The Lookout Tower Challenge (LTC) is a program put on by the Carolina Mountain Club that challenges hikers to reach 24 lookout towers in Western North Carolina.  I (Serial) love fire towers, they have fascinated me since my first steps up Wesser Bald on the Appalachian Trail. Providing amazing views and sometimes places to sleep for a night, it's always rewarding when I get to the top of a mountain and see a tower. They have so much history, it's a shame there aren't a few more that have survived time. One on the top of Roan Mountain would be pretty sweet! Anyway, the Carolina Mountain Club gives out a patch to those that complete this challenge. This should be fun!

Click here to see more on Serial's attempt to complete The Lookout Tower Challenge!

Route:  Moore's Wall Loop Trail, Magnolia Springs Trail, Cook's Wall Trail, Wolf Rock Trail, Hanging Rock Trail
Type:  Loop
Distance:  9.1 miles
Difficulty:  Average
Conditions:  Sunshine!

Impression:  This was a great day hike and I was happy to be joined by a long time good friend who I hadn't seen in a while. This turned out to be a ton of fun and a moderately easy day hike, though I think hiking mountains was a bit of a shock to my friend's body. All in all, we had a great time and broke a descent sweat.

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More like 18 high fives for Friday this week.  I cannot wait to take a few days off and be outside!  I'm tired of my computer screen view.  I'm speaking of work, not you my dear blog friends.  Alright, here we go!

1. Summertime TV is kind of the worst.  Which makes sense... I mean, everyone is out doing fun things so why waste time producing TV that people won't be home watching.  There are, however, two shows that I've been slightly obsessed with. 

The first is an old favorite - Big Brother.  Serial and I are both pretty into it (not stalking the live feeds type into it, but really excited about new episodes) and we watch every season, but this season is kind of crazy.  There is a ton of racial tension and one girl in particular (cough, Aaryn, cough) is saying a lot of ignorant comments.  So much so that she has lost her job in real life, but doesn't know it yet because she is sequestered in the house.  Drama. 

The second is a Netflix series that has been getting a lot of press, but I managed to not know about until I stumbled it across it in my "Top 10 for Jill" queue.  Netflix, you know me so well.  Except that one time you recommended Toddlers in Tiaras... what was that??

Anyway, Orange is the New Black was originally a book that I read awhile back, about a woman who is serving a jail sentence for a crime she committed 10 years prior.  I LOVED the book and stumbled upon this show while I was sick on the couch one day.  Needless to say I tore through it.  I think it took me three days to watch the whole season and now I'm desperately hoping they make another.  It has been getting great reviews (here and here) so I'm guessing they will.

2. Rooney is starting doggie daycare again.  Just once a week since I work from home and watch him the other days.  But for real, he needs some buddies.  Yesterday I took him on a mini-hike off the Parkway and he played with two other dogs in a swimming hole.  He was having so much fun and he actually looked sad and let out a big sigh when the other dogs had to go.  Yep, he needs a play date. 

3. Our friends are coming to stay with us for a few nights next week and I am EXCITED.  I miss my Chicago girls and it will be so nice to have one of them here in NC.  I've known her since high school and we went to the same college, plus our boys get along fabulously.  Lots of laughs will be had.  Bonus, she had a baby right before we moved and I can't wait to squish those little cheeks again! 

Speaking of my high school friends, I was digging around in old pics the other day and found some real gems.  We were group texting them and making fun of each others' high school style for a good hour.  Yes, the pictures were in a scrapbook and cut into those shapes to fit.  And yes, I had blond hair.  (Girls, please don't hate me for putting these on the internet...at least they weren't the freshman year pics)

4. Speaking of guests, we are working on the guest room.  The thing is, we had been using that room as a dumping ground for everything.  It looked like we moved in yesterday.  We were initially shopping for sleeper sofas, but then didn't have a place for all of our junk... so we brainstormed and decided to build a daybed instead.  Once with storage underneath.  I'll do a full tutorial on it once we get the mattress and make it pretty, but here is a sneak peak that I posted on Instagram (@atraillife). 

5. Two weeks ago I started the Jillian Michaels DVD, Ripped in 30.  The first week was awesome and I only missed one day (I did Yoga Meltdown on that day instead).  The second week.... shameful.  I only did 3 days.  So.... I think I'm starting over.  Not sure if I want to jump in with week 2 or go back to week 1, but I'm sure as hell not moving to week 3.  Jillian knows, people.  She knows and somehow she will punish you.  I think I just talked myself into week 1. 

I'm not a before-and-after picture type person so don't expect that.  But I did take measurements and I'll report back on any changes.  If you're interested in before-and-after pics, Holly is doing a link up at the end of the month for anyone doing a Jillian 30 day challenge in July. 

That's it - High Five for Friday!!  Head over to Lauren Elizabeth and check out all the other #H54F link ups!

If you like what you read, we would love to hear from you in the comments section!  It's fun to get feedback and it helps us create future posts.  And be sure to stay in touch on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, BlogLovin or RSS!

