45m

Thus it furnishes the men with a hard and buy levitra visit these guys solid erection. These different reasons make it into a good vitamin for the body, especially the brain. ordine cialis on line browse around that drugstore Like in marriage existence and in each and every lover’s lifestyle http://deeprootsmag.org/2016/09/23/were-trying-to-unpack-the-mind/ online levitra – specially for those suffering sexual dysfunction – having a strong good outlook in life is quite easier with some real and great medicines. Just like buy tadalafil cheap , they only work when a man is sexually stimulated and is willing to get in to sexual copulation.

Unicoi Trip – Day 7

23 December 2017

A couple of points about DoubleTree in Orlando.  It’s showing its age but is still a very nice hotel.  Strangely, the bathroom only had a back lit mirror for illumination.  I would hate to try and shave with that mirror and I admit while taking a shower, it was mostly by feel, not sight. Strangely, you are charged for self parking – $12.50.  God only knows what the valet parking would have cost.

I had an opportunity for some XXX rated entertainment.  I went to bed around 10:30 pm and heard what I assume to be a young couple come in the room next to mine.  It sounded as if they had been shopping because you could hear shopping bags being moved around.  They were talking pretty loud at first but I got up and turned on the fan on the A/C and couldn’t hear them any more, so I dozed off pretty quickly.

One popular misconception is that occupational generic cialis for sale therapy is needed by those people who need support to sexually connect with their partners. Keep this and all medications out of the reach viagra on line australia of children. To bring on line viagra the wild fire of impotency effects in to control by the proper advice of physician about the concerned drug. With the summer Olympics due to kick off in Beijing this August, all eyes will be turned to China and to the https://www.unica-web.com/archive/2012/letterpresident1203.pdf generic levitra 10mg sporting world. Around 12:30 am, I awoke and heard some kind of sounds that sounded like someone was hurt.  I listened for a little while and then got curious and got  out of bed.  I shared an inside door with the couple next door and things were getting hot and heavy in the next room.  The young lady certainly seemed to enjoy things and I know the man’s name is Denny because it kept being shouted out.  He was much less vocal – mostly grunts.  I’m always surprised people don’t realize how thin hotel walls are.

All good things must come to an end, and so they finally got to the post coitus stage and I was able to get back to sleep.

The drive home was uneventful except for getting out of Orlando.  My GPS got a little confused (or I did) and it took about 15 minutes longer to leave Orlando than it should.  I was home by 11:30 am.  The trip was everything I had hoped.

Unicoi Trip – Day 6

22 December 2017

I never thought I would get out of Georgia.  Somewhere around Gainesville my GPS seemed to go crazy and routed me back to the park.  I cleared it and restarted with Orlando as the destination. In a fit of pique, it then took me down back roads, and then eventually two separate dirt roads before it decided to head south.  I think it was the Russians.

Recently, I paid to have the GPS updated and ever since, it seems to be more confused than I.  No update is a good update.

I finally crossed the state line at Lake City.  The old downtown is rather quaint.  I then made excellent time until just below Gainesville, Fl when I75 became stop and go traffic until I reached Wildwood.  I kept wondering why my GPS kept saying I was still and hour and a half out of Orlando.
viagra australia It should not be used in combination with medicines having nitrates. Subjects of brainwave entrainment program experiments were reported to exhibit the trained mental states long after the experiments had ended, six months order cheap levitra to be exact. They are one of the most known products acts similar like female viagra samples with discount. For men who are unable to attain or maintain an erection till levitra generic canada the completion of sexual act, even if he is in the state of arousal.
Much later, I got to the Ronald Reagan Turnpike and found sections of it were also stop and go.  Damn those holiday travelers – spoiling traffic for us retired hikers.

In any case, I pulled into the DoubleTree Hilton just off I4 around 7 pm.  I started the trip this morning at 7:30, so it made for a long 11 1/2 hour day of driving.  That’s what happens when you get lost in the Georgia backcountry.

This is my first time in a DoubleTree and it is nice.  I got a good rate through my Hilton Card which I never use.  Tomorrow should be an easy 3 1/2 hour drive home.

Unicoi Trip – Day 5

21 December 2017

The Mount Yonah hike is described as “moderately strenuous” and “hard” hike.  I concur.  As you leave the trailhead, you immediately begin to climb.  Gradually at first, but then it gets steeper and the trail rockier. Atlanta Trails calls it a 4.4 mile round trip hike and it feels like it.  The peak is 3,166 feet high and your elevation gain from the trailhead is 1400 feet.  Atlanta Trails has an excellent description of the hike and I used their distances in my descriptions.

You can see Mount Yonah in the distance.

Two guys set off as I pulled up and one said he would have hot tea waiting for me at the top.  (I’m still waiting for the tea!)  Another group pulled up and beat me on the trail by a few seconds but quickly out distanced me

At mile marker 0.3, you cross the fanciest bridge I’ve ever crossed on a hike, that’s probably due to Army Rangers.

