Thank You Amy & Alice

A big Thank You to Amy Sutton, who organized the gift wrapping at REI this holiday season.  She gathered all of the wrapping materials, including a large variety of decorative items, organized the gift wrappers, baked a pound cake to keep everyone going, and even gave out a jar of blueberry / rosemary jam to each wrapper!  The list of TTA members and non-members who helped wrap holiday shoppers at the REI in Brentwood includes: Nancy Juodenas, Diane Manas (who also helped recruit new members and donors at the TTA / CTC display), Jenice Johnson, Rachel Jakubovitz, Patricia Morrison, Elizabeth Gerlock, Nora Beck, Betty Magee, Dianna Richter, and Doug Burroughs.  (Photo by Jenice Johnson)

Another big thank you to Alice Cannon, who reserves us the clubhouse in her section of River Plantation each year and has everything set up when we get there.

Wintertimes Rhymes by Tom Vickstrom

Here’s a hike one can take from their armchair, without leaving the house.  Please enjoy this little piece of winter wonderland I wrote a number of years ago, based on childhood memories of the long, cold winters in New England….”When sun shines out across the dust, reflecting light like diamond dust”.     Here’s to hiking in snow!   Happy holidays to all.    Tom Vickstrom

Wintertimes Rhymes

Winter’s coming, silent, stark
It’s colder now, early dark
Birds on the fly, leaves swirling down
Changing signs now abound

Plants lie down in their beds
Wings of frost bring winter’s edge
Trees stand in the pristine cold
Stately sights to behold

Crisp and brittle from the chill
All goes quiet, calm, and still
Cold stars nightly shining clear
Tranquility this time of year

Crystals fall as clouds blow past
Objects locked in, frozen fast
Captive in the landscape snow
Wait patiently for sunshine’s glow

Brilliance shows up on clear days
Slanted sunlight, brighter rays
In contrast to the darkened night
Powder, sparkling silver-white

Time stops for awhile it seems
Lost in a reality of dreams
No need to rush the winter through
While spirits rest they can renew

Cold subsides to dampened chill,
Sun’s warm rays yet weakened still
Buds not quite ready to start
Something known inside their heart

Snow crust wilts, to freeze again
Subsiding slowly ‘till the end
Melted runoff, mottled ground
Tinged with warmth, spring coming round

Thus goes winter’s slow parade
Majestic, passing through the shade
Let’s follow it and not lose sight
It’s all right there in black and white

On Saturday, November 15, we hiked about 8 miles on the Bird Mountain and Lookout Tower Trails at Frozen Head State Park.  The weather was truly beautiful but cold.  The skies were crystal clear and there was a dusting of snow at the higher elevations.  We caught magnificent views of Frozen Head and Chimney Top Mountains.  We could even just barely see the Frozen Head Lookout Tower across the valley.  There were 7 hikers from the Nashville and East Tennessee chapters.  The hike was organized by Nancy Juodenas and led and guided by Carolyn Reeves.  Some hearty souls even camped the night before.  It was 18 degrees when they woke on Saturday morning!  

October 18, 2014: Nashville TTA hike on a section of the Sewanee Perimeter Trail this past Saturday. Great weather and an excellent group. Had some refreshment at Shenanigans before the drive back to Nashville.  With Peggy Nunley, Jane Floyd, Amy Sutton, Dianna Richter, and Doug Burroughs.

Saturday, July 12th, 2014. Three hikers from the Nashville chapter met four hikers from East TN chapter to walk at Laurel-Snow Pocket Wilderness.  The hike was a joint venture with Carolyn Reeves from East TN and Nancy Juodenas from Nashville leading.  It was a hot July day, but the shady forest and the cool air from the waterfalls and the rock shelters, made it pleasant.  Along the way to Snow Falls we encountered some obstacles, one of which was a tree across the first bridge (50 ft,) and a wasp nest on the second bridge (150 ft.).  We managed to rock hop, and/or wade across the first creek, and run really fast across the 2nd bridge.  Even with the 150 ft dash some of us got stung multiple times.  There were beautiful viewpoints and ripe blackberries about half way to the falls, and two snakes in the trail one of which looked like a copperhead.  Arriving at Snow Falls which was flowing fast and full, we ate our lunch, enjoying the rest and the view of the falls. One person even took a refreshing dip!

Saturday, May 17, 2014
On a cloudy Saturday that threatened rain, 5 intrepid TTA hikers set out on a trek of the Piney River Section of the Cumberland Trail, near Spring City, TN.  We left a car at the picnic area on Shut-In Gap Rd. where we would come off the trail and drove up the mountain to the Newby Branch Trailhead where we began.  The trail  passes through dense mountain laurel, rhododendron, hemlock and hardwood forest.  The first scenic landmark we encountered was White Pine Cascades, (where there are no White Pines), a beautiful multilayered cascade that was in full glory.  We passed quite a few spur trails leading to rockhouses, picnic/camping areas and other waterfalls but did not choose to take them at this time.  We crossed Deep Pool Bridge, Rockhouse Branch Bridge, Pine Branch Bridge and the amazing Piney River 100 ft. suspension bridge.  These bridges were constructed by the Bowater Paper Company when the land was owned by them.  Our last landmark/obstacle before trail's end was MacDonald Branch, a boulder scramble across a wide drainage.  It was a little late in the season for wildflowers but we did see bluets, wild geranium, laurel, skullcap, hearts-a-bustin', spicebush, rattlesnake weed, stonecrop, partridge berry, milkweed, and one very frequent mystery flower.  And it didn't rain!

Above: White Pine Cascades 

Hike across downtown enjoyed by a dozen people, starting from Bicentennial Mall (a state park) near Farmers Market. Climbed up to state capitol, then south across Broadway, admiring some architecture gems. Continued past Unions Station, the new Music City Center, then up Rutledge Hill. Back down to Sheby St (Sigenthaler) Bridge, across the honky tonk district, then uptown to City Hall, and another view. Approximately 7 mi. Enthusiastic group enjoyed this a lot.

Collins Gulf Loop - Savage Gulf - South Cumberand

March 30, 2014: Seven hikers from the Nashville TTA Chapter completed the Collins Gulf Loop on a sunny and warm Sunday.  Rain the day before provided plenty of water for the Collins River, Fall Creek Sink, Horsepound Falls, and Suter Falls.  Also, numerous wildflowers were starting to bloom: Trout Lily, Hepatica, Bloodroot, Dutchmans Breeches, and more.  A great day for hiking.