Near:  Titusville, FL
Route:  Boardwalk, Beach
Conditions:  Sunny and warm

Impression:  This is a really great spot, though I didn't get to spend as much time here as I would've liked. With tons of beach and coastal exploration in the area, I'd love to get back and see more. If not to just soak up some sun!

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Near:  Pilot Mountain, NC
Route:  Jomeokee Tr, Grindstone Tr, Grassy Ridge Tr, Mountain Tr, Ledge Spring Tr
Distance:  10 miles
Difficulty:  Average
Conditions:  Sunny, cool

Impression:  If you haven't seen Pilot Mountain, this is truly one of the most unique mountains in all of North Carolina.

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Whoa.  Where is the summer going??  I'm still having trouble making sense of how it's mid-July already.  We've been so busy with life and work lately.  What have we been so busy with?  Well, let me tell ya... it's High Five for Friday time.

1. Asheville was pretty much rained out all day on the 4th and Serial worked a long day, so we didn't really do much of the typical 4th celebrations.  I did manage to squeeze in a little hike with Rooney though, in between storms.  And I was able to run out and buy lumber for the new storage daybed we are building in the guest room.  I call that a win. 

It's been raining on the daily here and it was the wettest June on record.  Crazy.  The French Broad River is super high and fast now.  I feel like we live in Florida.  Each day is warm with random patches of rain at some point.  At least an hour here or there. 

2. We've been going to a lot of weddings this summer.  Thankfully, they have all been close to home and we've been able to see some really great friends at each of them.  The two most recent that we went to were both "farm weddings" and man were they beautiful.

The first was one of our really good friends (that's her above in the gold dress).  She hiked with Serial in '07 and lived in Damascus for a few years before she moved to the country in VA.  Now she lives on a farm that's been in her family for years. It is BEAUTIFUL.  It's the kind of place I could only dream of having.  She had her wedding at home and it was perfect.

After that we went to a wedding of another hiker friend, this time on a farm outside of Boone, NC.  The groom hiked with Serial in '08 and he and his wife housed us for 2 nights when we hiked last year.  They're a gushy, adorable, romantic couple and the wedding was Pinterest-worthy.  Down to the last detail, it was the perfect rustic, farm wedding.  Gorgeous. (I forgot to take a bunch of pics... I was having too much damn fun).

3. Another big thing that happened - my bestie's daughter turned ONE!  It's amazing to me how quickly that first year went by.  She's such a bright, happy and SMART little beeb - I can't wait to get back for a visit and see how much she has changed.

She was born while we were on the trail last year and the pic below is from the first time that I got to meet her.  It was love at first site.  With her and her tiny jean skirt.

4. Speaking of love.  By bestie and her husband sent us a Target gift card as a housewarming present.  Target is my fav (honestly, who doesn't love Target?) and it was really sweet of them to think of us.  I got a coffee and spent 2 hours just wandering around and trying things on.  Bliss.

I got a few practical things, of course, but I also got a few fun things for each of us.  Rooney got some new squeeky tennis balls (his jam), Serial got some mini beer glasses that fit in flights so we can host a pot luck and do beer tastings (they are so cute and in the dollar aisle), and I got awesome coasters and 2 lamp bases that were on clearance, for the office.  (and an US Weekly). 

5. We've also had visitors, which we LOVE.  My parents and brother drove the RV up for a visit and I got to see them many times over a two week period  It was fantastic.  This month Serial's parents are coming for a visit and our friends Mel & Ryan are bringing their adorable newborn to stay for a few days.  Exciting stuff.  (also why we are building the storage daybed!)

And that's about it, kids.  High Five for Friday!!  Head over to Lauren Elizabeth and check out all the other H54F link ups!

If you like what you read, we would love to hear from you in the comments section!  It's fun to get feedback and it helps us create future posts.  And be sure to stay in touch on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, BlogLovin or RSS!

Rock Creek Falls is a wonderful 50ft waterfall located in the Unaka Mountain Wilderness. The trail begins at the Rock Creek Campground area and is a steady 2 mile climb, uphill some 1200'. With a few mild stream crossings (expect wet shoes during high water times), this adventure is a great day hike.

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One of my favorite adventures I've ever been on, exploring the New River Gorge area is an epic trip that is unforgettable. Living in Damascus, VA, I had heard about the New River for over a year before I could actually get out there and was really excited when I found a weekend to drive up there...

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I've started the Animals page with these two guys. While recently walking around Pisgah National Forest, I ran into these two snakes that thankfully the dog overlooked. Actually, the Timber Rattler was lying in the forest road, but the other the dog just ran past. During the same day hike, I nearly stepped on another rattlesnake. It rattled, I lost my breath and jumped. Snakes are a lot cooler when you can see them from a distance!

Anyway, I got their identification from a N.C. snake website, but if I have mislabeled them, please let me know.

Snakes!

Near:  Laurel Bloomery, TN
Route:  Gentry Creek Trail
Type:  Out and Back
Distance:  5 miles
Difficulty:  Moderate (some stream crossings)
Conditions:  Sunshine!






Click Here for Pics and Details