Chattanooga Outdoor Adventures

A too Hot to Hike Summer Series Event!

THIS IS A LIMITED ATTENDANCE EVENT! There is an expectation that if you sign up you show up. Cancel less than 72 hours before the event and cost someone on the waitlist the ability to go because of a last minute cancellation means we will review and you could be removed and you will have to reapply to the group. Please be aware of that.

So I am going to get in trouble with one of my good friends! Not for the event, but because of the the day and food place I chose... They know who they are.

This is the only day I have for this. I feel bad, but I will have a margarita and cheese dip in your honor.

I think I am digging a deeper hole, but they have a sense humor.

I mean their sense of humor is usually at my expense kind, but still they're funny.

Gotta laugh. Even if you are laughing with the others laughing at you. Follow me for more life advice. I am more of a cautionary tale, but still there's advice in that too.

Kayak in a cave? Why not? Whats the worst thing that could happen? I have got to learn to quit asking that question. Seems some of you have imaginations.

Life is about Family, experiences, love, friendships, and moments. This is in the experience realm and it is a good one. I am about those five things in my life.

I did this event in another place and time in my life. It was spectacular.

So I had a brilliant writeup put together. Went to check on something for it. clicked, and poof. I didn't save. This knucklehead did that not once, but twice. so It is just the facts here.

So now we enter the Twilight Time Zone another dimension of sight and sound. People will read this and scratch their heads. That is okay. We will meet at the Launch point at 10:00 am EASTERN TIME, but it is in the Central TIME zone so when it is 9:00 AM CENTRAL TIME you should be at the Boat Ramp. Some people like to drive directly to the site.

We should be there AROUND 9:00 am Central Time

There is a carpool meeting point from Walmart Super Center 3550 Cummings Hwy, Chattanooga, TN 37419 at 9:00 am EASTERN TIME. Where we will divide up and ride together to the Boat Ramp. It is an hour drive complete with a time change.

It is a Kayak into three caves. I have pictures from when I originally did it and it is cool. I mean I could show them to you, but you'd have to ask nicely.

Bring a Life jacket, a watercraft of some type. Sunscreen, fluids for Hydration, a snack and headlamp or illumination device. It is after all a cave.

By illumination device I don't mean a book on life or dating advice, General philosophy, or Zen Bhuddisim's Eternal Enlightenment. No culmination of a spiritual journey, a profound understanding of the self and the universe. This is an illumination device that provides actual light.

I am talking about a flashlight.

We will stop at a little area for snacks and visiting along the route.

This is a flat Water paddle so you need to be able to paddle at least 5 miles under your own power. You are responsible to know your abilities and assume all liability. Didn't read this? Doesn't matter. You are still responsible.

Here is a written description of the trip

Total Revision of what was originally posted. One of our longtime listeners first time callers alerted me that the trail down by Wheland was closed temporarily. So we are doing the same thing from the other way. Meet at the Chattanooga Rowing center. Then we walk to Blue Goose Hollow, Parkway Pourhouse, eat and back to the rowing place.

Maybe it's not to hot to hike Event!

So if you haven't been keeping up with current events. I generally take the summer off from hiking. It all started with a brilliant idea to get a ranger to lead a hike on the Fiery Gizzard in August several years back. You know those stickers "That's a bad Idea. What Time?" Apparently I can talk people into some bad ideas. That was a bad idea. I have had plenty more since then.

I can dream up some trouble.

It's a gift.

This one will be different! Trust me (don't trust me). I am hoping we will begin getting some more moderate weather at this point. Regardless of that this one is different than the Gizzard. It is basically flat and there is not a sign at the trail head that says "Abandon hope all ye who enter here"

Okay so the origin of that phrase is from Dante's Inferno meaning you should relinquish all hope of a positive experience or possible return and its posted at the gates of Hell not the Fiery Gizzard Trailhead. In August they are both pretty much the same thing. The Parks sign is essentially if you read between the lines paraphrasing it.

Yea it was that kind of trip. I have a witness in our group. They will complain if you ask them about the trip, but please be sure to ask them "But did you die?".

I'm not going to ask them that though. I know better.

I didn't flippantly ask that after that hike, because I felt like I may have actually died and if I asked a flippant question like that I may have gotten smacked.

Statute of limitations is up though. I think. I may be safe from that bad idea.

So after a summer of loafing and Kayaking, tubing, and other stuff it's back to the trails.

Let's not get carried away though. Baby steps people. This is an out and back hike with a generous respite for lunch at Parkway Pourhouse. 2.6 miles there and 2.6 miles back so lets call it 6ish miles with approximately a 1 1/2 hour break for lunch.