Lost Creek to Virgin Falls - Sara

Sheila Miller of the Plateau chapter led an out and back to Virgin Falls. We had 15 hikers on this joint hike with the Murfreesboro and Plateau chapters.  We started our hike in the Lost Creek State Natural Area near Sparta. We passed Rylander Falls and hiked to the "backside" of Virgin Falls. It was several up hills and downhills along the way, and it got pretty warm by the early afternoon. We enjoyed lunch at Virgin Falls, and several took the spur trail to the top of the falls. 

This was an out and back hike for a total of about 8 miles. Too early for spring flowers but we saw some interesting tree fungi along the way. Hikers from Murfreesboro were Jay Brain, Joe Campbell, Tony Jones, Craig McBride, Lora McBride, and Sara Pollard. Plateau hikers were Kristi DuBois, Misty Fell, Edna Horony, Jeanine Jablonski, Wayne Lokey, Sheila Miller, Jerome Phifer, Cindy Strang and Curt Thomas. 

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Chilly Chili Hike - Sara

The Marietta Poteet’s 25th annual and last Chilly Chili Hike. There were 44 people who hiked and about 65 people for chili.  We met at the Sewanee Gates at the Shakerag trailhead and hiked Shakerag Hollow on the Sewanee Perimeter trail and returned on the Beckwith Point trail. The hike was about 3.5 miles. After the hike we went to Marietta's home in Clifftops to enjoy chili and all the fixins. We also had a champagne toast for Jim Poteet, Marietta's husband who passed away last summer and organized the first chili hike. There were hikers from several chapters - Highland Rim, Murfreesboro, Nashville, Sumner Trails, Scenic City, and Columbia Franklin. Hikers from our Murfreesboro chapter were Jay Brain, Anna Lina Buckley, Joe Campbell, Lora McBride, Sara Pollard, Georganne Ross, Lynn Rosser, Tim Rosser, Martina Terrazas and her son Eduardo.

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New Year's Day Hike Bryant Grove Trail-Sara

We had 19 hikers from 5 different chapters (Highland Rim, Columbia/Franklin, Murfreesboro, Nashville and Sumner Trails) represented at our annual New Year's Day hike at Long Hunter State Park. We hiked the 8-mile Bryant Grove trail and enjoyed lunch at the Recreation Area picnic shelter. It was cold sitting at the shelter with the wind blowing off the lake, so we ate our lunch hurriedly and returned back to the trail. We had nice views of Percy Priest Lake along the way. A great way to start a new year! Hikers were Jay Brain, AnnaLina Buckley, Doug Burroughs, Joe Campbell, Ron Dunn, Kim Gibbons, Donna Johnson, Jeannie Nachand, Bob O'Berry, Bonnie O'Berry, Ellen Omohundro, Sara Pollard, Marietta Poteet, Dianna Richter, Jan Safavi, Pu Sanford, Vinny Lalka, Gloria Dale Williams, and Daniel Zheng.

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Murfreesboro and Highland Rim Christmas Party

We combined our annual Christmas party with the Highland Rim chapter this year to try something different. We met at the Ada Wright Center in the Fred Deadman Park in Manchester. It was a potluck and with a cookie exchange. Door prizes were awarded to the best decorated tables, and we sang some Christmas songs. We enjoyed spending time with members of the Highland Rim chapter and their guests. Folks attending from Murfreesboro were Jay Brain, Anna Lina Buckley, Joe Campbell, Craig McBride, Lora McBride, Sara Pollard, Georganne Ross, Martina Terrazas and her son Eduardo. 

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Prentice Cooper State Forest - Sara

We had 11 hikers to brave the cold to hike a section of the Pot Point Loop at Prentice Cooper State Forest. We first enjoyed the view from Snoopers Rock and then started our hike clockwise on the loop trail. The trail was covered in a thick layer of leaves with rocks hidden underneath, and we had beautiful views of the Tennessee River along the way. We enjoyed lunch on the top of the natural bridge and then explored underneath the arch. Craig, Jim and Lora went on to see the waterfall off the Ritchie Hollow trail but the rest of us returned to our vehicles. Hikers were Jim Barritt, Jay Brain, Anna Lina Buckley, Chuck Deen, Patty Deen, Craig McBride, Lora McBride, Sara Pollard, Marietta Poteet, Georganne Ross, and Jan Safavi.

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After Thanksgiving Day Hike

It was a cold morning for 13 hikers to meet at the Old Stone Fort Museum to start our hike. We hiked the Forks of the River Trail, the Backbone Ridge Loop Trail, and the Moat Trail. The hike was along the Duck River and the Little Duck River. A few of us stayed and enjoyed lunch at the picnic area and then decided not to hike the Chumbley Woods and Eagle Trails. Hikers were Chuck Baker, Melodie Baker, Jim Barritt, Jay Brain, Jean Breuer, Joan Hartvigsen, Alli Hurwith, Nathaniel Mann, Sara Pollard, Georganne Ross, Jan Safavi, Margie Schumacher, and Ray Schumacher.

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Big South Fork Camping Trip

This trip was supposed to be a camping trip with the Highland Rim and Nashville chapters, but folks changed plans because of weather conditions.  Some stayed in cabins at Pickett State Park and the Jordan Motel in Jamestown. Thursday morning started out with a heavy frost, but we started the Rock Creek Loop hike around 9:00 am. It was chilly and the wind made it seem even colder. We had lunch at a backcountry campsite along the creek and Wendy started a small fire for us to enjoy. A light snow started while we were eating but didn't last long. Some hikers left Friday morning but four of us hiked the Twin Arches Loop. We enjoyed lunch at a picnic table behind Charit Creek Lodge. Both days were nice for hiking and we had beautiful views. Hikers were Jim Barritt, Doug Burroughs, Wendy Fish,  Joan Hartvigsen, Sara Pollard, Dianna Richter, and Kathy Woods.

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