Short Springs SNA

Joan scheduled a hike with Dennis Horn at Short Springs SNA. It was a Sunday afternoon hike to see the fall color and for tree identification. I got there early so I drove to Rutledge Falls which is close by. It is on private property with access by the owners. Beautiful farm, really pretty waterfall just behind their house. A nice statue seems to add peace to the area.

The wildflower book I have is edited by Dennis Horn who is a charter member of the Tennessee native plant society and a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee for Rare Plants in Tennessee. We were chatting in the parking lot, and I showed him my book, he asked where I lived and showed me a rare plant that evidently grows on our mountain top not far from our house. Since it blooms in April and May I will have to wait to investigate.

Dennis pointed out different oaks, maples, magnolias, different leaves, explaining how to id trees without their leaves. Much study is needed. We saw beautiful waterfalls, thankful for the recent rains. Adams Falls had water falling coming from a spring in the side of the ridge. Machine Falls was flowing well and the water is so clear! There were some young guys flying a drone, and one had a remote controlled truck climbing the rocks.  Dennis left us behind at the waterfall and was gone by the time we got back to the parking lot. I should have had him autograph my book.

 

Rily's wedding and Brooks Lake

A trip down to Georgia for a cousin's wedding made into an adventure. We headed down to Brooks Lake campground making it just in time to get set up and leave for the wedding. The wedding was moved due to the rain so we got to do a little more exploring to find the wedding. It was beautiful and we got some family time in.

The campground is set up a bit different than most with sites set scattered across the fields with no drives or pads. There is water at the pavilion and the electric is mostly limited to 20amp service. There is a bath house, but no showers and no dump station. The area is beautiful with a big lake and the owners super friendly. We explored the campground and trail the next morning before heading out.

We headed out and explored the Black Shoals Park which has a Georgia Veterans Memorial Park. They have a fishing lake and a hiking trail. We explored it all and then started the drive home.

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Father / Son Trip 2019

Lakeshore Trail 3.0
Forney Creek Trail 0.4
Bear Creek Trail 2.8
Day One 6.2

Bear Creek Trail 3.1
Welch Ridge Trail 0.3
High Rock Trail 0.4
High Rock Trail 0.4
Welch Ridge Trail 0.3
Bear Creek Trail 3.1
Day Two 7.6

Bear Creek Trail 2.8
Forney Creek Trail 0.4
Lakeshore Trail 3.0
Day Three 6.2


This year, just for a change, we went with plan A. We all arrived on Sunday to start some home projects.  The usual tree cutting was a big hit again this year. No body even got hurt.

Monday we started the backpack while the women folk started spending. We headed off to North Carolina which with our drought we were pleasantly surprised with plenty of moisture over there. We headed down the "Road to Nowhere" and started on the Lakeshore trail heading West. The tunnel is right at a quarter mile long and right around there we saw all the people that we were going to see in the next three days.

We turned on the Forney Creek trail for a short spell before heading up the Bear Creek trail. We were going by Steve's description, which he memorized this year and left the printed addition at home. We were looking for a trail on the left which lead to a old settlement. We spent some time exploring the area off an old roadbed and never found anything. Shortly after we came to a split in the trail. On the right was a bridge and going up the hill was a no horse sign. On the left was a lesser used trail with no signage. Steve went left and I went right. We both came back with the same report "trail looks used and keeps on going." We decided to explore further. We did the same, but for longer. Same report. Chose on going left because of the no horse sign.

It was warming up as we approached our campsite #75. A big open campsite right on the creek with good access. Section of good hanging trees near the bear bag hanging area. We set up camp and ate dinner. Dad retired to his hammock and we stayed up a little later.

The next morning we made our packs into day packs and headed up the mountain. It was a long steady climb to the top. We stopped and ate lunch on the way. We continued on to the High Rocks for a wonderful view of the mountains below and an old tower house in disrepair.  Afterwards we headed back to camp for the night, cleaned up and ate dinner. Just about bed time it started to rain and rained throughout the night.

In the morning as we ate breakfast, I noticed a swarm of yellow jackets by the rock that we had used to clean up on the night before. Upon further inspection, there was a nest there next to the rock. Boy talk about lucky. We packed up camp and headed out.

We had a short rain shower on the way out and Steve did a massive fall on the trail after stepping on a wet long. He was a little slow on recovery, but made it the rest of the way out. We saw more people as we approached the tunnel again.

We got an ice cream in Bryson City and then headed home. The ladies had a great adventure on their own and we swapped stories over pizza.

