Santeetlah Lake

  

This joint event with the Highland Rim chapter was planned for June 16-19 but because of the menacing weather report for Thursday, we paddled Santeetlah Lake Wednesday but didn't stay to paddle Fontana Lake on Thursday. We packed up Thursday morning and didn't stay until Friday. Joan, Brian and Ruth Wofford stayed behind and paddled Fontana Lake though. We paddled about 8 miles on Santeetlah Lake passing beautiful homes and awesome views of the mountains.  We stopped for lunch at a picnic table in a shoreline camping area. After paddling, we returned to camp and hiked the connecting loop trails in the Joyce Kilmer National Forest off the Cherohala Skyway and saw some beautiful, old forest trees. We camped in the Rattler Ford Campground in the Nantahala National Forest. Campers were Chuck Deen, Patty Deen, Cyn Hartlieb, Joan Hartvigsen,  Sara Pollard, Lynn Rosser, Brian Wofford, and Ruth Wofford. 

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Stones River Battlefield

Sara Pollard led a hike at the Stones River Battlefield in Murfreesboro. We watched the 9-minute video in the Visitors Center about the Civil War battle in the area before starting our hike. It was a warm day, but we were able to stay in the shade most of the time. After the hike, Evonne Drown, Wayne's wife joined us for lunch at the Red Robin Restaurant. Hikers were Jay Brain, Anna Lina Buckley, Betsy Dozier, Wayne Drown, Sheila Finney and Sara Pollard.

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Chapter Picnic 2026

We had our chapter picnic tonight and enjoyed hot dogs, sides, and desserts. Thanks to everyone that came to fellowship.

Tim's Ford State Park

National Trails Day today. I lead a group of hikers on some trails at Tim’s Ford SP. We did the Lost Creek Overlook Trail, Evans Point Trail to Devils Den Cave, had lunch, then hopped on Marble Plains and finished on the paved trail back to the visitor center. Weather was good although it was a warm day. After the hike, I drove to Lynchburg to let Alan and Hannah do shopping and we ate at the Barrelhouse BBQ. I have added photos from Alan and another hiker John Gizelar from TTA Sumner chapter.

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Tennessee River Paddle

It was decided to paddle the 7.5-mile loop to see the partly, submerged graves in Nickajack Lake. We started at the Bennett Lake boat ramp off Highway 27 and paddled along the shore into Mullens Cove to find two graves.  Residents were buried here in the 1800s before this part of the Tennessee River was dammed. TVA placed riprap around the graves to prevent waves from knocking the headstones over. It was a warm day and water weeds were thick in places along the lake. Kayakers were Jean Breuer, Sara Pollard and Joan Hartvigsen

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Sherwood Forest and Pack Hollow

We had a cool and windy day to hike Sherwood Forest and a short section of the new Pack Hollow trail led by Sara.  Sherwood Forest and Pack Hollow are in the Head of the Crow State Park near Sewanee. The Pack Hollow trail still being built and will eventually end at Buggy Top. We passed the natural bridge and didn't have the views we normally do in winter because of the tree foliage. We enjoyed lunch at the Mountain Goat Market in Monteagle after the hike. Hikers were Jay Brain, Chuck Deen, Patty Deen, Peggy Harris, Joan Hartvigsen, Sara Pollard, Jan Safavi, and Cynithia Skidmore.

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Stone Door to Greeter Falls

Saturday, May 9, 2026, we did a shuttle hike from Stone Door to Greeter Falls.  We started off by doing the Laurel Falls loop, then proceeded to Stone Door.  Our next stop after Stone Door was Ranger Falls where the water was overflowing with lots of water and beauty.  We had lunch there.  We then traveled to Boardtree Falls and on to lower Greeter Falls, upper Greeter Falls and back to our vehicles.  We had amazing views at the overlooks and lots of waterfalls and bonus waterfalls  along the trail.  It turned out to be a perfect day and great weather with approximately 9.5 miles.

Those in attendance with the hike leader, Cheryl Smith, were her grandchildren, Shy and Albany Murphy.  From the Plateau chapter, we had Sheila Miller, Misty Fell, Mandy Mew, Cindy Clark, and Diane Vaughn.  Cindy brought a visitor, Steve Shepherd. We also had John Gizelar with the Sumner chapter and Malinda Tucker, non TTA member.   

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