The Great Stone Door Leads to Decatur’s Cabin

Stone Door Ranger Station Parking Lot

You will love this door. It’s big; it’s always open and it’s made of stone. How could it get any better? The hike to the “door” is almost like the hike Little Red Riding Hood made through the forest. It’s an easy path and it’s enjoyable. The door invites you, no allows you to walk through it, as if it were a huge hall.  There is, in truth, no door. It’s a wonderful walkway down what would otherwise be a gorge bluff.

Beyond the Stone Door, the path through the forest becomes something else. It’s steep and rocky in areas. My advice, hiker beware.

 

Stone Door Ranger Station

Before you even get to the Great Door, you will enjoy several vistas. But before I show you my photos, let’s get you to the Trail Head. If you are coming from Nashville or Murfreesboro continue southeast (East) on I-24. If you are coming from Chattanooga, take I-24 northwest (West). Exit at Monteagle, taking US 41 east and drive to Tracy City. Take TN Highway 56 (north). Continue 20 miles. Watch for the Stone Door Natural Area sign. Follow park directions to the Stone Door Ranger’s Station.  [More direct routes can be googled.]

Once there, the trail begins at the ranger station. We left the ranger station about 10 am. Temperatures were in the upper 60s. We didn’t go far (a 15 minute walk) before came to the Laurel Creek Overlook. There are fine views from this wooden platform.

Laurel Gulf Overlook

About a mile from the ranger station you reach a short foot bridge and area with many vast views of Collins watershed. You may not even realize it at first, but you have arrived at the Great Stone Door (aka the Stone Door). The descent through the door is just beyond the bluffs and vistas you first encounter.

Overlook adjacent to the Stone Door

Once you walk the steps down through the door new opportunities await you. You can of course return the way you came, but you also have other options. My hiking friends, Greg and Luke chose to hike on to the Decatur Savage Cabin (aka Cator’s Cabin). If you are so inclined, beyond the cabin about 6 tenths of a mile is the Saw Mill Campground. There you will cross the dry (I’m told) Collins River.

The Stone Door (looking down)

Looking up at bottom of the Stone Door

We spent a lot of time at the Stone Door. In part, because I left my trekking poles behind and Greg, the youngest and most fit member of the group, went back to retrieve them. I guess I still owe him for that. No, wait, I think I repaid his kindness. That’s another plot line.

Anyway, we spent a lot of time at the Stone Door, taking photos from the overlook and of the Stone Door itself. We left there about 10:40 am.

From the Stone Door we continued down the Stone Door Trail for nearly 1 mile when we arrived at the Junction of the Connector Trail, Big Creek Gulf (BCG) Trail and Stone Door Trail. It is about noon, but we aren’t ready to eat yet. We take the Connector Trail. Our goal is to eat lunch at Decatur Savage Cabin. Fifteen minutes later we hike over a swinging bridge (I’ll name it Swinging Bridge No. 1) and 45 minutes later, we hike over another swinging bridge (I’ll call Swinging Bridge No. 2).

We find the Connector Trail is somewhat challenging. It is steep and very rocky in sections. On the day we hiked the trail, daytime temperatures finally reached the upper 80s (or possibly low 90s) and the forest was dry. I recommend you take plenty of water with you or be prepared to filter or otherwise treat what little water you might encounter.

Junction of Three Trails: Stone Door, Connector and Big Creek Gulf

At 1:50 pm we come to the side trail leading to Decatur Savage Cabin. We take the trail and arrive there about 15 minutes later. At the cabin we eat lunch and explore the area. It’s an interesting site. The log cabin was built in 1910 and the site is very level. We are in the bottom of the valley. It is also, from the Stone Door to the cabin, about 3.9 miles.

Side Trail to Cator Savage Cabin

We leave Cator’s Cabin about 2:30 pm, thinking we would hike the short distance to the Collins River, but a dysfunctional hiking boot changed our plans. The sole of Greg’s boot came totally loose from his boot. It was good that someone brought about 3 and a half feet of duck-tape. Greg rolled all of the tape around the sole and the boot and along the back side. We weren’t sure if the repair would hold up over the return trip due to the rocky terrain. So instead of heading to Saw Mill Campground where the side trail joined back up to the Connector Trail we decided to head back the way we came (toward the Stone Door). We had really wanted to hike on to the river, but thought it best to be practical about it.

