Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail is a 2200 mile hiking trail that extends from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. The trail goes through the White Mountains of New Hampshire, where we were staying a few weeks ago. The Appalachian Trail passes through the Smoky Mountain National Park, and we have taken short hikes on it there. However, I have no desire to walk the whole trail. Really? 2200 miles without indoor plumbing? I love communing with nature just fine, but when it is time for bed, I'd rather commune with a Hampton Inn.

Our Baby Boy planned to hike it one summer a while back. He worked out with heavy packs for weeks before, made food packages for us to send him at certain points, and spent lots of time with maps. He flew to the start (or end?) of the trail in Maine to begin his journey. He successfully climbed Mt. Katahdin and started the 100 mile Wilderness hike. He used a water purifier that make him extremely ill, and he was weak and dehydrated by the time he left the trail and found a doctor. That ruined it for him, and he came home and plotted his next adventure.

While we were staying in Lincoln, New Hampshire, we regularly saw hikers coming off the trail. Some went to restaurants, some were restocking their supplies, and some just sat on the grass and rested.

The containers below had cookies and other wrapped food for the hikers, along with an ad for a deli downtown (I peeked). People who live nearby are supportive of the trail, and often have dinners to feed the hikers when they come off the trail for a while.

The Appalachian Trail is maintained by the National Park Service, the United States Forest Service, and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. There are shelters along the trail for sleeping.

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Amish in Stantonville, Tennessee

Last week, my sis and her hub went with us to the Amish community near Stantonville, Tennessee. It was a beautiful day, and we love driving to new places and finding new treasures. We enjoy these mini-trips we take together, where we giggle a lot and get caught up on everything. Also, the squirrels ate all our tomatoes, so we needed to find some to buy. You know the food you are buying is fresh when they bring it from the field while you are standing there waiting for it. Here is part of what we brought home, and it was all delicious. Stantonville is located in McNairy County, Tennessee, northwest of Shiloh National Military Park.

Holy Smoke Pie

I think it was in the late seventies that I first had Holy Smoke Pie. It was at a party at Debra Morris Harville's house. After we ate, Debra had to give the recipe to everyone there. I came home and made it for my family, and it has been a favorite since then. I always make it at holiday dinners, because I believe tradition is important. It has become a favorite of our granddaughters. I've heard it called Chocolate Delight, Four-Layer Chocolate Dessert, and other odd things. We call it Holy Smoke. Here is how I make it: Chop us a cup of pecans; set aside. Add a stick of softened butter (NOT margarine) to one cup of self-rising flour. Cut the butter into the flour. Add the chopped pecans, and work it all together. Save two tablespoons of the pecans to sprinkle on top. Pour into a 9" x 12" pan that has been sprayed with cooking oil. Spread it over the bottom of the pan. It helps to use your hands (or hand, if you have t

Cedar Trees in Cemeteries

If you ever wander in old cemeteries, and I know many of you do, you are bound to see some cedar trees. The tradition goes back to the early days of the United States and even earlier in Europe. Cedar trees were not always used, but some type of evergreen trees were planted because they were a symbol of everlasting life. Some Cherokees believed that cedars contained powerful spirits, including the spirits of the departed buried beneath them. Perhaps because they are known as burial trees, there are many superstitions that surround cedars. My grandmother told us in no uncertain terms that if we planted a cedar tree, we would die when it was large enough to shade our graves. Some others are: Never transplant a cedar tree; it will bring bad luck. If you transplant a cedar and it dies, you will die shortly. Planting a cedar tree in your yard welcomes poverty. Some say Christ was crucified on a cedar tree, and will bring bad luck if you burn it. If a cedar tree com

Faith, Folklore, and Friends

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