Georgia Mountain String Band

The Georgia Mountain String Band performed at Currahee Brewing Company's grand opening celebration this weekend in Franklin. It was our first listen to this Decatur, Georgia bluegrass band and we liked what we heard. We'll certainly keep them on our music radar and hope to see them again soon.

https://m.facebook.com/georgiamountainstringband

Tsali Camping

We finally got out camping this summer for three nights at Tsali campground on Fontana Lake in the Nantahalas. We've had a lot on our plate this summer and didn't get a summer vacation, so we were ready for some woods time. 

I had designed and built a new awning for the camper earlier in the spring and this was my first chance to deploy it. Although it is by no means quick to assemble, it will work well if we're in camp for a few days. We did get some rain while we were out and it seemed to work flawlessly.

Little Gnometown camper set up with new awning configuration.

 We were joined by our grandkids for a night and had lots of fun swimming in the lake, fishing, riding bikes, and sharing campfire stories. Oh yeah, we ate smores too!

Grand Canyon 2016

Black Betty's first trip. She joined us for a hike down the S. Kaibab trail to camp at Bright Angel CG for 2 nights. We then hiked up the Bright Angel trail to camp at Indian Garden for 1 night before hiking out.

With: Floyd, Groceries, and Segue.

Magfest 2015

Gnometown set up for the weekend.

Bean Spence hood art.

Gnometown with Bean Spence print.

Ride across the Sewannee.

Black Betty grooving in the meadow.

Col. Bruce on the porch stage with Erin looking on.

Lily Kilgore's bride tribe.

Del and the Traveling McCourys.

Gnometown hangout.

Gnometown breakfast crew.

Mag tree flyer.

Jeff Austin Band.

Greensky Bluegrass

The Gnometown gang caught Greensky Bluegrass at the Orange Peel on Friday night, 9/25. Marie told me during the set break that she saw the lyrics to Lucy In The Sky backstage, so I was ready to capture it on video. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Hometown Hiker Shuttle 2015

With Rock Man, Skinner, and Black Betty at Mooney Gap in the Standing Indian Wilderness.

It has been a busy spring hiker season, here in Franklin, NC. I have shuttled hikers from Springer Mountain to Fontana Dam and all points in between.

If you need a shuttle to a trailhead in the southern end of the Appalachian Trail, Bartram Trail, or in the Great Smoky Mountains, you can reach me through the contact information on this blog.

Happy trails, be safe out there.

Albert Mountain

I hiked up to the fire tower on Albert Mountain (5250') with Wyatt and Jack this afternoon. It's a fun scramble to the top, and is known as the steepest 1/4 mile climb on the Appalachian Trail inside the Nantahalas.
The tower's cabin is locked at the trap door, but the stairs are readily accessible to provide a beautiful 360 degree panorama.