Epic Road Trip, PART 1!

Wow! This has been quite the trip and it's only day three of nine! Without further ado, here is the abbreviated highlights!

On Monday morning Mom flew to Atlanta and I picked her up (a 3 hour drive from my work). We drove back to Brasstown Bald, where we packed up the rest of my items and Mom got to see the place where I've lived and worked the past three months. I said my goodbyes to my supervisors and coworkers and we were on the road to Mt. Mitchell, North Carolina's high point! It is also the highest point east of the Mississippi river and it was Mom's first high point! We got there midafternoon and enjoyed a gorgeous day, though a bit chilly (55 degrees) and windy at the top. We got to drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is a beautiful stretch of road through the mountains, managed by the National Park Service. After the high point we drove on into the evening (and night) to Cary, NC, where we stayed the night with our friends, the Maas'.

On Tuesday we were up at sunrise and on the road by 7am, headed north for a full day of traveling. We reached the Washington DC area around 1pm, after driving all morning with just a quick pit stop for an oil change. We met up with our friend Sarah Novak, who now lives in DC. We grabbed a bit to eat at a wonderful Thai restaurant and had a great visit. After lunch we navigated our way in DC to a parking spot right along the National Mall! Mom and I did a personal 'speed tour' of the Mall, hitting up most of the major monuments (Capitol, Washington Monument, White House, etc.) Just before leaving we passed the White House and noticed a lot of commotion....it was the presidential helicopter on the front lawn! Though we were a half mile away, it was still pretty cool! 

After DC it was off to the Delaware high point, Ebright Azimuth. This high point was't much, but the lady who lives across the street from the monument was quite the stitch! She talked our ear off for a half hour! Very nice area and a nice lady who certainly cares about the Delaware high point. Afterward we stopped and got groceries so that we can live out of the car for the week and snack along the way. We made our way further north, ending the day at a campsite in New Jersey around 10:30pm. It was a long day, encompassing 6 states (NC, VA, MD, DE, PA, and NJ), Washington DC, and a LOT of construction and traffic. 

Wednesday brought on New York City, New York!! Mom and I woke early to drive about and hour to the New Jersey/New York border. We parked and then took the subway into NYC. As I have never been to NYC I wanted to see as much in the 6 hours we had as possible. We hoofed all over town seeing a TON of things! The list of things we saw included the 9/11 Memorial and Word Trade Center Site, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, Battery Park, Wall Street, Broadway, Times Square and 42nd Street, Central Park, Rockefeller Plaza, Grand Central Station, and 5th Avenue. It was a tiring but fantastic 6 hours. 

Around 3pm we headed back to the car and got back in the endless traffic, headed north to Connecticut. We are currently blogging from the local coffee shop, not far from the campsite where we will be for the next three days. We will continue to blog soon! Know that we are having lots of fun and it has been everything I imagined and more!

Be sure to check out our photos!

PS - Sorry about the white background!

When One Door Closes....

Well, today was my last day of work here at Brasstown Bald. It was bittersweet, as I am ready to explore other places and get back to school, but I will truly miss being here. I have worked with some wonderful people and have thoroughly enjoyed my job here in Georgia!

Tomorrow I will leave my cozy life here on this mountaintop in Georgia and venture out on a 9 day road trip up the east coast and then back to Minnesota. And the best part....my Mom will be joining me for the trip!! Here's the last of my time here in Georgia.

 I'll start with a few birthday wishes - this past Saturday was my Great Aunt LaVerne's birthday and this past Sunday was my older sister Kayla's birthday! AND, today is my Aunt Nicole's birthday as well as my Godchild Ruth's 7th birthday! Wishing them all many more blessings!

Appalachian Trail (AT)

This past Monday I spent working most of the day, even though it was my day off. Preparing to leave has been hectic but all for the better. I'm excited about all of the projects we've completed and all the changes and improvements we were able to implement during our internship. On Monday I also began the joyful task of packing. Though I do not have that much stuff here in Georgia I have learned my lesson many times over to start early and slowly chip away at it. So, that is what I've done and it seems to have paid off, as I don't feel like packing was a burden.

On Tuesday Claire and I went hiking first thing in the morning, which I always enjoy. It helps gets me moving and utilizes my 'morning person' energy. We hiked from Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area up Slaughter Creek Trail to the Appalachian Trail (AT), down the AT to Jarrard Gap and then took Jarrard Gap Trail back to the parking area. The 6 mile hike began with a little rain but ended in a foggy mist that filled the forest, making for some great photos! The rest of Tuesday was spent doing chores and packing. I should also mention that I had a wonderful video chat with my best friends Anna and Hannah!

