the Fourth

Should I go into Morganton and catch the last day of the Red, White, and Bluegrass Festival, or should I head up to Maple Camp Bald and see if I can watch the fireworks from up there?

It'll probably come down to "What would Uwharrie do?". Yesterday evening, we went for a run at Woodlawn (the usual: down to Tom's Creek and back), and I could tell it felt great for both of us. All the rain from earlier in the month had changed the crossing at Tom's Creek, and the summer vegetation had made the old road-bed feel so much smaller, I noticed. Uwharrie and a skunk had a show-down (ten feet away, circling, both tails pointing straight up, Uwharrie's fault because she chased the skunk), but luckily the skunk spared her.

I'm inspired by Matt out in Colorado to fill my week without him with hikes up and away. I started aerial exploring via topo maps until late into last night. That in itself was a lot of fun and something I hadn't done in a while. I can't do an extended backpacking trip because of other things I need to do/am waiting for, but it would be awesome if I can piece together a string of shorter hikes. The days are so long -- got to make use of them!