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1297 9/01/05 I had made big plans for my 80th birthday hike to Mt. LeConte but Hurricane Katrina caused me to change those plans by one day, so there would be no August 2005 hike to Mt. LeConte for me. I still had a grand plan to hike the Alum Cave Bluff Trail four times during this trip but after my birthday hike on September 1, 2005 my body told me to settle for two hikes. Even that proved to be optimistic and was not done. As it turns out, the statin drug that I had started taking to further lower my cholesterol was wrecking havoc upon my body. This was not discovered until after returning to the cardiologist from the hikes.
I departed Jensen Beach, FL Tuesday morning August 30, 2005 and drove to the Ramada Inn in Walterboro, SC. After a fine meal at the nearby Shoney's, I settled in for the night. I enjoyed the Ramada's hot breakfast the following morning and headed toward the mountains. I stopped at the fruit stand at exit 53 in Henderson, NC and bought a basket of peaches and apples before continuing on to the Shoney's in Waynesville, NC for lunch. I arrived at Jo Ann and Tillroe Smith's camper in Cherokee, NC at about 1:30 p.m.
After warm greetings from the Smiths and refreshments, Tillroe and I drove a short distance to Mingus Falls. The falls would have been more impressive yesterday because of the heavy rains but they were very nice today. The Park Service constructed a set of timber steps that stretch about 1/4 miles from the parking area to the falls. A nice wooden bridge is located at the base of the falls and serves as a viewing platform for the falls as well as a means for crossing the creek. This short but steep climb informed me that my body had a problem. Weak leg muscles and a lack of sufficient breath made this a challenge.
Jo Anne Smith served up one of her patented country dinners with all sorts of vegetables and roast beef after we returned. She even made me unsweetened iced tea and peach cobbler. Now wasn't that sweet of her. After a nice visit and a shower, I headed to bed to get ready for an early departure for the trailhead. I did take the time to take a photograph of the basket of peaches that I bought and Tillroe's watermelons.
Tillroe awoke Thursday before I did and built a nice fire in pit outside of the bedroom that I occupied. That helped take the chill off of the 42 degree temperature this morning. After finishing my morning chores and having coffee and breakfast, we packed up and headed over the Newfound Gap. There was a brief pause to catch the morning sun rise from the pull-off where the helicopter flies to take non perishable supplies to the lodge in mid March each year.
We were met at the Alum Cave Bluff Parking Lot by an old hiking friend, Tom Grubbs. from Boaz, AL. Tom is a retired IBM worker and has made several hikes with us. He hikes routinely in the mountains above Guntersville Lake to stay in shape. We headed up the trail at about 7:15 a.m. to a nice cool 42 degree temperature with clear skies. I hiked a slow but steady pace while observing the scenery but not taking any pictures. I had thoughts of doing 4 hikes during this trip to Tennessee. My camera batteries and memory cards would serve me better to spare the unnecessary shots from this hike. So we just hiked along and enjoyed the solitude. We did stop at Gracie's Pulpit for a snack and water before continuing our journey.
About 50 feet beyond the new log steps, I observed a fairly large immature bird on the side of the trail. I called to Tillroe and Tom, both of whom had missed the bird, and we observed the youngster for a while and shot several photographs of it. The bird was some kind of immature raptor. It stood at least 9" tall and did not appear to be injured or capable of flying. I personally was torn between thinking that it was a bald eagle and a immature red hawk. I sent e-mail pictures to Bob Miller at the Park. Both Bob and Paul E. Super Science Coordinator Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center at Purchase Knob Great Smoky Mountains National Park confirmed my suspicion that it was an immature red tailed hawk. Bob reported that an adult red hawk was buzzing hikers in the area where we found the young bird. I imagine a hawk with a 48" wing span, trying to protect it's young would frighten some folks. I wish the chick a safe return to it's nest.
We were overtaken and passed by Dr. Kip and Jean Miller making a morning stroll to the lodge, as well as by four VIP's (Volunteer In Park) workers, headed by my friend Phyllis Henry. They were heading to the LeConte Shelter to service the toilet. They do it every week. Man what dedication!!
As we passed Trout Branch, the Grass of Parnassus was a bit past it's peak but still nice. I photographed several clumps along with some closed gentian at Grassy Slide. As we were scaling Betty Jane Barnett's Stairways to Heaven, I saw more closed gentian.
The lodge was warm and mostly sunny. I walked over to the dining room and took a picture confirming the date. I returned to the water spigot and filled my CamelBak before going into the office and registering this trip. I returned to the porch and held a nice rocking chair down while I ate my lunch with my two day hiking friends on the front porch.
After finishing my lunch and refilling my CamelBak, I snapped a picture of High Top from the Lodge porch and visited the rest room before proceeding down the trail. We looked for the immature Red Tailed Hawk on our way down but it was not to bee seen.
We made a short pause at Gracie's pulpit to satisfy my body's need for sweets. I took a couple of pictures above Little Duck Hawk Ridge before photographing the Alum cave Bluff at the Alum Cave Bluff before continuing down to meet George Manthey, his wife Nancy, his friend Julius von Clef and his daughter Theresa. I once worked at the Department of Energy with George before I retired.
I took several pictures of several
fungi near Styx Branch. Perhaps Dr.
