Doc Rogers Mansion

We Finally Made it to the Doc Rogers Mansion!!

We have been trying to reach this location for Months. 

Well this hike when we started we thought it was 4 miles round trip well ended up being 8 miles round trip. And Boy was it a tough hike! 

You know that point in a hike where you are just ready to give up looking for a location you are trying to get too! Well we were at that point. We check our map again and said we'll go just 1/4 to 1/2 mile more since it says were so close we could taste it. Then when we get to the way point someone ( cough cough Kelli) had pinned it wasn't there. But we knew it had to be somewhere along the creek so we followed the road aways down and still didn't see anything. 

Well on a quick breath break before we started back I happened to be looking at the homes down in the valley when out of the corner of my eye I spotted something in the trees. Now by this point we were tired so I know my words were a bit slurred and sounded a bit crazy. I know I was pointing an screaming Look Look Whats that! 
There was the House! Finally after searching and searching and almost giving up!
And I Used muscles I forgot I had! I'm feeling it today but it was so worth it!

Getting Closer to Hiking Season!!!

We are Getting Closer to Hiking Season!!

Hope Everyone has had a Fabulous Summer.
My has been filled with taking Loads of pictures for Zip lines and the occasional raft. I'm on the Job hunt for something to do this winter so wish me luck!  have as few places that I'm waiting to hear back from so will see how that goes. I hate the waiting!

I was able to take the day off this summer, I know shocker!! and get on the whitewater myself. What a blast was even dumped at Broken nose and then road the bull at Hells hole.
Are you ready for another season of crazy hiking Adventures? I know I am!  I can't wait to get out with the boys again and see how everyone's been doing while we haven't seen each other.

TTFN till our next adventure
Pinky Signing off

Ain't Louie Fest (ALF) 2015

Ain't Louie Fest (ALF) race 2015

Well Not really a thrilling adventure but I feel you guys will enjoy it anyway.

I was introduced to the ALF "race" about 3 years ago by Tom and have found its one of my Favorite water events to Photograph.  When I first experienced the ALF, I didn’t know what to expect. The only thing I knew was that there would be canoes going over baby falls. (at first I wasn't sure if I had heard them right) did they say canoes, going over Baby Falls?, Yep, Canoes ,not Kayaks, though you do see a few kayaks go over) since Canoes usually do not go over falls. While shooting the event, I noticed the family like atmosphere. Also, the encouragement they give each other is inspiring, and yes the commentary and light rubbing they give each other cracks me up. The event is a blast to shoot and watch. Between the Carnage, Crazy outfits, and even the Barrel that one of them went over in one year, it never makes for a dull moment.

Here is a tip: Arrive early to the race! There is almost no parking as it is there and on race day parking spaces fill up several hours before the event starts. Don't forget that when parking in the pull offs that your tires are off the road ( They ticket you if your car is not off the road). If you can Car pool have them meet you in town and car pool from there.  

 The Race usually starts at noon so I try to get there around 9am one for a good parking spot and two for a good shooting spot. 

I sent a message to the Photography group I'm part of to see if they would like to shoot the race. Due to the late notice of myself finding out about the race and then posting about it there were not very many members able to make it. 
Several People showed interest so I told them to look for me in my Pink hat and Green TOP (Tennessee Outdoor Photography) shirt. Thats the Name of the Photo Club.
I did get to see several of our Members there, One being Gregory Cook of Gregory Cook Photography. It was great to finally meet and talk to him in person. 
Janice and Tim were there also with their precious dog. Keith Nicodemus was there and it was good to see him again, poor guy broke his ankle pretty bad awhile back so It was good seeing him out and about.
I didn't know till I got back home that another dear Photographer friend of mine (Tee) had been there as well. I was a little sad to have missed seeing her as it had been a few years since I had seen her.

As I arrived to one of the take out spots I had to stop to let some Kayakers and Canoers load a truck to take them back to the top to run the falls. Side note( please be nice and stop and let these guys load and unload, also if need be I'd even be willing to give some of them a lift). With all the traffic I was a little concerned that I was to late to get a good parking space. But I had nothing to fear there were still several parking spaces left. I ended up Parking at Bald river falls parking area. I had thought the spaces in the baby falls parking area had been full but when I walk up to the parking area there were still a few parking spaces available.  

This year I was excited to get there early because that meant I was able to claim one of the good shooting spots. I decided on setting up on the rock that sits out in the water. I did see another photographer set up hanging off the embankment. What a perspective they had, will have to think on that for next year. But you need robe if attempting what they did. They tied off to a tree at the top of the bank and harness themselves so they could sit on the bank without sliding down. They had a good side view of the falls.

I enjoyed shooting and watching the Canoes go over the falls. Some made the landing and others did not.,Which made for some good Carnage Shots. I'm sorry but I love some good Carnage, as long as everyone is not terribly hurt. I find it makes for the best pictures and gives the rider a interesting story to tell. 

