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My co-workers and I finished up our business in Longmont Colorado early, so we detoured through Boulder on our way back to the Denver Airport. Drove up Sunshine Canyon Road to the Bald Mountain Scenic Area and an easy 1-mile loop to the 7000-foot summit. Beautiful views of the Rockies followed by a killer lunch at Avery Brewing. All on the company's dime. appalachiantrailcafe.net/index…ece849e3fcc0864d382d849b9 appalachiantrailcafe.net/index…ece849e3fcc0864d382d849b9 appalachiantrailcafe.net/ind…

Daughter got to see a partial view of the annular eclipse in Austin. We got a full view of the Michigan eclipse.

Quote from max.patch: “Aaron Rodgers challenged Travis Kelce to a vaccine debate. Because, of course, our vaccine policy should be decided by a couple football players. ” Moderated by Taylor Swift. Sponsored by State Farm. Try as I may, I can't seem to inoculate myself from Aaron Rodger's idiocy. Speaking of Taylor Swift... I live ~10 miles outside of Hamilton County, home to Paycor Stadium in Cincy where Taylor Swift performed on June 30th / July 1st. My county is reporting a >$1,000,000 boost …

Quote from IMScotty: “...Boothbay Harbor is worth a detour. Lots of pretty inlets and fishing scenery on the docks. But if you are doing this in a day, not enough time. ” Yep. Back in the 80's, my former B-I-L was the head chef at the Boothbay Harbor Inn and my sister was the chef for all things baked. Sipping coffee on the deck outside of my room, watching the boats in the harbor, was so peaceful that I have a re-visit on my retirement trip list.

Quote from LIhikers: “I stopped reading the newspaper years ago because I didn't have the time. Now that I'm retired maybe I should reconsider. ” I stopped reading the paper when I lived in Harrisburg PA because the editor had an unapologetic lean in one direction. A friend was interviewed for a story and his words were twisted so much that he swore they were quoting someone else. My SW Ohio newspaper is much more balanced. With the Sunday paper delivery, I get access to the daily digital editio…

Quote from max.patch: “I learned something today. I'm obviously not spending enough time on the trail. Here goes: The opposite of pink blazing is banana blazing. ” Sounds slippery.

I had posted these in the Trip Planning thread but they really belong here. appalachiantrailcafe.net/index…ece849e3fcc0864d382d849b9 appalachiantrailcafe.net/index…ece849e3fcc0864d382d849b9 appalachiantrailcafe.net/index…ece849e3fcc0864d382d849b9 The most direct route home from Franklin was to bypass the Smokies to the north on I-40. But I convinced my wife that it would be worthwhile to leave early and catch the elk herd on the Cherokee side. We saw a few cow elk but not a large number like I w…

Saturday July 1st 10.1 miles was all that separated me from linking up my Springer - Winding Stair Gap and Wayah Bald - Clingmans Dome sections. Sox had gutted out these miles last October as he was nursing a sore Achilles while I soaked my sore feet in the Franklin Microtel. When my son (Cookie Monster) informed me that he would be working in Franklin for three months, I hatched a plan to schedule a visit and complete this orphan section. Mrs. Tortoise shuttled us up to Wayah Bald on a humid an…

And the drive through the Smokies on our way home was productive. appalachiantrailcafe.net/index…ece849e3fcc0864d382d849b9appalachiantrailcafe.net/index…ece849e3fcc0864d382d849b9

Post-hike touristing in Franklin ain't bad. appalachiantrailcafe.net/index…ece849e3fcc0864d382d849b9

All went well. Sox has a tendon from a 28-year old donor so that should put some spring in his step once his rehab is complete.

Finished my orphan hike between Winding Stair Gap and Wayah Bald. Nothing like a July hike in Western NC. appalachiantrailcafe.net/index…ece849e3fcc0864d382d849b9

No comparison between Buc-ee's and Sheetz / Wawa. The latter two focus on blanketing an area with multiple locations and providing made-to-order food from an extensive menu. And pretty good food from a gas station / convenience store.

Quote from LIhikers: “today wasn't a fun day. I needed an unscheduled dentist visit, who then sent me to the oral surgeon to remove a very broken tooth. My face is still numb from the novocaine. ” Just think of the dentistry scene with Tom Hanks in 'Cast Away' and you'll feel better.

My high school buddy, best man and hiking partner Smoking Sox is finally having his MCL / ACL tears repaired today. The injury goes back to February (skiing) but he had a vacation planned in Iceland and didn't want to cancel due to the extensive rehab requirements. So he strapped on a brace, hobbled around the country as much as possible, and waited until he got back to have the repair done. Hopefully, the months of delay haven't caused any complications. The procedure involves the transplant of…

Quote from Wintergreen: “In Wisconsin, it's Kwik Trip. An icon in our area. ” The Cincy area has United Dairy Farmers (UDF) but we're getting our first Wawa in a few months. And Sheetz is slowly creeping closer - there's a branch opening just up I-75 towards Dayton.

Quote from Astro: “Nothing like it in Japan. But plenty of 7-Eleven. ” Same as Taiwan. You couldn't swing a dead cat without hitting a 7-Eleven. Not that I saw a lot of dead cats there... After being under 100% escort during my first visit to China, I was thrilled to walk out of my hotel in Taipei and grab a few Cokes from the closest 7-Eleven. The clerk didn't speak English and I didn't speak Mandarin or Cantonese. He pointed to a bag (extra cost) and I shook my head. Then he pointed to the tot…

Quote from odd man out: “Quote from max.patch: “Yep, it was 110 on Sunday when I drove thru west Texas. Trip report: If you're out driving and you see a Buc-ee's -- stop. Even if you don't need gas, don't need to use the restroom, and aren't hungry or thirsty. Stop and go inside. You'll have a new favorite gas station when you leave. ” They are not generally on roads I traveled. But checking the map I see I drove by the Buc-ees in KY on I75 back in May. I blew it. ” The Buc-ee's I hit in Tenness…

Only in the café would a thread on hiker fatalities devolve into "where to find roadside brisket?" Love it.

Quote from max.patch: “Yep, it was 110 on Sunday when I drove thru west Texas. Trip report: If you're out driving and you see a Buc-ee's -- stop. Even if you don't need gas, don't need to use the restroom, and aren't hungry or thirsty. Stop and go inside. You'll have a new favorite gas station when you leave. ” Driving to Franklin NC Friday. Stopping at Buc-ee's on I-75 in Kentucky for lunch. Mmmmmm... brisket.