Anna Ruby Falls

On our way out of Helen, Georgia we saw a sign for Anna Ruby Falls and well we were here. 153 foot and a 50 foot water falls. $3 per person to get into this area. GA park pass not valid here.

Pictures:

Helen, Georgia

After our hike we were only an hour away from Helen, Georgia that Lora had heard about so we stopped by for a visit. It is a beautiful city/tourist trap with a wonderful history.

Pictures:

Fires Creek-Nantahala National Forest

We drove down to Georgia and just North of Hayesville in the Nantahala National Forest. Our plan was to hike the 30 mile Fires Creek Rim trail. After doing some studying on the trail it was between 23.4 and 26 miles depending on the source. USDA Forest Service page has a layout and description. It is trail number 72. I got the following from Richard:

There are at least 6 spots along the rim where water sources are near 
the rim trail, and all are marked with a wood "W" painted blue,  they 
are near Shortoff Knob, a short walk down Rockhouse, Shinbone, Far Bald 
trails, near where Chunky Gal hits the rim trail, at Bald Springs trail, 
and Cold springs gap.
There is also supposed to  be a plane wreck on Johnson Bald.

We were going to hike the trail clockwise. We started out at the picnic area where the trail circles above the Fires Creek water fall. That is where we had our first water crossing. It is a steady climb up to Shortoff Knob. There is a campsite and creek just before you get there. The rest of the trail is straight up or down because you are on a ridge and there are no switch backs. The views are wonderful this time of year with no leaves on the trees.

We saw a spring on the back side of Shortoff knob down from the trail. I had read that there was water at Will King Gap, but there is not. We ended up hiking to Big Stamp for the night which by the description is 7.6 miles. We came in using headlamps, but we started late after driving from Middle Tennessee. We had a campfire and the water was a few hundred feet down the Rockhouse Creek trail.

The next morning we hiked to just before Whiteoak Knob where we found our first "W" sign which was laying on the ground. I don't know if there was water in that area because all the trails were marked with blue and I did not see any markers at all to lead you in the right direction,

From Whiteoak Knob until Chunky Gal or Tusquitee Bald was covered completely with blow downs from either a straight line wind or tornado in that area. Trees pushed rhododendron  down over the trail as well. This part of the trail needs to be closed until they can clear it. It is not safe to hike! We snaked our way through, over, under, and around to get through for at least 3 hours. We thought about going down at Sassafras creek trail, but the damage was so great in that area, I wasn't sure which was the closer out. We continued our adventure until we got to Tusquitee Bald and quit. We had 7.3 miles in at that point and were exhausted.

We decided to go down on the 1.9 mile Far Bald Springs trail which was clear. We walked down to FSR 340 and hiked it until dark and made camp. About 11.8 miles in for the day.

The next morning we hiked out about 4 miles. It was a beautiful walk along the Fires Creek without seeing anyone until we got about a mile from our car. We did post a warning on the sign when we left and I have sent emails to everyone I could about the damage.

Pictures:

Soak Creek

Finally a Saturday without rain! Eleven hikers gathered at the Piney River on Shut In Gap Road. It felt like old home week when I saw Don and Carol and TC and Judy in the parking lot. They also had another hiking friend with them, Lonnie. When Marietta, Cheryl, Sara, Jan and Nancy got there we were ready to go. We drove to the parking area for Stinging Fork SNA and got started, 33 degrees and sunny. There was a lot of water in the creek so the falls were flowing nicely. Water was flowing down the ridges all over the place. The new segment of trail goes from the Falls to Soak Creek then to the confluence with Piney River and out to the road close to the bridge across Piney River. The CTC Facebook page said 7.5 miles of trail. Don's calculations was 6.3 or so. He is planning to wheel the trail and GPS it soon. There will be trail descriptions added to the CTC website soon. The rock work on this trail is awesome, probably 1000 rock steps in here. Shawna's trail crew rocks!

As we crossed the bridge we saw 3 kayakers in the river working on their whitewater technique. That water is cold on this second day of winter, but they seemed excited to have some whitewater to play in.

We said goodbye to the CT vols, then headed back to Stinging Fork. We hiked back to the trail junction and out to the overlook, which we had skipped on the way in. Lots of moss and a few views of the creek, you can hear it better than you can see it from here.

Pictures:

Thanksgiving 2018

Marjorie and Niles joined us for Thanksgiving this year. We took them for a hike on the Rock Creek segment of the Cumberland trail on Friday. We did the family dinner at Lora's Dad and Mom's house and were joined by her sister and Paul. It was a wonderful time of eating and socializing.

Saturday we headed over to Fall Creek Falls. We hiked from the nature center over to Fall Creek Falls. We were going to the bottom, but the park had other plans as they were working on the lower trail. From there we drove over to Piney Creek Falls and did the scenic drive as well. Then we drove over to the Medley Farm and checked out Medley Arch and the falls next to it. There were a few heated games of Sequence played as well.

Pictures:

Sheltowee, Honey Creek, Gentlemen's Swimming Hole

Sheltowee 8.1
Honey Creek 3.4
Gentlemen's Swimming Hole 2.1

Heading out for an overnighter, we headed to the Big South Fork. We had not hiked the newest section of the Sheltowee trail which runs from Honey Creek to the O&W bridge. So we did! 5.2 miles.

The Sheltowee follows the West side of the Honey Creek Loop which is the easiest side with only one time that you have to crawl through the rocks. From there you go over the ridge and back down into the river valley. You get to see numerous rock houses and water falls. The horses, which I know that it is the ignorant riders that can't read the signs, have torn up the trail. Especially going down to the O&W bridge. The bridge has been improved since the last time we saw it.

From the bridge we headed back and set up camp on the ridge where the spring begins just before the Honey Creek Loop. We got to listen to the coyotes and owls for the night.

The next morning we did the other half of the 5.7 mile Honey Creek loop which is a challenge with a backpack. You have to climb, crawl, skirt, find, rock hop and go through on this section. It's all beautiful!

We drove up to the overlook after finishing the trail and ate lunch. With more time left in the day, we headed over to historic Rugby and hiked the 2.1 mile Gentlemen's Swimming Hole loop. This trail goes down to the Clear Fork where they have picnics and swimming. Then it goes along the river down to White Oak Creek where the creek and river meet. Then you climb back up the gorge and hike an old roadbed back to the trailhead. We did a little exploring on the roadbed. We found flagging in the woods that we thought would lead to an overlook. Stopped looking when the trail started dropping toward the creek.

