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.

Raccoon Mountain

5.1.12  Nance Jo, Renee, George, Earl   Happy May Day.  The four of us left the parking lot at the switch yard and hiked the trail known as Small Intestine.  It was a warm day, in the mid 80's but the entire trail is in the forest so effectively it is in the shade.  It is a good thing that George was leading this hike as this trail meanders all over the place.  If you look at the trail on a GPS you can certainly see why it is named Small Intestine.  We ate lunch near the end of the hike at a spot know as table rock, which has a great view of the river and canyon.  No misadventures to report.  The length of the hike was four miles and I would rate it as moderate.  George even managed to keep the pace down so the rest of us could keep up.  For a few pictures click here or on the Raccoon Mountain tab above.