Walls of Jericho TTA

 

Sara Pollard led 5 hikers on a beautiful trip to the Walls of Jericho. Two new hikers joined our hike -  Tammy & Jamie. There was an abundance of wildflowers and shallow streams. The hike started on the Tennessee side with a side trip to see the Blow Hole. The water was gushing out of the cave, and we enjoyed a snack break. The hike down to the Blow Hole is narrow and steep. Lora pointed out the names of wildflowers and we saw quite a few varieties. The water was deep at the "walls" creek crossing,  so Lora and Jamie were the only ones to venture across to the end. The others enjoyed lunch and watching everyone else cross the creek to the "walls". We hiked out to the Alabama trailhead. We saw lots of hikers, campers and dogs along the trail. It was a warm and beautiful day for a hike. Hikers were Jamie Madson, Lora McBride, Jane Reyling, Georganne Ross, Sara Pollard and Tammy Pomeroy.

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Big Ridge State Park

We left the New River Gorge SP West Virginia and snow to head South to Tennessee. We camped at Big Ridge SP for the night. We hiked over to see the the Gristmill that night.

The next morning we hiked the Lake View trail before heading home.

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New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

We left Restrite campground and drove 250 S. Not long after getting on 250 S we came across a detour because the road was flooded. It took us down a narrow road with water and debris all over it. We were squeezing by folks going the other way. One got close enough to rub mirrors. Because of all the rain that went through, we called back to Bear Creek campground and found that they had evacuated the campers next to the creek as the water came up. They were calling for snow in the mountains so we were glad to be heading to lower ground. We cut across and took some bigger roads.

We stopped at the visitor center for the New River Gorge NP. We did the walk to the bridge overlook and then we drove across the bridge. We set up camp at Little Beaver SP and took a hike around their lake. They have a pretty spillway at the bottom. Then we drove over to the New River Gorge NP Sandstone Area. We saw the Sandstone Falls overlook which is really cool as the falls is across the whole river. We stopped at the Brooks overlook and the historic town of Hinton by the river. Got some snow overnight.

Thursday we headed over the park again at the Grandview area. We saw the Grandview overlook and then hiked the Castle Rock trail. From there we headed to the Thurmond Historic District. There is a bunch of old buildings there to look at plus the bonus of a few waterfalls along the drive. We had a couple of trains come through while we were there. From there we headed to Babcock SP where we hiked the Island in the Sky trail, saw the natural arch, gristmill, and lake. We then took the Scenic Drive from Lansing down the gorge under the big bridge across the river and up the other side. More waterfalls. Snow falling most of the day.

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Black Water Falls West Virginia

We left Bear Creek Campground and headed South on Scenic Hwy 50 through Virginia and back into West Virginia. We set up camp at Restrite Campground just outside of Blackwater Falls SP. Nice little campground for less money. 

After setting up and eating lunch we headed to the State Park. We hiked Blackwater Falls trail, Elakala trail to the falls, and Lindy Point trail to the overlook. Lindy Point was extremely muddy and we had gale force winds at the overlook. We saw the beautiful Pendleton Falls at the Pendleton Falls Overlook. Then we went to the lake to check it out as well. Saw deer on the way out.

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Harpers Ferry

Sunday was a traveling day. We left Cooper's Rock SF and headed East through the mountains with the plan of exploring Harpers Ferry and area. We made camp at Bear Creek campground, which is a new campground only two years old. It is just out of Hedgesville West Virginia in a beautiful area and an extrememly nice owner, Steve. Lora immediately fell in love with the wildflowers. 

After setting up camp and eating lunch, we headed over to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal NHP Cushwa Basin. We looked at the historic buildings and walked along the canal. From there we headed over to the Antietam Battlefield in time to pick up my America the Beautiful Pass just before the visitor center closed. We explored the battlefield. Time for a good evenings rest.

Monday we were off to Harpers Ferry. We rode a bus from the Visitor Center to Lower Town. We toured all the historical buildings, hiked up to St. Peter's Catholic Church, on further to Jefferson Rock, on further to the Mansion, then circled around back to town. 

We talked to a guy at the Magpie Pottery while working at the wheel. He told us a ghost story of Jennifer, girl is a daughter of one of the first families in Harpers Ferry, whose picture is in the train station. She has been haunting his store for years and a psychic told him about her.

We hiked across the bridge to Maryland where we hiked to an overlook of Harper Ferry on the Maryland Heights trail. It is a very steep trail and we earned an icecream from town for hiking up there. 

Another great day of fun!

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Cooper's Rock State Forest, West Virginia

We left Ashland and headed to Cooper's Rock State Forest in West Virginia. After we set up camp and ate, we hiked out to the reservoir loop trail. After that we went out to Cooper's Rock for the sunset.

Saturday we got up and hiked out to Raven's Rock for a view of the gorge. We then went over to the Henry Clay Iron Furnace parking area and hiked to the furnace and on to Rock City doing an out and back.

After lunch we headed to Valley Falls SP and checked it out. Beautiful small park. We drove on to Tygart SP and all they had was really a large lake.

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Ashland Ohio

We left Sunday after church heading to Ohio. We stopped in Lexington overnight at the Kentucky Horse Park campground. This is a very nice and clean campground next to the Kentucky Horse Stadium. Mainly we just walked around the campground that evening and the next morning.

