Adventurelaus

Happy to share this trip. Leaving the kids with the grandparents we get to hike several days in  the Nantahala National Forrest.  Our route is a 30 mile loop with a significant amount on the Appalachian trail.  We arrived late afternoon at the Standing Indian Campground (backcountry trail head to be exact).  My wife got to experience the drill of picking up the rental car from the airport and swinging by REI to get the camping fuel for the hike.  For some strange reason though we ended up spending more time and money there end ended up with a few gear enhancement including trekking poles for me. Interactive route map. Packed and ready for the hike. Initially our plan was to hike to the newly constructed Long Branch shelter but it was getting late and we found a pretty meadow on the Long Branch creek that was perfect for camping.  After we got the tent setup a strong rain passed over us.  So we were lucky to duck into the tent and stay...

... happened on my ride through Story County Iowa to visit all 15 incorporated towns in one day. It was near the end of the day when I was riding down the highway. All the sudden right in front of me crossed a skunk the street. As it went across the street I was passing him. I was scared as hell as it's tail went higher and higher. Its pink butt was clearly visible. Luckily the skunk was kind and didn't release anything. Phew! Collage of Story County towns The ride itself went great. On the southern part I took the Heart of Iowa trail. It's a beautiful limestone trail. The only downside was that due to the extreme rain and flooding we got a few weeks ago sections of the trail was washed out. This meant it was rough and sandy riding. Passable with the fat two inch tires on my bike but still slow and strenuous. But it was worth it. Throughout my ride I could see and smell the remnants of the flooding across the county. For the 110 miles I was 13 hours o...