Christmas 2022

Unfortunately Deanna and her family could not join us this year. We had a wonderful family time in Tennessee. Everyone arrived before Christmas. There was hiking, shopping, and game playing. Marjorie and Cameron showed up last and we celebrated on Thursday night. We got gifted by Mom and then opened socks.

Lora and I headed home for a Smith family breakfast on Christmas Eve at her sisters house and another Smith gathering for dinner at the fellowship hall. Christmas day I returned to the folks house to spend time with Marjorie and Cam. They left Monday after Christmas. Lots of Blessings for Christmas.

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Roaring Creek

 

Headed to Roaring Creek on the Cumberland trail today for our hike.

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Rock Creek Trail - CT

We went to the Rock Creek segment of the Cumberland trail for todays hike.

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Murfreesboro TTA Christmas Party

Our annual chapter Christmas party involved two things we enjoy as hikers - being outside and sitting around a roaring fire. Jay Brain hosted the party at his lovely home in Murfreesboro. Jay grilled hamburgers and Joe Campbell provided barbecued ribs as well. Jay had two fires going - one on his patio and another in his backyard surrounding by interesting rocks and beautiful landscaping. We had appetizers, lots of side items and delicious desserts. We all had a great time!

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Laurel Falls TTA

 Deb led a great hike to Laurel Falls and Bryan overlook. It had rained some before this hike so there was water in Richland Creek and Laurel Creek. The falls was pretty. a few hikers had never been here before. They really enjoyed the beauty here. The climb to the overlook up thru the rocks was a little challenging. We rock hopped across the creek to reach Bryan Overlook but it was too windy to eat lunch there. A cold wind too. We backtracked to the campsite and ate lunch in the sunshine. Going back down thru the rocks was a little more challenging but we made it safely with scooting and sliding on our butts. 

8 hikers lots of smiling faces.

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Fall Creek Falls

Nick and Amy invited us to camp with them at Fall Creek Falls State Park. We had a great time with them checking out all the waterfalls. They came in late on Friday so while we waited on them to arrive, we went to the Inn to check it out, and then to see the big falls. Driving by the lake we saw an eagle perched in a tree.  Nick and Amy got there after dark, got their camp set up and we visited around the campfire. We visited with a couple of guys tenting next to us that were new to the park. They called themselves picture geeks and were taking pictures of the moon, stars, and our campfire. 

Saturday morning we walked around the campground, down to the George Hole, to the Nature Center and back to camp. After lunch we did the exploring of all the falls. That night we had dinner and sat around the campfire until the rain came in. The temperature plummeted so they stayed the night inside the trailer with us. We played Rook until bedtime.

Sunday Lora and I walked all the campgrounds and Nick explored the gift shops with Amy. After lunch we headed home.

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Walls of Jerico TTA

 

Deb led 9 hikers in and 10 hikers out of the Walls of Jerico on a beautiful November Wednesday. Started at the Alabama trailhead. Hiked down, down, down into the walls. Had lunch on the rocks of the wall. There was only a little water coming out of the side wall that looks like a cave. Lowest I've ever seen there. As we started back out Bill met us after coming in from the Tennessee trailhead. We saw two or three campsites that people had left chairs at, along with a teapot at one of them. Saw some pretty asters and goldenrod blooms. 

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Big Soddy Gulf

Today's hike started at Big Soddy Gulf. We hiked to the Cumberland trail and went south to Deep Creek and then came back. We had lunch at the Big Soddy Creek bridge.

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Red River Gorge

Lora and I headed up to the Natural Bridge State Resort Park in Slade, Kentucky. We stayed in site #31 in the Middle Creek campground. We had been here before, but wanted to see some more of the area. After we set up camp with the camper, we headed out for a hike. We took the Original trail to the Natural Bridge. We went on top and then took the Laurel Ridge trail past the Skylift to lookout point. Then we hiked to Lover's Leap, not to jump, just to look. From there we went down through Needles Eye to Devils Gulch trail and back to the Original trail. We had dinner in the camper due to winds and temp.

Tuesday we took the Original trail to the Rock Garden trail. We hiked down to the Skylift parking area and took the Hood Branch trail, including the Loop trail, back to the Natural Bridge. From there we took the Rock Garden trail back to the Original trail back to the campground. After dinner we had a campfire and looked at the stars.