Pictures:

Little River Trail

Ladies weekend in the Smokies. Jean, Sara and I met up in Crossville at our standard meeting place: Cracker Barrel. Went thru Townsend to get lunch and then to Elkmont to get to our trailhead. The Little River trail is a road bed that has nice bridges until Little River spreads out into channels and we started rock hopping. It becomes trail now instead of road, which we like better. We passed campsite #24 which is huge and then started some tricky creek crossings. Reading the trail descriptions and counting the creek crossings, when we got to a really hard crossing, I thought we needed to cross this one and one more, so we decided to scout up the smaller creek bed to see if the campsite was on this side of the creek. We ducked under trees and climbed over trees and rock hopped and then I climbed thru some rhododendron and still didn't find camp. We backtracked and decided we would go back to campsite #24. I said "Lord if campsite 30 is right here at this hard creek crossing, please show me the bear hangers" The sun glinted off the cables so we cheered ? and  chose to try the logs to cross over. Inching our feet across the lowest log and bending over holding onto the higher one, then stepping onto the rock the logs were balanced on, then whew! We made it! Set up camp, collected firewood.
We all had the same fire starter. Marco had given Craig a little block of fire starter to try, and Jean had used it before and really liked it. It burns for 5-7 minutes giving you time to let your little wood catch fire. The guys that camped close to us had a small fire going trying to dry their boots and socks from slipping off the logs in the creek crossing. They had tried to balance walking across without holding on. After Sara explained to them that we used our water shoes, they decided we were smarter than them, since that was the grown up thing to do. We had a great night around the fire.
6.2 miles

Morning time with an extra hour from the time change. We were up at daybreak, with Jean getting a fire started. We got back across the creek without a problem and backtracked to campsite 24, hung our packs and started up Rough Creek Trail. We met 2 guys that had hiked down Sugarland Mountain and Rough Creek, giving us warnings about overgrown trail with trees down. We ain't scared! Up we go, crossing the creek a couple of times and climbing. We did have to climb thru and over trees. Picked up lots of limbs trying to clear the path, then the upper part got worse. From the fire two years ago this upper ridge had burned and lots of trees died and fell. Weeds and briars are overtaking the trail because lots of sunshine and no canopy. We got a little scratched up but didn't give up. We made it to the top and saw the beautiful view of Chimney Tops and Mount LeConte.
We rested for a few, then backtracked to Little River Trail and our packs so we could eat lunch. On the way we encountered a snake, Sara yelled, I screamed and Jean screamed, and the snake got the heck out of there. And no, I don't feel bad for the snake's ears....

We hiked out on Cucumber Gap Trail giving Jean another new trail to mark off. As we walked out the Jakes Creek trail to the parking lot we got to see the improvements to the houses the Park has made. They are only preserving some of the houses. The others are torn down but the chimneys remain.
12.7 miles by the Brown Book. 12.5 by the map?

We stopped for supper in Maryville, then parted ways until the next time. Thanks ladies for a great weekend!

Pictures:

TTA 2018 Annual Meeting

This year's TTA annual meeting was held in Land Between the Lakes and hosted by the Clarksville Chapter. We were celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Tennessee Trails Association. 

Lora drove there Friday afternoon, set up a hammock in the trees by the cemetery. Had a great dinner served by the lunchroom ladies, then listened to some music by the Friendship Band that had some of us dancing in our seats, but no one would get out on the dance floor. Ski Witzofski an early day Ranger in Brandon Springs, an accomplished speaker told stories and history of the LBL. The t shirt contest had contestants wearing old t shirts from TTA past events, some trail work days, and J.R. had stated the judges could be bribed.
My night in the hammock by the cemetery. Listen to owls, sleep, listen to scuffling in the leaves going to the lake, (haints or deer?) The Friendship Band sang a song about Ain't no Haint gonna run me off. But I heard no chains rattling, so I think it was deer. Sleep, listen to owls. Get up.

Lora's Saturday hike was at the North Welcome Center, an 8.8 mile segment of the Canal Loop Trail, led by Paul Schwab. He kept a good pace that warmed us up as we did the ups and downs with views of Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake. We were blessed by the appearance of a bald eagle soaring low over Kentucky Lake. Ooohs and Ahhhhs as he climbed higher and soared. After the hike we drove the Loop Road to see bison and elk. And a coyote. 700 acres of scenic prairie. $5 per car.

Craig's Saturday hike was taking the trails around Brandon Springs. The blue trail runs around the lake which I wasn't sure about so after halfway I turned around and took the white trail back.

The evening was filled with awards for George Bonneau and Bob Lyons with the Bill Stutz Award, and TVA for the TTA Award, and Mack Prichard for the Bob Brown Award. Jim Poteet gave a great presentation of the 50 year History of TTA.

Sunday we enjoyed a good breakfast at the dinner hall, packed up camp, and then Lora and I headed up to the Golden Pond visitor center. We did a five mile day hike on the North/South trail from Dead Beaver Camp back to the visitor center.

Pictures: 

Anthony Creek Trail GSHAG

Sunday hike with the Great Smokies Hiking and Adventure Group for Suzan to finish her map. She needed the segment of the AT between Spence Field and Russell Field. 15 hikers gathered for this one. It was 35 degrees in Cades Cove when I got there. I was early, got up at 4:15 and 29 degrees, glad I remembered my gloves and toboggan. The gates were still closed for the loop road and cars were starting to line up. They usually open the gates at daylight. It was a few minutes after 8 when the guys came with the keys. As all the other hikes arrived there was a colorful array of puffy jackets and hats, scarves and gloves. We started up the trail, climbing of course, up to the Bote Mtn Trail. Closed for rehab, but the group had gotten permission from the Park to hike, so we ducked under the tape and kept climbing. They've been cutting limbs off the rhododendron and limbs were everywhere for a couple hundred feet. There are deep trenches in the trail still, but tools were still there to keep working. Hope.

The cold temps froze the timber on the ridge side, frost all over the undergrowth.  Beautiful and the sunshine was making everything sparkle. When we got to the ridge top the breathing was easier. As we neared Russell Field shelter, Suzan waited for everyone to catch up. We lined up to make a raised hiking pole ceremonial finish line. Suzan arrived and touched up her lipstick, then finished with a winning smile.

Lunch in the sunshine, then down the Russell Field Trail to Cades Cove. Beth and Laura presented Suzan with a 900 miler cake and we headed to Townsend for the Finish party at the Barn.
Suzan's family was there from Houston, and lots more of the Group. Good food and drinks, and camaraderie.

Pictures:

Father/Son Trip 2018

Our annual outing went as planed which is a rarity. We had good health, no closings, and good weather. We met up at the Ponderosa again, got some chores done, and last minute packing. Tuesday we headed out one way and the ladies out the other way.

We drove to Bryson City and got to the Deep Creek Trailhead. We had a 6.3 hike into campsite #59.  There were some people out hiking today and we found one friendly copperhead snake on the side of the trail. We saw lots of fishermen out in the creek. Just before we got to camp a light rain started. That rain gave us a break to set up camp and then came back for the night. We visited under the tarp until bedtime.

