Weekend Update

So I was in Knoxville this last Sunday...mostly just for the experience of not being in Gatlinburg. It was nice. I'd never been to Knoxville except driving through it on my way to Georgia. It's a pretty neat city. It has some parts that remind me of Cincinnati and some that remind me of Atlanta. I mostly hung out in the hipster section known as Market Square. Lots of restaurants and miniature galleries selling local wares. Well, we went to this one coffee and chocolate place that sold coffee and chocolate. I ordered what is pretty much my new favorite beverage. It's called a Mexican Mocha. It's basically a mocha with cayenne pepper and cinnamon. F-ing good. I tried to recreate this morning. The first go round was way too spicy and I could not handle it, but the second try was much calmer and way more delicious. Pretty much it's half coffee, half hot chocolate, soy milk, and a dash of cayenne and cinnamon. I highly recommend it.

Good Old Rocky Top

Headed back down to the land of the pine...or the volunteer state actually. I just learned why Tennessee is called the volunteer state and now it makes sense why the UT mascot is a "Vol". Anyways, I'm going back to Arrowmont for round two. This time to take classes in ceramic cup making and sculptural baskets...evening classes in how to rock the karaoke stage!!!

I had a lovely visit at home, although I really didn't spend much of it at home. Still it was nice to see mom and dad and the dogs and Phineas of course. It was a nice to days at the Holiday at Home festival. Thanks to all who came to my booth especially the folks I know. It is always so nice to see a familiar face at events like this. I hope everyone had a great weekend...ok this is starting to sound like I'm writing in someone's high school year book. Seacrest Out.

Mount Leconte

View from the side of the mountain, about half way up

These are the skeletons of the hemlock tree. There are a lot of them like this on the mountains because an infestation of bugs is killing them off. (You may remember me talking about this when I was at John C. Campbell)

My feets after the hike. I would like to say that they are dark from the sun, but sadly my Chaco tan is due to dirt and grime that I acquired on my hike.

For my September resolution I have decided to do more hiking. As I have decided to stay in Gatlinburg for another month it will be easy for me to follow through with this plan. Last week I went on a hike with some buddies of mine. We climbed Mount Leconte which is about 11 miles total...5.5 up 5.5 down. It was gorgeous and the trail wound around the side of the mountain providing beautiful vistas and shear dropoffs. The view from the top was F-ing awesome and the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches we made were like the best thing I had ever eaten. There are several more hikes I want to do...Contende Mecum Great Smoky Mountains National Park