Monday, April 28, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
TOT Weekend #2: 4 Shows / 1 Tank of Gas
Opening Night (Friday):
Sadly poor visibility is a common occurrence in East TN. As such, the scenic vista from one of the tallest, and most earned, mountains in TN may not be quite as picturesque as one anticipates. Nonetheless, I still had many of my favorite things on top of Mt. Cammerer: a day off of work, an excellent hiking partner, trekking poles that alleviated pain and swelling of my right knee, and a nutella and banana sandwich. Also, views of my favorite mountains - Mt. Sterling, Cosby Knob, and Max Patch, as well as a view towards Dandridge.
RT miles from Dandridge: ~50 miles to Low Gap Trailhead at Cosby Campground by way of Newport and SR 321
RT miles from Knoxville: ~80 miles to Low Gap Trailhead at Cosby Campground by way of Hwy 66 and Gatlinburg
RT hiking miles: 12 miles from Low Gap Trailhead to Appalachian Trail North to Mt. Cammerer Spur Trail
User Fees: None, thanks to the divine Organic Legislation of GRSM National Park. The law states that the National Park Service shall never charge entrance, parking, or day use fees at this Park.
Recommended Soundtrack: Blue Sky (The Allman Brother's Band - because it is just not possible to live here and not have their songs in your head and/or car).
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Next Three Nights:
The headwaters of the French Broad River originate somewhere along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Western North Carolina. The FB River meets the Nolichucky and Little Pigeon in Cocke County TN before entering Douglas Reservoir. Below Douglas Dam the river flows to the confluence with the Holston River at the Forks of the River, above Knoxville, to form the Tennessee River. There are numerous public and private boat ramps and launches along the FB river system and on Douglas Reservoir. There are numerous opportunities for motorized water recreation, and more passive forms, like canoeing, fishing, and swimming. The FB is by no means an exceptionally clean river because of current and historic agricultural practices and the paper products industries, though, it is still fishable and swimmable.
The FB River is backed up near Sevierville behind the Douglas Dam. The Dam was erected in 1943 during the WWII War effort in a record number of days (I should know exactly but I am quessing it is like 158). It was built to support ammunition manufacturing in Oak Ridge, and many natives were told that the government would tear down the Dam after the War was over. The Dam is now regulated to provide multiple public benefits to the people of the Tennessee Valley, including water-based recreation, hydroelectric power, water quality, and navigation. Douglas Reservoir, or Douglas Lake, or the flooded banks of the French Broad, whatever you want to call it, is gorgeous and fun, with excellent views of the Smokies to the east.
User fees: Public boat ramps and launches are generally free; private facilities usually charge a $6 - $10 launch fee.
Recommended Soundtrack: Interstate Love Song (Stone Temple Pilots), or any music from your High School days
Sadly poor visibility is a common occurrence in East TN. As such, the scenic vista from one of the tallest, and most earned, mountains in TN may not be quite as picturesque as one anticipates. Nonetheless, I still had many of my favorite things on top of Mt. Cammerer: a day off of work, an excellent hiking partner, trekking poles that alleviated pain and swelling of my right knee, and a nutella and banana sandwich. Also, views of my favorite mountains - Mt. Sterling, Cosby Knob, and Max Patch, as well as a view towards Dandridge.
RT miles from Dandridge: ~50 miles to Low Gap Trailhead at Cosby Campground by way of Newport and SR 321
RT miles from Knoxville: ~80 miles to Low Gap Trailhead at Cosby Campground by way of Hwy 66 and Gatlinburg
RT hiking miles: 12 miles from Low Gap Trailhead to Appalachian Trail North to Mt. Cammerer Spur Trail
User Fees: None, thanks to the divine Organic Legislation of GRSM National Park. The law states that the National Park Service shall never charge entrance, parking, or day use fees at this Park.
Recommended Soundtrack: Blue Sky (The Allman Brother's Band - because it is just not possible to live here and not have their songs in your head and/or car).
******************************************************
******************************************************
Next Three Nights:
The headwaters of the French Broad River originate somewhere along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Western North Carolina. The FB River meets the Nolichucky and Little Pigeon in Cocke County TN before entering Douglas Reservoir. Below Douglas Dam the river flows to the confluence with the Holston River at the Forks of the River, above Knoxville, to form the Tennessee River. There are numerous public and private boat ramps and launches along the FB river system and on Douglas Reservoir. There are numerous opportunities for motorized water recreation, and more passive forms, like canoeing, fishing, and swimming. The FB is by no means an exceptionally clean river because of current and historic agricultural practices and the paper products industries, though, it is still fishable and swimmable.
The FB River is backed up near Sevierville behind the Douglas Dam. The Dam was erected in 1943 during the WWII War effort in a record number of days (I should know exactly but I am quessing it is like 158). It was built to support ammunition manufacturing in Oak Ridge, and many natives were told that the government would tear down the Dam after the War was over. The Dam is now regulated to provide multiple public benefits to the people of the Tennessee Valley, including water-based recreation, hydroelectric power, water quality, and navigation. Douglas Reservoir, or Douglas Lake, or the flooded banks of the French Broad, whatever you want to call it, is gorgeous and fun, with excellent views of the Smokies to the east.
User fees: Public boat ramps and launches are generally free; private facilities usually charge a $6 - $10 launch fee.
Recommended Soundtrack: Interstate Love Song (Stone Temple Pilots), or any music from your High School days
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Just one tank of gas. Show-stopping scenery. Weekend warrior voyages. This spring and summer. $40 and a Dream Tour.
With the first snap of warm weather, I was compelled to start my list of possible roadtrips, weekend warrior voyages, partner-in-grime reunions, volunteer expeditions, etc. to fuel the blood-pumping, muscle-toning energy that is otherwise harnessed in the cubicle world I spend more time than I like to admit in. Today I found myself in cubicle exile under flourescent lights getting rashy, itching to get outside to breathe the springtime mountain ether. Between scratching the itches (actually a result of pesky seed tick bites), I became preoccupied temporarily reading about paddling trips and scribbling down access points, distances, and potential dates to hop in the car and a canoe. Meanwhile, my mind turned to my budget, the most important aspect of it being the travel and leisure segment; but at the same time, I realized that the high cost of gasoline could put a damper on the number of, the duration of, and the distance travelled during this spring and summer's roadtrip season. My roadtrip fever is in high gear, so I'll find a way, including maximizing weekend fun and sun with a one-tank, $40, constraint. This new blogspot, called Tennessee-on-a-Tank, will be a journal of my travels to experience bright life in Tennessee small towns, the specialness of Appalachian culture, and the unparalleled beauty and serenity that can be found in the nooks and crannies of Tennessee's mountain peaks, pristine swimming holes, and blankets of wildflowers. The Forty Dollars and a Dream Tour begins this weekend; opening night: Ocoee Rivah, Polk County Tennessee! Check back next week, and throughout the Tour to learn about my weekend, Tennessee-on-a-Tank getaways. I hope that you decide to make them your own too!
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