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Rock Creek SMHC

The SMHC came to hike Rock Creek from the Retro Hughes trailhead to the cascades and back.
Cindy brought a carload of hikers, 4 + her, I met them there. Doris had helped scout these southern segments of the CT so hearing her stories about the early days of the trail was neat. It started out cool, so I kept my fleece on going into the gorge and didn't take it off until we started back out. Rock Creek had very little water, but the pool at the bridge was nice. We had lunch here on the huge boulder. And there was a pool by the campsite. No rain for the last 45 days makes a huge difference in the creek gorges. No water at the cascade at all.

Coming into the gorge, one hiker saw a weird looking root on the ledge that looked like a snake; it was a snake. A big black snake that Doris managed to piss off. She got a little too close for his comfort so he coiled up and struck at her. Of course then we all had to pass by the pissed off snake...
Just don't understand.

Nice day for a hike, thanks to Cindy and the SMHC.

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Alabama Georgia Weekend

We found an article in the Chattanooga Now about music and a movie at Paradise Garden in Alabama. Loaded the camper, and off we went. Found a really nice campground in Mentone, AL called Tranquility RV and Campgrounds. Small and quiet with a pretty little lake with a trail around it. SOMEBODY forgot to get the hot dogs for our dinner so we drove into Mentone to find some. We tried again to visit the church we had seen last year, St Joseph's on the Mountain...doors still locked. We heard music coming from one of the shops so we followed the sound and and settled in to listen to Jerry and Pixie Bloom singing 60's and 70's music. This couple is really talented!

Then back to camp for the hot dogs, and on to Summerville, GA to see Paradise Garden. We walked around the Garden looking at all the art pieces, collections, sermons, wondering if the chapel (which you can't go in) would collapse if you did go in. The Foundation is trying to preserve this place, it's going to be quite the challenge from looking at the roof and the foundation.... Artist/Reverend Howard Finster, well, just go see it for yourself.

 Artist Sam Wheelock was there to perform and introduce the documentary The Winding Stream. This was quite the history lesson and family saga of the Carter and Cash families and their impact on country music. Movie under the stars.

Sunday morning we hiked from the campground to the overlook of DeSoto Falls. The campground owner/aka marathon runner had a map on the back of his clipboard for us to follow. Took a pic, managed to find it.

Heading home we followed the scenic route to Johns Mountain Overlook in the Chattahoochie National Forest. The last two miles was a winding gravel road, a first for our camper, four wheel drive country! The overlook sure was a beautiful lunch spot. We ate in the shade of the camper. When the shade left, so did we.

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Hooper Bald

TTA East TN chapter hike led by Rosemary. Two hikers were celebrating their birthday and this is Leslie's favorite hike. We met at Tellico Grain Bakery, dangerous because EVERYTHING in there looks and smells yummy. I think everyone came out with something. Mine was peach filled pastry, and a loaf of sourdough bread.
The drive up the Cherohala Skyway was beautiful. Sunshine and cool air, felt like fall. Wildflowers blooming in high elevations, purple, white and yellow. Asters all over, filmy angelica, some yellow ones I can't id. We hiked from the Hooper Bald trailhead to a retreat of some sort with cabins, covered pavilion and a nice view. We bushwhacked to the road to get to the parking lot for Huckleberry Knob. On the knob we stopped for lunch so I ate half of my pastry, mmm.

On the way back we drove the rutted bumpy gravel road to Whigg Meadow where the bird banders were working. They welcomed visitors, so we watched them remove a bird from the nets, band, weigh, and inspect everything. Leslie got to release the Meadow warbler. Added to her happy birthday.

After driving back to Tellico Plains we stopped at Iron Works Grill for a bite to eat. It was loud in there with football games on 3 or 4 screens and fans cheering. Hard to hear yourself think, but our server was great.

Both balds have historical significance.    There is writing engraved on a rock on top of Hooper Bald thought to be of Spanish origin with a date of 1615.  Also Hooper Bald was the site of a hunting lodge built about 1911.  In April 1912, a shipment of European wild hogs was delivered to the lodge.  A number of the hogs escaped from their pen and proliferated throughout the National Forests and the Smokies..  Huckleberry Knob is the site of a marked grave of Andy Sherman, one of two lumbermen who were walking from the mouth of Sycamore Creek across the mountain to Robbinsville on Dec. 11, 1899.  Both perished near the peak due to the bitter cold,   snow and fog.  Their bodies were found nine months later by a hunter. It is marked by a cross and a plaque. 


