Crystal's Tips For Improving Baseball.

Crystal and I went to a Greensboro Grasshoppers minor league baseball game this evening. If you weren't already aware, I'm a massive baseball fan. Baseball truly is America's past time. Forget basketball or football... baseball is where it's at.

On the other hand, Crystal finds baseball to be dreadfully boring and a waste of time.

While watching the game, I had Crystal compose a list of ways to improve the sport for bored viewers like herself. As such, she gets credit for tonight's article. I'm merely the messenger. And now...

Crystal's Tips For Improving Baseball!

• Fights - Let the players beat each other senseless, as they do in hockey.
• Throwing money - Shoot coins at the fans, or onto the field.
• Put obstacles on the field - Barb wire, mud pits, swinging chainsaws, etc. The more dangerous the better!
• Rubber bullets - Give the players pistols to fire the non-lethal projectiles at opposing players.
• Spiked balls - They'll make someone fielding a ball think twice about catching it! If the fans are lucky, the players will often catch the spiked ball with their face.
• Flaming mascots - light them on fire and have them run a race around the bases!
• Free ice cream for the fans - Sprinkles are absolutely mandatory.
• Just not be a sport - Seriously, stop playing baseball. It sucks.

And finally, the number one tip that made me burst with laughter as we watched behind home plate...

• Refunds for boredom - A full refund... every game, every time.

I Climbed A Mountain Today.

Yeah. Read that title one more time. I climbed a mountain today.

As I type this article, my body is weary and tired. I'm going to keep this brief. Crystal and I traveled to Hanging Rock State Park today in beautiful Stokes County, North Carolina. After hiking a long and rather strenuous uphill climb, 1.3 miles in length and 780 ft. of elevation gain, we arrived at the top to see some absolutely magnificent views. I'll let the photos do all the talking. Was I exhausted after climbing all that way? You bet I was. The path was S-T-E-E-P. The Hanging Rock trail path is gravel for most of the way up, but towards the end we encountered jagged rock steps. Oh man... I did some climbing.

If you ever have the opportunity, I highly recommend you visit Hanging Rock and check it out for yourself. Photos can't do it justice.

A Short Note On North Carolina Moped Drivers.

At least she's wearing a helmet?

I watched as a moped unsafely whipped ahead of a line of cars this morning while driving, only for said moped to delay traffic and unreasonably slow everyone down. And yet, that moped is allowed on public North Carolina roadways without a licensed operator.

This is simply unacceptable.

I realize that some other states require moped operators to be licensed. North Carolina should do the same. Test people in the much the same manner as motorcyclists. Require that they possess the proper insurance. Make sure that everyone operating a motor vehicle has been evaluated and deemed responsible enough to share the highway, moped drivers included. More importantly, hold moped drivers in equal regard with other drivers. If they're caught driving while intoxicated, they must face the same penalties as drivers operating trucks, motorcycles and cars. Mopeds are involved in hundreds of accidents every year. Mopeds can and do kill people.

All drivers operating a motor-powered vehicle on the highway must be held to the same standard. Period.

The Gift Of Benevolence.

While cutting my lawn earlier this morning, I was mowing behind my tool shed when I saw a brown blur leap from the tall clover. It bounced to and fro, trying to escape my whirling machine of death. Abruptly, I had obviously startled a toad living under the ground foliage along the foundation of the shed. Immediately, I turned my mower off. This toad was the size of my palm and certainly more afraid of me than I was of it. Placing the toad in a bucket with some of the clover clippings for security, I finished my mowing. Once I was done, I released the toad back to her home, somewhere beneath my shed.

I've thought about that toad all day long. There was nothing remarkable about the little hopper. It was a female Fowler Toad (Anaxyrus fowleri), something quite common in the Piedmont of North Carolina. The Fowler Toad feasts on grubs, crickets, grasshoppers, spiders and other small insects, many of which are harmful to gardens. As such, the Fowler Toad is a beneficial species to have on your property. And yet, the little creature reminded me of something much more magnificent.

Three or more warts within the dark spots on the Fowler Toad's back help to distinguish it from the equally common American Toad.

As human beings, we have great control over this planet. Within our ability is the power to raze a forest, to pollute an ocean, to level a mountain. Humanity bears gifts not granted to any other species on Earth. In due regard, the decisions we make carry immense weight, reaching far beyond our own local existence. Sadly, I suspect many people would no more consider the toad as they would garbage littered beside the highway. Bound for the blade, that toad would be chopped into a million bits without so much as an afterthought. And yet, to pause for just a moment and insure its survival? That took no laborious toll on my time. In fact, it was a pleasure to view such a creature up close and personal. How kind of the Fowler Toad to make my back yard its home. I am honored.

Benevolence is a virtue too often forgot in our modern world. Not only should we be kind to our fellow man, but we must also steward the other creatures that inhabit our global village. From the enormous elephants of the African continent to the lowly toads in our own back yard, we should do right by animals. Within each of us is the power to give life, or to take it away. To let a creature live is a momentous choice, especially when said creature is of absolutely no threat to our own well-being.

