Tunnels!

Another rare occasion when I took both dogs out on a hike...they had great fun checking out the tunnels!

Remains of the Home of Douglas Damon

Took Gabby with me on a hike/walk down Kamananui Valley Road and visited the remains of the home of Douglas Damon. It was a pretty interesting experience as we heard some drumming nearby. Except we were in the middle of the valley and it sounded as if a hundred or so drums. VERY interesting. My friend shared with me all about the Night Marchers...very unusual for them to be around during the day, but not impossible.
http://www.to-hawaii.com/legends/night-marchers.php

Lake Gaston

I love being on the east coast during the spring and fall. Living in Hawaii, I don't experience the change of seasons and I do miss it a little bit. It was nice to see the flowers in bloom and nothings says spring like fuzzys!!  I loved seeing the little geese around the lake.  That was a real treat.

 

Biltmore, Asheville

After Knoxville, My Parents & I decided to stop at the Biltmore Estate. My folks had been before and really enjoyed it.  This trip had been rather sad thus far and we thought it might be nice to do something uplifting.  It was really lovely as the tulips were in bloom and we were practically still in the smoky mountains (we had just driven through them).  I love the mountain air and the gorgeous views!

Ball Camp, Knoxville

Had to head east recently as my dear dear Grandmother passed away. One stop was in Knoxville, Tennessee.  I had not been there in ages.  The town had changed quite a bit in the decades since I had visited  becoming quite metropolitan however, there was one little area that really had not changed too much... Ball Camp.  This little area has a lot of family history for me. Ball Camp Baptist Church sits on land that was donated by my Grandmother's Uncle. My Grandmother lived next door to the church as a child with her brother and parents and then later my father lived in the same house with his parents and grandparents.  That house is no longer there, but the cemetery is on the other side of the church.  My Mother and I walked through and found family headstones while my Father talked to the Preacher.  I have always found cemeteries peaceful...Ball Camp Cemetery is no exception. This tiny cemetery just off the road was probably the place I found the most peace during this trip.

Saturday Hiking with the Dogs

Normally, I only take one of them with me when I go on a hike.  Partially because of the potential for encountering hunting dogs...I want to be able to pick them up out of reach of the hunting dogs.  I can pretty easily pick up one, but not both.  (Had a bad experience before where we encountered a pack of hunting dogs that tried to attack Mackey and I had to pick him up)  I took both this past Saturday to a trail that allows hunting only on Sundays and Wednesdays, so we were all good.

Doggie Hike

Last weekend, Gabby & I joined the Humane Society for a hike in Waimanalo (Maunawili Demonstration Trail).  It was a good size group of both people and dogs.  Gabby made friends with a Dachshund.  A very adorable Cocker Spaniel made friends with me.  The owner said he did not normally do that (I took that as a compliment :)).