Goodbye Mars Hill

7/15/21

 I have a feeling I will be saying goodbye to a lot of people and places on this adventure. I've always been terrible at goodbyes. I am going to make a point to be more graceful about it. 

I'm on to Marshall, NC for a few days. This Mars Hill Airbnb has been so peaceful, thanks to a remarkable host. It was the perfect first place to stay.

Here's a few of my little friends:

A really cute spider holding a fly.

Whatever this is, it's cool. 

The bunnies visited every day, sometimes so comfortable they'd lie down in the grass.

This is Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower. Great 10 mile round-trip hike. It's also where I had my first and second bear experience. I'm terrified of bears the way some are terrified of snakes and spiders. If I'd seen the bears on my way up to the tower, it's highly likely I would've headed back to my car. I realize that here in the North Carolina Mountains, bears are a given. It's their space and we are lucky enough to get to visit. I'm grateful to Debbie and Karen for gifting a small taser/flashlight combo to me before I left. I was reluctant to take it, so glad I did.  Took it out of my backpack after seeing the first bear. The sound of it had the second bear running away from me full speed. Both bears ran from me, which I'm really grateful for. I know they aren't grizzlies, but still, I don't want to interface with them. I love nature, but I'd prefer more distance between me and bears.