Rugby, TN 12.2.2021

 This was a very different hike!  We did a lot of walking, but not on a trail but around the town of Rugby, TN.  This is a Victorian town established in Appalachia.  The idea originally was to support those unemployed aristocrats and ordinary citizens in England.  To find out more about this unusual settlement from the 1880's you are just going to have to do some research as it is very interesting.  Our group of 17 loaded up for the 2.5 hr. drive to Rugby.  This was one of our longest excursions and we truly did intend to hike.  It just didn't quite work out.  Almost but not quite.  After arriving in Rugby we met our tour guide and began a very interesting tour of the town.  I guess you might say that Rugby was a case of too many chief and not enough Indians.  The idea was basically sound, but the makeup of the people was not.  Anyway, we enjoyed a video which clearly explained what was behind the founding of Rugby and the people involved.  Following the video we toured the historic building of Rugby.  By the time we were finished the the tour, it was past time to eat.  If there is one thing this chapter is good at it it eating.  There was not much to choose from in Rugby.  In fact, there is only one place, the R.M Brooks Gen. Mdse. store.  Inside, you could spend hours looking at original artifacts that have been collected over the years.  But the best part is that our waitress also ran the store and did the cooking of deserts.  We had a wonderful lunch and then it came time for the aformentioned deserts.  She had just finished making fried apple pies and coconut pie.  We made our decisions and received our deserts then she mentions she had some other deserts that the had recently made.  This simple act created a great deal of turmoil among us.  Reorder and adjustment were rapidly made. Then she reappeared an mentioned yet some additional items she had.  The crowd went crazy! We just couldn't decided!  Finally things calmed down and order was restored and we enjoyed hearing her stories and recipes.  Of course, by now it was too late to go on the planed hike so we made a short detour to the local historic cemetery for a short visit before heading back on the road home.  Many thanks to Trish and Jane for organizing this outing.  I had a great time. 

If you would like to see some pictures taken during this outing, please click here.     

Roaring Creek 11.27.2021

The mystery of Roaring Creek, who killed Foxy Lady 

Saturday, Nov. 27, seven forensic hikers, layered with clothing to brave the cold morning, set out on Graysville Mountain RMA, to investigate the Roaring Creek murder.  Hiking along Roaring Creek was easy business, but knowing what was to come, was daunting.  The frenetic seven scaled the mountain ascending rock steps back and forth to the top of the bluff.  Roaring Creek overlook revealed a beautiful view of graysville and the mountains beyond, but no evidence of a crime commited.  The hikers moved on, silently through the pine forest.  And there it was, the crime scene, the body!  Rigor had not set in yet, no decay - a recent homicide.  Looked to be a dead grey gray fox, the hikers concluded, with no external trauma.  Who killed the foxy Lady?  The faithful hikers continued their journey, stopping at the overlook of Cranmore Cove and then pressing on through the hardwood forest.  The  brown oak leaves rustled.  Finally the bridge over Gillbreath Creek was reached at 5 miles.  Lunch and rest re-energized the famished hikers.  Two locals were loitering in the area, Brown Dog who suspiciously kept her distance and Black Lab, friendly but noncommunicative.  She obviously knew the area well as she joined the return hike, even leading the way for a short time.  Retracing the steps, co clues were found.  Who killed Foxy Lady?  The fatigued hikers passed the crime scene once more.  Buzzards were gathering.  The mystery remains a cold case.  

If you would like to see some really nice pictures taken during this hike, click here.