Monthly Archives: November 2015

South Cumberland State Park

When your morning starts with a rainbow, chances are you are going to have a pretty good day!  Yesterday, that rule held true.  We ventured a little over an hour down the road to South Cumberland State Park, one of the newer parks in Tennessee’s state park system, which is spread over 4 different counties.  Starting the day in the Foster Falls area, the park was having a half marathon/marathon along the Fiery Gizzard Trail.  We took the very short hike to Foster Falls IMG_1481

where Pearl tackles another suspension bridge like a champ.IMG_1484

Next, we drove over to the Stone Door Campground area and hit the trail for a 6 miler, taking in the views from the ridge above.

IMG_1496

The Stone Door is a natural aperture through the mountain, hence its name.IMG_1499

After a bite of lunch, we headed back out to the Greeter (not Greater, but Greeter) Falls area for a short hike filled with waterfalls.  Greeter Falls, itself, has an upper and lower falls.  It’s named after the family that settled the area and their old homesite is also on the trail.  Also, you can get a look at the Boardtree Falls.  All of this in a short .8 mile hike.IMG_1514IMG_1519IMG_1523

Finally, we drove over to the Savage Gulf Campground.  Too late to start out on the trail, we took in the local wildlife before heading back to camp.IMG_1526

Jennifer named him “Ralph”.

 

Personal Record at Virgin Falls Trail

Pearlie hit two personal records on the trail today.  She hiked a total of 13.5 miles in a day (PR) and took her longest single hike at 9 miles (PR).  This all took place in an area I had no idea existed, the Virgin Falls Natural Area.  Two of the most impressive falls on one trail.

Virgin Falls originates from caves in the hills (see last photo) and then falls an impressive distance to a small pool below, then returns back to the caves.  Really cool!  As one gentleman stated on the trail, it’s better than shopping.

A Dog’s Trust

IMG_1415

I am constantly amazed at dogs.  There is no absolute than the trust of a dog.  Today, although the suspension bridge moved under her feet and she was uneasy to say the least, Pearl trusted us and crossed the abyss.

Later as we trekked along the Woodlands Trail in Fall Creek Falls State Park, we crossed paths with a beautiful yellow lab and his human on a morning trail run.  We stepped off of the trail to let them by, hoping not to break their stride.  She did not have him on a leash but he stayed about 5 feet behind her, maintaining her pace.  This seems like a typical occurrence…until she mentioned that the dog was blind.  He was right behind her until he caught our scent or heard our footsteps.  He slowed slightly, getting his bearings with the new scents, sounds and obstacles.  Pearl went in for a polite sniff greeting, to which he seems both unbothered and unamused.  We stepped aside and he continued behind his human, completely reliant on her eyes to guide him on their journey.  How many of us could have that much faith in another?