Red River Gorge Labor Day

Double Arch

On Auxier Ridge

Jean and Jan on Auxier Ridge

Holiday Weekend, left early from work Friday and met Jean and Jan in Monterey and headed for the Red River Gorge in Kentucky. We arrived at Callie's Lake and Campground, set up camp in the tent area close to the lake and beside a small stream. Hoping for no mosquitos since it didn't look like the water was moving. We had the evening to explore a little bit so we drove to the Natural Bridge State Park and hiked to the top of the Natural Bridge, got on top in time for the sunset. Met a hiker on the way down that warned us about seeing two copperheads on the trail...then every stick, rolled up rhododendron leaf, became a snake, with the dark coming on quickly. Headlamps on, scan, scan, Lucky ladies, found no snakes. But we did find Miguels Pizza for dinner! Long line, long wait, but it was great pizza. Lots of folks around, tents everywhere, plus a cool outdoor picnic area.

Saturday we hiked to Gray's Arch and then drove the Scenic Byway and hiked to see Angel Windows, Whistling Arch, Sky Bridge, and visited the Gladie Visitor Center which is really nice. It has several interpretive exhibits and an environmental learning center. The farm is beautiful. We wanted to see the Suspension Bridge, parked in the Sheltowee Connector parking lot which was very crowded. Swimming crowd in the only pool we had seen on the Red River. Folks were jumping off a large boulder, there were kayakers, not sure how far they were paddling in the shallow river. When we got to the bridge we saw that we could have used the parking just up from the bridge....oh well. Wanted to see the lodge, which has a cool pool shaped like the river beside it. Looks like a nice place to stay. Then on to the Whittleton Arch, Chimney Top Road to Princess Arch and Chimney Top. The Chimney has wooden fence to keep you from hopping down the rocks to the top.

Saturday night entertainment at the campground, BBQ and singer/musician Tyler Halsey. They played about 3 hours which was a little late for quiet time at the campground. Then all the folks that drove there for the music were leaving. Noisy. Yawn...

Sunday was another beautiful day. We went hunting for Tower Rock. The trail map shows it is off the Osborne Bend Trail so we started there but couldn't find the junction to it.  Another hiker came by and had a GPS that showed Tower Rock one ridge over. So we hiked out and drove on, found the trail sign that said Trail #129. Our map shows it was Trail # 229. But we hiked it anyway and found Tower Rock, climbers destination. Then on down the road to find a lunch spot. The Gladie Interpretive Center Farm made a good lunch spot and we explored the barn and cabin. There is a water pump there too.
Next was the Bison Way Trail to see Indian Staircase. Jan had printed trail descriptions that said to watch for a path to the right to get to the bottom of the Staircase. We met a group on the trail that confirmed it was just a little further and they brushed off my concerns of it being dangerous. They had kids with them and were casual about taking them. I wondered how much they liked their kids....

 We found a path to the right and started climbing, we could hear the group below us so we thought they were following. We got to some rock scrambling and started up. We could tell by then the other folks were not behind us, as we got a little higher I could see the staircase; we were a good way from it. But we had awesome views from where we were at the end of the ridge. I climbed higher to see if there was a trail along the ridge to get to the Staircase. There was, so we kept hiking on, thru the huckleberry bushes and overgrown path. We made it to the staircase in time to see the other folks coming over the top of it. Kids and all. Frog rock at the top of the staircase then the largest rock shelter in the gorge, then Indian Arch.
Dinner was at the Red River Rockhouse, grass fed beef burgers, local source cheeses, veggies, wonderful food.
Campfire tonight, just as we started to bed BOOM, BOOM, fireworks!!! at 11 PM! Craziness from the neighbors next to the campground. We will go by in the morning and wake them up to go hiking.

Monday we packed up camp, drove to the prettiest trail in the park. Auxier Ridge. So many awesome views on this trail. All the way to Courthouse Rock we were in awe of the beauty. We picked the outside loop to see Double Arch, but when we got to the junction it was going to add 1.5 to our hike and we didn't have time to get that one. We saw the Double Arch from the Auxier Ridge trail anyway but if I ever go back to the Red River Gorge I want to hike this one again.





