No Hurry, No Worries: West North Carolina

April 4
I run a couple miles into North Carolina and the Jackrabbit Mountain trails in Nantahala National Forest. There are less technical trails, that seem to be purpose built for casual mountain biking, saw quite a few kids! and a few walkers out too. Rudy brought the van while I ran a few trail miles, followed by bike rides for us both. The system was lots of fun and well signed, and it was a gorgeous day.

View from the High Point Trail of Chatuge Lake

Nice and helpful signage

Later in the afternoon, we took a little nature hike on the same trails - awesome little informational signs.

Cool signs - though a lot of plants were still dormant

We ended up staying at the trailhead, had barley and red sauce for dinner and played cards. Hand and Foot - Rudy win, 3-13 - Leslie win.

April 5
Thunderstorms were the weather for the day. Started up a bit earlier than forecast, but I still managed to get out for an early run, getting some rain during hour two, but I escaped the heavier stuff. The rest of the day was lots of hanging out in the van - not really a better destination nearby. A good day to soak soup beans and play cards. Two Hand and Foot and one Gin Rummy - Rudy's winning streak continues!

April 6
Cool and drizzly, supposed to be another wet day. I got in a quick stroll, then we drove to Great Smokey Mountains National Park. Temperatures in the 30s! Wet snowflakes sighted! We spent a good amount on time in the visitor center, learning quite a few roads were closed within the park, and opted to check out the Deep Creek Trails - good for waterfalls.

Juney Whenk Falls

Bridge at Juney Whenk Falls

Cool Bridge

Cherokee Rose, I think

Tom Branch Falls

Indian Creek Falls

We did some hiking and were treated to a few glimpses of sun. Rudy even motivated to run! I was content with the slightly drier hiking miles and stretched, puzzled, and watched the rain from the comfort of the van. We eventually made our way to camp at a boat ramp and cleaned up leftovers for dinner. Hand and Foot - miraculous Leslie win !!! 3-13 - Rudy win.

April 7
Cold and breezy, and a little blocked from the sun, so a slow morning getting going. We finally got warmed up and headed to Tsali trails on Fontana Lake. Another decent system, with an apparently successful program of alternating horse and bike users on different days. I got greedy and ran three hours while Rudy biked half the trails open to bikers. Sadly, he needed to make a seatpost repair - at least he got the funner trails in.

Fontana Lake

From the Left Trail Overlook

Houseboats/Boathouses?

We tried to camp in a pull out but North Carolina I think Fish and Wildlife? guys kicked us out, directing us to a nearby campground (not even the USFS one at the bike trails initially) and said there was no dispersed camping around. Rudy found us obvious and legitimate dispersed camping ~5 miles away (~1/4 mile down the road from the private campground we were told to go to!) Seems surprising they wouldn't know about that! We were right along picturesque Panther Creek.

Lovely Panther Creek

Ate shells and cheese and played Hand and Foot - two wins for Rudy.

April 8
Cold and cloudy. We went back to Tsali to get in the other trails. First a shorter run for me. Rudy doubled up on bike rides. The day warmed up quickly once the sun came out and I was interested in getting in a ride too. The mountain biking was good, quite a few downed trees, but nice tread, very few puddles despite the recent rain, and nifty views.

From the Mouse Branch Trail Overlook

We headed back to Panther Creek, ate bean burritos, and got in some Hand and Foot - one win each.

April 9
Cool and clear, so sunshine earlier and a little warmer for one more day at Tsali. Rudy got in the rest of the trails he missed while I got in a five hour run covering 24.5 miles, guessing 1 mile of walking in there - it was fantastic and such a gorgeous day. Sunday and busy, but not crowded.

I was told this is not a poisonous snake, I won't be getting too close

Old Chimney on the Left Trail

Each of us managed to get in some chatting with regional locals. Only sad part of the day was the camp chair we used to claim our camp site was stolen, but at least the site was still unoccupied! It was the older, more decrepit of the two chairs we brought along, but it was also the one with the cup holder. Pasta for dinner, then Hand and Foot - one win each.

April 10
An even nicer morning. A lovely little stroll for me before we headed toward Fontana Dam. We stopped at a relatively fancy shelter along the Appalachian Trail - running water! Then continued to bike on trails near Fontana Village. These were more hikey in my opinion, with a few sharp climbs, and some technical stuff. Only about ten miles of trail (some of it old road), not really a 'destination' but cool to check out.