The next day after breakfast, we headed out for a day hike. We did a mile up to Martins Gap trail and then headed down Sunkota Ridge trail. It was a beautiful day for hiking and a beautiful trail. We took the loop trail back to Deep Creek and back to our campsite. It took a while, but we finally found enough dryish wood to make a campfire for the night. We heard some coyotes tonight and I got to hear an owl both nights.

Thursday we headed out. We got into some hikers and photographers as we neared the parking area. We stopped in Bryson for some lunch and then headed home. Another great hike.

Pictures:

Raccoon Mountain TTA

 
Lora and I headed to Raccoon Mountain to hike with the Tennessee Trails Association. We did the 12 mile loop around the lake. We met at the visitor center and hiked counterclockwise. It was a great day of hiking and fellowship.

Pictures:

Newton Bald/Gunter Fork

Day One: 5.6
Newton Bald Trail to Thomas Divide to campsite #52  5.6
Day Two: 10.8
Newton Bald Trail 0.5
Mingus Creek Trail 5.6
Newton Bald Trail 4.7
Day Three: 5.2
Big Creek to campsite #37 5.2
Day Four: 10.2
Camel Gap Trail 1.0
Gunter Fork Trail x2 8.2
Camel Gap Trail 1.0
Day Five: 5.2
Big Creek Trail 5.2
Total Miles: 37

Lora had a few more trails to mark off and we had five days. This is our anniversary hike for 2018. We parked at Smokemont campground to start the hike up to Newton Bald. It was hot and the trail was steep climbing 3000 feet. On the way up we saw a couple of park workers with two horses and two mules toting chainsaws. We thanked them for all their work. We hiked to the Thomas Divide trail and then back tracked to campsite 52 for the night. It was a peaceful night under the stars.

Day Two:
We hiked back to Mingus Creek to get that trail marked off. We headed South down to Deeplow Gap trail. Got to see some grouse and some huge mushrooms. When we got to the bottom, we turned around and headed back up, just because.  Then we took the Newton Bald trail to Smokemont for the night. We took a side trip up Big Cove Road to Mingo Falls. Mingo Falls is a 120 ft high waterfall located in the Qualla Boundary—a land trust of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians—near the town of Cherokee. When we got back to camp we found that we had neighbors with lots of little children. Not a quite night.

Day Three:
We got up and drove to Big Creek campground where we started our hike to campsite 37. We stopped to look at the waterfall, when a large tree fell next to the trail. That will get your heart a pumping! We were the first ones to camp so we gathered all the firewood we could find.....not much! We ended up with about 19 campers in the area that night.

Day Four:
We got up and hiked to Camel Gap , then on to Gunter Fork. We saw 6 hikers from the Great Smokies Hiking & Adventure Group. Steve H. was hiking his last trails needed to finish his map. Their plan was for 26 miles. Hope they made it before dark. We had one crossing of Big Creek and then about five crossings of Gunter Fork. It is a beautiful trail with two large cascades. One of which had a nice plunge pool at the bottom which we took advantage of on the way back down. There were a few less people at camp tonight. Sometime in the morning we got a few sprinkles so we had to get up and put the tarps up.

Day Five:
We headed back to the car. It was another great five days on the trial.

Pictures:

Savannah Bay

Lora and I headed over to Savannah Bay to do some canoeing. It was a great day for getting on the water. We put in at the boat ramp on Snow Hill Road. We did a clockwise trip around the bay with exploration of the wet lands and creeks.  Five miles of paddling. We got to see lots of Herons, one white Heron, two green Herons, King fishers, Cormorants, Lora got startled by several things. One being a dead deer in the water by the bridge. Always thinking that everything is out to get her.

Pictures:

Pinhoti Trail CHC

My first hike on the Pinhoti Trail. Destination: Snake Creek Gap trailhead on Georgia Hwy 136. This is a huge gravel parking lot with a bathroom. Met three hikers from the Chattanooga Hiking Club. Susan was our hike leader today and had a map and trail descriptions for each of us. This part of the trail is Section 25, we did 5.2 miles of it and returned for a total of 10.4 miles. There were a few wet weather streams in the first 1.1 miles. Then you see the pile of rocks at the crest of Mill Creek Mountain. I think someone is trying to make the mountain taller. It's a really pretty ridge top walk with two good views into the valley. When the leaves fall, the views along the ridge will be much better.

There were five or six campsites along the trail and a big one by Swamp Creek where we had lunch. On our return climb out of the cove, we had stopped for a breather and I saw something moving on top of the ridge. Not a bear, not a hog, it's a big black and white dog. Sniffing around not paying any attention to us. Nobody but us on the trail all morning, and it would be a long walk into either valley....and then along came some hikers but nobody was looking for a dog.

After the hike I drove further on 136 then left onto the Scenic Byway. There are other trailheads for the Pinhoti, John's Mountain Overlook, Keown Falls, and the Pocket. The Pocket had a campground. Keown Falls parking lot was full, lot of folks out today. Then I drove to John's Mountain WMA. There must have been 200 tents in the meadow areas. Lake Marvin is there and they have rock climbing, hiking, biking, horse riding.

A little about the Pinhoti Trail:

The Pinhoti Trail is a long-distance trail, 335 miles long, located in the states of Alabama and Georgia. The trail’s southern terminus is on Flagg Mountain, near Weogufka,  Alabama, the southernmost peak in the state that rises over 1,000 feet. (The mountain is often called the southernmost Appalachian peak, though by most geological reckonings, the actual Appalachian range ends somewhat farther north in Alabama.) The trail’s northern terminus is where it joins the Benton MacKaye Trail in Georgia.

The Pinhoti Trail is a part of the Eastern Continental Trail and the Great Eastern Trail, both very long-distance US hiking trails connecting multiple states.

The north terminus is approximately 70 miles west of Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.

Georgia has about 164 miles of the trail, and Alabama contains the other 171 miles of the 335-mile-long trail.

Pictures:

Alabama

Day off......Road Trip!! Headed South to Alabama. First stop Russell Cave National Monument. Very interesting, never been here before.

Then headed to Mentone Alabama. Interesting little town and future shopping place for my mother and sister-in-law. Lots of craft shops, history, and views. Tried to check out the St. Josephs church that is open 24/7. The doors were locked. Ate at the Green Leaf Grill which has some great food.

From there we headed to Desoto Falls in Desoto State Park and then on to Little River Canyon State Preserve . We enjoyed the views along the Canyon drive with lots of overlooks and some Subaru driving for Lora.

On the way back we stopped in Ft. Payne AL which was hosting the Boom Days Festival where we listened to some good music, looked at some old cars, and ate.

Another great day with my best friend.

