Blue Ridge Expedition

Trip Update 7-5-08

Hello Friends and Family of the Blue Ridge Expedition!

 

            We have had an awesome start to our adventure.  After a rendezvous at the Asheville Airport we piled into our van and cruised to the Pisgah National Forest.  Upon arrival we selected a campsite along the lovely Davidson River.  Our new home is sheltered with tall old-growth hemlocks.

            We were up early the next morning to start climbing on Looking Glass Rock.  After a refreshing cool night under the stars, we were all stoked to climb.  We spent the day climbing the tall Granite walls learning to move on rock!  The group climbed well and was very supportive and encouraging to each other.  After climbing we went to Sliding Rock to swim, slide and cool off.  We spent the evening playing ultimate Frisbee and grilling burgers, chicken and other goodies.  We celebrated July 4^th by spending quality time together and gazing at the stars.  Lexie and Summer wowed the group with their homemade sweet-potato French fries.  Anna Kate showed her cooking skills by helping with the grill.  Today was another exciting day rock climbing on the other side of Looking Glass Rock.  After a great version of crounque monsieur (buttery, cheesy bagels) made by Remy, Lexie, and Ridgely.  Everyone excelled at developing a new climbing stamina.  Spirits were high as we cooled off with a swim at Cove Creek.  The cook crew prepared a delicious fettuccine alfredo for dinner with garlic bread.  Tomorrow we start our first backpack trip!

Talk to you soon

Andy and Maggie

 

Trip Update 7/8/08

 

Hello Friends and Family of the Blue Ridge Expedition,

 

    Our adventure is getting more exciting by the day.  We've just finished our backpacking section in the beautiful Pisgah National Forest.  Our hiking section wound along the fast flowing Davidson River offering views of tumbling waterfalls flowing through rhododendron in full July blossom.  The hike was tough but the rewards high, The group was in high spirits as Wilson lead us ever higher through  Butter Gap and onward and upward towards Cedar Rock (Wilson was later inducted into the Leader of the Day Hall of Fame).  After lunch we were cooled off by a late summer shower and kept the whole group laughing. Anna Kate, Chloe, Ridgley, Lexie, Caroline and Elizabeth kept spirits high with their laughter and singing.  We made camp among the hemlocks along the now fast flowing Grogan Creek.  Wilson, Lee, and Summer prepared a filling and delicious dinner of cheesy, peppery noodles with sautéed, veggies, garlic and sausage.  Leader of the Day, Summer had us up early as Remy and Zach prepared a hearty hot breakfast of oatmeal and brown sugar.  We broke camp and continued our backpack along Cat Gap.  That afternoon our cook crew prepared a hot lunch as we dried our gear and swam in Cove Creek.  We visited the famed Dolly's Dairy Bar, a local favorite to celebrate our success with ice cream. Today we continue our adventure as we climb Mount Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi.