This is a collection of stories that happen in my life. Enjoy life and make the most of every moment.
Joan's annual Tennessee River Gorge Paddle through Prentice Cooper State Forest. We went from the Suck Creek boat ramp to the Raccoon Mountain boat ramp. It was a wonderful day out on the water. We got to see some Eagles as a bonus. It was Joan, Tom, Craig, and Braedon.
Lora and I headed to Big South Fork to spend the weekend. We drove to Bandy
Creek and then hiked the North White Oak Creek Loop. We crossed Bandy Creek and took the left branch of the trail to hike clockwise. We crossed 297 and then turned back West onto the Cumberland Valley Loop and then South on the White Oak loop to camp on the West fork of the Coyle Branch. The next morning we decided to hike out so we could go to Dunlap and listen to music at Valley Fest. We hiked back North and took the Cumberland Valley loop back to the North White Oak Loop and back to Bandy Creek.
We drove to Dunlap to the Valley Fest and got to see Track 145, Stars and Bars Band, Keith Burns, Cody McCarver, and John Schneider.
Hikers, trail builders, and supporters from TTA chapters, the Cumberland Trail Conference, and other organizations came together to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Cumberland Trail, April 30th. Trail history, development, support, music and hikes were enjoyed at the Head of the Sequatchie facility of the Trail. Pictured are plateau musicians Tater and Friends, Park Manager Bob Fulcher, Trail founder and namesake Justin P. Wilson, State Parks Operations Director Mike Robertson, Tennessee Federation of Garden Clubs President Maggie Burns, and oral historian Joey O'Dell. Photos include the "spring" origin of the river as it emerges from a cave and views from the Selby Ridge Lodge. Murfreesboro chapter attendees were Craig and Lora McBride, Sara Pollard, and Patty and Geoff Hull.
Lora and I decided to backpack the 9 mile Roaring Creek Segment of the Cumberland Trail. We left our car at the trailhead and headed in. We got to see the new bridge over Gilbreath Creek and from there on was new trail to us. There are some nice overlooks, rock outcroppings, and water sources all along here. We hiked to the end of the trail and then backed up to Sale Creek where we could hang two hammocks up just upstream from where the trail crosses. The next area back to camp would be around MM 8 where there is a flat Glade that has numerous creeks running through. This time of year the ticks were crazy and the trail was on it's way to being overgrown. Lot's of wildflowers.
Wanted an easy hike today to look at wildflowers. Prater Homestead is part of Fall Creek Falls State Park. We had been a couple time before, neither of us remembered the big climb along the way. Saw the entrance for Camps Gulf Cave for the first time. Pigeons were roosting above the entrance. Lots and lots of wildflowers blooming. Saw Synandra and Dwarf Larkspur today. We had Hemlock Falls to ourselves for a long time. On the way out there were several hikers looking for a waterfall. One lady had a boquet she had picked along the way. Oops. One family had a one month old baby with them and weren't carrying any packs. Another couple hadn't ever been there and had nothing with them either. We reminded them it was 3.5 miles in and then 3.5 miles out. No water, left it in the car. Good Luck everybody!
Lora and I headed up to the Piney Creek section of the Cumberland trail. We started at Duskin Creek and hiked to the Piney River Picnic Area on the trail. It was loaded with wildflowers. We stopped at Spider Den for lunch which had lots of flowers as well.
Blue Cohosh, Dwarf Crested Iris, Baneberry, Red Trillium, Gaywings, Wood Vetch, Little Brown Jugs, Chickweed, Foam Flower, Spring Beauties, Phlox, Yellowroot, Barren Strawberry, Anemone, Wood Sorrel, Alumroot, Cumberland Spurge, Mandarin, Firepink, Perfoliate Bellwort, Jack in the Pulpit, Purple Phacelia, Red and Yellow Buckeye, Mayapple.
