Stinging Fork on the Cumberland trail

 

Today's hike started at Stinging Fork and then we headed South on the Cumberland trail. This is a very pretty section of the CT. It was a little chilly this afternoon, but worth it.

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Cumberland Mountain State Park

Byrd Trail .5

Pioneer Short Loop 1.8

Pioneer Trail 2.55

Total 4.85

New year's day hike at Cumberland Mountain SP. We hiked from the Ranger Station down around the lake. Lot's of people out today and the weather was great.

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Rock Creek Loop

This afternoon's hike after getting choirs done. 3.4 mile Rock Creek Loop.

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Christmas 2024

We started with a trip to Maryville to join Steve and Deanna's families. We enjoyed three days and then came back for Christmas with Lora's Family followed by the Big Smith Christmas. Christmas day we celebrated Christmas with Uncle Leroy and family followed by the dedication of the twin babies who are cousins. After that we headed back to Maryville and spent time with Deanna's family and Uncle Rick and Aunt Linda. We came home the day after Christmas and went for Christmas to Jack and Donna's with Lora's mom.

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Sunday school Christmas Party

 

Great time with Sunday school at Jeff and Melvina's home. 

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Murfreesboro and Highland Rim Christmas Party

We combined our annual Christmas party with the Highland Rim chapter this year to try something different. We met at the Ada Wright Center in the Fred Deadman Park in Manchester. It was a potluck and with a cookie exchange. Door prizes were awarded to the best decorated tables, and we sang some Christmas songs. We enjoyed spending time with members of the Highland Rim chapter and their guests. Folks attending from Murfreesboro were Jay Brain, Anna Lina Buckley, Joe Campbell, Craig McBride, Lora McBride, Sara Pollard, Georganne Ross, Martina Terrazas and her son Eduardo. 

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Flipper Bend

Lora and I hiked the Flipper Bend Loop trail which is now under the Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Park. Nine mile trail with lots of hills and a couple of water crossings along with some wonderful views.

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Prentice Cooper State Forest TTA

Sara led 11 of us on a hike at Prentice Cooper State Forest. Snoopers Rock to the Natural Bridge. 6.2 miles out and back plus optional 1.4 miles out and back to Blowing Wind Falls on the Ritchie Hollow trail and is rated moderate. 

First we visited Snoopers Rock and then we hiked a section of the Cumberland Trail Pot Point Loop clockwise to the Natural Bridge. Along the way we enjoyed views of the Tennessee River. On our way back we took the Ritchie Hollow Trail to visit Blowing Wind Falls.

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TTA Scenic City Christmas Party

 

TTA Hayesville NC

So the Scenic City TTA rented a house at the Hinton Center in Hayesville North Carolina and we rented a campsite next to it. After our arrival we went back to town for fuel and went to the Chatuge Recreation Area by the dam. After everyone arrived and got ready we went to dinner at Mariolino's. 

The next morning we headed to Deep Gap off of SR 71 to hike the AT to Standing Indian Mountain the site where a tower once stood. It is about five miles round trip. Afterwards Lora and I took Cynthia and Patti on the Kimsey Creek trail for a few more miles.

Thursday we had rain in the morning so we visited until 11am and then headed out to see Big Laurel Falls. The water was gushing so the falls were wonderful. We drove on to Mooney Falls and then up to Albert Mountain where we hiked the AT to the tower. It was fogged in so not much of a view. After the hike, Lora and I took Cynthia and Patti and hiked the 4.3 mile Hurricane Creek Loop trail.

Friday everyone had to pack up and then we headed to the Chatuge Dam trail and did an out and back hike. It was a wonderful time with our friends.

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