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We were out for a hike to Rattlesnake Lodge (click the link to read about the fascinating history) on a part of the Mountain to Sea Trail. The lodge was a private home built around 1903 on a 318 acre lot. The house was a weekend home for a doctor who worked in Asheville. The home was sold in 1920 and then destroyed by fire (probably lightning) in 1926. When the Blue Ridge Parkway was being designed, the land was declared a part of that right away and then finally bought by the U.S. Park Service in the 1970′s. This is very fitting because the doctor was one of the early proponents of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and was a advocate of forestry conservation.
We like this hike because you can see some of the foundations and rock walls from the original house, but the area is still very wild. In the middle of the area, there is suddenly a Park Service sign which explains the lay out of the original grounds and a little of the story. The hu-dad figured he would be the only one interested in reading it, but someone else nosed their way in.
Hmmmm - so where exactly was the dog play area?
Just a minute more, please, I am almost finished reading this.
By the way, we have posted a before about Rattlesnake Lodge and even posted a video of the walk. Go here if you want to see it.
Have you found the dog play area???
Great pics! I love a Sibe who is an avid reader. I always find the sites with historical backgrounds the most fascinating. Thanks for sharing!
Looks like you guys had a great outing! Did you ever find the play area?
Drools and licks,
Minnie and Mack
Way behind on comments – here’s hoping this one take. Hope that pup found some berries – if not, we have some here, c’mon over.
No surprise at the interest in reading – we ARE a very intelligent breed after all.
Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara
If Natasha were a Lab, I’d guess that someone smeared some food up on the history sign! Did Natasha write this post? She’s obviously the expert!
Yay! I can see your blog!
Thank you for sharing. Mom works for the NPS – she is relatively new and is learning about all the parks that are out there. She really enjoys reading how dog lovers are using them and loves seeing how people enjoy them!
Sa
What a cool place! I would love to hike there. Natasha, Bunny’s a history buff, too, but I doubt she’d let me get her to take a picture that good.
We looked all over for rocks yesterday, too, but it turns out they don’t have any at the sand ridge! We want to see if there are going to be any good pictures of The Herd leaping like R did yesterday!
That is just tooooooooooooo cute! It brightened my otherwise dismal Sunday morning! Love reading about & looking @ your kids in The Herd!
Sitka & his MOM
Are you really reading those words? It looks like you’re smelling them instead. Is that a special Sibe power? Cos I think smelling words would be faster than reading them.
Sonic
You’re a dog of many talents!
Woooo,
Togo, Tagar & Gamby
We went back the watched the video this morning. What a great place! Hey, Who helps walk the second team when not all together? Mr.Taleteller.
Did you know my mom has an uncle that lives in Asheville? He is actually here this week visiting. We will have to ask him if he knows of this place. I prefer looking at pictures over reading ;o)
Snuggles,
Twix
All dogs have ancient intelligences that allow reading, writing, and maths, and I am sure with Queen Natasha, she has more than the average dog. She will always be able to bring you to this place after reading about it, unfortunately their writing ability is in another language unreadable to humans. And if you think I am wrong about Maths, just given 5 treats to one dog and three to another, and see what happens.
Kisses,
Stella
how cute, arent you very clever?
great photos,
Jenny
That is a very smart dog readying the entire sign
Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com/
Wowzers – what a lovely place – that house was beautiful and must have been a great retreat in so many acres of woods – too bad it burned down… But how neat that you have so many places to hike to! Super pretty country there! Love (is that Natasha or Kiska?) that purty Sibe reading all about the Lodge! Neat pix!
Hugs xoxoxo
Sammie and Avalon
Taking your time to read it sure was interesting!
Happy Sunday to all of you!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza
Did you help your hu-dad with the big words?
Ha roo roo roo!
Play bows,
Zim
Of course the Queen can read. Why am I not surprised?
Looks a nice place to go and play hide and seek!
I am amazed to see how you all are walking politely on leash on the trail! Kiska gave me a heart attack while on the edge…
Ciao Lucille
You read to? Wow…you guys get smarter and smarter each blog I read.
So, has ‘The Queen’ lokhated a new webhost yet?
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra and The Golden Khousins
How cool I didn’t know your breed knew how to read maps….I must learn how to do that…Ha Roo! I bet you are looking forward to the snow flying soon…I’m not I hate the snow.
AARF Kasha the Dainty Great Dane
I think woo were IN the dog play area. Ha-roo roo roo!
jack a-roo & miss moo
It’s ok Natasha. I’m not a fast reader either, but like you… I retain all of it!
wif love from the Luke
P.S. That was a very interestin story!