December 24, 2017

     Okay, it has been a while since my last update.  Let me start with the cataract surgery.  Due to a cornea issue my vision is not any better and maybe worse than it was before the surgery.  I knew that was a possibility before the surgery though and at some point I may have to have cornea surgery.  We did the baddest eye first and I have decided not to have the other eye done.  Enough of the bad and on to the fun stuff.  After a trip to Virginia, for Kinsley and Cooper's birthday, we traveled with our camper.  We stayed at Cloudland Canyon State Park in north Georgia.  Jason, Shelley, and their two dogs joined us for a weekend.  We had a great time hiking and spending time with them.  The camper was a little crowded with 4 of us and 3 dogs, but we still had a great time.  The park is located just south of Chattanooga on Lookout Mountain.  We hiked the West Rim Trail, which overlooked the canyon.  Beautiful views.  I took some pictures with my gopro camera, but the day was overcast and they were not that great.  Here is one anyway.

     And a couple more.

     When we left there Amy and I spent a couple of days at Desota State Park.  I believe that is my favorite place to camp.  Great pull through sites for the camper and lots of trails to hike.  We started out headed to a waterfall and ended up with a 5 mile hike.  We are planning another trip to Virginia after Christmas and then back to Desota State Park for another weekend with Jason and Shelley and their dogs. 

     We thought we would be spending Christmas by ourselves since our girls came here for Christmas last year.  We tried to get reservations at the beach, but that didn't work out.  Jason and Shelley will be here Christmas Eve so at least we will get to see them.

     I have picked up a part-time job.  I have decided to help with trail maintenance on the Pinhoti Trail.  I've enjoyed hiking parts of the trail so I have decided to volunteer to help keep the trail hike-a-ble.  The Pinhoti Trail extends from Weogufka, AL to connect with the AT at Springer Mountain, GA., roughly 360 miles.  So far I have worked on three different sections.  One of the people I've worked with is my age and is re-blazing the trail.  We both went to Auburn and lived next door to each other but didn't know each other then.  I worked at Klinners washing dishes three times a day for my meals, and he lived there at Klinners.  It is truly a small world.  This last section we worked was on the north end about a hour and a half drive from my house.  We went in 2.5 miles then back out.  Most of the work is done with loppers, a swing blade, or chainsaw.  Last week we had a snow storm with about 8 inches at my house.  This caused small trees to bend over the trail and some trees came down over the trail.  We cleared these in that section.  One thing I have noticed.  After a day of working, it takes me about two days to recover from it.  My body just doesn't bounce back like it used to.  Thank goodness for arthritis strength Tylenol.  Even through the pain, it is still fun to get out and work on the trail. I hope to work one day after Christmas before heading to Virginia.

Until next time...I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.