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Arkansas Trip

We got the opportunity to go camping with my daughter and her boyfriend. We headed out after Lora got off work and traveled to Chickasaw State Park near Jackson Tennessee. We got there in time for dinner so we cooked out some hot dogs. After dinner we took the hike around the lake and then kicked back for the evening.

The next morning we continued on to Arkansas to Denby Point campground on Lake Ouachita. Marjorie and Niles met us there. We had dinner together, cooled off in the lake and then played some cards.

The next morning we took a canoe trip down past the Twin Creek Day Use Area and back. We got into a light rain shower which cooled us down. Zep had a hard time keeping us all together and within sight of his comfort zone. We spent the afternoon in the water and then got a hike in the evening along the nature trail.

The next morning we canoed down around Lake Ouachita Shores Marina. After lunch we said our goodbyes and then headed East to Reelfoot Lake for the night. After we set up camp, we drove down to the motor trail and checked out a view of Buzzard Slough. We stayed out as long as we could handle the mosquitoes watching for meteorites.

The next morning we hiked around the campground and then caught the three hour scenic boat ride at the State Park. We got a private tour of the lake on a pontoon boat with a couple of well educated rangers. It was a beautiful day on the lake.

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New York 2019

The family vacation for the summer of 2019 was at Letchworth State Park in New York. We started the trip from Tennessee with a caravan of Marco's trailer, Dad's camper, and our trailer. We met up where Dad blew his tire and then we went to Tree Haven Campground in Ohio for the night. We made it to Letchworth State Park on Sunday where everyone gathered together. What a beautiful park, the "Grand Canyon of the East". We stayed at the Highbanks campground.

Monday was a hiking day in the Northern half of the park along the rim on trail #20 Highbanks. It was a good hike that took us back to the campground. Then we drove down the park looking at the waterfalls and preplanning the renewal of the vows. The falls were beautiful. We decided on Inspiration Point as the location of the renewal

Tuesday was canoe trip on Canadice Lake. We used Canadice Lake Outfitters for our canoes. Great guy runs the place with clean canoes. It was a beautiful lake to paddle on with all forest around the lake, no houses. The guy also suggested a hike for us at Stony Brook State Park. After we got back to the park, we had a surprise renewal of the vows ceremony for Dad and Mom by Natalie. We ended up having it at the pavilion by the pool due to some rain in the area.  It was beautiful and powerful to celebrate the 60th anniversary of our parents. After the ceremony and dinner, we headed to Inspiration Point to see the middle falls under the lights.

Wednesday we hiked the East side of the park on trail #7 Genesee Valley which we were supposed to see six water falls. Four of them "few people ever see". We got to see the Upper falls, Middle falls, and one other fall. It was a good hike (no ticks, chiggers or poison ivy).

Thursday was our trip to Niagara Falls. We took the Maid of the Mist boat trip to the base of the falls and then hiked all around the top of the falls. We hit the Hard Rock Cafe for lunch. Beautiful!

Friday we went to Stony Brook State Park for a hike/swim. It is a beautiful park with lots of waterfalls and an actual swimming area. New York does not want you in any of there water. Everywhere are signs about do not get in the water. Even the lake we paddled. The swimming area here was at 64 degrees when we were there. Some wet their feet, but you know me. I had to swim. Back at camp we had the birthday celebration for Betty.

Saturday was getting everyone out in the morning for the trip home. Marco and us headed South to Walnut Lake campground in Ohio. We hiked around the campground and then listened to the Sean Prater Band play that night. It was a beautiful night with lots of stars and a wonderful sunset.

Sunday we followed the 127 Yard Sale to get home. Lots of shoppers still out there looking for bargains.