Wednesday we drove over to the Red River Gorge and drove out the Double Arch road. We hiked to the Double Arch and then took the Auxier Branch trail over to Courthouse Rock. We came back by the Auxier Ridge trail. On the road out we stopped and hiked to Grays Arch. Both beautiful hikes. Back at camp we had another campfire. Dropped below freezing that night.

Thursday we drove over to the Red River Gorge to Koomer Ridge Campground and hiked the Hidden Arch Loop and Silvermine Arch. Then we drove out Chimney Rock road. We hiked to Chimney Rock where we got to watch a helicopter drop a couple of loads of water on a wildfire. Then we hiked to Princess Arch. After that we went into the Clifty Wilderness and hiked the Rock Bridge Loop which was beautiful. Ran out of firewood, so no fire tonight. Dropped below freezing again.

Friday we packed up and headed home.

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Big South Fork TTA

Deb led another great hike at Big South Fork. I met the other hikers in the parking lot at Leatherwood Ford. It was a cool morning, but after hiking for a few minutes we had to strip down a little. The hike along the river is always pretty. Then the climb to Angel Falls Overlook. It was very windy at the overlook. We had lunch here. I lost my apple trying to catch a stray water bottle. We had a great group. Started with 11 then on the way out picked up 2 more that had started at Bandy Creek. 

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Savage Gulf South Rim Trail

Lora and I took advantage of the beautiful day and went to the Savage Gulf and hiked the South Rim trail. The colors are changing and beautiful to look at. We had lunch at one of the overlooks before the campground. On the way out we noticed a family and their children hiking and we were so glad to see them out on the trail. As I talked to the dad I noticed that I knew him. He was one of my firefighters from my volunteer fire department of many years ago. So great to see him. 

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Cotton Patch Loop, Bear Creek Loop, and Lee Hollow Loop

Day one: 7 miles

Day two: 9.25 miles

Day three: 4.2 miles

Day one started at the Steven's Branch trailhead. We hiked the Cotton Patch Loop trail counter clockwise. It was a beautiful day and we had a lot of nice views. They have been working on the horse trails by bulldozering them and putting down large chip rock. This makes it very hard to walk on and I am sure the horses are not very proud of it either. We stopped and made camp at Tappley Creek crossing. We had a nice campfire to listen to the owls and coyotes.

Day two we continued on the Cotton Patch Loop to Bear Creek Loop. We went around the Bear Creek Horse Camp and then took the Lee Hollow Loop counter clockwise. When we got back to the Bear Creek Loop we made camp at the crossing of Bear Creek. Another beautiful night around the campfire listening to the owls and coyotes.

Day three we continued on the Bear Creek Loop and took the Cotton Patch loop on the way out. 

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Big South Fork

Day 1: Lora 2 miles, Craig 6 miles

Day 2: 8 miles

Day 3: 7.3 miles 

After getting chores done, Lora and I headed out for our first backpack of the season. We headed up to Big South Fork for three days. We started at the Middle Creek trailhead and headed towards Charit Lodge. We set up camp just across Fork Ridge Road along side the creek. When we got to unpacking, I noticed the camera case zipper had failed and the camera was gone. So after setting up camp I headed back along the trail and finally found it back near the car. Added four miles onto my hike. It was a pretty night around the campfire.

Tuesday we got up, packed, and headed towards Jakes Place. When we got near the Needle Arch a bear coming up the trail headed quickly off the side and down the hill. We walked around the corner to find a second bear heading our way up the trail. When she finally looked up and saw us, she took off down the hill as well. We took a break at Jake's Place and tried to figure out a plan of where we were going to go. We stopped at Charit Lodge for a break. The lodge cat enjoyed rubbing all over me as we decided to go ahead and have lunch there. We sat at the picnic table where the cat joined us. After lunch we headed down Station Camp Creek trail. They have bulldozed and rocked this trail which made it very hard to walk on. We set up camp along the creek. After everything was ready, we decided to walk on and went as far as the Bleven's cemetery. We passed a thru hiker of the Sheltowee on his twenty forth day. After getting back to camp we rested along the creek bed until dinner time. Another beautiful night around the campfire.