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Arnold AFB camping trip

We took a trip over to Arnold AFB Famcamp for the weekend. Dad, Mom, and Lora went over on Friday and set up. I joined them Saturday after I got off work. Mom had been wanting to go here to see the beach that she took us to when we were young. The campground which wasn't here back then was really nice. She was a little let down by the beach which was no longer being used as a beach. We found the old Officer Club and the foundation of the pavilion and the rock wall.

After her disappointment, we headed out to Lynchburg for a tour of the Jack Daniel's distillery. That was a very good tour and we learned alot. I would highly recommend this tour to everyone. After the tour we ate lunch downtown and Mom got her fix on with shopping the square.

Back at the campground we made the last minute decision to head to church. We drove to Decherd and attended Mass at Good Shepherd Catholic church. After church we had dinner and hung out for the evening.

Saturday we got up, ate breakfast and then hung out at the swimming area. Dad and Mom took a tour of the recreation area and found the replacement for the old beach and Officer club. She was happy again because it was beautiful like she remembered.

Monday Lora headed out early for work and the rest of us headed out later. We had a great time in a nice campground with some wonderful weather.

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Red River Gorge Labor Day

Double Arch

On Auxier Ridge

Jean and Jan on Auxier Ridge

Holiday Weekend, left early from work Friday and met Jean and Jan in Monterey and headed for the Red River Gorge in Kentucky. We arrived at Callie's Lake and Campground, set up camp in the tent area close to the lake and beside a small stream. Hoping for no mosquitos since it didn't look like the water was moving. We had the evening to explore a little bit so we drove to the Natural Bridge State Park and hiked to the top of the Natural Bridge, got on top in time for the sunset. Met a hiker on the way down that warned us about seeing two copperheads on the trail...then every stick, rolled up rhododendron leaf, became a snake, with the dark coming on quickly. Headlamps on, scan, scan, Lucky ladies, found no snakes. But we did find Miguels Pizza for dinner! Long line, long wait, but it was great pizza. Lots of folks around, tents everywhere, plus a cool outdoor picnic area.

Saturday we hiked to Gray's Arch and then drove the Scenic Byway and hiked to see Angel Windows, Whistling Arch, Sky Bridge, and visited the Gladie Visitor Center which is really nice. It has several interpretive exhibits and an environmental learning center. The farm is beautiful. We wanted to see the Suspension Bridge, parked in the Sheltowee Connector parking lot which was very crowded. Swimming crowd in the only pool we had seen on the Red River. Folks were jumping off a large boulder, there were kayakers, not sure how far they were paddling in the shallow river. When we got to the bridge we saw that we could have used the parking just up from the bridge....oh well. Wanted to see the lodge, which has a cool pool shaped like the river beside it. Looks like a nice place to stay. Then on to the Whittleton Arch, Chimney Top Road to Princess Arch and Chimney Top. The Chimney has wooden fence to keep you from hopping down the rocks to the top.

Saturday night entertainment at the campground, BBQ and singer/musician Tyler Halsey. They played about 3 hours which was a little late for quiet time at the campground. Then all the folks that drove there for the music were leaving. Noisy. Yawn...

Sunday was another beautiful day. We went hunting for Tower Rock. The trail map shows it is off the Osborne Bend Trail so we started there but couldn't find the junction to it.  Another hiker came by and had a GPS that showed Tower Rock one ridge over. So we hiked out and drove on, found the trail sign that said Trail #129. Our map shows it was Trail # 229. But we hiked it anyway and found Tower Rock, climbers destination. Then on down the road to find a lunch spot. The Gladie Interpretive Center Farm made a good lunch spot and we explored the barn and cabin. There is a water pump there too.
Next was the Bison Way Trail to see Indian Staircase. Jan had printed trail descriptions that said to watch for a path to the right to get to the bottom of the Staircase. We met a group on the trail that confirmed it was just a little further and they brushed off my concerns of it being dangerous. They had kids with them and were casual about taking them. I wondered how much they liked their kids....

 We found a path to the right and started climbing, we could hear the group below us so we thought they were following. We got to some rock scrambling and started up. We could tell by then the other folks were not behind us, as we got a little higher I could see the staircase; we were a good way from it. But we had awesome views from where we were at the end of the ridge. I climbed higher to see if there was a trail along the ridge to get to the Staircase. There was, so we kept hiking on, thru the huckleberry bushes and overgrown path. We made it to the staircase in time to see the other folks coming over the top of it. Kids and all. Frog rock at the top of the staircase then the largest rock shelter in the gorge, then Indian Arch.
Dinner was at the Red River Rockhouse, grass fed beef burgers, local source cheeses, veggies, wonderful food.
Campfire tonight, just as we started to bed BOOM, BOOM, fireworks!!! at 11 PM! Craziness from the neighbors next to the campground. We will go by in the morning and wake them up to go hiking.