The rest of the week was spent working on projects, cleaning, and packing. In case you see photos and are confused, on Wednesday a dog was left at Brasstown Bald so we had a temporary pet for a two days. He was pretty cute!

Claire, Pam, Myself, and Julia at The Copper Door

So, on top of being the best supervisors, on Thursday evening Pam and Julia (my supervisors) took Claire and I out to dinner to thank us for our time as interns here at Brasstown Bald. We ate dinner at The Copper Door, which is a very elegant restaurant in Hayesville, NC. I had a gourmet caesar salad, duck breast with rice pilaf and vegetables, and creme brulee for dessert! Yum! Then, on top of that, they gave us each a ceramic mug made by a local artist a few miles from here! And, to top it off, after dinner we went and walked the Chatuge Dam and saw the sunset. A perfect ending to my amazing internship!

My new mug :)

As I said before, I have learned a lot here and it will be tough to leave. It has truly been a memorable experience!

AND......tomorrow Mom and I begin our 9 day road trip!!

Be sure to see check out my photos and to check the blog throughout this week, as Mom and I will be blogging along the way! Please wish us safe travels and I will check in with you all a few states and many hours of driving down the road!

As If It Weren't Crazy Enough!

Me as Smokey Bear on the 4th of July

Hello family and friends!

I am still here in Georgia, working at Brasstown Bald Visitor Center! After my trip to Vermont and Minnesota I got back in the swing of things here in Georgia and have been busy working on a lot of projects!

I had a good 4th of July, even though I worked on the 4th and the following weekend....SO BUSY!! We had about 2,500 visitors in the span of three days, which for us is a lot! I dressed up as Smokey Bear throughout the weekend. Even though the costume is hot it is a lot of fun! I spent the evening of the 4th with Claire and her boyfriend Miles. We grilled out and then watched fireworks from the observation deck with about 100 other people. We could fireworks displays from about six or seven surrounding towns. Pretty neat!






During the past few weeks I have been planning a CRAZY trip! Yes, you thought my trip to Vermont and Minnesota earlier this summer was crazy, wait 'til you hear this :)


So I will have my last day of work here at Brasstown Bald on Sunday July 27th. My Mom is then flying down to Atlanta on that Monday (7/28) and we are road-tripping up the east coast so that I can tour the graduate schools at Yale University and University of Massachusetts-Amherst. We will be briefly stopping back at Brasstown Bald so Mom can see where I have been working and working our way up to Connecticut and Massachusetts. We will be going through 16 states all together, 6 of which we are going to go to the highest point in that state! We will be stopping in NC to see our friends, the Maas' and in KY to see my friend Katy.
 There may be a few other visits along the way...stay tuned! Also, we are camping along the way! Lastly, on the way from the east coast to MN we will be stopping to tour the graduate school at Indiana University. I am really looking forward to this trip and I am excited to spend 9 days with my mom!!

Dukes Creek Falls

A few thing from my life back here in Georgia.....
As the summer progresses it has been nice to be able to purchase fruits and veggies from the local farmers market. Always good to know where your food comes from!

Last weekend we had a birthday party for Smokey Bear here at Brasstown Bald. He turns 70 this year! I got to dress as Smokey Bear for the party! It felt like it was a party for me with everyone wishing Smokey (me) a happy birthday! Look for a photo of me with my (Smokey Bear's) cake!

Also, this past Monday Claire, Claire's Dad, and I hiked to Dukes Creek Falls, which is a nice hike and a great waterfall. Check out some of my photos!

Life here on the mountain has been busy as Claire and I prepare to leave in only 11 days....11 days! Time here sure has flown. We are working to "button things up" and preparing to leave. I have already begun to think of this upcoming academic year (Online RA training, buying books, etc.).

Two random thing I would also like to mention:
1. It is always nice to catch up with a friends! Thanks to those who have called to chat...I appreciate it :)
2. If you weren't sure from my photos, sunrises and sunsets here are GORGEOUS!

Stay tuned to the blog, as Mom and I will be blogging our road trip! Thanks for reading! I hope your day is filled with sunshine!

PS - Please keep the St. Jude of the Lake Habitat for Humanity Mission Trip participants in your thoughts this week as they travel from MN to AR to build homes for those in need. My parent's have been leading this trip for 23 years! I am so proud of them! Keep up the good work Mom and Dad :)