Walhalla - Boone - Roan Mountain

 7/30/21 (last location wouldn't upload photos)

I had to double check that date I just typed. I can't believe it's almost August. In the past two days I've been in three states - South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee. They're pretty close together so it's not a big deal, but I think it might be a good indication of my restless state of mind.  I've found that sometimes I crave the sterility of hotels. Airbnbs can be very hotel-like, which I prefer, or they can have too many of the owner's/last tenants personal things in it, which I don't like at all. I've been mixing it up between hotels and vacation rentals so far, which is ideal. 

Took a great hike in Walhalla. Beautiful waterfalls. Went to Stumphouse Tunnel.

 I got really restless in South Carolina. I prefer to spend most of my time outside, and it was just too damned hot. I've never been to Boone, NC, so I headed up there. Stayed at The Horton Hotel in town - super comfy bed, which I welcomed after not sleeping well for three nights. Boone is cool - a college town, very beautiful. Can't say too much about it as I was there for less than 24 hours. Definitely an area I'd like to explore more.

Roan Mountain, Tennessee is gorgeous. Rolling hills, mountains, rivers. Staying in a cabin in a peaceful area - it has an excellent front porch. I spend most of my time out there. Loved watching the groundhogs, rabbits,

deer, and birds. The fireflies at night were incredible, so many of them.

Took an incredible hike up to Jane Bald via Carvers Gap. It's right on the North Carolina/Tennessee border. The photos don't do it justice. It's incredible. It's about 8 miles away from the cabin in Roan Mountain but almost 20 degrees cooler. I had to put on a sweatshirt - so nice to be cold for a change. Hiking pulls me out of my head, life is so much nicer when I'm not in there.  

I realize I'm living the dream. I thank the universe every day. It doesn't mean it's always easy. I never want to sound like I'm bitching about this incredible opportunity to travel, see places I've never seen. There are things I miss about having my own place, my own stuff all around me, and I'm super picky about where I sleep. Not to mention traveling during a pandemic - which is tricky. I've noticed a lot of places in the south pretend like it isn't happening. A little disconcerting. 

There's also the issue of killing time between check outs/ins. Sunday I have to kill SIX hours. It's not that I can't find many things to do in those hours. Everything I need on this journey is in my car. Leaving it parked, unattended, while I take a three hour hike isn't the best thing. And no, it doesn't all fit in my trunk. It probably could've, but when I packed for this, I had no idea of where I'd be staying, what I'd be needing. It's a great lesson of less IS more - I don't need some of the stuff I have with me. Options are good though - I have a tent if I want to camp, some camping supplies, sheets, a blanket that compresses down. I don't regret bringing those things. It's the clothes - I don't need so many clothes. When I go to Greece in September, I'm really going to pare it down.