Signal Point TTA

 

Tammy led a great hike on the Cumberland Trail. We ran a shuttle with a few cars to Shackleford Park then started the hike at Signal Point. There was a 15% chance of rain in the afternoon, but that didn't discourage 18 hikers. It started perfect crisp and cool. The trail down into the creek gorge is in rough shape. We crossed the Middle Creek bridge and lost a couple of hikers for a little while. Then the rain began off and on for the rest of the hike. We had a quick lunch at Edwards Point with a great view of the Tennessee River gorge. With the rain, the temperature started dropping. The trail from there to Mushroom Rock was along the rim and easy with lots of small rock hopping creek crossings. Mushroom Rock was our signal to exit the CT to hike the last mile to the park. The trail from the park to Mushroom Rock was wet and muddy. You have to watch the blazes for this park. They are red from the CT to the park. 

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Foster Falls / Denny Cove

Today's hike included the loop trail at Foster Falls and then the trails at Denny Cove. Waterfalls were beautiful after last night's rain. We did some trail maintenance rerouting water off trails. Another wonderful day. 

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Christmas 2022

Unfortunately Deanna and her family could not join us this year. We had a wonderful family time in Tennessee. Everyone arrived before Christmas. There was hiking, shopping, and game playing. Marjorie and Cameron showed up last and we celebrated on Thursday night. We got gifted by Mom and then opened socks.

Lora and I headed home for a Smith family breakfast on Christmas Eve at her sisters house and another Smith gathering for dinner at the fellowship hall. Christmas day I returned to the folks house to spend time with Marjorie and Cam. They left Monday after Christmas. Lots of Blessings for Christmas.

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Roaring Creek

 

Headed to Roaring Creek on the Cumberland trail today for our hike.

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Rock Creek Trail - CT

We went to the Rock Creek segment of the Cumberland trail for todays hike.

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Murfreesboro TTA Christmas Party

Our annual chapter Christmas party involved two things we enjoy as hikers - being outside and sitting around a roaring fire. Jay Brain hosted the party at his lovely home in Murfreesboro. Jay grilled hamburgers and Joe Campbell provided barbecued ribs as well. Jay had two fires going - one on his patio and another in his backyard surrounding by interesting rocks and beautiful landscaping. We had appetizers, lots of side items and delicious desserts. We all had a great time!

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Laurel Falls TTA

 Deb led a great hike to Laurel Falls and Bryan overlook. It had rained some before this hike so there was water in Richland Creek and Laurel Creek. The falls was pretty. a few hikers had never been here before. They really enjoyed the beauty here. The climb to the overlook up thru the rocks was a little challenging. We rock hopped across the creek to reach Bryan Overlook but it was too windy to eat lunch there. A cold wind too. We backtracked to the campsite and ate lunch in the sunshine. Going back down thru the rocks was a little more challenging but we made it safely with scooting and sliding on our butts. 

8 hikers lots of smiling faces.

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Fall Creek Falls

Nick and Amy invited us to camp with them at Fall Creek Falls State Park. We had a great time with them checking out all the waterfalls. They came in late on Friday so while we waited on them to arrive, we went to the Inn to check it out, and then to see the big falls. Driving by the lake we saw an eagle perched in a tree.  Nick and Amy got there after dark, got their camp set up and we visited around the campfire. We visited with a couple of guys tenting next to us that were new to the park. They called themselves picture geeks and were taking pictures of the moon, stars, and our campfire. 

Saturday morning we walked around the campground, down to the George Hole, to the Nature Center and back to camp. After lunch we did the exploring of all the falls. That night we had dinner and sat around the campfire until the rain came in. The temperature plummeted so they stayed the night inside the trailer with us. We played Rook until bedtime.

Sunday Lora and I walked all the campgrounds and Nick explored the gift shops with Amy. After lunch we headed home.

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Walls of Jerico TTA

 

Deb led 9 hikers in and 10 hikers out of the Walls of Jerico on a beautiful November Wednesday. Started at the Alabama trailhead. Hiked down, down, down into the walls. Had lunch on the rocks of the wall. There was only a little water coming out of the side wall that looks like a cave. Lowest I've ever seen there. As we started back out Bill met us after coming in from the Tennessee trailhead. We saw two or three campsites that people had left chairs at, along with a teapot at one of them. Saw some pretty asters and goldenrod blooms. 

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Big Soddy Gulf

Today's hike started at Big Soddy Gulf. We hiked to the Cumberland trail and went south to Deep Creek and then came back. We had lunch at the Big Soddy Creek bridge.

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