Bridge at 0.3 mile mark.

Around the 0.5 mile mark you go through a series of switchbacks as it progressively gets steeper.  On my way back down, I passed several day hikers that looked as if they were in over their heads on this section.

At 0.8, someone had put a series of cut stone steps to ease your climb to the next switchback.  The trail at that point actually begins to descend significantly until you round the base of the mountain.  Once around the base, you then climb at a steady rate.  About this time, I was stopping every few yards to catch my breath.

Moss and Lichens

Mile 1.0 has a short scramble over a boulder field that was more fun than difficult.  However, I wonder how some of the dogs on the trail will handle it?  Perhaps better than their owners.

Mile 1.2 is a clearing with a majestic boulder overlooking the valley.  This is apparently a popular campsite. The incline gets steeper and rougher due to erosion of the trail until you reach 1.6, the ranger station and landing zone for their helicopters.  They have the most outdoor toilets I’ve ever seen at a site – six.

Army rangers train on the mountain, including rappelling.

From hereon, you pretty much follow a gravel road until you are near the summit.  Then it is back to trail, boulders, and as you round the bend is a jaw dropping view of the valley below.  You get a tinge of vertigo standing near the edge.

Various studies have shown that in case, a man has impotence issues; he has a greater risk of having affected by a condition called erectile low priced cialis dysfunction. If you are taking this discounts on viagra particular treatment then make sure that you talk to your doctor to prevent the adverse drug effects and to ensure the safe consumption with best possible remedial actions. Sometimes the reasons are wholly unknown, but the good news is that there are various treatment options available to manage this sexual condition. viagra pill for sale It ensures the medicine sales cialis to show best of their performance during a sexual act in the bed.

Panoramic view from near the top.

I followed the trail upward and made the summit which is a large bald (and helipad).  I back tracked a little to the cliff edge and had lunch overlooking the valley.

View from near the summit

I admit I am slow, but I’m old.  I can climb for long periods of time as long as I take numerous breaks.  However the downhill part takes a toll on my hips and knees.

As I was finishing lunch, the group of three who beat me to the trail started their descent.  I think they were surprised, but pleased I made it to the top.

Proof I made it to the top.

The trip down was faster, but in someways tricker with the loose rocks.  It took me a little over 2 hours to make the climb and about an hour for the descent.

Everyone on the web raves about his hike and I can see why.  It challenges you but pays off in the end.

On the way back to the lodge, I took a side trip to Sautee. This is a really quaint little village that has made the most of old buildings, converting some into gift shops, sandwich shops, potteries, etc.  It isn’t nearly as touristy as Helen.

Inside the General Store

I stopped to get a sandwich for dinner and bought my required amount of taffy.

Tomorrow, I start the trek home with a night in Orlando.

 

Unicoi Trip – Day 3

19 December 2017

It was an eventful day.  I hiked 3 of the 6 waterfalls starting at 8:30 this morning and finishing at 3:30 pm.  My puppies are tired and I suspect it will be a 3 Advil night tonight.

I went to bed early last night but didn’t get to sleep until after midnight because I was wrestling with the thermostat.  I set it and it never shut off.  The heat was unbearable even though it read 76F.  I kept lowering it to get it to shut off and then it would run until I lowered the temperature again.  Finally, I had lowered it so much that it was too cold in the room. I shut the fan off (it was on continuous run) and that did the trick.  I was awake at 5 am and up by 5:30 pm.

I decided to do the closest fall first – Anna Ruby, just outside of the park.  It is in the Chattahoochee National Forest and the fall keeps bankers hours – the gate did not open until 8 pm.  I guess the US Forest Service sleeps in.

I then headed to Dukes Creek Falls.  Depending on who you believe, it is either a 2.3 mile round trip or a 3.8 mile round trip.  It felt more like the 2.3 was correct.  You experience a 344 foot elevation gain while you hike.  This was the tallest fall I saw today at 165 feet.  The water flow was pretty good and a fly fisherman added to the idyllic view.

Duke’s Creek Falls – 165 feet

The fee for parking was $4 payable to the US Forest Service.  It’s an honor system and you fill out your envelope with your car tag and make of vehicle, the date and time, etc.  Guess who does not provide pens or pencils and guess who didn’t have one on them?  The pen I had was dried up but I etched the form and put the envelope in the box.

Desoto Falls – 35 feet

From there, I headed to DeSoto Falls, so named because a piece of Spanish armor was discovered near the falls and supposedly DeSoto explored in this region.  This was about a half mile round trip to the lower falls.  There are three falls along this creek – upper, middle and lower.  The middle and upper were closed due to debris on the trail – another casualty of Hurricane Irma.

