Visitors Below

We hiked one of our favorite trails on Sunday, the Richland Balsam Mountain Trail.  We like it because we tend to have the trail to ourselves and because it has a point on the trail that comes out about 50 feet (15 meters) over the overlook for cars that is the highest point of the Blue Ridge Parkway – 6047 feet  (1843 meters).  Richland Balsam itself tops out at 6410 feet (1954 meters) and the trail does cross the pinnacle, but the view is much better where the trail comes out over the overlook.

The stunning view from our vantage point on the trail - and the car overlook below.

Always funny to come out on this point of the trail, because most people at the overlook have no idea how we suddenly appear high above them – and then disappear back into the woods.  This being a late Sunday afternoon, we did not see many cars, but we did have one great set of visitors.

The Red Team saw them first.

Kiska saw them, too.

Wooo - new buddies below!

They look like they are enjoying their stretch time.

P.S. – Yes, they saw us and wagged hello.  And the woman waved.

34 Comments

  1. Sonic on June 16, 2010 at 10:05 pm

    I love it when friendly travelers wag hello. It’s much nicer than growls and barks!

    Sonic

  2. The OP Pack on June 16, 2010 at 9:51 pm

    What a wonderful view!!! We love coming to see where your weekend adventures have taken you.

    Woos – Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

  3. Lorenza on June 16, 2010 at 9:46 pm

    You have a pawesome view from there!
    Kisses and hugs
    Lorenza

  4. Holly & Khady on June 16, 2010 at 9:38 pm

    Gorgeous view! You pups are so lucky to have such gorgeous places to walk!

    Holly

  5. siku marie on June 16, 2010 at 8:45 pm

    What an amazing view! I am surprised that people at the car overlook don’t mistake the Herd for Wolves!

  6. Country Corgi Pups on June 16, 2010 at 7:36 pm

    What another beautiful place to walk. So much green around! Living in the desert, you don’t get to see a lot of green like that for very long… only a few weeks to maybe a couple months in spring. Bet you had a lot of fun and sniffed some really good sniffs! The CCC

  7. Huffle Mawson on June 16, 2010 at 7:24 pm

    It’s always nice to make new friends.

  8. Steve & Kat on June 16, 2010 at 7:17 pm

    Two against six. I think you guys win.

    Kat

  9. Cinnamon on June 16, 2010 at 5:49 pm

    Oh, that view is spectacular! I have never been on a trail like that!

  10. gus, louie and callie on June 16, 2010 at 5:24 pm

    Oh it is the same hose. It just seems to be getting shorter and shorter.. It is Louie’s favorite toy although the pieces he chews off aren’t fun at all he says… Oh the water needs to be running…

    Big Sloppy Kisses
    Gus, Louie and Callie

  11. gus, louie and callie on June 16, 2010 at 5:22 pm

    What a beautiful view. We are sure you all do surprise a few humans when you arrive.. he he

    Big Sloppy Kisses
    Gus, Louie and Callie

  12. Sagira on June 16, 2010 at 4:30 pm

    New buddies always makes for a fun time.

  13. Mochi on June 16, 2010 at 3:35 pm

    I love meeting new pups on my walks! 🙂

    Mochi

  14. Houndstooth on June 16, 2010 at 2:28 pm

    I thought they were going to have something to hunt there for a minute. If you could have gotten them to howl a nice hello, I’ll bet that would have been interesting!

  15. The Luke on June 16, 2010 at 1:33 pm

    I love ALL of those views, but most of all… the ones wif The Herd in em!

    wif love from the Luke

  16. Khyra on June 16, 2010 at 1:05 pm

    NevFUR underestimate the powers of The Siberian!

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra
    PeeEssWoo: Pay no mind to that Wild Dingo Woman – I think Khalifurnia makes peeps whakhky – I hope SwissWorld khan heal her!

  17. Wild Dingo on June 16, 2010 at 12:16 pm

    they WAGGED at you? of course they wagged. Sibes are only the silliest dogs on the planet. who wouldn’t smile when they saw one?

    I wonder what the woman thought of 6 sibes? probably same as me: “those peeps are whack.”

  18. ~K on June 16, 2010 at 12:10 pm

    Looks like some of our family!
    Licks and sniffs,
    Zack, Sassy and Buddy

  19. Mack and Mia on June 16, 2010 at 11:32 am

    Woo guys have the most pawsomest places to go for walkies!

    COME GET ME! PLEEEEEEEEEEASE!

    Wags and woofs,
    Mack and Mia

  20. Dennis the Vizsla on June 16, 2010 at 11:01 am

    “How’s the weather up there?”

  21. AC on June 16, 2010 at 10:35 am

    Always good to pick empty trails. At least Kona feels that way. Love the view and glad the Herd like the visitors below!

  22. El'bow & Hauwii on June 16, 2010 at 10:14 am

    what a view 😀 down below

    Kissslobbers
    El’bow & Hauwii

  23. The Army of Four on June 16, 2010 at 10:05 am

    What a view you would be! That’d be so cool to see you!
    Luv,
    Dave

  24. Kira The BeaWoootiful on June 16, 2010 at 9:46 am

    Wooos! The views were nice, but the hiking.. now that is fun. I so want to go next time, ok???
    ~husky kisses~
    -Kira The BeaWootiful

  25. Emma Rose and the Duchess on June 16, 2010 at 9:40 am

    I think it would be a shock to look up and see 6 of you!
    Glad you had a fun hike. The view is awesome.

    Kisses,
    Emma Rose

  26. KB on June 16, 2010 at 9:09 am

    Second try – my internet is acting up and I lost my first comment.

    Glad to see that the Herd likes Lab-type doggies! K and R feel relieved…

  27. Life With Dogs on June 16, 2010 at 9:08 am

    You know, they say it’s not nice to look down on people. 😉

    Seriously – beautiful views. I bet your dogs are never bored with your surroundings!

  28. KB on June 16, 2010 at 9:05 am

    I choose my trails on the weekends by which ones will be empty too! Those look like Lab-like dogs. K and R are glad to hear that the Herd likes Labs!

  29. fullofgrace on June 16, 2010 at 7:54 am

    Beautiful hiking spot 🙂 Beautiful Team 🙂

  30. Zoe on June 16, 2010 at 7:10 am

    Woo! What a beautiful sight! And the vista looks good too! 😉

  31. Kari on June 16, 2010 at 6:45 am

    those were some very friendly looking visitors!

  32. Priscilla on June 16, 2010 at 6:06 am

    That’s a beautiful place for hiking. Lucky doggies!!!

  33. Mr Koda MD on June 16, 2010 at 5:39 am

    That black doggy looks like a portly version of me!

    Great adventures! I wihs I had places like that close by where dogs are allowed, we have plenty of places but they are all National Park with No Dogs rules…!

  34. Martha and Bailey on June 16, 2010 at 3:25 am

    Great views on that hike – we know the humans like that kinda thing!
    We are just as happy with sniffing the ground. We can imagine people looking up and suddently seeing you guys above them!
    Nice to see other doggies.
    xxx

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