Flat Laurel Creek Trail Oct 24 2010

Sky checking out the wonderful smells in the fields going up toward Sam Knob and the Flat Laurel Creek trails. Lots of sign of deer bedding down and scat from the various animals that make the Shining Rock Wilderness area their home

We took a lunch break late today, Sky had a jumbone, and I had a roast "beast" sandwich w/flaming Frito's (sorry, joke from our "how to survive in the wilderness" skill class I took - did you know you can start a fire with a Frito??) Sky finished her treat first and was patiently waiting on me to get ready to go on down the trail

Sky noticed something in the creek when we crossed the first time, not sure what it was, but she thought she needed it. Good nose, Sky!

Hemphill School and old Store

On the way home from Purchase Knob we stopped by this refurbished school, Hemphill School established in 1847. My mom had fun ringing in the school bell. It was a very neat building, with a pulley system to close the front gate. Very ingenious folks way back in the day!

This old country store is less than a mile from our house, interesting sign of times past. It's hard to read in this photo, but appears the main sign advertised shoes, and the proprietor was an A Moody! Not relations that we know of!

Purchase Knob, Oct 23 2010

Purchase Knob use to be privately owned and was turned over by the owning family to the US Park Service to be used as a research facility to study the diverse ecosystem in this area of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

Drove up today for the first time with my parents visiting from SC to see some of the fall foliage at 5000 ft, and to check out this area.

Short walk to Ferguson's cabin, an original cabin to the area

The dogs, my parents Jill, Sheba, and Sky taking the drag spot stretching their legs for a minute. Dogs are not technically allowed on the trails off lead - rules for the Park are in force here.

Sky on porch at Ferguson's cabin. She is looking at a flock of lady bugs. If you have ever lived in this area, lady bug infestations are common this time of year in old cabins (and newer ones!) Hard to believe these little bugs of nursery rhymes can be so annoying . . . they can be everywhere in your home, car, body, etc. in very short time. Sky did not sit long for this photo before she was overwhelmed with the little creatures.

Where is Sky???

Sky playing in the woods beside our house - she has great camouflage and blends in with the background, a good reason to wear a bell or blaze orange out on hikes.

Come out, come out, where ever you are says Sky to the ground squirrel. . .

George monitors all hunts in "his" woods. Being Sky's BFF (best feline friend), Sky gets permission to hunt on the same grounds as George. Good boy, George!

CH Hibourne's It's All About Me "Parker"

Congrats to Sky's sire, Parker and owners Steve and Bonnie Lane on his recent Sporting Group 3 placement at the Westbury KC show. Way to go Steve and Parker!

Linda sends Sky a new lead!

Thanks Linda for Sky's new obedience lead, it is beautiful and classy. I know it will bring us good luck and we will have lots of fun using it! Linda sent this to us as a birthday present, makes it worth getting older!

Savi & Jam "go to place"

This great photo of Linda Hartheimer's Savi (Clay x Trixie) and Sky's sister Jam (Parker x Trixie) was taken during a training session at her friends, Kathy Santos, new training center. Love the colors, it's hard to believe the photo was shot with her phone!