Yep - We're Still Alive

I was advised by VD that some people thought we had run away from home, (like that mother who dropped her kids off at school and disappeared for 10 years).  But ALAS, no, I was just being lazy again.

When last heard from on Monday, we were in Southern Illinois exploring the Cypress swanps on foot since rain was forecasted.  (I could'a swore that I did a post on Tuesday but I don't see it.)  Anyway, on Tuesday (7 May) we biked another section of the Cypress swamp which was pretty nice.  VD almost ran over two possums and it was a 5-snake day, one of which appeared to be a Cotton Mouth Water Moccasin.  (I Love biking with Mom.)

Another was this bizarre looking snake layin stretched out straight as a stick across the trail but with his body bunched up in little skrunches.  At first I thought he'd just been run over by the entireTour De France, but when I poked him he morphed into a normal snake and slithered away.

Since VD had enought snakes, we finished up and headed to Land Between the Lakes National Recreation area for an overnight.  Pretty, but nothing to hold us there.  (They got the ugliest cows you've ever seen.)

Wednesday's plan was to bike a really promising looking trail starting in Big (ha-ha) Sandy TN.  about 70 miles to the south.  Pulled into town but couldn't find the trailhead parking.  So stopped into city hall and asked, "can you tell me where to park for the bike trail?"  Respones being "What bike trail??"  Long story short, "They was thinkin bout it sometime back, but never did nuttin."   So much for the renowned accuracy of Google Maps.

Did I Say "Happily"?

Didn't look like much else was going on in central Tenneessee so we beat feet for Chattanooga.  Picked out Cloudland Canyon State Park which is just south of Chattanooga (actually in Georgia).  Got in a little late, but in time for me to happily do my share of the domestic chores.

It was now Wednesday night and we decided to grab a campsite for 4 nights to get through the weekend crunch.  There were several interesting options to keep us busy.  (The actual site of the Chattanooga Choo-Choo was NOT one of them.)



Picture Thousands Charging Across This Field



To make up for the lost ride Wednesday, we picked two rides for Thursday.  The first was through what passes for an Arboretum here abouts.  A necie ride, but not Mortons.  (But they did accept Morton's membership card.)

The second was an 8-mile ride through Chicamagua Battlefield Military Park.  Even if you are not into Civil War history, it was incredibly thought provoking to walk the ground where over 100,000 soldiers duked it out over a pretty small plot of countryside.  10,000 dead in just 2 days.  Haunting to say the least.

Since our butts needed a rest by now, Friday's activity would be to go see Heron Falls here in the State Park.  Two options for the route.  1 - drive to the top of the canyon and walk down 600 stairs, look at the falls, and then wakl back up 600 stairs to the Funmobile.  We chose option 2 and drove to the bottom of the canyon and hiked a few miles back up to the falls.  (I hate stairs.)

A really good hike following a cascading stream all of the way.  Got to try out the hiking poles Blaine and Kevin gave us for Xmas.  Mixed reviews I think.  Excellent for rock-hopping across streams and good for steep up-slopes.  They're a bit of a nusiance on the flats though.  Net-net, probably worth the hassle for rough terrain.

OK - now I'm all caught up.  Tomorrow, we plan a hike aroundthe rim of the canyon and then take the rest of the day for some down-time to rearrange the contents of the Funmobile.  It gets pretty out of control pretty fast.

Tomorrow is another wonderful day.

Good Night From Cloudland.