North Chickamauga

Lora and I had some time Sunday after church so we did the North Chick trail to the wooden stairway and back. We got to visit with a few people and got to see two Bald Eagles.  It was a great hike.

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Paw Paw Trail

After church Lora and I headed to Fall Creek Falls and hiked the Paw paw trail. It was a beautiful day for hiking along the gorge.

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Possum Creek TTA

John led 4 Soddy Daisy TTA hikers on the Possum Creek segment of the CT. We thought we were going to Retro Hughes to start but John thought it might be too soggy on that end so we started at Heiss Mountain Road. There had been a lot of rain the past few days so the water levels in the creeks were high, making the waterfalls beautiful. The first one was just a little ways from the trailhead. Most of the bluff walls had waterfalls too. Big Possum Creek and Little Possum Creek were flowing fast and furious. Imodium Falls had more water than I've ever seen flowing. Surprised the kayakers were not on the creek today. Two of our hikers had not been on this segment of the trail and they both thought it was great, tough but great. We started out with beautiful blue skies and sunshine, ended with snow and ice pellets. Tammy wanted a pic of the snow falling and got so excited that she threw her poles down. Of course one pole slid right down the bank, she had to retrieve and got an extra climb uphill just in case all the other climbs weren't enough. Extra credit!


Out and back from Heiss Mt Rd to Imodium was 10.2 miles.

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New Year's Hike and Potluck Feast 2020

Edgar Evins State Park

We had over 70 hikers at the New Year’s Day and Potluck Feast at Edgar Evins State Park. This was a multi chapter hike and we had members from Columbia, Highland Rim, Soddy Daisy and Upper Cumberland. The Edgar Evins park staff did an awesome job setting everything up and the Friends of Edgar Evins State Park provided paper items, utensils and hot beverages. The temperature started out a little cold but by lunch it was pleasant and the sun was shining. Someone had a roaring fire in the fireplace to warm my cold fingers. 

We hiked the 2.5 Millennium Trail.

Lost Creek Natural Area

Lora and I headed out to Lost Creek Natural Area to hike their new trail going to Virgin Falls. The trailhead has a nice parking area and it is just before you get to Lost Creek. It is a 4.5 mile hike through the woods up and down. You get to see Rylanders Cascades at .5 in. There is a few small streams all along this route and you come in behind the falls.

This is the most water I have seen coming over Virgin Falls and the first time that I actually went up to the top of the falls to see that it comes out of a cave.

After hiking back we went on to Lost Creek Falls, cascade and cave. The water was tremendous here as well. We also passed a unnamed waterfall on the way in that we stopped by on the way out for pics.

Since we had to pass by Fall Creek Falls on the way back, we stopped and looked at Cane Creek Falls and Rockhouse Falls by the nature center.

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Clear Branch Falls

Lora and I took a hike to 40' Clear Branch Falls today after she got off work.
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Savage Gulf Mountain Oak Loop

We needed a little exercise after all the Christmas eating so we headed over to the Savage Gulf ranger station and did the 9.7 mile Mountain Oak Loop. A little much after the fact, but you know us.

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Christmas 2019

We started with our first get together with Braedon. We took him to church, lunch, walked the Murfreesboro Greenway, Played basketball at station 3, and did dinner.

Next we took Melissa and the girls visiting Cherokee Caverns with Christmas in the Cave. Lots of lights, Mickey, the Grinch, and Cousin Eddie! Then surprised Marjorie and Niles at the Ponderosa after they arrived from Louisiana. Had dinner with them and the parental units.

Next was dinner with Lora's parents, Mitsi & Paul and Nick and Amy and Mumford after their arrival from Massachusetts.

Back to the McBride's for Christmas Eve and a hike on the AT at Newfound Gap. Couldn't make it to the Jump Off or the Chimneys before dark but still enjoyed the views and the drive on the new section of the Foothills Parkway. Christmas morning we got a kick out of Zeplin opening his gifts, then went for a hike at Laurel Falls. Carol took a tumble on the trail but bounced back up. Until a little later she discovered a bloody knee, yep stitches needed. Quick trip to the ER at Maryville, stitched up knee and elbow, good as new. She could still direct Christmas dinner, you can't stop her!

Another dinner at Lora's parents house with neighbors and friends and more food.

A quick trip to Chattanooga for lunch with Marjorie and Niles. We toured the Choo Choo afterwards and then we took a hike on the Riverwalk.

Cousins Party with Randy and Kathy hosting. Food, pool, karaoke, charades, and Dirty Santa. What happens at the Cousins Party STAYS at the Cousins Party :)

After all was said and done, Lora and I made it home to open our stockings to finish the season.

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Chattanooga Riverwalk

After meeting Majorie and Niles for lunch at the Terminal Brewhouse and tour of the Chattanooga Choo Choo, we took a hike down the riverwalk starting at The Passage Waterwalk area heading East. We walked to the Rowing Center and back.

Bridgestone/Firestone

Wayne wanted to explore the trails in Bridgestone/Firestone, so we met up in Sparta, drove to the trail area. Gate was closed for hunting, even though hunts were supposed to be over. We went to the Ranger Office at Virgin Falls and chatted with the guy with the maps. He shared his knowledge for possible future exploring. We found the way to Joe Holloway Rockhouse, and down the rocky roadbed to the River Trail. Nice camping area by the river. Some of the trees show beaver activity.

 Then on the Yellow Bluff to see the views from Boar Hog Gap Overlook, then Bee Branch Overlook for a lunch spot. It was cloudy and foggy while we ate, then opened up for the views. Then a drive out to Welch Point to see the view from there. Checking out the trail conditions and how they are blazed, lots of information gained.

It was raining a little bit driving to Sparta but we only had a little mist while hiking.

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