1/6/07 Cucumber Gap

I must say, the weather for the first hike of the year couldn't have been better. We're talking sunny, with blue skies and white puffy clouds, and a high of 65 degrees. Bea-u-ti-ful. And with all the rain we've have recently, the waterfalls and rivers were something to behold. The combination made for a perfectly crisp hiking day, chock full of negative ions. (Want breathtaking scenery with Florida-like weather, but without all the hurricanes? Come to K-town. There's a reason why people who grow up here never leave). Greg wanted to start out easy since we were coming off of the break, so we did an easy 5 miles. (And it was easy for the rest of the group, who obviously did something more with their break than just lay on the couch and eat Christmas cookies. I struggled slightly, in a few spots with the steepest grade. I expect, however, that by persevering through, I have worked that weakness out, and should be good to go on any future hikes). I'm also counting on being more hydrated once I get my 2 liter camelbak. (ANY DAY NOW MR. FED-EX GUY!)

We did get to see two deer, neither of which seemed at all concerned that we were there. And the trail starts and ends at Elkmont, which is an area with a couple dozen houses that the Knoxville elite used as summer cabins from the 1930s to the 1970s. You're not supposed to go in them since they're not all structurally sound (and trespassing is punishable by a $5000 fine and up to 6 months in prison), but say, if by chance you were to hypothetically walk through some of the houses before you saw the above mentioned sign, you would realize that the pink house is really cool, and the little bed and breakfast one has an old piano still in it. Hypothetically, of course.

The pictures are on Greg's site, which is good because I still haven't purchased a replacement camera after breaking the old one in November.

Keep your fingers crossed for good weather so that we can keep the hikes going. I'm completely hooked on them. I think we're also going to try to do a couple of the longer ones on horseback, and maybe an overnight camping trip or two. I'm also all in favor for some white water rafting this summer. Should be fun.