Wednesday we got up and hiked Fork Ridge road taking a lunch break by the Johnson cemetry. We had two deer walk across the road in front of us and a hawk flew by. We found ripe muscidines hanging over the road. Yumm! We returned to the car by the Middle Creek trail.

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Bald River Trail - TTA

 What a beautiful day for a hike! Started out with a sweatshirt on. Met up with our Scenic City hikers at Bald River Falls. Betsy led the hike along Bald River with cascades and boulders and rock walls and outcrops. Carl shared his knowledge of the rock formations as we walked along admiring God's handiwork. We found a beautiful place for lunch right by the river watching the water tumble over the pretty rocks and boulders in the river. 

Hikers were Randy, Carl, Marie, Betsy and me. 

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Stone Door - TTA

Chapter member Wayne Yancey led 7 hikers starting at the Stone Door Ranger Station. We hiked the Big Creek Rim trail to Alum Gap campsite for a break. Then continued on the Big Creek Gulf trail and took a side trip to Ranger Falls. The creeks were bare but there was a nice water flow at Ranger Falls. Saw some late summer wildflowers and lots of interesting mushrooms. 

Total hike was about 10 miles. Hikers were Jay Brain, Joe Campbell, Chris Manzione, Lora McBride, Sara Pollard, Jan Safavi, Cindy Watson and Wayne Yancey.

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Ark Encounter

Time to take the camper out. Headed North into Kentucky to visit the Ark Encounter. We stayed at Kincaid Lake SP. On the way up we stopped at the Army Corps Waitsboro Campground for lunch. From there we headed on to Kincaid Lake. There was nobody working at the campground when we got there. We just found our site and set up. There was nobody in our whole section of campsites. Hiking around the campground there were only about four campers in the other section. We decided on a quick canoe trip for the evening. We put in at the marina and paddled around til dusk. Lot's of stars tonight and then every night that we were out. Saw 2 shooting stars!

Tuesday we took the canoe back out and launched from the marina. We paddled the whole lake and down the river. Beautiful day out on the water. Still nobody working at the campground.

Wednesday we went to the Ark Encounter. It was very interesting and answered a lot of questions that I hadn't even asked about the Ark. This was during the forty days of gospel music so we had music during lunch and then a concert that evening. We stopped and ate dinner in Falmouth, KY at the Howard's Place Resturant. Very good food. Still no workers at the campground.

Thursday we headed to explore the historic town of Augusta, KY. We parked on Main street and walked to the historic jail. It had a phone number to call and we did. The very nice lady from the visitor center gave us a tour of the jail and then gave us a tour of the whole town on her golfcart. It was great! After that we ate our lunch on the bank of the Ohio river and then walked around town looking at all the historic buildings. This is also the town that George Clooney is from. Later we put the canoe in the Ohio river and paddled up Bracken Creek,  passed the two donkeys and then turned around. Nobody working the campground. 

Friday we packed up and headed out. We drove to London, KY and stopped at the Levi Jackson Mill to have our lunch. After eating we walked around the mill and then decided to stay. We camped at the Levi Jackson Campground. We walked their little trail and then went to the pool for a swim. After dinner we hiked around the park. 

Saturday we decided that we really did need to go home so we did. 

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Soddy Lake

Today was a quick trip to the lake. Trying to beat the storms we did a loop from the park to the bridge. We got to see a huge beaver which was exciting to see. We also saw fish, turtles, and all sorts of birds. Yes, we got caught in a storm and had to pull over and get our of our metal canue till it passed.

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Carters lake

We arrived at our campsite after lunch. After walking to the boat ramp and swimming beach, we changed into our swimsuits and went back to the beach where we spent the afternoon. We went back to the camper for dinner and walked the whole campground afterwards. There was a Casita in one of the loops.

Sunday we drove over to the Ridgeway Day Use Area and hiked the Tumbling Waters Nature Trail. Short hike to a pretty cascade.  From there we drove to the Visitor Center with overlooks of Carters lake. Then we drove to the South Reregulation Day Use Area and hiked the Hidden Pond Songbird Trail. We also walked the dam. We headed back to the camper for lunch and then canoed the West side of the park. Afterwards back to the beach. We got in another campground hike in.