Pictures:

Tim's Ford TTA Float and Hike

Joan and Sara planned a great weekend for a float/hike at Tims Ford State Park. Four ladies- Sara, Joan , Jean and I met at the Tims Ford Dam boat ramp and paddled out to Little Island. Joan had already been there to clean up the island and set up her tent. It's a really pretty island to camp on. Squatters had built a table and a potty there before they were evicted. We did a night paddle around the Big Island which was really fun.The lights on our kayaks attracted some kind of insects that left a mess, they were plastered to our boats the next morning.

Saturday morning sunrise was beautiful. We spent the morning paddling on the lake and then to Ray Branch to do a little hiking. The new SP boat was parked at the trail entrance and we found the Ranger Nathan and a few volunteers building a new segment of trail. We tried to hike a loop, ended back at our boats, had lunch and hiked some more. Found the back country campsite that Craig and I stayed at before. Looks totally different, overgrown along with that section of trail. Needs feet on the trail to keep the weeds at bay.

Back to paddling across the lake, thru the usual weekend traffic. Relaxed on our pretty island, cleaned up, paddled to the cars and drove to Twin Creeks Marina for dinner. the Reuben I had was really good with kettle chips. Lots to choose from and the football games playing on the big screens was keeping everyone entertained. Full and happy, we returned to the boat dock and paddled some of the calories off on the way to the camp. Jean kept a small campfire burning to light up our night as we watched the stars pop pop pop. Sunday morning weather forecast got us up and moving and off the Island by 7:30. Paddled to the cars and loaded up.

Thanks ladies for new adventures for me: kayak camping and night paddling.

Pictures:

Shreveport Louisiana

Lora and I headed out to Louisiana to visit with our daughter and her boyfriend over the Labor Day weekend. We pulled our camper trailer and stayed at the Cash Point RV Park. It was a little unnerving to drive over a levee to the campground next to the Red River. At least is not raining!

We drove over to their apartment and got a tour before heading to the R.W. Norton Art Gallery for a viewing of the WWII exhibition. From there we went to Marilynn's Place for a wonderful dinner experience.

The next day we got in a tour hike of downtown and then met with friends of theirs from Austin TX, who shared a couple of days with us. We had a great cookout by the pool with the famous Niles as head chef.

Sunday we went back to Marilynn's place and walked the Botanical gardens and a snack at the local Rhino Coffee Uptown shop. Then we visited Flying Heart Brewing for pizza and beer. Later we went downtown for an outdoor concert at the Shreveport Riverview Park which turned into a wonderful evening of music and fireworks. Awards were handed out for the Powerboat Nationals Grand Prix of Louisiana returns to the Red River Labor Day weekend and after the fireworks we saw the band Chee-Weez perform.

Monday we headed to Texas to canoe at Caddo Lake State Park . Never thought that I would canoe with the alligators, but we did. Beautiful park! Then it was back to the apartment for some Taiwanese cooking by Niles. 

It was a wonderful visit.

Pictures: 

TTA Hiwassee River Campout 2018

The Highland Rim chapter hosted a camping, hiking, and kayaking weekend at Hiwassee-Ocoee Scenic Rivers State Park in Delano, TN.

Friday we used our own kayaks and floated a portion of the Hiwassee River and had a wonderful potluck on Friday night.

Saturday started with a 3 mile hike in the Cherokee National Forest to a great waterfall and then we took "Duckies" (inflatable kayaks) down the whitewater portion of the Hiwassee. Another potluck Saturday night and then Sunday, some went home, some paddled in their own boats a calmer stretch of the Ocoee and others did the whitewater Ocoee float.

It was a wonderful weekend for all involved and many thanks to Joan Hartvigsen who put this whole thing together without a hitch!

We had people from Nashville, Tullahoma, Winchester, Murfreesboro,  Chattanooga , Memphis, Gallatin and Crossville and even one as far away as Indiana on this trip.

Great gang!

We got to enjoy the company of my Aunt Linda and Uncle Rick for the weekend. We camped at the Eagle Cove RV park Beautiful park and friendly people.

Pictures:

Michigan 2018

Another wonderful gathering of family at the Elk Lake Cabin. Lot's of fun and laughs. We had four campers at the Sugar Springs Campground and families at The Camp hotel. The annual canoe trip was on the Manistee River using the Shel-Haven Canoe Rental. The one day that they we did have rain, which was not much, we hung out at the pavilion at the campground and played games. We did get a Taco Tuesday in at the Elk Lake Bar.  Our cousin Jimmy came and did a fish fry which spoiled us all and yes, we had a slider night too!

Pictures:

Hangover SMHC

I met the SMHC at Tellico Plains Visitor Center to follow them to the trailhead. Got a pic of the dragon mailbox at the Visitor Center. I thought the greenery was real, oh well. The temp was low 60’s, sweet for July. The drive up the Cherohala Skyway was beautiful. Started our hike at over 4000 ft. at Beech Gap.  Phlox was blooming everywhere. The connector trail bridge was out so we climbed back up to the road and walked about .25 to the other trailhead where the gate is. 10 hikers, started out the roadbed that finally turned into single track to get to Bob’s Bald. And it was a big climb, but the views from the bald are wonderful, flowers everywhere including Turk’s Cap Lily and Bee Balm. Butterflies and bees were all over the place. Tim pointed out the Mile a Minute vine. We had lunch looking at the views. The next segment of trail is WAY overgrown, over my head (and everybody else’s too). You can just barely see the trail and there were trip hazards like trees across the trail, step ups that you can’t see because you are too busy trying to push your way thru the weeds and keep them out of your face. Some had briers on them. After about 1000 feet of this it gets better. Still overgrown in sunny places. And a few ripe blackberries in the sunny places.

Within a mile of the Hangover, one of the hikers took a tumble, crashing into a rock with his knee. About 9 first aid kits came slinging out of packs, and a nurse in the group took charge and got his knee bandaged, and his arm, then he and Tim and two others started back to the cars. The rest of us found our way towards the Hangover, getting out the map a couple of times, wishing for the kind of signage we have in the Smokies. Wishing for a sign that says THE HANGOVER this way!

We started downhill and finally heard Steve yell I found it! Come on down!  Plowed thru some bushes to get to the rocky outcropping. Great views and a breeze blowing, found some ripe huckleberries. Then the climb back up thru the bushes, at the top of the ridge I discovered I had lost the mouthpiece on my water bladder tube. Not worth the climb back down, no telling which bushes it would be hanging in. We got back to the trailhead and found our injured hiker and leader waiting. He got loaded up and headed to the ER.

Beautiful hike. Hope the injured hiker heals quickly. 