  

All images from the race can be found on my Website www.muskratphotography.smugmug.com
  under the races/water fun gallery 
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Feel free to use the share button to share the images, you can purchase individual images or you have the option to purchase them on a CD.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
It maybe a week or two before all the images are up and available for viewing

Cloudland Canyon State Park Hike

I know some of you are thinking how are doing another hike already after Virgin Falls.
Well I wouldn't have it any other way. And the more hikes I get in the Better shape and the longer miles I'll be able to put in.

Someone mentioned wanting to get out and hike after our crazy Epic adventure last weekend. Ohhh Yes Now I remember It was Jack that Mentioned wanting to get out and hike since he missed the Virgin Falls hike. He had a good reason though broken rib...Can you say OUCH.
So lots of places were thrown around including some Polk county and Tellico Plains locations. But we finally Decided on Going to Cloudland Canyon State Park in GA. Kelli told us to be prepared to walk a lot of stairs. Now I will say this I prefer our crazy off trail bush wacking to climbing a bunch of stairs.
Its crazy how the stairs put me out of breath quicker then trail walking even with elevation change.
But anyway We planned on meeting  early in the morning, not as early as our other hike.
The Weather was Starting to warm up after the freezing cold its been. So we weren't expecting to see any Ice, or If we did it would be very little.
Our Hiking Crew for this Trip was Jack If Jack don't have it then you probably dont need it, That man carries everything but the kitchen sink, John the energizer bunny He never stops, Dan Well what to say about dan. He has been known to say how do I let you guys talk me into these trips, Connie She is the wonderful lady that makes Hats for us to wear out in the crazy weather. She also love to hike with us and sometimes we use her as a model, And last but not least Kelli and the wonder Dog Ella. Wait .........I almost forgot we had another member join us who's name escapes me.

As we were standing by the cars talking waiting on Kelli and Ella to get there a hiker that had just come back up from the falls told us that there was still Ice on the Falls. Lets just say I was Very Excited! That meant another Waterfall down on my goal of 100 falls that are Frozen, Icy or have Snow.
 The trail wasn't very long just a short trail and then a Flight of stairs. As we came to the bend before Cherokee falls came into view we noticed Ice still on the trail. Luckily nothing like the virgin falls trail but still had to watch our steps. When the Waterfall finally did come into view it was beautiful! Ice had collected from the mist on the right side of the falls. The left side has Icicles hanging off of it so all around it made for abundance of beautiful photographic opportunities. We all split off to claim spots! I had to do the traditional Selfie! But this time I jumped up on the rock ( Poor Dan I didn't see that was set up to shoot and I kinda photo bombed his picture Sorry man) It was quite comical watching me scramble onto this rock before the timer went off and my camera fired. After everyone got some shot in we made our way back up the stairs and to the next waterfall. Upon coming to the Bridge that would take us to the stairs to the other falls we discovered it was Iced Over! Jack, Kelli and I decided to go for it and see how icy it was. The rest of the crew (Chickens) Decided to stay behind an be our rescue party if need be.
The Bridge, Stairs and Trail where Solid sheets of Ice in Places. The Icicle along the side and sometimes over head were deadly beautiful. There were a few places that both Jack and I said be careful its slick and then we'd fall. Made for a comical experience once we realized we were not hurt ( Till the next morning anyway bruises )  Man I'm glad I took a chance on the Ice. The waterfall at the bottom was so worth it. The trail Forked when we got to the bottom Kelli decided to take the trail to the right ( We'd meet up with her later at the lower waterfall) and Jack and I took the left trail To see Hemlock Falls. The Trail was Very Icy and the Platform was a Solid Sheet of Ice, You probably could have Ice skated on it.

Slipping and sliding our way up on to the platform we got a beautiful view of Hemlock Falls. The entire left side was covered in frozen mist. As we carefully navigated the icy platform I keep thinking I wonder how long the trees and bushes will last with all the Ice weighing them down. It just so happens that as we were standing snapping pictures we heard a crash and one of the limbs off something came Crashing down. The way it echoed you would think the whole side was coming down. Very creepy but oh so Cool to hear and see. We didn't stay in that area to long after that, Better to be safe then sorry! Jack and I careful made the trek back down the icy platform stairs and then down the trail to meet back up with Kelli. By now we were sure The others we left at the top were yelling "IDIOTS" That seems to come out on the rough trail (off trails) we take. As we finished the trek to the trail that Kelli was on we notice that the Ice had melted off that trail. Made for an easier walk. We walked over a bridge and then down a flight of stairs and as we came to the bottom Ella came running. We noticed Kelli down the bank taking shots of the lower falls. We meet up and decided to walk a little further down the trail to see if there was anything interesting down that way before we made the long trek back to the top. We noticed on the left side a Beautiful waterfall unfortunately the trees were dence so taking a picture just didn't do it justice. And without bushwhacking there was just no way to get a good shot of the falls.
So we decided we were just to tired to make the trek up there and that we should probably head back up before they send the search party out there to find us..
When we did finally make it back to the top and we came around the bend and to where the tables were we heard them yell THEY LIVE!
We were sad that we had forgotten to take the group picture at the falls so we did one at the over look
I'll Have to find the group shot kelli Took of us.