Bushwacking!

Today I took a semi-educated guess and went completely off the grid for about a mile into White Oak Sink. Heck, it was pretty likely that I was going to end up either in the sink or crossing the road to Cades Cove.
After coming upon the trail, almost exactly where I was expecting/hoping, I continued to the sink where at one point I noticed a bear quickly moving with little noise up a ridge in front of me. Just before you get the the rocky cliff on your left near the bottom. I've seen several bears as I've walked this route.

Mornings

The morning on Rich Mountain trail was quiet to walk on with the frequent recent rains and active w/ creatures such as birds, chipmunks, and squirrels. Here it is late summer and there are orange, purple, yellow and white blooms happening, as well as lots of different mushrooms. Dang! I wish I had a camera. Peace.