Old Stone Fort - Walk off the Turkey Hike

Very nice hike. Old Stone Fort has a rich history and has some wonderful views, waterfalls, and a mysterious begining. For a park that is essentiall inside the city limits of a small town it has a lot compressed into a small area. We had 18 to start and for the first time in 2008 we invoked the Highland Rim "10% Rule." We fortunately recovered the "missing person," Peggy and had a nice meal at Cracker Barrel. Thanks to our Murfreesboro friends for joining us.

Galaxy of Lights

Here is a part of the group posing for the obligatory group photo.

We had a good group of folks (19) to hike the galaxy of Lights at the Huntsville Botanical Gardens. Dinner at Olive Gardens was followed by a tour de force of the 1 1/2 mile long back to back eclectic electric displays, from dueling snowmen, to frogs, ballons, candy canes, rockets, animated mother goose images....Fantastic, I see why it is a Southeast top 20 event for 2007. Some coffee at Starbuck's and we were ready to head back north.

Dave Simpson, TTA's photo journalist extrodinaire reports: "The first link is of the Collins Gulf loop where George Thomson and myself join some of the Upper Cumberland Chapter in their 14+ mile hike along the rim from Collins to the Savage Gulf Ranger Station. We cut out from the group at Stage Coach road and did the loop back around to Collins Gulf overlook about 13 miles...Then we stayed at a campsite at Stone Door and met up there with Gary Kimbrell and Steve Watson For the night. Next morning they left to go home and George and I headed out to Stone Door and Big Creek trails...about 12.5 miles. Good hikes! Enjoy the pics. and see you on the trail... - Dave
http://picasaweb.google.com/drossic/StoneDoor1102125Miles

http://picasaweb.google.com/drossic/CollinsGulfLoop11081113Miles