Smoky blues, the winter we avoided in February met us here with snow, icicles, and hikes wearing our long underwear. History, culture, a new balance of ecological wonders (salamanders, rhododendron, budding spring blooms, native brook trout) to satiate our curiosity.

• We stayed: Indian Creek Campground (Cherokee; and a top notch recommendation for remoteness and fishing) and Campfire Lodgings (Asheville; and a top notch recommendation for mountain views)
• We explored: the Cherokee Reservation (Museum of the Cherokee Indian and Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual), Great Smoky National Park, Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina Arboretum, Kolo Bike Park, the town of Weaverville
• We fished: Bunches Creek (catch and keep!), Cataloochee Creek
• We hiked: Kephart Prong Trail, Clingman’s Dome, trails around the campground and the arboretum
• We ate: Chai Pani (5 stars!), Buxton Hall Barbeque, Hole Doughnuts (5 stars!)
• We drank: Fonta Flora Brewery (5 stars!), Archetype Brewing, Burial Beer Co. (5 stars!), Green Man Brewery
• We read: Mountain Windsong: A Novel of the Trail of Tears by Robert Conley, Thirteen Moons by Charles Frazier, Great Smoky Mountains Wildsam Guide (and had there been more time: a re-read of Thomas Wolfe’s Look Homeward Angel, Cataloochee by Wayne Caldwell, and I’m fascinated by The Education of Little Tree and the story that’s unfolded since it’s publication)
• We listened to: The Swimming Song (Loudon Wainwright III)