Monday we hiked the Oak Ridge Nature Trail and explored the day use area. Took a trip to Ellijay. Took a canoe trip in the rain around the East side of the park. The rain stopped and we did a little swimming. Later on after dinner we took another canoe trip past the Island and a little farther East.

Tuesday we hiked the Amadahy Trail. After that it was back to swimming. Later that night we did a canoe trip West to the Boat In Campsites. Our second beautiful sunset.

Wednesday we did the campground hike and then canoe trip ending in the loading of the canoe. We did some swimming before lunch and then broke down camp and headed home.

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Wash Morgan Hollow TTA

 Deb led another great outing. She plus 7 of us hiked up Wash Morgan Hollow SNA to the end of the Hollow to the waterfall. There is no trail here, you just hike up the creek. Up the creek we found wildflowers on the banks, fossils, and several cool rocks. Visited the Cookeville City Lake Natural Area. Then to the Boils WMA for lunch and a swim. Bill seemed to have had the most fun, trying out the swinging rope. The water was nice and cool! Then to Cummins Falls SP to see Cummins Falls and the old homestead.

I started home from there, the others visited Bee Rock on their way home.

Copied pics from Deb's post on TTA

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Lost Cove TTA

 

Scenic City Chapter led by Betsy explored Lost Cove in Sewannee. Via Point Disappointment (the view was disappointing with all the leaves on the trees blocking the view) and Potter Ridge Trail. It's a relatively new trail with cliffs and rock formations. Lost Creek was dry so it must be lost too.  Hiked out and back so climbing out it was hot! We added a loop on the Caldwell Rim Trail. Picked some blackberries and huckleberries. Yummy! 

When we got back to the parking area, opened the car doors to a blast of hot air. Stopped at a market to get something cold to drink. Then on to the Natural Bridge. 

It was nice to see some friends and make some new ones. 

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Dog Cove Historic Area

Kat Champlin, certified Tennessee Naturalist, and Conservationist led 15 hikers from Plateau/Upper Cumberland on the Hardy Trail in Dog Cove. It was recently completed, and they will put gravels in the parking area maybe next week.  It's a pretty trail with a waterfall that didn't have much water today, and an overlook that with all the leaves on the trees, you couldn't see Dog Cove. There are rock walls, streams, and wildflowers, and huckleberries! 

Next stop was the Historic Rock House, a toll house and stage stop on the early stagecoach road that ran from Knoxville to Nashville. Famous patrons were Andrew Jackson, James Polk, and Sam Houston. The DAR are custodians, the historian Rick had so many stories to share. Every artifact in there has a story, if the walls could talk I'm sure the historian would be able to share those stories too. 

Next was the Calfkiller River Trail in Sparta, then on to Happy Trails Brewery to sample the brews and wait for our reservation at Marioochi's Pizza which was great food. 

Great day with great people.  Thanks Deb and Kat!

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Collins/Barren Fork Rivers TTA

 

We put in at the boat ramp in Pepper Branch Park in McMinville and took out at the old VFW boat ramp on 70. It was a great overcast day for being on the rivers and we had good current. It was about six river miles total. Wayne was our leader and did a good job, even showing us where not to go through the rapids. Jim did a wonderful job of providing entertainment by going under a bush. It was a great time with good folks.

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Pogue Creek Canyon TTA

 

10 hikers Plateau and Upper Cumberland, led by Deb hiked beautiful Pogue Creek Canyon.  Lots of bluffs, 2 arches, overlooks. It was hot, just a few tiny sprinkles. Muggy. Part of the hikers exited at Black House Mountain Road. I followed Cindy back to the parking lot adding about 2.5 miles. Huffing and puffing and melting...

Afterward I drove into Big South Fork. They were having a training day for Park employees, rescue, fire and everyone involved.  Bandy Creek Campground pool is open Friday Saturday and Sundays. Drove to Millstone Farm to check on blueberries. Not looking good :( Stopped by Cumberland Mountain State Park; pool is open except on Mondays. 

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Mile High Campground TTA

The Highland Rim and Murfreesboro TTA chapters hosted a camping and hiking trip in the Smokies and near Shining Rock Wilderness Area off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Maggie Valley NC. 

Monday after setting up camp at Mile High Campground, we hiked the short steep trail to Waterrock Knob. Beautiful views and saw pinkster azalea blooming along with Red Trilliums. Nice campfire for the evening along with Joanie's cool colapsing sticks for roasting marshmallows. 