Pictures:

Wolftever Creek

We put in at the Wolftever Creek boat ramp and stayed left following the coast line. We paddled five miles to Island Point Drive and back to the boat ramp for a total of 7.8 miles. It was a beautiful day and we got to see lots of wildlife. Lot's of boat competition on the way back to the ramp.
Pictures:

Montgomery Bell State Park

Took Braedon out camping this weekend. We spent most of it in the lake, but we did do some creek exploration. Caught some crawdads and saw a snake. Had a great time. Braedon started the campfire for roasting marshmallows.

Pictures:

Falling Water Falls TTA

I surprised my TTA chapter by showing up for the hike at Falling Water Falls on Signal Mountain. George was leading me, Donna, Ed, John, and Jane to a beautiful water fall. It was a cool day for July, in the 70's. We saw another wet weather falls on the way down the trail. Donna did a little trail dance on a slippery rock. I got the picture of the Falls by crawling to the edge of the overlook. We came out on the road and walked thru a pretty neighborhood to get back to the cars.

I stopped on the way home to get a couple pictures of an old toll house. The Conner Toll House was used when the W Road was the only reliable route to Chattanooga.

The other pics are the view into the Sequatchie Valley on the way down the mountain.

Pictures:

Roan Mountain TTA

Joan planned a weekend of camping and hiking at Roan Mountain. I met Sara in Crossville to ride with her. We arrived at Roan Mountain State Park and explored the campground looking for the group camp. We found a Ranger that gave good directions along with a reminder of the 5 MPH speed limit in the park. We found the other campers all set up, and a few ready to hike. I hung my hammock by the river. We hung out and waited for the hikers to return so we could have dinner. Dick had appetizers ready, drinks and all, along with Jean's Blue Moon. We had quite a spread for dinner with chicken, baked beans, broccoli salad, slaw, quinoa, and Sara's brownies and cookies for dessert. The Park had musical entertainment at the amphitheater which was conveniently located close by our camp. We clapped and laughed with the Roan Mountain Moonshiners. Great entertainment. And then a nice campfire with our group. Joan and her sister Jean along with MaryEtta and Jane had a cabin in the Park rented for the weekend.

Saturday morning we drove to Carvers Gap to start our hike on the AT to the Rhododendron Garden and the Cloudland Trail to Roan High Knob. The fog on the mountain top limited some of our views, and after we read the info at the Cloudland Hotel site, our leader took us back to the AT and we started descending. I remembered when Craig and I were here, the Garden was on TOP of the mountain. I voiced my doubt about going down the mountain so we voted to climb back to the hotel site and get our bearings in the fog. We heard cars so I checked out the parking lot and got directions to the Gardens. We explored the trails and found the overlook, with a cloud sitting on top of the mountain, there were no views here.  A lot of the blooms had passed their prime and the storms had knocked off a lot of the blooms. But we still saw some really pretty ones. The Cloudland Trail led us to High Knob. We were in high winds at the overlook at Roan High Knob so we found a less windy spot for lunch, then retraced out steps to the parking lot at Carvers Gap. The number of cars had multiplied and maneuvering out of the lot was challenging. Back at camp we snacked and started a fire. The cabin crew came back ready to cook hot dogs and chili, and all the leftovers from last night. Jane's strawberry cake was delicious! Campground music again tonight, Southern gospel trio from Piney Flats.  I knew most of their songs.

Sunday morning thunder woke us up and we hit the ground running to pull down our tents and hammock before the rain started. I just barely got my stuff in the car before the storm broke. We sat in our cars in the downpour, then cooked breakfast under the canopy. It had stopped raining when Jane showed up to show us how to take it down. Loaded up, said goodbye to Marietta, Jane, Dick and Jennifer. The rest of us headed back to Carvers Gap hoping to get above the fog.

We hiked North on the AT climbing the balds. The clouds were moving fast. We found the Gray's Lily on Jane's Bald, then found more, and then more. I was a happy hiker! First time seeing these beauties. Found bluets, and some other flowers that I can't name or find in my wildflower book. We took the Grassy Ridge trail to the rocky top where a plaque is set into the rock as a memorial to a man that loved the Roan. Along the way we heard coyotes howling on the ridge. We had a windy lunch the returned to the AT watching the sun break thru giving us a few views. Then the clouds returned, with the howling wind gusts blowing us around on the trail. It didn't stop MaryEtta from singing "The hills are alive." We got back to the car just as the rain started. We parted ways with Jean and Joan who were heading out to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The rest of us got back to the campground, and started a convoy to Sycamore Shoals State Park. None of us had ever been there. Fort Watauga is there, they do reenactments of the siege of the fort and the mustering of the Overmountain Men. The town is the home of the oldest standing frame house. The ladies got their State Park books stamped.

This was my third trip to Roan Mountain. Once to see waterfalls and blooms staying at the Mountain Harbor Inn, once backpacking in the rain, and this camping trip to see the blooms.  The next trip will be.....





Pictures

Chester Frost State Park

Lora was off hiking with the TTA, so I took Dad, Mom, Melissa, Samantha, and Kaylin out for a camping trip at Chester Frost State Park. We got there before the 2pm check in time, so we ate lunch and hung out at the beach until time to set up. When we did start setting up a storm came in with a high powered wind which tore off awnings and threw chairs all over the place. Luckily we hadn't got that set up yet. The storm blew over, we got set up, and off to the beach.

Samantha got a campfire going and the girls cooked Smores for us to eat. They also helped out with the cooking of hamburgers for dinner and pancakes for breakfast. Good eats.

We had two great days of swimming and visiting. We watched as numerous storms went down the mountain, but none effected us. We did get into some storms on the way home Sunday, but everyone made it home safely.

Balsam Mt. Meetup

I finally got to hike with the Great Smokies Hiking & Adventure Group. Dale organized the camping trip to Balsam Mountain campground located in a relatively remote part of the Great Smoky Mountain NP, at 5310 ft elevation. It never got above 73 degrees, and was in the 50's at night. I set up camp while the others were hiking Flat Creek Trail. I met some of the group as they came back to camp. Liz was camped next to me. I walked the pretty nature trail from the campground to the  Flat Creek trail and walked out to the overlook for the sunset. It was beautiful, turning the sky red. Made me think of the words to How Great Thou Art.
Back at camp Robert had a campfire going so I joined him and Liz till I started yawning. 