We got into Ashland on Monday. We missed Valerie at work so we visited the Calvery Bapist Church and then drove out to the Findley SP where we were going to stay until Friday morning. We hiked the Story Book trail after we got set up and then met Valerie for dinner at Fiesta Charra.

Tuesday morning we got up and hiked the trails around the lake at the SP. It was some muddy walking, but pretty area to explore. After that we headed to Ashland and went to the Ashland County Historical Society. We toured the museum, the house next door, and then went to the childrens home where they have a insect collection that is just amazing.  We walked around Downtown looking at the old buildings and artwork. We met Valerie for super at Ohio Fire.

Wednesday we explored the Mohican SP which is really pretty. We hiked the Lyons Falls trail to both falls and the dam. We ate lunch down by the covered bridge then drove up to the overlook of Clear Fork Gorge. From there we hiked down to the swinging bridge and back. We drove to the Wolf Creek Grist Mill and toured the buildings. We came back and walked the Audubon Wetlands Preserve in Ashland. We picked up Valerie for a hamburger cookout at the trailer and went to Wednesday night service. That night we enjoyed a campfire.

Thursday we did lunch with Valerie at Pizza Hut, walked around Freer Field, and then had Frozen Custard at Whit's. We said our goodbyes to Valerie as we were heading out the next day.

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Prentice Cooper Mullen's Cove Loop TTA

 

Sara Pollard led 4 backpackers on a one-night trip on the Mullens Cove loop in the Prentice Cooper State Forest. It was cold with temperatures dropping in the 20’s at night. We camped at the Hemlock Branch campsite with a nice creek nearby. Plenty of firewood to stay warm. Beautiful views of the Tennessee River. The pink sign was from a previous event on the trail and Craig got to show off his beard. We hiked in counterclockwise and after setting up camp we took a short hike to the Ransom Hollow overlook. On the way out Tuesday morning the Mullens Cove Overlook was closed for some reason. The backpackers were Jim Barritt, Jean Breuer, Craig McBride, Lora McBride and Sara Pollard.

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Gooch Creek Arch

Today we hiked to 78'x45' Gooch Creek Arch just out of Laurel Snow Pocket Wilderness with the Chattanooga Hiking Club and TTA. It was a beautiful hiking day and we met more friends! It was a 10.5 mile hike with the crossing of Laurel branch twice.

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Nashville

 

Melanie had an ARON conference in Nashville so plans were made and we headed to Middle Tennessee. Marjorie flew in Friday afternoon so we picked her up at the airport and headed to the big city. With time to kill, we started day one of many days walking the city. After getting a layout of the city we checked into our Condo and then started at the Yee Haw Brewing Company listening to live music. Then we met our cousin Faith at the Bar Louie to watch her perform. Melanie came in at midnight.

Saturday while Melanie was in conference we toured the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Ryman, and Broadway. The tour of the Ryman was really cool. Built as the Union Gospel Tabernacle, the Mother Church then held the Grand Ole Opry. Craig shared memories of his Grandpa sitting here all day listening to the performers and eating Goo Goo Clusters. Afterwards, we met Faith where she was auditioning at Tootsies. They were impressed and hired her and her band! The talent in Nashville is impressive! ARON had a 75th anniversary party which we attended. Later we ended the day on Broadway.

Sunday we did the riverwalk with Marjorie and saw the Capital building and the other government buildings around the Hill. We met Melanie for a BBQ lunch, and then we took Marjorie to the airport. From there we went to Warner Park and hiked the 2.5 mile Warner Woods trail. Lots of wildflowers were blooming. Bloodroot was covering one whole hillside. We came back to meetup with Melanie and went to dinner with Faith.

Monday Lora and I explored the old churchs; the architecture is amazing; the old Union Station with it's impressive lobby, and government offices (the Courthouse is only 2 years old and there was no tour available. We took a tour of the Capital building  where hopefully business was being conducted, and Fort Nashborough. We had dinner at The Stillery which had awesome food! That night we went for a gathering of ARON at the Nashville Underground. Lot's of dancing.

Tuesday we met up with the Nashville Chapter TTA for breakfast. Then we headed over to the Parthenon to check it out. We met Melanie for lunch and to view the conference center. We met up with Faith at the TailGate Brewery Headquarters and then did dinner at Blanco Cocina & Cantina which was great food. Afterwards we walked and danced Broadway. 

Wednesday we got up at 4am and took Melanie to the airport. Then we headed over to Radnor Lake SP  to hike with the Nashville Chapter of TTA. We got there before the gate opened, still dark, took a nap, waited and watched lots of hikers show up but none of them were our group. Finally asked one hiker about the trailhead and she said we were at the wrong one. The other trailhead was just across the lake but you couldn't reach it from where we were, we had to drive 13 minutes away to the Visitor Center. We got there 3 minutes late but our friends were still in the parking lot. Wildflowers are blooming here also, lots of Toothwort, and some Dutchmans Breeches. We saw deer, turtles, eagles, cormorants, ducks, and turkeys. After their scheduled hike, we stayed and hiked the Lake Trail. 

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