NYC 1

Thursday I headed up to NYC for a visit. It was ideal timing as the south was steeped in 100 degree heat. The city was quite bearable at mid 70s. 

We started with drinks at the boat basin. And a decent sunset after some editing. 

Even without the edits, nice spot! 

We carried on to a Mexican place (no pics) and then to dive bar. We had great conversations with Kerri's friends and then entertaining experiences with random people at the dive bar. All very NYC. Cheers! 

Charlotte

I had a lovely few days in the Queen City last week. I headed up ostensibly to teach ATLS, but also got in plenty of good beer and friend time! After a day of teaching I met Doug, Andrea and Jamie at craft. One f the many new places in Charlotte with amazing beer and ambiance. 

Jamie and I then headed to the top of my hotel for dinner and great views. 

Amazing sunset. 

Thursday I headed to wwc for some seriously hot outdoor yoga. 95 degrees and sun! 

That afternoon I had a nice muddy trail run with my newly pedicured toes. 

And then my favorite place on the east coast, River jam with good brews and a book!

and of course my much loved sunsets! 

And a little help from the befunky app!

For Friday I enjoyed a self guided walking beer tour around Charlotte. Cheers!

Little Bradley Falls

My next mini hike was little Bradley falls. I found this on a random internet search of hikes near lake lure. I started off on what clearly looked like a trail. At that moment my cell signal was not enough for me to read the full description of the hike. So I headed along the creek, crossing and at points just walking straight down the middle trying not to think about the possibility of snakes in the water. As I bushwhacked more and more I finally got service again. Turns out I had made a wrong turn at outset....backtracked, literally walking down the middle of the creek, until I got to the start. Now I took the upper trail, which was much better marked and less massive spider webs! 

I easily made it to the falls once I was on the proper trail. Time for a nice cold beer. Wicked hot and humid! 

There were a couple guys along the falls that decided to climb to the top. I was a wee bit worried they wouldn't be able to come back down.  I waited a bit to check, but they seemed content up at the top. 

Still a gorgeous falls and a nice break after my strenuous bushwhacking and creek walking. I was still squish squishing along in my boots. 

Looking back down from the ridge at my first trail. Despite the wrong turn, a great hike. Looking forward to heading back! 

Lake Lure

After my cold hike, I stopped off in lake lure on the way back to pinehurst. Back to 96 degrees and sun! 

I don't particularly mind the heat and the lake was just stunning under the blue skies. 

Most of these pictures are completely unedited. Great day for lighting! 

Lake lure beach with sugar loaf mountain in the background. 

The pavilion. 

Looking down the lake at rumbling bald and shurmont mountains. 

Heading up the Broad River. 

Looking down hickory nut gorge. Buffalo hump mountain to the right and chimney rock to the left. 

Next turn was into the town centre. 

And then the pride of lake lure, the flowering bridge. This was once the bridge that connected lake lure to the neighboring chimney rock.   The town has remodeled it and planted a flower garden across the bridge. 

Gorgeous flowers. 

Heading back towards town. Next stop,little Bradley falls. 

Craggy Gardens

Sunday morning we headed for a nearby hike at craggy gardens, which is along the blue ridge parkway. As it had been 95 degrees the day prior in town, we were a little surprised to arrive at the parking lot in a cloud, at 64 degrees! 

Very eerie hiking into the woods in the fog!

I just kept trying to remember the feeling of cold. I knew I wouldn't be feeling that again for awhile after we left the mountains! 

Tail end of the rhododendron blooms! 

More fun with the app. The gang in the cold fog. And then edited with the sketch setting!

When we got to the turn around, a picnic area, it more resembled a graveyard. The tables looked a bit like crypts. 

We headed back to the car. Overall a nice hike, and cool! 

Below is the shelter in the middle of the trail. My picture is first and then how it would normally look in the sun!