Weekend Adventures--Hiking

Our new home is located about ten minutes (fifteen?) outside of the Jefferson National Forest. We've already taken advantage of two great hikes! The first was not so much a "hike" as it was a stroll. When my mom was in town we went to Pandapas Pond. This place was great for just a nice little walk, and it seemed like it was stocked with fish, should you be interested in that kind of fishing. 

photo credit Melodee Brady

It was very peaceful. If it weren't for the bugs and the heat, I might want to sit here all day and read a book! 

photo credit Melodee Brady

There were some amazing flowers (thanks mom for the pics!)

and then there was a scary Sith Lord Duck thing. Will someone PLEASE tell me what this is so I can stop worrying about it?

photo credit Melodee Brady

    Most recently Mark and I made our way to Bald Knob. The "mountains" here are so rounded that apparently they get to be called knobs instead of points. I have to say, after hiking to the top of one, while it certainly doesn't lack altitude, knob is a way better term than point. The drive up was pretty windy, but nothing the WRX couldn't handle! I have to say the beautiful country drives are turning out to be a good chunk of the fun for our weekend adventures. 

The trail itself started out at a beautiful resort that also happened to be the location for the film Dirty Dancing! For me, having grown up watching that movie, it felt as if we drove into the movie. 

Sadly we didn't get a lot of very good pictures of the resort. I guess we'll have to go back! This is what the "pond" looks like now though.

The hike itself was amazing. We took the wooded trail up and the service road down, which seems like a common set up for trails around here. The trail was narrow and steep but well kept. 

Near the top was some beautiful rock, which reminded us a little of European ruins, though this was just natural stone. Some of it was however used to make stairs along the trail. 

Finally, we made it to the top! The view was amazing! Can you see our house?

(I couldn't find our house either...)