Tuesday part of the hikers did and out and back on Rough Fork, 3 others hiked the 14 mile loop of Rough Fork, Caldwell Fork and Hemphill Bald. Sara and I drove up to Balsam Mountain Campground and hiked the Nature Trail. Another nice campfire and roasting marshmallows.

Wednesday morning I woke up early and walked toward the bath house. I saw what I thought was a horse next to the horse trailer they store firewood in. When I blinked the sleepyness from my eyes I saw it was an elk! 

After breakfast we drove the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway seeing lots of Pinkster Azaleas along the roadside, getting to the Art Loeb Trail. We climbed to Black Balsam Knob for the beautiful views. Saw a few azaleas starting to bloom, and milkweed. We hiked on to Tennant Mountain for more views, lots of trilliums and rose twisted stalk blooming. The rest of the loop included a road bed with campsites along the way, then the Art Loeb spur then back to the parking lot. Drove into Maggie Valley for a super meal at J. Arthur's. Another campfire and beautiful sunset watching lightning storm on the mountain tops in the distance. Rain and thunderstorms moved in during the night, fogging in the campground Thursday morning. Everyone headed home skipping the planned waterfalls hike (except Joe, I think he went anyway)

On the way towards Bryson City I saw roadside signs for peaches, so I followed and found Darnell Farms on the Tuskasegee River. Got peaches, strawberries fresh picked from the fields, and heirloom tomatoes. Stopped in Andrews, NC and walked around their historic town looking in a few shops. Stopped at Ms Bee's Purple Bus near the Ocoee River to see what was there. Cool interesting place if you're looking for unique gift ideas. 

Great time with Sara, Joan, Joni, Kathy, Georganne, Paulo, Joe, Charles and Barbara. 

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Tennessee Summer 2022

 

We had some beautiful weather for our gathering. Deanna and Dan came in Tuesday evening. Lora and I on Wednesday. Jim and Lynelle on Thursday.

Wednesday was a visiting session followed by a card game.

Thurday we started with a hike in the Smoky's on the Baskins Creek Trail. We hiked to the Baskins Falls and back. With a minor confusion on the amount of time it took, Lora hiked back to the car and brought our lunches. It was a great save! Ice cream on the way home made everything OK. Lynelle and Jim came in that evening.

Friday we hiked the Middle Prong trail enjoying the wildflowers. Once again we rewarded ourselves with an ice cream. Afterwards Uncle Rick, Aunt Linda, and Leslie came over for a visit. It sure was good having everyone together. 

Saturday we hiked the Maryville Greenway into town and back. Lots of good food including Lynelle's flower for dinner.

Sunday was departure day with early get ups and departures. Overall great time!

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New Orleans

We were trying to find a way to make our five day trip in New Orleans into a thirteen day trip. We did it. 

We left home on Tuesday March 15. We drove to Eufaula Alabama and camped at Lakepoint State Park for the night. It was a misty evening, but we got in a hike along the waterfront where the aligator signs were. We cooked indoors and had a evening of listening to the rain. We got up and got a hike in around the perimeter of the park and through the campgrounds before we headed out. We saw wildflowers and Yurts.

Wednesday after our walk we drove to Gulf Shores. We stopped in Eufaula to see the statues and the Large Fish (Leroy). We stopped in Dothan to see the peanuts, and then we stopped in Lagrange for lunch at a city park. They had a massive Live Oak tree there. We found an inexpensive campground to stay at three minutes from the beach, Southport Campground. Not a pretty campground, but it worked. It was next to an overpass and a marina. We drove to the beach after dinner and walked the shore line. We saw dolphins. We walked the streets to get pictures of the shark, large octupus, and a ship.

Thursday we got up and drove to the Gulf Shores State Park and hiked their busy biking trails. It has a really big, but nice campground. It's also a biker's paradise. We ate lunch there and then drove to Fort Morgan. That is a cool fort to visit and we enjoyed the beach there as well. On the way back we stopped in Gulf Shores to hike the Wade Ward Nature Park Boardwalk. We saw crabs and snakes. That evening we walked over to the Marina to check it out.