Cator Savage Cabin

At 3:20 pm we again cross Swinging Bridge No. 2 and 50 minutes later we cross Swinging Bridge No. 1. Our pace seems to have slowed a bit, mostly due to the heat. 25 minutes later we come to the Junction of the Connector, Big Creek and Stone Door Trails. Luke and I waited there awhile for Greg, who had fallen behind. Finally Greg caught up; he wasn’t feeling good with the heat.

Duct Tape and Boot Repair

After a good rest, we resumed our hike. This time Luke and I explored a rock shelter 20 minutes up from the Junction before we reached the long staircase that leads to the base of the Stone Door. It probably took us another 20 or 30 minutes after the rock shelter to reach the Stone Door. We waited another 15 minutes on Greg. It was about 5:30 pm and we were all tired and thirsty at this point.

Rock Shelter

We hiked on to Laurel Creek Overlook and then to Stone Door Ranger Station. This section took us 50 minutes, whereas when we hiked it earlier we did it in about 35 minutes. Though it was a late September day, we all drank much needed water at the Ranger Station. It was now nearly 6:20 pm. The duct tape was still intact, even after 3.1 miles. I’m counting this as my debt paid. Well, for the day we about hiked 7 miles, enjoyed some wonderful vistas and learned that duct tape can hold up pretty well when the going gets tough.

Scripture

Psalm 100.4 – Enter His gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise.

Matthew 7.7 – Knock and the door will be opened to you.

Matthew 7.13 – Enter through the narrow gate.

Luke 13.24 – Make every effort to enter through the narrow door.

John 10.9 – I am the gate; whoever enter through me will be saved.

2 Corinthians 2.12 – The Lord opened a door for me (Paul).

Revelation 3.20 – I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in.

#StoneDoor #DecaturCabin #Hiking #SouthCumberlandSP #Keck #Denton #Ewing

Becoming an Ironman Isn't for the Faint of Heart

Becoming an Ironman doesn't mean you forge steel in Pittsburg, or press sheets of metal in Detroit. I don't even think it's about riding a bicycle for 116 miles after a 2.4 miles swim. It takes these two elements and finishes it with a 26.2 mile run after you are already exhausted. 

I witnessed my first Ironman event in Chattanooga, Tennessee on September 25, 2016. My nephew, Brad had entered the race and was one of about 2700 athletes/participants. 

Because I live near Nashville I decided to drive to Chattanooga the morning of the event. So I set my alarm for 3:30 am (CDT) and headed out the door at 4:00 am. It was about a 2 hour drive to downtown Chattanooga.  I lost an hour (it was 7 am EDT) and was still dark when I found parking at a nearby lot, not far from Ross Landing.

My nephew, brother and others had arrived earlier and on Saturday had picked up his Bib (number), checked-in his bike and other gear. I contacted my brother, Richard who had already taken the shuttle to the Swim Start point. He told me to find the Swim Finish point. There wasn’t much I would be able to see and photographing my nephew would be nearly impossible. Athletes started in waves. I estimated he would began his swim at approximately 8:15 am.

I suppose most of the athletes woke up around 3:30 or 4 am, as did my nephew. They and their support crew had to not only make their way to the Transition area for “body marking” but also to take the shuttle to the Swim Start point.

Around 9:20 am Brad finished his 2.4 mile swim, a 1 hour and 4 minute time. From there we positioned ourselves to watch him begin the 116 mile bicycle course. We weren’t sure what was happening at this point because he was out of the water long before he showed up on Ironman.com athlete Tracker website. At any rate, once Brad began the bicycle portion of the race, we walked to the hotel where my brother and Brad, several friends (Brad’s girlfriend Elizabeth, Brad’s sister, Rachelle and Richard’s friend Clarice) were staying and began an hour and a half long drive to Menlo, Georgia and then on to the point we would see Brad. They had previously scoped out the race route on Saturday and determined that at mile 32.5 of the bicycle course (the junction Hog Jowl Road and West Cove Road) would be a great place to cheer-on Brad. Since the bicycle course passed this point twice (a two lap affair) we could wait here and cheer him on a second time.