Monday we packed up camp, drove to the prettiest trail in the park. Auxier Ridge. So many awesome views on this trail. All the way to Courthouse Rock we were in awe of the beauty. We picked the outside loop to see Double Arch, but when we got to the junction it was going to add 1.5 to our hike and we didn't have time to get that one. We saw the Double Arch from the Auxier Ridge trail anyway but if I ever go back to the Red River Gorge I want to hike this one again.





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Arkansas Trip

We got the opportunity to go camping with my daughter and her boyfriend. We headed out after Lora got off work and traveled to Chickasaw State Park near Jackson Tennessee. We got there in time for dinner so we cooked out some hot dogs. After dinner we took the hike around the lake and then kicked back for the evening.

The next morning we continued on to Arkansas to Denby Point campground on Lake Ouachita. Marjorie and Niles met us there. We had dinner together, cooled off in the lake and then played some cards.

The next morning we took a canoe trip down past the Twin Creek Day Use Area and back. We got into a light rain shower which cooled us down. Zep had a hard time keeping us all together and within sight of his comfort zone. We spent the afternoon in the water and then got a hike in the evening along the nature trail.

The next morning we canoed down around Lake Ouachita Shores Marina. After lunch we said our goodbyes and then headed East to Reelfoot Lake for the night. After we set up camp, we drove down to the motor trail and checked out a view of Buzzard Slough. We stayed out as long as we could handle the mosquitoes watching for meteorites.

The next morning we hiked around the campground and then caught the three hour scenic boat ride at the State Park. We got a private tour of the lake on a pontoon boat with a couple of well educated rangers. It was a beautiful day on the lake.

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New York 2019

The family vacation for the summer of 2019 was at Letchworth State Park in New York. We started the trip from Tennessee with a caravan of Marco's trailer, Dad's camper, and our trailer. We met up where Dad blew his tire and then we went to Tree Haven Campground in Ohio for the night. We made it to Letchworth State Park on Sunday where everyone gathered together. What a beautiful park, the "Grand Canyon of the East". We stayed at the Highbanks campground.

Monday was a hiking day in the Northern half of the park along the rim on trail #20 Highbanks. It was a good hike that took us back to the campground. Then we drove down the park looking at the waterfalls and preplanning the renewal of the vows. The falls were beautiful. We decided on Inspiration Point as the location of the renewal

Tuesday was canoe trip on Canadice Lake. We used Canadice Lake Outfitters for our canoes. Great guy runs the place with clean canoes. It was a beautiful lake to paddle on with all forest around the lake, no houses. The guy also suggested a hike for us at Stony Brook State Park. After we got back to the park, we had a surprise renewal of the vows ceremony for Dad and Mom by Natalie. We ended up having it at the pavilion by the pool due to some rain in the area.  It was beautiful and powerful to celebrate the 60th anniversary of our parents. After the ceremony and dinner, we headed to Inspiration Point to see the middle falls under the lights.

Wednesday we hiked the East side of the park on trail #7 Genesee Valley which we were supposed to see six water falls. Four of them "few people ever see". We got to see the Upper falls, Middle falls, and one other fall. It was a good hike (no ticks, chiggers or poison ivy).

Thursday was our trip to Niagara Falls. We took the Maid of the Mist boat trip to the base of the falls and then hiked all around the top of the falls. We hit the Hard Rock Cafe for lunch. Beautiful!

Friday we went to Stony Brook State Park for a hike/swim. It is a beautiful park with lots of waterfalls and an actual swimming area. New York does not want you in any of there water. Everywhere are signs about do not get in the water. Even the lake we paddled. The swimming area here was at 64 degrees when we were there. Some wet their feet, but you know me. I had to swim. Back at camp we had the birthday celebration for Betty.

Saturday was getting everyone out in the morning for the trip home. Marco and us headed South to Walnut Lake campground in Ohio. We hiked around the campground and then listened to the Sean Prater Band play that night. It was a beautiful night with lots of stars and a wonderful sunset.

Sunday we followed the 127 Yard Sale to get home. Lots of shoppers still out there looking for bargains.

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