Lula Lake 4.1.2025

 Today, 25 hikers enjoyed an absolutely wonderful day at Lula Lake Land Trust. Our journey began with a short presentation from Daniel Roberts, a Community Engagement Coordinator for the trust. Daniel explained the various properties owned by the trust and unique topics of interest for each. He also reviewed how the trust maintains the properties and the plight of the Hemlock trees. Currently, a beetle has been introduced to the Hemlocks that devours the invasive insect that is killing the trees. After our presentation, we divided into two groups for the beautiful four mile hike. When we reached the waterfall, it was ROARING from all the recent rain. At the bottom of the waterfall we enjoyed a small rainbow through all the mist.  Many hikers chose to return to the top of the falls via the steep path of steps, a great cardio workout. We then started our climb on Bluff Trail to a breathtaking overlook for snack time. Both hiking groups mingled until we started our descent on Middle Trail to the parking area. Thank you Betsy for coordinating this fantastic day.

If you would like to see some very nice pictures taken during this hike, click here or on the picture to the right.  

You are not stuck in traffic, you are traffic!

Cloudland Canyon and Sitton Gulch 3.29.2025

 I do not have a write up for this hike, but the weather was perfect and as you can see from the pictures, lots of wildflowers.  

If you would like to see a bunch of great pictures, click here or on the photo to the right.  

The hardest thing about learning to ride a horse is the ground.  

Shakerag Hollow Point 3.25.2025

 Shakerag Hollow on Monteagle Mountain in Sewanee was the destination for Spring wild flower enthusiasts on Tuesday, March 25^th.  We had a large group of nineteen souls out for a “perfect” weather day to take a stroll in the woods.  While the Spring blooms were Juuuuuussssssst beginning to emerge, it was an otherwise enjoyable occasion.  It was an in and out trail – mostly descending “in” and ascending (back) “out”.  It was an approximately 6 mile round trip.  Because of the large turnout, we split into two groups for the occasion.  The faster group who reached the end, actually caught up with the second group on the strenuous return back to the trailhead, so all finished up about the same time.  We followed up the hike with fifteen hungry and thirsty hikers at Papa Ron’s Italian restaurant in nearby Monteagle for an EXCELLENT lunch?  A day well spent!

If you would like to see some pictures taken during this hike, click here or on the picture to the right.

Horses are one of the fastest animals ever!  Based on a Gallup Pole.

Gibbs Gardens 3.18.2025

 I don't know how Ginny did it, but she picked the absolute perfect day for visiting Gibbs Gardens.  It was nice and warm without being too hot and no wind so picture taking was easy.  There were 14 of us at who made the journey down from Chattanooga to the Gardens.  It was impossible to get a group picture since we never seemed to be in one place to organize a picture.  The daffodils were absolutely beautiful along with tulips just starting to bloom.  My favorite was the evergreen forest.  I have never seen so many different varieties in one place.   

If you would like to see some pictures, click here or on the photo to the right.  

No one warns you how often you will whisper "righty tighty lefty loosey" as an adult.  

N. Chick 3.8.2025

 On Saturday, we had a wonderful hike with temps in the 50s and 60s. as we started the hike at Barker Camp Road trail head  of  the North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Park.  Sunny with ten eager hikers, we walked the 1.3 mile connector trail to the CT and turned east to head toward our destination at Stevenson’s camp and waterfall.  We stopped at Panther branch overlook and admired the view of the gorge with the North Chick creek tumbling hundreds of feet below  Shortly after, a new bridge over Panther branch made the water crossing easy.  Prior to descending into the gorge, we stopped to read a new park sign about the trail-dangerous and rugged.  A Challenge – let’s go!  Down, down we trod on the side of the bluff on switchbacks, until we reached the rocky banks of the Cooper creek.  The first spring Hepatica flowers greeted us.  A new bridge over the creek assured us of dry boots.  Stevenson’s camp and waterfall were just around the corner.  Time for lunch, rest and trepidation about hiking back up the bluff.  Three hikers chose to do a thru hike and continued to the main trailhead at Montlake road.  The rest of us returned as we had come, logging 8.5 miles with an elevation gairn of 1381 feet. 

If you would like to see some great pictures taken during this hike, click here or on the picture to the right.  

Why did the ghost go into the bar?            For the BOOS!