 This was a beautiful rural setting in north Georgia. The point at which the athletes would pass by was as they descended a hill on West Cove Road and make a hard turn onto Hog Jowl Road.  It was about 10:30 when he rode past us. He looked pretty good and my brother said he was pretty much on the pace he expected. It was warm at the time but not the 97 degrees it would get later in the day.

Once Brad went by us, we had a few snacks, watched other bicyclists ride by and pray no one crashed on the treacherous downhill just before the turn. Around 1 pm Brad rode by the second time. He still looked good. I managed to capture an image of him with the sign "Trust your training.”

The sign reminded me that these athletes spend hours and hours training in order to compete in an Ironman. Brad had previously competed in 3 Ironman events. In those he had trained by completing in numerous half-Ironman events and marathons to build up to this particular day. It typically takes two years to prepare and it is both a mental and physical challenge. One must be totally committed.

He finished his 116 miles at 3:10 pm near Ross Landing. I almost missed him. His “split” times were not showing up in the Ironman Athlete Tracker website as they should. So when there were a number of other athletes finishing at the same time, Brad among them, I didn’t see him ride in. But I did manage to get a photo of him from behind. It was now “hot.” Period. He left his bicycle with a volunteer and made his way to the transition area to begin the 26.2 mile run.

At about 3:30 pm he had begun his marathon. My brother was a bit worried about him because of the heat. I thought he still look pretty good. I became a bit more concerned when we began to walk to our next spectator viewing point, the Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge. It was far from the marathon starting point for us, but it was about 13 miles into the race for Brad. On the way to the bridge in a parking lot I saw several athletes that had given-up. One was telling her parents, while tears ran down her face, she simply couldn’t do it, but oh how she wanted to do it. They were tears of sorrow and disappointment. I believe she was broken by the heat.

Brad’s support team found some shade and a curb near the bridge and waited. At about 6:50 pm he came running by us. He now looked tired in the afternoon sun as did so many others. Many athletes were walking. It was for many of them, not a matter of putting together their events into one package and preforming well, or maybe even a personal Ironman best, but simply finishing. The oven-like day had drained them of everything they had. There wasn’t much left.

From there we all went to a restaurant for supper. I suppose I felt a little guilty eating a personal pizza and a lot of Coke knowing Brad was still running or walking out his last 13 miles. When he finished it was dark. We checked the map to determine which way we needed to go to our next spectator point. It was at the foot of the Veterans Bridge. There was water there, facilities and a medical tent at the point. It would be 9:10 pm before Brad came. It wasn’t running. He was a little over 20 miles into the marathon. He had about 6 more miles. Could he make it?

After he passed by us, we walked over to Ross Landing and the Finish point. We scattered along the last one or two tenths of the marathon to take photos. About half of athletes jogged by us as they put all they had into the last of this race. The other half walked, simply wanted to finish. Brad jogged by me and Rachelle at about 11:10 pm.

 In the background we could hear the names of athletes and the announcer say, “You are an Ironman.” Rachelle and I made our way to the finish line and I took a photo or two which were terrible because it was night.  After that I called it a night and drove home.

The news the next morning was that approximately 25 percent of the 2200 athletes who started did not finish (DNF). Over 600 athletes and spectators were treated for heat-related illnesses. Others were treated for lacerations, minor orthopedic injuries, muscle injuries and chest pain. 

Scripture

Proverbs 22.6 – Train a child and he or she will do as they have been trained.

Romans 12.2 – Renew your mind regularly.

Galatians 2.2 – We do not want to run a race in vain.

I Corinthians 9.24- We should run to achieve our goal.

1 Timothy 4.7 – Physical training is of value.

Hebrews 12.1 - Before a large crowd of witnesses, run with endurance the race that is before you.