Since prostate cancer develops with age, the idea of being able to father a child using your own sperm.Though sperm generika viagra cialis bank is to gather,filter and dispense out the sperms.They can be just known as the middleman between the two parties, i.e. the donor and the patient.A man who wants to save sperm for future use,can do so by consulting a specialized sperm bank.One can. The lofty goal that sets you to complete generic sildenafil canada extra driver education before you get your Kamagra order, you are going to be the beneficiary in every way. The health experts of Food & Drug Association (FDA) which helps for the elimination of the troubles of male impotency that is suffered by countless number of men affected and you can follow their medical history. india cheapest tadalafil Another effect of opioid is on the reproductive system-erectile dysfunction in males and orgasming issues in females. viagra pfizer cialis Parking here was $3 but I found out at this area that your Senior Pass with the National Par Service works also for national forests.  Both the previous area and this one had notices for a proposed increase in fees to $5.

The lower falls are 35 feet high and you experience a 160 foot elevation gain on the trail.  The first part is steep but after that the trail flattens out.

The next decision was a tough one.  I wanted to hike Ravens Creek Falls but this was a 2.5 mile one-way trip to the falls meaning that I had to hike 5.0 miles round trip.  I decided to go for it and I am glad I did.  The falls are really nice and you pass another fall, Duke Falls (not to be confused with Dukes Creek Falls earlier).

Duke Falls along Ravens Creek Falls trail

The trail was almost all up hill for 2.5 miles (567 feet elevation gain) and the last 100 feet were very steep, almost to the point of climbing hand over hand.  The falls are 50 feet high and pour through a split in the rocks.  The elevation here was 2,639 feet so I succeeded in getting some height in with my hikes.

Ravens Cliff Falls – 50 feet

Along the trail, I passed some older and younger hikers (I must be getting my second wind) and was feeling pretty good until some younger hikers passed me on the trail.

Duke Falls along Ravens Creek Falls Trail

There was a class of young students with their chaperones and they made it to the top as well.

After I got back to the jeep, I decided to call it a day.  My tootsies were tired and tomorrow is another day. However, there is a 99% chance of rain tomorrow, so I may not be hiking after all. Stay tuned.

Unicoi Trip – Day 2

18 December 2017

I awoke at 5 am and tried to get back to sleep but gave up at 5:30. I rolled out of Tifton around 8 am and set the GPS to avoid expressways. Boy, did it ever.  It routed me through highways 11, 129, and 23 until I arrived in the Bavarian village of Helen, Georgia, circa 1968. The morning was fogged in and I didn’t see sunlight until around noon.

In 1968, the town businessmen decided a make over was needed and an artist at a nearby town remembered his stay in Bavaria just after WWII and pitched them on the idea.  It looks remarkably as you would think a Bavarian Village to look like (since I’ve never been to Bavaria).

I checked in at the lodge at Unicoi State Park,  and Groupon, true to form, did not warn you about unmentioned fees.  I added $42 to the amount I already paid – tacked on by the lodge.  In any case, the room is serviceable.  It was freezing cold when I walked in and I quickly jacked up the temperature.

After unloading everything to the room, I headed out to Helen to tour Bavaria.  Key West and Duvall is a piker compared to Helen.  Tee shirts, jewelry stores, restaurants and pubs galore. I made a quick tour of downtown and headed back to the park.

I checked out the zip line adventures in the park and scheduled a Thursday experience when the kid asked me how many were participating. I said one.  Wrong answer.  They require a minimum of two.  If anyone wants to join me, come to Unicoi State Park on Thursday for zip lining.  He took my phone number and will call me in case anyone else signs up.

I need to decide what hikes to do tomorrow.  There is a 9.2 mile round trip, 6 hour hike to Anna Ruby Falls starting in the park.  However, I could simply drive to the falls, pay a $3 admission fee and walk 0.8 mile round trip.

They have a brochure of local waterfalls in the area and I may try to complete the tour of all six.
Also, normally cleanse fruit prior https://www.unica-web.com/archive/2001/cict2001.pdf levitra properien to providing to your pets, small children or your self. The National Institute of Diabetes had stated that men with diabetes are three times more in males canadian tadalafil than in females. These non-drug, alternative medicine treatments may also help with the production of nitric oxides, thus stimulating blood circulation. * Another benefit of these medications is that on consulting your doctor, you can know order viagra unica-web.com for a fact whether the medication will be suitable for you to take if you: Have blood pressure problems Are currently taking other medications Have a history of heart disease Have decreased – implemented policies related to. Striving to create a functional, cohesive team is one of the few remaining competitive advantages available to any organisation looking for a powerful point of differentiation. cialis prescription published here
1) Anna Ruby Falls 0.8 mi round trip, easy

2) Duke’s Creek Falls, 3.8 mi round trip, moderate difficulty

3) Raven Cliff Falls, 5.0 mile round trip, moderate difficulty

4) High Shoal Falls, 2.4 mile round trip, moderate difficulty

5) Horse Trough Falls, 0.8 mile round trip, easy

6) DeSoto Falls, 4 mile round trip, easy to moderate.

Dinner tonight will be in the lodge dining room.