Cross It Off The Bucket List

You could see forever!

Doing his thing.

We opted for a short trail so we could hike a special hike later.

We had Ellie as our guide.  She works for the Park Service.

This is some kind of lichen that grows on rocks.  You can brew tea from it.

The Magic Tree.

A tree struck by lightning leaves the wood a bluish purple.

The last of the Rhododendrons.

Spiderman.

We were starving so we left the park and headed down the mountain.

 Back up the mountain, we went hiking with the wild ponies!

Some of them met us in the picnic area.

Alaire fell in love!

The wanted to be scratched.

And they wanted whatever Ellis had in his daypack.

This is Fabio.  He is famous because hi picture is on the park mug.

Someone put two braids in his mane.

Then we hit the trail hoping to cross the AT and see some wild ponies.

Found the AT.

He was not letting anyone close to his girls.

We even ran across some hikers.

Climbed a few boulders.

I fell a few times and got a little bloody.  No broken bones but I have to say that my good camera isn't working just right.  I think she got a little jar and some dirt int he lens.  She will need to go to the camera hospital when we get back.

We went back to see our friend Ellie and got to do a craft with her.

We made a little side trip to Oak Hill Academy.  Seems we know the head guy and his wife.  They used to be some of our college-aged babysitters with Cassie, Emmy, and Bryce were little.

Mikey and Joy!!!  After I'm thinking 40 years it was great to hug them again.  Hope they didn't mind that we were all dirty and stinky.  Old home week!