1 Peter 1.13 – We prepare to respond to the challenge.

Battle at Bristol and the 15th Anniversary of 9/11

From time to time, you find yourself caught up in an event you recognize as pretty significant. That was me at the Battle at Bristol on September 10, 2016.  It was a football game between the University of Tennessee and Virginia Tech, held in the Bristol Motor Speedway, in Bristol Virginia. It was the largest crowd to ever attend a football game. It was also the 15^th Anniversary of 9-11. It was worth attending because my son, Chad invited me to join him and my grandson, Shepherd. I couldn’t say “No.”

The significance of this “Battle” escaped few people. It was an event that might make history books, at least for a few years. It wasn’t a “Super Bowl” where the winning team will be remembered for 50 years or a Presidential Election, or even Lunar Landing. It was an anniversary of a tragic event and a football game attended by a lot of crazy fans. It was Big and it was noteworthy!

So what went down?

First, this football game was held in Bristol, Tennessee at a Speedway. It had to be retro-fitted to accommodate a football game. There was a speedway between the field and spectators. There was a 700 ton Jumbo-Tron referred to a “Colossus” that hung over the field for spectators to view field activities, such as the coin-toss with Peyton Manning, the singing of the National Anthem with Jennifer Nettles, and game re-plays. Although you could see “play” on the field, Colossus was a “hit” because it added much to the experience of the game. It was a whopping 63 feet wide and 30 feet tall. So, the venue was unusual because it was in neither Knoxville nor Blacksburg. The stadium was in itself an attraction.

Though it was not an SEC Conference game, it was an important game for the teams and coaches of each school. Butch Jones, coach of the University of Tennessee team had not yet proven himself as a viable coach in the SEC. He needed wins. For those of us who are UT fans, 2 quick touchdowns (plus extra points) by Virginia Tech in the first quarter made us wonder about even attending this event. Who likes to loose, even if it is an historic occasion? Thank goodness, in the second quarter Tennessee made three touchdowns (plus extra points) and a field goal, for twenty-four points. In the third quarter J. Dobbs connected with A. Kamara with a pass and Virginia Tech had a field goal, making the score 31-17. In the fourth quarter both J. Dobbs and J. Kelly ran for touchdowns (with extra points) and Virginia Tech had a touchdown and good kick, making the final score 45-24. It was said to be sharper than the typical HDTV. But, this football game was only part of the event.

It was also the anniversary of “9-11.” As such, it was a special landmark or memorial to an event that changed the thinking and history of a nation. It needed special recognition. And for the 15 years that has passed, we took note. This crowd got it. We are Americans; we honor our military. We are patriotic. Though we may not always respect our political leaders, we respect those who put their lives on the line to keep us safe and free. The sacrifices of many needed honoring. Half-time was pretty much devoted to honoring the brave Americans who have sacrificed so much.

It fact, honoring Americans was done throughout the night. It actually began with the National Anthem, sung by Jennifer Nettles acapella. We had red, white and blue flip-cards to do two “card stunts” for television viewers. When the cards were flipped, they revealed long red and white strips along with white stars on a field of blue. As all of this occurred a huge American Flag was stretched over the field. At the end of our Anthem, there was a C-5 Galaxy flyover. If the Star-Spangled Banner didn’t make you emotional, the visuals and fly-over surely did. Did I mention, there were fireworks? Well, add that to the mix. If you missed it, Goggle it, listen to Jennifer Nettles and be inspired by a crowd that was totally into it.

During the half-time show Lee Greenwood sang, “God Bless the USA.” There were fireworks again as the band paid tribute to our American military services. These were powerful moments for those of us in the stadium. (Again, Google ‘Lee Greenwood at the Battle of Bristol,” listen and watch the fireworks.)