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Rainbow Falls Ocoee

Soddy Daisy TTA hike with Tom leading. Met him in Ooltewah and no one else showed up (hot July day?) so we carpooled to the Ocoee area. Pretty drive, too early for the whitewater folks so it wasn't too crowded driving along the River. We were the only ones at the trailhead. It's a pretty trail, 1.7 miles to the waterfall. Well signed at the trailhead and the junctions. Two creek crossings, no mishaps. Saw a couple of newts, snails, and some pretty flowers. As we started back we met several hikers. When we got to the trailhead the parking lot was full. As we drove back along the lake we could see the rain clouds moving in. Glad to get off the trail before the downpour.
Fine morning for a hike.
Most pictures taken by Tom.

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Horsepound Falls West Collins

This was supposed to be a Sunday afternoon hike led by the Seasonal Ranger but he didn't show up.I called the Park office and they said it should have been cancelled on the website. Oh well. One other hiker was there so we decided to hike anyway. Bob had only hiked to Suter Falls and wanted to see Horsepound so we hiked there and back. Saw a few summer flowers, Milkweed, and some purple ones I couldn't ID. I think I sweated out 5 lbs; so I got an ice cream after the hike at Christy's Dairy Bar.

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Fall Creek Falls - 4th

We headed to Fall Creek Falls with Melissa, grand babies and Dad and Mom. The first day was spent on the creek and the second at the pool. It was a great time!

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Boulevard Trail Alum Cave TTA

Richard knows how to gather some hikers: list a hike in the Smoky Mountains to climb to Mt LeConte.
11 of us met in Harriman, settled the logistics of drivers/cars needed, then plan B when Gary's car wouldn't start even with a boost from Richard's jumper cables. I drove and along the route we missed the ramp for the short cut thru Maryville and Townsend so Gary lined up a rental car in Sevierville. Dropped him off there and made our way to Sugarlands. Richard was meeting up with up Jeff here but we didn't see anyone we knew. Everyone had gone on so we drove to Newfound Gap and Gary pulled in as we did. Zoom zoom zoom. We found Richard waiting for us at the trailhead wondering where we had been, then made our way on the AT to the Boulevard Trail junction where everyone was stopped for lunch. We had a late start so after just a couple of miles, food!

 Lots of folks were heading to Charlie's Bunion so we left the crowd to go up the Boulevard. This is a beautiful trail and it's been a while since I hiked it. We saw a few blooms still on the rhododendron and Mountain Laurel. Green blackberries thornless this elevation, and the huckleberry bushes had blooms. Too early for berries. Saw one salamander. One hiker didn't feel well, a few of the others were ready for extra miles and went to the Jumpoff, Myrtle Point and Clifftops. I thought 13 miles was plenty so I didn't do those spur trails this trip. We met up with everyone at the LeConte Lodge, did some logistics to get the shuttle cars off the mountain top since the car at the end of Alum Cave Trail belonged to the hiker not feeling so well, then started down the mountain with the drivers. Logistics fell apart when one hiker fell, then another hikers had a sore knee. We got the drivers into the shuttle car, had some issues with unfamiliar truck column shift, emergency brake, and switch, but perseverance paid off and we got to Newfound Gap at sunset just in time to get pictures.
Turned my phone on to see message from my sweetheart wondering where I was??? Back at the parking for Alum Cave our last two hikers made it out just as Gary was going back to look for them to make sure they had headlamps. More logistics to get everyone home and I headed home thru Wears Valley and Townsend, stopped for a really late supper of tacos in Madisonville, got home after midnight. What a beautiful day of hiking, but I'm tired.....

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Hunter Bend - Tennessee River

Lora and I got out on the river trying to beat the storms coming in at lunch time. We put in at 30 again and headed straight across the river. We got to see two different otters, lots of birds, turtles, and fish. We got out just as it started to rain.

That evening we went to the Chattanooga Lookouts game that her company bought tickets for. We made it to the third inning before the storm came in and washed us out.

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Notchy Creek Campground

We headed out to Notchy Creek Campground in Vonore on the Little Tennessee River. We met Dad and Mom there and Melissa brought the grandbabies. This is a very nice and quite campground. We enjoyed the swimming area and walking around the two loops.