Friday we headed West along the coast line. We got caught in a major storm in Daphne, but managed to see the big fist with the flag. We got caught in Mobile in another major storm and then got caught in some major traffic in a construction area. We finally made it to our compound, Parc D'Orleans. It is a campground in the suburb which is gated with a tall solid fence all the way around it. A train track runs behind it and the campers are stacked in there. The owner was extremely nice and the campground was clean. Just not our style of camping. We had two nights here before we could get into the State Park. We set up and then headed to the airport to pick up Melanie. Melanie had us reservations at a resturant downtown so we headed there and then got her checked into her hotel. Afterwards we walked around down town.

Saturday we got up and drove to the French Quarter. We walked the streets and toured the St. Louis Cathedral. We noticed that Bourbon street was freshly washed down. We left before we had to pay for parking and headed to St. Bernard State Park to walk the trail and have lunch. From there we visited the Chalmette battlefield and cemetry. There is also a shipping port next to it so we saw the ships being loaded. Then we drove to the La Bayou Sauvage NWR and walked the boardwalk. We got to see an alligator swimming in the channel. We then drove to another section which the boardwalk was closed due to damage, but right where we parked there was a large alligator laying in the swamp. We met Melanie at the convention center where they were serving food and drink so that made for our dinner. After that we headed to Bourbon Street. They were having a parade and the ladies recieved beads, garters, and flowers from the men. There was nothing I could do to control them. We got off the streets while we felt safe.

Sunday we headed to the City Park. We parked at the Museum of Art and walked part of the park. It was huge! There was a lake there that we walked around, flower gardens, and an art park with sculptures. We listened to a guy singing at a pavilion. Then we met Melanie and had lunch at another park near the Garden district. We walked the garden district looking at the houses and cemetery. After lunch we headed back, picked up our camper and moved to Bayou Segnette State Park. There were Airstreams everywhere and we found out that it was a caravan. We had a armadillo walk next to our site. We headed back to Melanie's and had a stir fry dinner around a fire pit. 

Monday we got up and hiked the entire State Park. We met Melanie for lunch and had pizza, Hand grenades, and Monkey Buns in the French Quarter. Then we walked around the Jackson Square. Afterwards we headed back to the City Park and hiked through the forest part. At the showers that night a park ranger stopped and told us that we were going to have severe thunderstorms and tornadoes the next evening. What do you do?

Tuesday we locked down the camper and headed to the WWII museum. Really cool place. We took time out for lunch with Melanie and then went back to finish. We took Melanie to the Feiry Crab for a lobster and crawfish boil. The storm started while we were there and so we sat in the parking garage afterwards. When it finished we dropped Melanie off and went to check out the camper. All was well. We walked the campground and saw an armadillo and a owl.

Wednesday we walked and then headed out to Historical Blakeley State Park in Spanish Fort Alabama. This is a beautiful campground with lots of space between campers. We hiked the Northern part of the park including the battlefield. We saw another armadillo. We heard an owl at camp and had a campfire that night. We saw lots of flowers: Dwarf Crested Iris, Buckeye, and Little Brown Jug.

Thursday we went into Daphne to shop and we walked the boardwalk. As soon as we got out of the Jeep at the boardwalk, an alligator swam across the creek towards us. Almost tame? Back at camp we hiked the Southwest part of the park including the Hiding tree, Pontoon boat, boardwalks, champion tree trail and saw flowers, birds, lizards. We had a campfire that night too.

Friday we walked the campground and then headed to Georgia and camped at Florence Marina State Park. We hiked the campground and trails and saw five large alligators, lot's of turtles and birds.

Saturday we drove over to Providence Canyon State Park and hiked the canyons. Beautiful park and canyon. We hiked all the trails. We headed back to camp and had a relaxing evening at camp. We walked the park again looking for gators and only saw one.

Sunday morning we walked the campground and got to see one last Gator and then drove home.

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North Chickamauga Segment from Barker Camp trailhead

Lora and I headed back to the Barker Camp trailhead to hike the North Chick segment back towards Stevenson's campground. When we got to the trailhead there was a herd of goats at the parking lot. We headed out doing some trail maintenance on the way. We passed one backpacker. Beautiful views and one waterfall to see.