It was also significant that in the second half, game organizers announced that paid crowd attendance was 156,990 people, beating the previous record of 115,109 people at Michigan Stadium in 2013. That game was between Michigan and Notre Dame. Beating the previous record by 41,881 is no small feat. It was obvious that this was an enormous pro-Tennessee crowd at several points. One was just prior to the first play. The noise was almost unbelievable. I’m not certain, but I think time was taken for the crowd to quieten a bit in order for Virginia Tech players to hear their quarterback. During the first quarter, crowd noise was a significant issue, if you do not count the jarring boom of Virginia Tech’s obnoxious cannon on unsuspecting Tennessee fans.  But in the following quarters, if you were a Tennessee fan, the numerous rounds of “Rocky Top” made up for the cannon booms experienced in the first. Given the crowd size and venue, “Rocky Top” never sounded better. The sea of orange never looked better.

What was the coolest thing about all this? My son, grandson and I were eye-witnesses to this monumental event. You could see his mind clicking into higher gears as he witnessed the swelling crowd enter the stadium and fill to capacity. And when our team scored, and everyone was giving high-fives and hugging everyone around us and us too, how could you not notice. There seemed to be no strangers among all these strangers. Yes, the fun of it was seeing his face light-up like Christmas lights on a tree to sparkle throughout the night.

What was not so great? The 3 hours on a two-lane road in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Shepherd didn’t let it bother him though. He slept most of the distance to our hotel an hour and a half away.

Scripture

John 2.1-12 – The wedding reception at Cana where Jesus performed his first recorded miracle.

Luke 9.10-17 – Jesus fed the 5000 people who were following him to hear about the kingdom of God.

Acts 15.1-18 – The Council in Jerusalem recognizes the grace of God is available to all people.

#BattleatBristol #VolsFootball #Keck #VirginiaTech #BristolMotorSpeedway #9/11

Shepherd Conquers Charlies Bunion, GSMNP

Shepherd’s hike to Charlies Bunion in the Great Smoky Mountains actually began when he hiked the Sleeping Bear Dunes in Michigan this past summer.  Initially, only my son, Chad and I had planned to hike in the Smokies but after trekking across Sleeping Bear Dunes he was convinced his son, Shepherd could manage any day-hike we could throw at him. I wasn’t totally convinced, because you see, Shepherd is only nine years old. I had never seen a kid that young handle 6, 8 or 10 miles in a day. So, before we set out, I had decided in my own mind that it was alright if we turned back after 2 or so miles. I enjoy hiking, so it really wouldn’t matter if we didn’t make it to Charlies Bunion.

Our first thought was to hike to Ramsey Cascades, an 8 mile hike (roundtrip). We (my son Chad, his son Shepherd, and I) began early enough out of Pigeon Forge and arrived at the Ramsey Cascades Trailhead (TH) about 9 am. Unfortunately though, signs informed us near the TH that the trail is closed.  Wondering if it is just a temporary closure we doubled back to stop at Sugarlands Visitor’s Center (at 9:50 am) and learned that a fallen tree has destroyed a footbridge on the trail to the cascades.

We decided then to hike to Charlies Bunion as it was already 10 am and wouldn’t take long to get to the TH. It was on my original list of potential hikes. My son had never been to this unique place, though this would be my fourth time. The first time I hiked to Chariles Bunion was in October of 1963 or 64. I with my friend, John Toomey and my brother Richard. We were new to hiking then, equipment taken was crude and weighted too much. Packs consisted of ruck sacks and handheld duffle bags. We also took a large two-burner Coleman stove. I suppose we looked like a “comedy of errors.” We carried too much and equipment was crude by today’s standards. We spent the night at Ice Water Springs Shelter with a Boy Scout Troop. Well, actually, we spent the night in the clearing in front of the shelter. In those days, there was no permit system to stay at shelters in the park. In the morning we also had an encounter with a bear at breakfast. We then hiked on to Charlies Bunion, which turned out to be very disappointing, as we could not see a thing. It was foggy and cold. It was just as well, I did not have a camera with me anyway.

 The second time I hiked to Charlies Bunion was in September of 1993. I carried a camera on that hike, but took no photos, again because of fog. I should have taken a few pictures, even if they were only of the sign at the side trail, just to document the lack of a view.