As the toad hopped away, I was thankful for the opportunity it gave me to consider the notion of benevolence. Though that wart-covered amphibian didn't realize it, she had provided me with a gift. For that, I am grateful.

Leaving Asheville.

The third and final day of my short excursion to the city of Asheville had finally come. On the itinerary today: visit the North Carolina Arboretum and attend the Asheville Orchid Festival. Woo-hoo!

The grounds of the North Carolina Arboretum are well maintained and groomed. Sadly, I was surprised at the lack of overall diversity in the plants residing on the property. It seemed smaller than I expected, but beautiful nevertheless. They had a large bonsai tree area, but nearly all of the pot-bound plants were still in storage due to the outside temperature not quite being warm enough yet.

Of note, there were two fantastic exhibits in their main building, featuring presentations on the Peregrine Falcon and wild predators of the United States.

Within the education building was the Asheville Orchid Festival. Though, the word 'festival' might be overselling it a bit. I'd say it was more of a 'meeting'. There were a large number of orchids, but not nearly enough to justify the festival designation. The orchid displays filled two rooms, of which half were growers selling their plants at OUTRAGEOUS prices. Over $100 for a plant? No thanks. I must say -- the flowers were very magnificent in both color and scope, much to my delight.

With the city of Asheville squarely in my rear-view mirror, it was time to come home. I have mixed feelings about Asheville. Do I think the city is way over-hyped? Positively so. Yet, there's also a genuine side to the city that was really appealing to me. If not for the Blue Ridge Parkway and Pisgah National Forest being so close by, I'd probably feel unsatisfied with the trip. And yet, the natural wonders and great local food (without hippies) saved it for me. Final verdict? Go to Asheville for the gorgeous environment and great local food, but avoid downtown and the other tourist traps.

Blaaaah. Hippies.

Check out the rest of my trip here: Day 1, Day 2.

Hiking To Waterfalls On The Blue Ridge Parkway.

Wow... what a difference a day makes. My second day in Asheville was much better than the first, largely to spending time driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway and hiking in the Pisgah National Forest to the southwest of the city. But first, breakfast!

We enjoyed a meal at the Hungry Bear Cafe. This is obviously a local establishment, not visited by the hippies I encountered yesterday in downtown Asheville. The cafe was quaint, but cozy and inviting. As to the food, it was what you'd expect from a local diner -- tasty, filling and just what I needed to get the day started. Upon downing a few eggs, hash browns and sausage patties, we promptly made our way towards the Blue Ridge Parkway.

I really love the Blue Ridge Parkway. I'm so thankful there's a motorway that traces the top of the Appalachian Mountains. This stretch of road is one of America's greatest gems. If you've not experienced the Blue Ridge Parkway, then you should as soon as you can.

Our plan for hiking involved visiting four different waterfalls. The first stop was Skinny Dip Falls. After a moderate hike into the forest, we arrived to find an absolutely wonderful scene.

Crystal assessing her surroundings.

 Skinny Dip Falls -- there's a large wading pool below that many people hop into during warmer months. Clothing is optional.

The water from Skinny Dip Falls flowing down the mountain.

Up next was the Graveyard Fields. On this stretch of land are two different waterfalls, but we came to see the unique landscape and gorgeous river full of trout flowing through. Along the way, we wormed our way through a field of old-growth, wild Rhododendrons.

A forest of Rhododendrons. Cool!

 
The second waterfall on our itinerary was Sliding Rock. More so a rushing stream than a waterfall, it was still very awesome to see in person. During the late Spring and Summer months, the recreation area is open to swimmers. They can climb to the top of Sliding Rock, then coast down in the gushing water to the pool below. Crystal wanted to jump in the freezing water, but I convinced her thankfully not to do so, as to avoid catching hypothermia.

 Even though the water was cold, we did stick our feet in. IT WAS FRIGID!

On our way out of Sliding Rock, we happened upon a group of migrating Monarch Butterflies huddled together. Very rare to see in person!

Our third waterfall was Moore Cove. Though this waterfall wasn't the biggest, it was the only one that allowed for walking behind it. It was refreshing to touch the water splashing from above. The hike to get there was highly challenging, but well worth it. Such an amazing sight to behold!

The fourth and final waterfall was Looking Glass Falls. Mighty in size and sound, this was the largest of the falls we had seen. Such a tranquil location, but also very popular with visitors.

After a very long day of hiking, we finished the evening off with a special treat. Our dinner was at Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack. Another obvious local dive full of normal Asheville folk, this place was FANTASTIC! The chicken they serve can come in a number of different levels of spiciness. And let me tell you, they were HOT! I enjoyed my meal and even took some back to my hotel to eat tomorrow. If you like chicken or spicy food, then you need to come here for a meal. It won't disappoint.

That sign is hilarious.

 

Day two of visiting Asheville ended on a high note. It's become blatantly clear that the best way to experience Asheville is to avoid pretty much everything downtown. Enjoy the local spots on the western side of the city instead. Travel through the natural wonders to the south. All in all, just steer clear of the mecca of hippy-dom that possesses the eastern and downtown side. What will day three in Asheville hold for me? I guess we'll find out tomorrow!

Check out the rest of my trip here: Day 1, Day 3.