Saturday morning Mr Owl woke me bright and early, but we needed an early start for the Balsam Mountain Loop. Dale gave instructions for all left turns and the hikers started at a fast pace, NASCAR style.The trail was overgrown in a lot of places, especially along the fence line up Balsam Mountain. We rested for a few minutes and Dale gave instructions for slowing the pace from the 2.8 mph they had kept until then. We started downhill at a quick pace and stopped at campsite 41 for lunch. As we were packing up someone noticed an elk by the hitching posts, she had a newborn calf with her. We cautiously took pics and sidestepped around them, trying not to startle them. We started up Caldwell Fork and stopped to see the Big Poplar, took 5 of us to reach around it. Not the biggest one in the Smokies but huge! We climbed a tough section of Rough Fork taking time to see flowers. Found a lady as crazy about wildflowers as me, maybe more so. She spotted some that I would have missed. Finally the trail got easier, the last two miles were not too bad. We finished the trail at 2:30. Everyone seemed pleased at the record setting time...
Got back to camp and rested my sore knee. Kicked back then the boom of thunder and the sky opened up. Rain washed everything clean. The sunset was beautiful turning the sky red. Brought the words of How Great Thou Art to my head and heart again. At the campfire we had a few more people sharing hiking and travel stories as Robert made the fire blue and green with some cool packs of Funky Colored Flames, You will have to check that out if you want to impress your campfire friends. An elk was wondering around the bathroom area just a little ways from our campsites.

Sunday morning we were up early packing up and I was excited about a new trail, and a new road to drive. The Heintooga Round Bottom road is gravel and it's one way and 28 miles to Cherokee. Spruce Mountain trailhead is along this road along with a few others. We climbed Spruce Mt to campsite 42 which looks like it doesn't get a lot of use. Remote.The bear cables look rusty, but there are 5 of them. Lots of flowers and mushrooms to see. The next stop was Beech Gap 1 to Balsam Mt. That's a climb, but very pretty, more flowers and mushrooms and ferns, and beetles. I was lagging behind and taking time to look at everything. Dale had given everyone instructions how to drive out to Cherokee at the beginning of this trail, so I assumed when folks got off the trail they would go on. I wasn't expecting anyone to wait. I had a note on my car saying "they waited until one other came out and told them 3 of us were a little behind and still taking pictures, and have a safe trip." I sure didn't mean to be a problem child.

Pictures:

Chester Frost Park

Lora and I headed down to Chester Frost Park to do some canoeing. There were a lot of cars there and they had a fishing tournament going on, but we didn't have any problem putting in or taking out at the boat ramp.

We paddled about 3 miles clockwise around the lake. We saw 2 abandoned boats, one may have been Gilligan's. The other was a canoe left in the water now filled with water :(

Pictures:

Boston

Lora and I headed out to spend time in Massachusetts with our nephew Nick and his fiance Amy. This was our first long trip with our new camper.

We made it to West Virginia the first night and stayed at a campground that Lora picked out. Nahkeeta Campsite. We met Moses at the front of the campground by the Airstream office. With long gray hair and beard, Moses couldn't talk. He pointed to the Airstream and I went in looking for someone to help me. There was nobody inside. I came back out and Moses was pointing to the trailer window which had a list of rules on the window. You must have reservations to camp here. Luckily we had called ahead. When I told him this he pointed to the camping loop. We had site B so we went looking. Unfortunately they started with 1 and went up from there. After driving around the loop Moses was at the end in a golf cart calling me with his finger. He drove me to the office and then down a gravel road with three sites on it. A,B, and C. Home for the night.

The next day Lora counted down the states that she had been in. We got a little off track and took a side trip thru Bethleham. We saw places that we want to go back to in the future. We arrived in Springfield in time for dinner. We parked in Nick's driveway, ate dinner, and then set out to tour the town. Without any luck getting information from the information office, we returned to the house and hiked up to and explored Forest Park.

Early the next morning, early because it gets lighter earlier in the East, we headed to Boston. We were to meet Nick and Amy at 10 so we had a few hours to check things out. We walked to the Capital building and the Boston Common. From there we walked to Trinity Church and Public Library. We went by the Church of Science, reflection pool, and then headed back to meet Nick and Amy at the Boston Public Market.

After getting together, we had to get a snack before our tour. There were food vendors in the Commons and we found the Cookie Monstah, chocolate chunk with cookie dough ice cream. YUMM! Then we did a historic Freedom Trail walking tour covering Boston Common, Massachusetts State House, Park Street Church, Granary Burying Ground, King's Chapel, Old South Meeting House, Old Corner Bookstore, Old State House, Boston Massacre Site, and Faneuil Hall. We had the best guide, a tavern wench that knew her stuff. She must have overheard many a conversation in that tavern. After the tour we had some really good clam chowder, cannoli from Mikes Pastry and Moderns Pastry, and pizza at Rina's after we toured the Old North Church. We also toured Old Iron Side.

We drove back to Nick's and visited for the night, celebrating Amy's birthday. The next morning Lora and I headed back to tour Boston harbor, Bunker Hill, Paul Revere's house, St. Leonard's Church, Massachusetts State House, and a couple of other churches. We also took in the Best Burger in Boston at Cobblestone.

Monday we toured S. Prestley Blake Law Center and the campus of Western New England University where Nick goes to school. Then we headed towards home.

We stopped at Twin Bridge Campground that Craig picked, outside of Chambersburg PA. Wasn't really sure when we pulled up as the campers were all around a barn, but found out that they have a beautiful campground on the other side of the road from the office. We had the lower campsites all to ourselves, right beside a creek, and a huge tree that would be cool to climb. We tried our awning for the first time in the rain, grilling chicken on the picnic table. When the rain stopped we saw a beautiful rainbow.

Pictures:

Meriwether Lewis Campground

Memorial Day weekend we headed off to the Meriwether Lewis Campground on the Natchez Trace Parkway in Tennessee. Being a free campground we did not know what we were getting into and if there would be any room on a holiday weekend. I drove over early Friday and found a very nice, clean, and pretty much empty campground. Dad and Mom arrived around one o'clock and Lora shortly after. We hiked around the campground and visited until dinner.

I had to work the next day so the three amigos did some hiking and traveling to local towns. Mom crashed on one of the hikes trying to out do Dad. Minor sports injury. After lunch, sightseeing in the close by towns. Hohenwald and Summertown where they found the Amish wagons set up by the highway selling baskets and canned and baked goods. Hohenwald evidently closes at noon on Saturday. Restaurants were open, but nothing else was.

Sunday, I picked up Braedon and headed back. We all spent the afternoon at the creek chasing crawdads, snakes, and lizards. After lunch we played games which Braedon mastered quite quickly. We celebrated Braedon's birthday that night and then visited around the campfire.

Monday we visited the local waterfalls before we headed back home.

Nice campground and you can use the dumping station at the Fall Hollow campground on 412.

Pictures:

Calfkiller Creek

Lora and I put in at the Hwy 111 boat ramp on the Caney River. We saw all sorts of wildlife on this beautiful day. We turned and went up the Calfkiller Creek to the bend just before the E. Gooseneck Road bridge. About 3.7 miles one way.

We saw cows, turkeys, vultures, turtles, eagles, hawks, snake, fish, and wildflowers.