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North Chickamauga Cumberland trail

Lora and I headed South and hiked the North Chickamauga segment of the Cumberland trail to just a little past the second set of stairs. We had not been out here in a long time so the second set of stairs was new to us. Last time we had to cross the creek with a cable and climb down a ladder.

We saw lots of lizards today. The wildflowers were blooming and we saw chipmunks, butterflies, and lots of birds including a woodpecker. It was a great day to be out.

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Garrett Visit

We got some Nephew time in this weekend. Garrett brought his girlfriend, Savanna, to visit at Dad's. We got some good one on one time in. We did the Pigeon Forge Chuck Wagon Cookoff, the banana split at Mel's Classic Diner, and a hike on the Porters Creek trail on Saturday. Sunday we headed off and toured the Cate's Cove with a hike out to Abram's Falls and a hike out to Spruce Flats falls on the way home. Had dinner in Townsend at the Peaceful Side Social Brewery which was amazing. 

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Fall Creek Falls Link Trail

Lora and I went over to Fall Creek Falls SP and hiked the Link trail from the road to the lake and back. It was a beautiful day to hike. We passed the campsites and did a short distance along the lake seeing the Kamarat and Geese.

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Leatherwood Ford TTA

17 hikers led by Deb went to Big South Fork to hike at Leatherwood Ford. We did the loop and two overlooks. I stayed to hike with Sally to the Angel Falls portage. Got to see hepatica blooming on this trail!

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Laural Falls

 

We went to the Pocket Wilderness in Dayton. We explored the area around the Coke Ovens, Monkey Head falls and then hiked to Laural Falls for lunch. Nice day out.

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Savage Gulf Hike - TTA

Lora and I joined Joan for a hike at Savage Gulf. We started at the ranger station and hiked toward the Dinky Line campsite. It was a beautiful day with temperature in the 20's. We could only hike until lunch do to family plans. Sara hiked out with us.

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Table Rock State Park

 

Lora and I decided to take the camper to South Carolina. They have a lot of State Parks and we chose Table Rock because of the hiking. We got there about dinner time on Monday and after setting up and eating dinner, we did a short hike around the campground in the dark. We noticed many trees down and cut up. There were three that had landed in our camping spot with one destroying our picnic table. We met a guy at the camp store who had been clearing the trails so we were excited to hear that they had already done that.

Tuesday we got up and hiked to the top of Table Rock Mountain. Beautiful sights from up on top. It was a 7.5 mile round trip which did include some climbing plus the hike to the trailhead from the campground. We met the chainsaw ranger at the top cutting trees out of the trail. We ate lunch on the rock while watching Ravens and another large bird flying around. At the end of the trail there is a overlook of a lake and a waterfall out in the distance. On the way down we stopped and talked to a young lady that looked like she was out of the 70's with all the bling, fake eyelashes, and permed hair. Very nice young lady from Myrtle Beach. When we got back we had dinner and enjoyed a campfire.

Wednesday, after a long hike the day before, we hiked the two mile loop around the lake and got to see the CCC lodge. From there we stopped by the visitor center to register and then went to see the Hagwood Mill / Petroglyphs Historical Site. Pretty cool, plus they had other buildings including a still, blacksmith shop, and cabins. From there we traveled to Sassafras Mountain which is the hightest spot in South Carolina. It is right on the North Carolina border with a 360 view. From there we headed to the Wildcat Falls at a roadside park. We hiked the trail to see three different falls or cascades. We drove through the rest of our park and then hiked the Mountain Laurel Trail which is also part of the Palmetto and Elec. Co. trail. We got to see two hawks and an Eagle. Another evening around the campfire.

Thursday we woke up hacking and coughing. We were suppose to visit my cousin that evening, but had to cancel. We hiked the Pinnacle Mountain trail. We saw Mill Creek Falls, Bald Knob overlook, and then the steep climb to the Pinnacle summit. We were tired after this hike of 8.4 miles plus the hike to the trailhead and to the falls. No fire tonight.

Friday we got up and hiked the Carrick Creek trail of 1.9 miles plus the hike to the trailhead. Beautiful with the way the water ran along all the different rock formations. We packed up and headed home.

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New Years Day hike - CT Roaring Creek

New Years Day hike on the Roaring Creek segment. Spring is in the air with 75 degree weather. We saw two snakes, a butterfly, numerous grasshoppers, and a violet in bloom. 

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