The next day Lora and I explored the Tellico Blockhouse and Fort Loudoun.

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Roan Mountain TTA 2019

Nancy planned a camping trip to Roan Mountain State Park to hike and see the rhododendron and azaleas blooming. The weather forecast said it might just rain. When I got there, Gloria Dale was there already set up.  I found a good site by the river to hang my hammock, then we went for a walk around the campground. It's really pretty here, they have a pool too. Lots of campsites up the road on the ridge side. Nancy, Jane and Debbie arrived, and we set up Jane's canopy over a picnic table, just in case it rains....  We were there early enough on Friday to hike in Roan Mountain State Park on the Fred Behrend trail. It started from our group campsite and looped around the ridge side. We saw lots of newts  and got sprinkled on a couple of times. When we got back to camp, Betty had worked magic and had a feast ready for hungry hikers. Happy hour! Then fajita time, and off to hear some Appalachian/Celtic music at the amphitheater, only they moved it to the picnic shelter because of the possibility of rain. (surely not)
Thistle Dew had us tapping our toes and one gentleman flat foot dancing. Very talented musicians and singers. Back at camp it was too wet for a campfire so we called it a night.

Saturday's plan was to drive to Carver's Gap to hike the Balds. The sprinkles off and on had us in and out of rain gear and the wind tried to blow Debbie away. We had rocks to shelter us for lunch on the Grassy Ridge top. Limited views today but the blooms sure were awesome. No Grays Lily blooming yet, so I am glad I got the see them last year. Back at camp we got a fire going and had sprinkles trying to put our fire out, but we were determined. We gave up when the umbrellas come out, so supper was in the town of Roan Mountain at the Smoky Mountain Bakers. Pizza was delicious, baked in a wood fire oven. Good thing we got there early on Saturday afternoon. Others that came in after us had a 45 minute wait or more. I got the last loaf of sourdough bread they had. We got back to camp and went back to the picnic shelter for more music. This time for Marshall Ballew a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, instructor, and music historian who played 5 different guitars and sang. It was raining when we came over, and sprinkling when we got back to camp. Nancy decided to sleep in her car since thunderstorms were supposed to happen during the night. I saw that the river was up and didn't like how close I was to it so I took down my hammock and put all my gear in the car. Had just settled in for the night when a Park truck came in and flashlights were shining at the river. Rangers checking the water level. They left and about an hour later they were back. I got out and asked them how much danger we were in if the rain kept falling. They said if the river crested it would be in our camp, but they would keep an eye on it and wake us up if we were in danger. Nancy and I didn't like that so she asked where they could put us if we evacuated. They offered the Conference center so we said yes thank you. We woke everyone and started packing up their tents at 11:00 at night. The Conference center had 3 couches and plenty of floor space. Four slept in their cars in the parking lot, 4 of us slept inside. If we had thought about it we could have set up our wet tarps and rain flys and dried out, but we were tired and just tried to sleep thru the Rangers coming and going and the lights from the games lighting up the room we were in. Yawn.

We woke up to "it's not raining right now" so we headed to our campsite and found the river did not flood the camp, woo hoo!  We took down the two canopies and one tent in record time. No one wanted to hike in the clouds and sprinkles again so we decided to have breakfast at the bakery but they were closed on Sunday. Nancy headed off for further adventures in the Smoky Mountains and everyone else headed somewhere to find COFFEE!!!

I explored on my way home driving thru Tennessee's oldest town, Jonesborough. Will have to come back and do the history tour. Stopped at David Crockett State Park and toured the farm. Funky looking chickens with one aggressive rooster that wanted to scare me off, some ducks and guineas, a donkey, Thomas Turkey was showing his plumage, and two of the fattest pigs I have ever seen. Real porkers.

What a fun and exciting weekend, really enjoyed the time with Jane, Debbie, Paulo, Nancy, Betty, Doug, and Gloria Dale.

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