This post contains more pictures of Ken and me than you are ever likely to want to see. At some point, you will wonder why you are wasting your time looking at two bozos with obvious vanity issues. These feelings are totally natural. But, like watching some horrific wreck on the highway, you'll probably be unable to look away.
Our first big hike for our anniversary trip was up to Mt. Le Conte. The day started off sunny and mild. Ken poses in front of the first of many ridiculously beautiful vistas.
The first big stop on the hike is at Allum Cave Bluffs. Which don't have a cave, but are really, really big. As Ken (lower left) takes in. Luckily, the path leads around the bluffs.
We reached the top of Le Conte, and wandered around the lodge up there for a while. The lodge is a weird sort of hippy commune/M. Night Shamalyan's "The Village" mix. It was nice, but no scenic views. Nothing that said, "You've climbed a mountain!!" In other words, anticlimactic.
But, on our way down, I spot a tiny little sign that reads "Cliff Tops- .2 miles" We figure "what the heck", and take the trail. Good thing we did. Once we reached the end of the trail, we were rewarded with this:
Well, not that exactly. That's just me taking another stupid self-portrait.
Yeah. This one's better.
The descent took place in a deluge. Horrible. But a bad day hiking is still better than a lot of good places elsewhere, right?
The next day we hiked out to Andrew's Bald and Clingman's Dome.
Oh look. Me again.
Andrew's Bald. Very baldy.
Ken is not as impressed with the bald as I am. Jaded.
The walk up to the Dome kicked Ken's ass. I, however, remained fresh and chipper. No matter what the photographs may suggest.
The tippy tippy top. Cold and wet.
We headed back to the B&B, showered, got into our city clothes, and headed out to a seafood joint for our anniversary dinner. Damn, we're good looking (see what I meant about the vanity?)
Oh yeah, did I mention the statue of the demonic mermaid that was the centerpiece of the restaurant? Creeeeeeeepy.
And, just for fun. An annoying couple's pose montage.
4 comments:
The pose montage was great. I have to admit, I scrolled back and forth from the post-hike-ruddy-glow picture to the pre-going-out dinner. I liked them equally! I also love the two titles of the hikes, "clingman's dome," and "bald something or other." Together they sound like descriptions of male pattern baldness. Congratulations to both of you, it looked like so much fun!!
May you have 70 more anniversaries and hike up to Mt. LeConte for each...
Don't give me that. You HAD to be sweaty & winded at Clingmons Dome.
10 years? Yikes.
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