Category Archives: Travel

Henry Horton State Park near Lewisburg, TN

Leave a reply

Last weekend, Pearl traveled to Henry Horton State Park near Lewisburg, TN for a weekend of hiking and splashing in the Duck River.  She even let Jennifer get in some kayaking.  For those that have never visited the park, it’s worth going.  Henry Horton is located near Columbia and Lewisburg, TN, about 45 miles or so from Nashville.  Along with various hiking trails and the blueway kayaking trail along the Duck River, Henry Horton offers a top notch golf course.  The campground is one of the best among the Tennessee State Parks we have visited.  It only has about 52 RV sites, but they are very spacious.  Some campgrounds tend to squeeze as many sites as they can in a small space.  Henry Horton gives you room to stretch.

 

Rock Island State Park 2016

Leave a reply

Pearl began the camping season with a trip to Rock Island State Park.  This is her second trip to this park and this time she brought some friends with her.  We were joined by the Bowen Family and I think everyone had a good time.  Pearl had 4 more people to spoil her.

The Bowen Family: Bill, Jennifer, Dalton and Emma
The Family

South Cumberland State Park

Leave a reply

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

Leave a reply

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.

Crossing the Stream

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.

Who Knew this was in Tennessee?

Leave a reply

The thing about Tennessee is that although it is only one state, it might as well be three.  The joke is there are three stars on the Tennessee state flag because it is actually three different states.  This is certainly true when you look at the geography of the state.  Most of us know about the Smokies of East Tennessee, but the Cumberland Plateau is just as grand.

_MG_9428

Twin Falls in Rock Island State Park is at least 250 feet.  It is the most impressive falls I have ever seen, and I’ve seen just about all of them in the Smokies.  For some perspective, you can see the guy in the blue at the bottom of the picture.

Pearl enjoyed the 1.6 mile hike along the bluff.  It was quite a site to see miles of bluff with small waterfalls, one after another.

IMG_1350