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33rd Annual Men's Fall Hike 2005WhenNov. 3 - 6 (Thur-Sun) LocationSmoky Mountain National Park, Fontana Lake, Hazel Creek, Proctor Camp Site. Upon arrival, Lester, the ferry captain, was asked to take us to Proctor camp site on Hazel Creek. "Cain't do that", he says. "How come?", we say. "That'd be aiding and abetting a felon", sez he. "How's that?", we ask. "Cuz Hazel Creek trail's closed all the way up to Bone Valley camp site." "Why is that?", we ask thinking this is getting to be like pulling teeth. "Got some bad Bars up air - a big ole sow and cubs and another big Bar. That big'un jumped out on a feller on the trail and grabbed his back pack plumb offen 'is back!", sez Lester. "Well, guess we'll just have to go up Eagle Creek then.", we say. Without any expression, "Nope, cain't do that." sez Lester. OK, here we go pulling teeth again. "Why so?" With Lester, every question has an answer but nothing more. "Cain't take em carts up Eagle Creek trail. Only'est trail 'lowed fer carts is Hazel and it's closed cuz em'air bad Bars." he says. Well, here we are with a ton of gear to be hauled in on carts and that isn't going to be allowed. After using a pay phone and calling umpteen different numbers trying to get the district ranger, we were able to get a ranger who called the district ranger. Said District Ranger simply said trail closed - no if's and's or but's. Ok, a quick huddle settled it. We would go to Eagle Creek trail and camp at the first camp site, Lost Cove. It was a 300 yard multiple trip gear carry over a fairly steep ridge and narrow trail. Two trips got all of our gear to camp. Before being ferried over, Lester let it be known he was going home by 4:00 - a not too subtle hint for us to make up our mind what we were going to do. While paying up for the ferry ride and getting license for those fishing, Lester asked when we wanted to be picked up. He offered, "I come over at 10:00, 1:00 and 3:00 and I ain't a coming at three!" Some of us thought, "make it three.", but seeing Lester was loosing patience with us, thought better of it. We settled on a 10:00 pick up. After pitching camp, all enjoyed the traditional blow out grilled supper - excepting John Arnold. He sported some very good freeze dried food he spiked up with salmon or tuna or was it chicken? All in all, Lost Cove camp site was excellent. Leroy kept a warm and steady fire going. Enough downed timber and some effort with saw and axe provided us with ample fire fuel. All but John Mullinax and Leroy Moon day hiked over Lake Shore trail to an old cemetery near Proctor Camp site on Hazel Creek trail - about a 9mile round trip over several high ridges. Fishing was poor but we had plenty of good food, proper refreshments and good company. As we struck camp Sunday morning, many were remarking what an enjoyable time we had and talked of returning some day to Lost Cove camp site. So, a shaky start ended up with happy campers taking a shower at Fontana Dam and returning home. PicturesLost Cove camp site. During the trip we beheld an unforgettable moment. We were settled in the camp, immersed in the quiet of the wood. Smoke from our warming fire drifted up penetrating the jeweled fall leaf canopy. Sun light filtered through with laser like rays mottling the leaf strewn forest floor with shadow and light. Then, with no advance signal, thousand upon thousand leaves of all colors, tenuously hanging and as though by some unknown common event, released their clutch and wafted down, raining in a continuous shimmering flow when all about time stood still. Looking up, the entire space from tree top to forest floor was occupied by these dancing delights, their color and motion amplified by the sun rays streaming through. And then as quickly as it had begun, abruptly it ceased and not another leaf fell leaving a motionless silence. We campers looked at each other in speechless awe at what had just transpired. Then someone remarked, "What was that?" John Mullinax Rick Johnson's and John Mullinax's Hotel California.
John Arnold demonstrates his mechanical prowess Rick Johnson scrambles to get in group picture He makes it this time. Leroy prepares a meal John Arnold entertains himself with a spy novel Mark and Phillip warming by the fire Phillip risks tampering with Leroy's fire Who
18th Annual Spring Canoe Trip 2005 Fri. July 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th (Cancelled)
Suwannee RiverFROM White Springs TO the Suwannee Music Park, roughly 23 river miles. Recall we had a long stretch before sandbars became plentiful so an early start on Saturday is required and a clear head needed to reach our first night sandbar before dark. We saw no gators and only a couple of non-poisonous snakes last year and many rope swings. Note from Captain Rick: "Using a rope swing can be very dangerous as the tannic acid water prevents visual inspection of submerged logs." Due to scheduling conflicts this trip was cancelled. |
