Walk in the Rhododendron - Roan Mountain, TN

Mat had heard from a co-worker that the rhododendron was suppose to be a big thing out at Roan Mountain in Tennessee. So we decided to go check it out. After a couple hours of driving in the car, we arrived. There was hardly any parking at the trailhead, it was so popular, but we got a spot as someone pulled out. It was a beautiful sunny day to be out for a ridge walk. We definitely hit the catawba rhododendron at peak blooming time and the orange of the flaming azalea was cool to see all mixed into the view.

Not only was this hike very beautiful, but Maddy was a perfect trail dog, even with all the people. She didn't jump on anyone and she listened to us when we called her. One of our better hiking days with our dog!

This flower is Gray's Lily which would be listed as Threatened/Endangered if the Fish & Wildlife Service were allowed to add any more species to the Threatened/Endangered list. Roan Mtn is one of the few places to catch a glimpse of this flower.

Look how tall the rhododendron is?  As you can tell I am having a ball!

grocery shopping in the south

I needed a few things at the grocery store, so on my way home I stopped at the large local grocery store near my work. I went around the store picking up the necessary items and went to check out at the self-checkout aisle. After realizing that I had too many produce items which annoy the checker, because the machine pauses and I have to stare at the checker until they realize they need to do something, I went to a regular checkout.

Just as it was my turn to get my groceries rang up, the security beeper goes off. (You know the one that goes off and it usually is someone's cell phone making it go off.) Well, one of the managers went out to see what it was and as my checker is starting to scan my groceries I happen to glance out the window and see the manager yelling at someone and he is throwing his juice bottle at the customer/s. The customer didn't do what the manager asked, instead they hopped in their car and started reversing out to drive away. Meanwhile, in the store my checker mentions to another manager who happened to be walking by the checkstands, but hadn't looked out the window, that he might want to check on this guy. So as he's running out the front of the store as backup, the first manager has pulled out a KNIFE...yes, a knife and has punctured not just one but two of the tires as the car is trying to leave. Well, as the second manager is running out to help he pulls out his knife and before the car can get away, a third tire is punctured. This doesn't seem to affect the car, because it drives off out of the parking lot. And that is that. (I can't imagine that there is anything worth stealing from a grocery store that is worth more money than the three tires that they are going to have to replace!)

My checker resumed checking my groceries and after paying her, I left the store. I have learned a very good lesson here, they don't call the police on shoplifters...and store managers carry knives out here..so I won't ever want to get into a disagreement with one of them on how the price really was 99 cents not $2.99.