The Smokies

Barn across from the Caldwell House


Old Man's Beard Lichen


View of the Park


Elk bull eating



The Cataloochee entrace to the Smokies is just 10 miles from my house! Our National Parks are in trouble, to stay informed of issues facing our Parks please visit the NPCA website. Perhaps the biggest threat are fights over land use, hunters, hikers, whitewater folks, and mountain bikers must learn to use the land together. Its all of our tax dollars that pay for Park land, so no one group should be forced out of using the land responsibly. Let's hope the new rule for allowing mountain bikers to use Park land will go into effect smoothly and Parks such as the Smokies will come into compliance with the new rule.

I look over Park land everyday from the view from my house and everday I feel lucky to be able to look and see undeveloped land.

Holidaze

Whoah nelly, the year is almost over. I don't have too much to say this time of year mostly because, I've had too much sugar, food, and alcohol to put a coherent sentance together. However, its been a great year for me despite all the apparent turmoil in the world. I heard a segment on NPR today that made me laugh out loud, about how Bush said he didn't want to leave a big mess for the next President. (This was in regards to the shamefully huge auto bailout package). That is mighty white of ol' President Bush considering the two wars, financial ruin, and educational failure of his administration that Obama will now have to attempt to clean up.

I'm from Washington, DC so sorry I can't get politcal analysis off my brain. However, a buddy of mine was in town a few weeks ago and said how his lifestyle has never changed in past 2 decades so he doesn't pay much attention to politics. Truthfully, mine hasn't either. That economic stimulous package bought a few extra bags of dog food for my two mutts, but thats about it. I do feel being informed is important, but it shouldn't run our lives.

So I am going to continue to go on my merry way (and run a few extra miles) over the next few weeks and get prepared for another wonderful year.