6.2.12  What a perfect day for National Trails Day.  We had been having some inclement weather, but it all turned out beautiful.  This year we held our meeting at Greenway Farms.  There was a good turnout of members from the Soddy Daisy Chapter of the TTA and lots of people came to the cabin to see what was going on.  As you can see in the picture, we even had a little butterfly that came and landed on us and stayed for quite awhile.  Nancy Jo represented the CCC and signed up some members and sold a few books.  George led a 3.5 mile hike and I led a 1.5 mile hike for beginners.  All and all it was a great day.  To see a few pictures, click here or click on the National Trails Day tab above.

Emerald Bay

5.29.12  Larry, Gail, Renee, Nance Jo, Earl  What a fine hike!  Larry lives very close to Emerald Bay and he agreed to give us a tour of some undeveloped woods near his home.  We were sure glad he knew his way around as the area was crisscrossed with trails and very easy to get lost in.  Not a real danger as you could always find your way out, but if you wanted to be the least bit oriented and see as much as possible you needed a guide.  Larry was excellent and new the local history well.  We saw a toad, and box turtle right off the bat.  Then the trail led us down by the lake and along its edge.  There were the remains of some old homesteads  which you can see in the pictures.  I was photographing the beginnings of a Black Walnut (see pictures) when I heard the distinct sound of a rattlesnake in the deep grass.  I didn't actually see him, but I'm pretty sure I was close to it.  Needless to say, I moved away quickly.  I would rate the trail as easy-moderate.  The length of the hike was about 3.0 miles.  I had some difficulty with my GPS, but this is a good estimate.  For a few pictures, click here or on the Emerald bay tab above.

Harrison Bay

5.22.12  I'm not going to name everybody on the hike.  This is because I can' remember everybody.  There were ten of us and we had a great time.  We even saw a couple of deer.  You will just have to believe me as they were moving too fast to photograph.  As usual, I was a tick magnet.  We picked several off of my pants including three seed ticks.  Seed ticks are very small.  About the size of a large fleck of pepper.  Needless to say they are very hard to see.  After the hike, we had lunch at a local restaurant.  I think everyone was well satisfied with their meal.  I know I was.  We hiked about 4.5 miles and I would rate the hike as easy.  To see a couple of pictures of the hike, click here or click on the Harrison Bay tab above.

3.15.12  Linda, Sarah, Nance Jo, Caroline, Sandra, Renee, Barbara, George, Earl, Bob, Patrick, BF   My apologies for anyone left out.  I know there is someone I forgot, but I just can't remember.  This was a short hike, only 2.8 miles.  From the amount of chatter along the trail, I think everyone had a good time and some had never seen Mushroom Rock.  The weather was a little iffy, but held and no rain.  After the hike we all went to Rafael's and got stuffed.  So much for burning off calories on a hike.  I would rate this hike as easy and fun.  For a few pictures click here or click on the Mushroom Rock tab above.

5.13.12  Gail, Pat, Gary, John, Larry  The photos are courtesy of George and Sarah.  From the pictures it looks like everyone had a good time.  Sarah didn't specify how long the hike was but it was probably pretty long.  I would rate it as moderate.  For a few pictures click here or on the Possum Creek tab above.