Pictures:

Stringers Ridge, Salomon

Rock Creek held an event at Stringers Ridge in Chattanooga. Salomon shoe folks had hiking boots and running shoes to try out on the trail. I picked a pair of mid high boots, women foot shape specific they said-arch support and wide in the toe box; and handed over my ID. There were several folks on the Loop trail, families, couples, runners. Flowers were blooming. Saw the first Mountain Laurel of the season, Fire Pinks, Maple Leaf Vibernum, Little Brown Jug, lots of Solomons Seal, Beardtongue, Ipecac, Vinca, Spiderwort.

When I got back to the tent, there were two little girls picking the flags from the flagged off area, so cute, making a bouquet. I didn't like the boots enough to buy them, the arch support aggravated my right foot. Felt good on my left foot. Like my Keens better.

Pictures:

Salt Lick Creek Campground

We got invited by Jeremy to join him and his family at Salt Lick Creek Campground on Cordell Hull Lake. My parents joined us on this adventure. This is a beautiful campground with lots of water access. We enjoyed spending time with Jeremy's family and friends. We got some canoeing in when the wind wasn't blowing like crazy.

Pictures:

Possum/Rock Creek Backpack

Cumberland Trail Backpack. Possum Creek and Rock Creek Gorge sections. 14.9 miles total and rated strenuous for this 2 day, 1 night backpacking trip. Saturday we will start at the Heiss Mountain Road trailhead off Highway 111 near Soddy Daisy and hike 7.1 miles to the Little Possum North campsite. On the way to our campsite we’ll pass a beautiful view from Perkins Point, Imodium Falls over Little Possum Creek, and cross the stunning Big Possum Creek and Little Possum Creek bridges. The campsite has water available from the Little Possum Creek. The next day from our campsite, we’ll hike out 2.4 miles to the Retro Hughes trailhead and continue on the Rock Creek Gorge section for 5.4 miles to the Upper Leggett Road trailhead in Sale Creek. Elevation gain and loss on the Possum Creek Gorge section is 1,000 feet and the elevation change on the Rock Creek Gorge section is 300 feet. We’ll also see lots of wildflowers, overlooks that offer spectacular views of the gorge into the Tennessee River valley, and opportunities to see hawks and eagles.

10 hikers showed up for Sara's TTA backpack. Margaret, Pete, Amy, Paolo, Wayne, Jean, Michael, Sara, and us.
We left cars at the Upper Leggett Trailhead and drove to Heiss Mt. Road to start. Blanchard Falls was really pretty. Lots of wild flowers everywhere on this hike. Possum Creek Trail is a fine example of trail building and the descent into Big Possum Creek Gorge and out to Hughes Ridge is some of the prettiest areas of the CT. Lunch was supposed to be at Perkins Point which we blew right by, and didn't want to climb back up to, so we sat at an overlook of the creek gorge and cooled off for a little while. Another workout of into and out of Little Possum Creek Gorge.

When we got to our campsite, we found a church group had reserved the spot as well. The Cumberland trail does not limit the amount of people at each campsite so it was a scramble to find places to camp. We had tents spread out for a quarter of a mile. We found a good spot to make our campfire spot and went to work collecting wood. We had another backpacker join us for a bit as well. Our group joined around the campfire for dinner and lots of entertainment. We got to listen to owls and coyotes and a whippoorwill.

The next morning we got up early, ate around the campfire and hit the trail by 8 to avoid the morning showers. Our first challenge was the creek crossing. We did some rock hopping and there was some wet feet as well. We made it to the Rock creek trailhead before the rain set in for the day. It was warm out and it was a light rain. We found shelter along a rock bluff for our lunch break.

It was a great hike with some great people. Thanks Sara.

Flowers seen: Dwarf crested Iris, Purple Phacelia, Fire Pinks, Wild Oats, Shooting Stars, Foam Flower, Anemone, Star Chickweed, Leaves of the Speckled Wood Lily with no blooms yet, Golden Alexander, Yellow Star Grass, lots of Southern Red Trillium, Little Brown Jug, Wild Geranium, Phlox, Jack in the Pulpits.

Pictures:

Michael's Pics: 

Ladies Spring Backpack 2018

Ladies Spring Backpack 2018

We started out our plan with 7 ladies, due to unforeseen circumstances Plan A went to Plan B. Then on the way to the Smokies,to Plan C when another lady cancelled. Plan D when 4 of us met for lunch and discussed weather, bears, thru hikers and shelters. We left Sara's car at Tremont and drove to Elkmont to start out on Jake's Creek. There was a fine display of wildflowers along the way. Plan D changed to E on the way up Miry Ridge. Three of us made it to campsite 26, got set up. Gathered  water and firewood and had a fine evening around the campfire. After more discussion about mileage, shelters and the forecast, Plan E went to F.

We went to bed and listened to the wind howl and screech and howl. All night long it sent gusts making the tarp flap and press against my hammock. tick tock. Earplugs blocked out most of the noise and I woke up at daylight, Sara and I planning to hike on up to the AT to Greenbriar Ridge and down to Tremont, 12 miles. No sleep last night for Sara, so Plan G? so I put on my boots and left most of my gear at camp and hiked the rest of Miry Ridge to the AT and back to camp in two hours. Record time for me doing 6 miles in the Smokies. Along the way I heard a grouse making the thump thump thump noise, heard a turkey gobble, saw one of the biggest burls on a tree I have ever seen. Climbed over and around 12 trees down in the trail.

Back at camp, packed up, said our goodbyes to Nancy, she started down Miry back to Jake's Creek and Elkmont; Sara and I hiked to Lynn Camp Prong and went down, down, down, seeing hillsides blanketed with wildflowers, to the junction with Middle Prong where we saw horses and riders. Then lots and lots of hikers, fishermen, and more hikers out enjoying this beautiful day. We stopped to wet our bandannas a few times. The parking lot was full, we went a little way down the road and stopped by the creek to soak our feet in the cool water.

We stopped for ice cream in Townsend. Good idea Sara. Mmmmm traditional ending for a backpack (well for me anyway)

Wildflowers seen:
Lots of Violets that Nancy and Judi named.
Spring Beauties, Trout Lily, Bishops Cap, Wild Phlox, Bellwort, Mandarin, Sweet White Trillium, Showy Orchis, Toothwort, Foam Flower, Chickweed,Anemone, Mayapple, Fringed Phacelia, Wild Ginger, Trailing Arbutus, Dutchman's Breeches, Solomon's Seal, and False SS, Seersucker Sedge, Golden Alexander, Dwarf ginseng.

Pictures:

Water Fall Hike

Lora and I went waterfall hunting at Fall Creek Falls. We started out on the Wheeler Farm Loop where we got to see the 90' Medley arch. We did a little off trail to see 60' Sinking falls, 35' Burchett falls, and 25, Wheeler falls.

