1305 10/27/07 I planned this hike after our hike in September to view the "Changing of the color of the leaves." Our son Bob, his wife Lisa and their two sons' Austin (9) and Charlie (7) and I left Jensen Beach, FL at about 6:40 a.m. Friday morning for the through drive to Cherokee, NC. Bob used his GPS to navigate back roads from Jacksonville, FL to Cherokee, NC. The distance is shorter than taking the interstate the entire distance, the scenery is better and the Suburban gets better gas mileage. The driving time is just about the same.

Lisa packed sandwich making materials, lots of snacks and a wide selection of goodies and drinks to help reduce the time required to stop and eat. We arrived at the Comfort Suites in Cherokee at about 8:30 p.m. We were treated to a bright full moon emerging and hiding behind mountains.

We planned to meet Lynda Platone and Gail Mihali at Hardee's at 6:00 a.m. Saturday Morning for breakfast. After ordering, the boys had to use the rest room but we still managed to arrive at the Alum Cave Trailhead just a few minutes after seven a.m. Gail and Lynda rode over to the trailhead with us to enjoy their company and to reduce the gasoline consumption. I elected to not take Sunrise picture as we neared Newfound Gap because it was too dark and foggy for a morning sunrise shot. We arrived at the trailhead a few minutes later than planned. Several folks were waiting for us. Mike Williams from Stoney Creek, TN Tillroe Smith from Moody, AL and Tom Grubbs from Boaz, AL chatted while Lynda, Lisa, Gail and surprise visitor Cindy caught up on the latest events. I was very happily surprised that Cindy drove down from Columbus to join us. Cindy had to join us to keep Austin and Charlie happy during the hike. Charlie didn't think the cool weather was very good and peeked out from his jacket to see what was happening. Our 7 plus Tillroe made for about 13 hikers. This is a picture of most of the group.  Others were wielding the various cameras and Al Smith and Janice Henderson joined us shortly after we started our cool, very dark Hike.

 

The temperature was 44 degrees F. and the sky was dark and foggy as we left the trailhead at about 7:25 a.m. Austin and Charlie had to stop frequently and look for salamanders under rocks and in the creek. Lisa took a picture of Bob and their sons on the first foot log. Bob then took a picture of Lisa and Cindy. We took our first break at Arch Rock. I took the occasion to take a picture of most of our group. Tillroe, Mike and Tom had gone ahead and missed the photo opportunity. I had to take several short breaks before reaching Inspiration Point. Charlie and Austin found their first salamander for today. Lisa, Bob and Lynda joined me for a short break before reaching Inspiration Point. We were still in the clouds and the hemlocks and other trees looked like ghosts.

 

We took another rest at Inspiration Point and took several pictures. Lisa, Charlie and Austin were willing subjects so I got them coming and going. Mike, Bob and Lisa were very willing subjects. Tillroe insisted on taking a picture of me. I asked Mike to join me to add some class to the shot. We hiked on toward the Alum Cave Bluffs from Inspiration Point. Most of the leaves had fallen from the trees and many of them remained on the trail. Fog still was with us and The Eye of the Needle was not visible. The bluff was shrouded in fog.  Most everyone was at the bluff and awaiting "Old Granddad" to finish the climb to the rocks to take a rest. This is the hardest part of the trail as far as I am concerned.

 

It was still too foggy to photograph the spine of Little Duck Hawk Ridge but I later got above the clouds for a while and was able to get some distant scenes. I was also able to get some shots of Sugarland Mountain and the Chimney Tops. We took a snack break at Gracie's Pulpit and had a good view of Cliff Top and Paul's Face. During our last hike on September 2, 2007, "Stan the running man" passed us at this location. Tillroe said that he had made six trips up Alum Cave Trail on September 28th. Wow Stan Wellslinger. That is wild. Congratulations. I doubt that Bill Sharp will try to top that accomplishment. Bill had previously held the record at four trips. 

 

We met more and more folks descending from their overnight at the lodge as we got higher up the mountain. We met Ron Valentine at the bottom of the upper steps with some fine looking fine lady. I also met Ed Gibbs and his wife, from Spring City, TN. Al Smith took a picture of us from the top of the steps. Ed had worked for TVA on Watts Bar Nuclear Reactor No. 1, while I spent 18 months working on a weld evaluation program. Before reaching Grassy Slide, I took a picture of the seeding phase of Rugel's Indian Plantation.

 

Clingmans Dome was clear from Grassy Slide so I took several pictures from different locations and a shot of the observation tower on top. We met Karl Gustafson from Durham, NC before leaving Grassy Slide. He stayed at the shelter last night and is a Tar Heel Fan, a Patriots Fan, a Red Sox Fan and works at the University of North Carolina as a medical researcher.

We met Lisa Line and her sister below Cliff Top. I asked her about Tim and their three children. She said that Nathan and Gracie had finished college and were off on their own. She also said that I had just met Jacob, their youngest son. I told her that I did not recognize him but I do remember his birthday, September 27, 1994. That would make him a teenager now. Lisa said that Jacob would be flattered that I remembered his birthday.

 

When we reached Betty Jane's Stairway to Heaven. Cindy asked everyone to pause for a prayer for our friends and relatives that needed our support. That included Betty Jane, Cindy's brother-in-law, Jo Ann Smith, Diana Strech and others not named. I included the late Margaret Stevenson and Paul Dinwiddie as well as the very much alive Tagerts from Boca Raton, FL. Her prayer was so long and detailed today that I wouldn't have to go to church tomorrow. As we neared Margaret's Place, just below Paul's Face, I took a picture of Bob, Tillroe, Janice and Gail. I also took a picture of the Chimneys and Allyson Virden.

 

It was 48 degrees and clear at the lodge. We stopped for a rest at the "Rest Rooms." Lisa, Austin and Charlie looked like they needed a rest. We went inside the office and signed the register and I bought Lisa a Lodge Tee Shirt for making the climb. We ate our lunches inside the office which was very crowded. I am not sure that I have ever seen so many folks up here before. Cindy took a Wright family group photo before we left. I filled my CamelBak with fresh water and made a pit stop at the restrooms. I chatted with a lady from Santa Monica, CA while I was waiting my turn.

 

We started down the trail and had to walk quite fast in order to warm up. Bob took and interesting photo of a rock formation beneath Cliff Top. I didn't take anymore pictures until we reached Gracie's Pulpit. I took a final view of Cliff Top and Paul's Face. I also took pictures of colorful leaves, Sugarland Mountain, and the spine of Little Duck Hawk Ridge before reaching the bluff. The leaf color from the bluff was great. I took shots in several directions including heading down. I met a couple of young ladies with a cute baby just below the bluff. I was able to photograph the Eye of the Needle as we passed, the clouds had vanished. After we passed through Arch Rock, I saw a Fungus that looked like a Halloween Mask. Just in time for Halloween. We took a few more breaks before reaching the trailhead at about 6:00 p.m.

 

I appreciated the effort that folks made to join me in this hike. Although I didn't get individual pictures of everyone, Lynda and Gail, drove up from near Tampa, FL. Tillroe and Tom from Moody and Boaz, Alabama. Cindy came from Columbus, OH. Al Smith and Janice Henderson from Maryville, TN and Mike Williams from Stoney Creek, TN

 

We drove to Lisa's parents to visit and spend the night. They bought five and a half acres near the Georgia/South Carolina border and built a new home. It was Lovely. Lisa and the boys enjoyed visiting with the other set of grandparents. They have a big place and lots of toys. Bob got a picture of a blue Jay.

 

We drove hove Sunday after a fine visit with the Merritt's. Thanks Charles and Dorothy.