The third time I was at Charlies Bunion was in October of 2005. (I am including several images from that hike in this post, as it was an exceptionally clear day.) Most of the photos in this post are from my fourth visit.

Back to my account of Shepherd’s first hike. We drive up about 13 miles to Newfound Gap (US Highway 441) and park in the parking lot. The Trailhead is on the northeast end of the parking lot near the large stone podium where President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on September 2, 1940. There is also a plaque at the site commemorating John D. Rockefeller.

We are at the Charlies Bunion Trailhead (TH) at 10:30 am. We take a few photos of Chad & Shepherd and Poppa & Shepherd. It is a beautiful day. Although it wasn’t cool, it wasn’t hot. Temperatures are in the 70’s. There were a few clouds.

The trail sign tells us the Sweat Heifer Trail is 1.7 miles; the Boulevard Trail is 2.7 miles. Our trail map adds that Ice Water Springs Shelter 3.4 miles and Charlies Bunion is 4 miles. Beyond that is a view of the Sawteeth. It is 5 miles. The trail northeast is rocky.

An hour later (11:30 am) we arrive at Sweat Heifer Trail. Photos of the AT and Sweat Heifer Trail. To this point it is 95 percent uphill. Shepherd has marched the AT without complaint. This was where I thought things would go downhill. I was wrong.

At noon (12:00 am) we arrive at the Mount Le Conte Trail. The trail to the Jumpoff is .3 miles up that trail. The Jumpoff is a popular spot with great views. Mt Le Conte is 5.3 miles.

After a little more hiking (12:15 am) we arrive at Ice Water Springs Shelter (just off the AT). (Photos of the shelter, Chad and Shepherd Keck.) We eat lunch and leave at 12:50 pm. From its junction with Sweat Heifer Trail, the AT is about 65 percent uphill. About 2 tenths of a mile beyond the shelter is Ice Water Springs.  (If you pick-up water here, filter or treat it before you drink.)

At 1:20 pm, we arrive at Charlies Bunion, a gigantic protruding rock just below the summit of the ridge. It is 100 yards off the AT to the left. The AT continues to the right. The rounded knob holds dramatic views. On a clear day it has a great vista to the northeast of Mount Le Conte, Brushy Mountain, Porters Mountain and Woolly Tops Mountain. We spend 20-25 minutes at this scenic site soaking-in the view. A fellow hiker takes photos of Poppa, Chad and Shepherd Keck. I take a number of scenic photos.

We discuss with Shepherd hiking on to the Sawteeth, about a mile beyond Charlies Bunion. Shepherd does not object nor does he ask to go back to Newfound Gap. And so, we hike on to Dry Sluice Gap Trail on right, arriving there about 1:55 pm.

We continue to hike along the The Sawteeth for about a mile. We find a clearing along the trail and look back toward Charlies Bunion and Mt. Kephart. (We take photos looking back toward Charlies Bunion.) From there we hike back the 5 miles we came.  We rest a few times, re-visit Ice Water Springs shelter, catch our breath, drink water and snack on nuts, raisins and a few other things.

At 4:40 pm we arrive at Newfound Gap and I also take a few photos of Shepherd. I also photograph the ridge that Newfound Gap Road takes south into Georgia. It is a beautiful sight.

I began this blog post skeptical of Shepherd making it all the way to Charlies Bunion. At the trailhead I reflect on how this kid hiked 10 plus miles and did it without complaint. He was conversant. Enjoyed what he saw enjoyed being with his dad and grandfather. Given his age and it was a warm day, he never mentioned the heat, his feet, legs, becoming thirsty, or being hungry.  I want to hike with this kid again. It was an amazing day in the mountains. It was an even more amazing day with my son, Chad and grandson, Shepherd. We enjoyed having Shepherd come along. I won’t “short” this guy again. He is a “tall” man among hikers. I am excited about watching Shepherd grow to be the man he will become.

Scripture:

Psalm 139.13-16 – God created our innermost being and knew us before we were even conceived.

Luke 2.52 – Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and people.

Philippians 1.6 – God will complete His work in you.