Michael Vincent, at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio will identify
them for me. Before reaching the last footlog we were delighted to meet Betty
Jane Burnett from Somerset, KY with her two hiking friends Bernita Dodson
and Debbie Carman. It was so delightful that she would drive down to wish
me a happy birthday. Thanks Grand Ladies.
I drove to Gatlinburg and got a motel room in order to relax and prepare for the other weekend festivities. The plan included driving to Oak Ridge Friday, to see my old house and watch the Oak Ridge/Cleveland, TN High School football game. Two of my young friends are stars on the Oak Ridge team. I used the motel coupon book for Tennessee and found that the Red Carpet Inn in Gatlinburg advertised their rates as the lowest in town. So I decided to save a few bucks and give it a try. I checked in and Thursday night was $21.95. Cheap in deed. The rate went up $10.00 for Friday night. Still a good deal I thought.
I booked for the two nights and went to the room. I decided that I needed to shower but low and behold there was NO WATER. I walked to the office and they stated that the water would be back on shortly. Four hours later the water service was finally restored. Fortunately I had a gallon of water in the car and the ice machine was working.
I sent a message to Cindy in Ohio to let her know where I was staying so that she could call me when she arrived the following afternoon. After she checked in, at a motel with water, she gave me a call and arranged to get together and drive to Oak Ridge, TN. She volunteered to drive and I did not argue. I knew that the return trip could be late.
We had a nice leisurely drive to Oak Ridge and I went by my former house. I noticed that the guy that bought the house from me had it back up for sale. His asking price was more than I had sold it for but perhaps only 30% of what a similar house in Florida or Chapel Hill, NC would cost. I visited with a former neighbor for a while before heading to the infamous Peace Bell. This bell was cast in Japan by Oak Ridge's Sister city from Depleted uranium and it was given to signify peace between Japan and the United States in spite of the fact that the Atomic bomb, that was made lm Oak Ridge. There have been lots of local protests. After ringing the bell a couple of times and noting that it was dedicated on September 2, 1945, (V. J. Day, Sixty years ago today.) we went to Ryan's for dinner. We chose the seafood feast. Very good for a place that is about 500 miles from the nearest salt water.
We then drove to the Oak Ridge football field and caught my friends # 1 Spencer Gulmire and # 2 Revel Coffey. Those are their jersey numbers. # 1 Spencer Gulmire and # 2 Revel Coffey. We visited lots of my old friends at the game and departed at half time with Oak Ridge leading Cleveland, TN 34 to Zip. I had to get to get to bed early to get rested for tomorrow's Birthday Picnic in Cherokee, NC.
The
Birthday Party…..
The
plan to honor our father and grandfather on his 80th birthday was hatched
about a year in advance. With
the family all onboard, we started discussing the logistics.
We quickly agreed that the party location should be in close
proximity to the mountain. After
investigating menus and the possible settings, we settled on a picnic
dinner under the pavilion at the
Family
members and friends traveled from
Everyone
pitched in to carry supplies from the parking lot to the pavilion.
Bill, Laura, Megan, Mike and Mark did an excellent job of
decorating. They strung
lights, put up streamers, hung banners and assembled the centerpiece.
Laura who had been in charge of selecting the decorations chose a
blue on blue theme with silver accents.
Cindy and Bob made a photographic recording of the event. The
centerpiece which was designed to honor Ed's achievements and highlight
his life experiences was made from a variety of pictures taken during 80
years of living.
While
the setup was underway, Bob, Lisa, Austin and Charlie were amusing
themselves at the river which ran just behind the pavilion. Austin and
Charlie dammed up the river while waiting for dinner. They ran
through culverts and they caught a crawdad and
asked
everyone to come and see it.
Before leaving, everyone made a trip to the
river to see the boys engineering feats.
Party
goers included: Guest of honor and birthday boy,
With
the set up well underway, Mark, Mike and Megan headed off to the Food Lion
to retrieve the deli trays, salads, ice and cake.
In the meantime, the Smiths, and the Steele's arrived.
Lots of enjoyable conversation and smiles were exchanged.
The food was served buffet style and everyone seemed to go away
well satisfied.
The
menu included the following:
Deli
sandwiches: (rolls - French, white, egg, and whole wheat walnut);
(meat/cheese tray - ham, turkey, salami, roast beef, provolone, and Swiss
cheese) Side dishes: Fruit tray: (cantaloupe, honeydew, apples, grapes,
strawberries and pineapple), potato salad, macaroni salad, cole slaw,
assorted chips and nuts. Condiments: assorted spreads and pickles. Drinks:
Tea, soda and water. Dessert-Carrot
cake - (very delicious and made by Joann Smith), Mt LeConte cake decorated
by the bakers at Food Lion and piled high with several inches of icing,
brownies and cookies (chocolate chip, oatmeal walnut/raisin, peanut
butter).
After
dinner, we enjoyed the delicious carrot cake Joanne Smith made for Ed.
Since we inadvertently purchased Happy Anniversary candles, we
decorated the cake with the HAPPY candles alone….it seemed fitting
somehow. Everyone joined in as
we sang Happy Birthday, in key.
After feasting on cakes and cookies we enjoyed looking
through the photo album Cindy presented Ed.
All in all, we had a wonderful time celebrating with friends and
family and hope to repeat the experience when Ed turns 90!
Tomorrow was scheduled for the family and friends hike to Mt. LeConte.