Then we went to the main park to see 256' Fall Creek Falls, 250' Coon Creek falls, 60' Daisy Cascade, 95' Piney Creek Falls, an unnamed falls on Cane Creek, and 45' Cane Creek Cascades.

Wildflowers were abundant:
Wild ginger, Purple Phacelia, Twin Leaf, Columbine, Anemone, Buttercups, Mayapple, Fire Pink, Chickweed,
Toothwort, Foam flower, Stone Crop, Dwarf Crested Iris, Sweet Betsy Trillium, White Trillium, Southern Red Trillium, Wild Oats, Squaw root, Wild Phlox, Yellow woodland violet, Common Blue Violet, Long spurred Violet.

Pictures:

Red River Gorge

We got to meet Dan, Deanna, and McKinley for Easter. Dad and Mom met us too as we all gathered at the Natural Bridge State Resort Park in Kentucky. They met up on Thursday, Lora and I got there Friday evening. The group had hiked muddy trails all over the park Friday so we started out with Henson's arch in the Red River Gorge which is right across the road from the Natural Bridge Park. From there we hiked to the the Natural Bridge and balanced rock. Back to the campground for some Hamburgers.

The next day we got up and met our friend Tim at the Bison Way trailhead in the Red River Gorge. We had met Tim on the AT years back and said that we would get with him when we got up to the Red River Gorge. This was our first chance.

We drove through the 900 ft long NADA tunnel which is a really cool one lane old train tunnel. Tim took us and showed us the Indian arch, Adena arch, Council Chamber rock shelter with a waterfall, and the Indian Staircase. We also got to see salamanders with their eggs in a shallow pond. He was a wonderful guide.

After our hike we went and picked up Mom. We took her to see Angle Windows, Whistling arch, and Sky Bridge. We also stopped at an unnamed water fall. Back to the campground for BBQ. We celebrated McKinley's graduation with a tasty cake.

The next day, after sending the Brewers off, Lora and I headed to Whittleton Arch. From there we took Dad and Mom to see Mill Creek Lake. It was misting out so we didn't do the hike around the lake. From there we headed back to the campground to pack up and head home.

Pictures:

Walls of Jericho TTA

Walls of Jericho hike with TTA Murfreesboro and Highland Rim. Crystal and I enjoyed the pretty drive over the river and thru the woods, farmland and small towns to get to the TN/Alabama border to see the Walls. We met a car piled full of hikers at the TN trailhead. Marietta, Jan, Joan, Sara, Ruth, and Wayne all in Jan's car. (I went to the wrong trailhead for the shuttle). We started down the trail finding wildflowers all along the way. Side trip to the Mill Creek blowhole which wasn't blowing, but really flowing. Jan and I found some baby salamanders in the creek. Teeny tiny ones. We we blessed with bluebells blooming all along the Hurricane Creek. We had lunch at the campsite by the cemetery. There were several tents, Boy Scout outing. They were ahead of us going to the walls. When we got there, the boys were swimming in the creek below the walls. I know their lips had to be blue, it was NOT warm enough to swim. Must be some badge they were working for...

We got across the creek without too many wet feet. Climbed up the walls for a look into the canyon. Realized my camera must be on the log I sat on for lunch since it wasn't hooked to my pack. (how to explain this one to Craig...)

On the way back across the creek, Crystal decided to test the water to see how cold it was, with water going down her rain pants and into her pretty new hiking boots. SPLASH! Not hurt, we kept going. The hike out to the Alabama trailhead was steep, and uphill and steep. We made it out and got transported to our car. Crystal and I drove into Winchester and found a small restaurant and got some grub before heading toward home. We drove thru Sewanee with a stop at the Natural Bridge.

Flowers seen: Bluebells, Bishops Cap, Bloodroot, Star Chickweed, Twin Leaf, Sweet Betsy Trillium, Hepatica was still blooming, Anemone, Mayapple that had the beginning of a bloom, Dutchman's Breeches, Wild Geranium, Spring beauty, Stone Crop, Pussytoes, Fire Pink, lots of Long Spurred Violets, Toothwort, Foam Flower, and I think Saxifrage but would have to see it again with my wildflower book in my hand. If I forgot any, someone please fill me in.

Pictures:

Rock Creek

Crystal and I went hunting for wildflowers on the Rock Creek Trail. We weren't disappointed. We found yellow trillium, purple and yellow violets, anemone, trout lily, and the beginnings of little brown jug.The view from the Rock Creek overlook was so pretty. The weather was great and so was the company.

Pictures:

John Muir

Lora and I headed to the Big South Fork for an overnighter. We got a late start Friday waiting on her to get off work. We drove the Divide road and parked next to the John Muir trail. We headed East towards the John Muir Overlook. When we got to what we thought was our last water source, we stopped for the night. We had a great evening for looking at stars and a good campfire. We listened to owls and coyotes.

The next day we got up and continued to the overlook. We found that there was more water now looking at the map. It was a beautiful day and got up to 75 degrees. We enjoyed the overlook and then headed back to the car.

After the hike we stopped by the General Store in Clarkrange for some ice cream.

Pictures:

Soddy Creek 111

Lora and I headed out after church for a day hike. We parked on Hwy 111 by the guard rail and hiked South on the Cumberland Trail. Shorty after we started we went down by Board Camp Creek and ate lunch. Then we hiked a little further to the second creek crossing and did a little trail maintenance. The creek was dammed up and flooding the trail. We got it opened back up and flowing freely. We continued on and got to the point where we had camped before and then turned around and headed back. On the way back we stopped at some of the puddles and found lots of salamanders and their egg sacks.

Pictures:

Virgin Falls CHC

Chattanooga Hiking Club planned a great hike to Virgin Falls following all the rain we’ve had. Eleven hikers met at the parking lot which was FULL. A group of Boy Scouts was there, along with all the others that came out for the  first sunny weekend we’ve had lately. Wish we all had the energy the Boy Scouts had in the parking lot. They were probably worn out before starting the hike.

Barbara had maps for us, and John had pre hiked yesterday to make sure we could cross the creeks. We headed out to Martha’s Pretty Point and explored the woods and trail markings for a little while, then found our way to the beautiful overlook. After hiking back to the main trail, we found lots of early spring wildflowers; hepatica, bloodroot, purple violets, trout lily, and a Sweet Betsy trillium. All the waterfalls were beautiful, Virgin Falls was spectacular with the volume of water coming over. We took our lunch break here, then hiked up to the top of the falls to see the cave the water comes out of. And the rainbow with the sunshine on the waterfall.  The hike out gave us more time to smell the flowers. All that uphill! The cable crossing at the creek was fun, one big long step from the big rock to the smaller ones, trying to keep our boots dry.

Thanks to Barbara McCollum and John Roland for leading the hike.

Pictures: