above: dwarf larkspur blooms along the Roaring River Road
Spring Wildflower Trip 2025 Day 7 Wash Morgan Hollow with Sharon & Susie Master's General Store
Dana Koogler and Sharon McGee
Thursday April 17, 2025
Photos are Here
Sharon and I met up on Thursday morning. We packed our lunch and headed out to hike a nature preserve I'd wanted to see called Wash Morgan Hollow. It was supposed to be a very pretty hike with lots of Spring wildflowers and a waterfall. I had wanted to hike this for around nine years now. Our first plan fell through. We thought we'd hike Window Cliffs, but the area was closed for maintenance.
Today's trip would be fun and I'd finally get to experience this for myself. I knew there was no trail here, but I am an experienced off trail hiker so I was not worried. The drive out toward Gainesboro where this is located is very pretty. The plan today was make this hike, eat lunch by the Roaring River, and cap off our day at Mayhue Master's General Store. Sharon is friends with Susie, the lady who now owns and runs the place. It was another spot I'd wanted to see for a year now.
The first thing we noticed upon arriving was the crazy number of vehicles parked! The second was how the banks on the left of the road were covered in phacelia and dwarf larkspur. It was really pretty.
Kenny and I made this hike many years ago, but did it the wrong way. We came in from a different road and ended up on a bluff looking down at the falls which at that time were barely flowing at all. We missed the wildflowers, scenery and really the waterfall. I later learned the proper way was to come in from the bottom. Ten years later there is still no trail, but coming in from the bottom makes for better parking and prettier, easier hiking. Sometimes the early bird does not get the worm, but gets NOTHING for all their trouble.
Below: roadside near our parking spot was covered in miami mist
Below: close up of Miami Mist
Below: signage for Washmorgan Hollow
We left our lunch in the cooler and just took snacks and drinks. We started off up the dry stream bed and hoped for the best. The hike starts off being fairly simple to follow. You can see a tracked down area where others have trod. The hike just follows the path of least resistance. The gorge walls at the start are not as steep and narrow. The further in we hiked the tighter the quarters became. The less wildflowers we saw since there was no place for them to grow.
Below: southern red trillium was another flower we saw today
Below: Sharon is ahead of me and Otey is ahead of us both! You can see the hike still has no path, but just start up the dry creek.
Below: We passed a spot where a side spring was trickling into the creek bed on the left.
Below: another glimpse of the stream as it gathers more water. Lots of rocky shoals and gravel bars in it.
Below: yellow wood poppy
Below: Otey is on a ledge that runs along the right of the stream.
Below; wild heartleaf blooms
We were ducking under trees, crawling over logs, working our way back and forth across the stream, and working at it to make this hike.
Below: you can see the passage through here is narrowing
Below: spray cliff community along the banks
Below: ferns galore!
Below: One area where the going was a little easier thanks to some flat rocks and dry spots
above: one interesting spot on the hike was this layered rock bluff, it would be a waterfall during wetter times.
above: the hike is narrowing again and seems to be getting worse!
Below: One area where the going was a little easier thanks to some flat rocks and dry spots
Below: And yet a little worse it got! It was the crux of the hike here. The hike terminates at the waterfall. Once there you cannot proceed any further. By the time we arrived at this mess we both decided if the rest of the hike was going to be this way we were done. We sat down to rest and take a break. Thankfully seventeen members of the Middle Tennessee TTA chapter came downstream about that time! We were able to ask them if it kept on being this bad? They said No! It got better and that we were about 1/10th mile from the falls. So we pushed onward thanking them for their advice. They were all very pleasant people. We appreciated the encouragement. We had to climb those rocks on the left side heading up.
below: more ledges of rock and water
Below: We finally arrived at the waterfall. It was pretty, but not that great.
Below: Sharon and Otey in the photo for scale.
We enjoyed the hike and were glad to say we finished it making it to the falls, but both felt like it was a bit lackluster. It was not that fantastic for either wildflowers or the waterfall. Not sorry we went, but one and done. Going during times of heavier rain would make the falls more appealing, but it would also increase the difficulty level of the off trail hiking. There are too many good hikes to do in Tennessee to ever do this one over. It was still good to see it for myself considering how long I'd been curious about it. We made it back to the vehicle carefully and avoided some of the tough spots on the way back. I had put the camera away and wasn't stopping for photos plus we knew the way now.
Below: We finally arrived at the waterfall. It was pretty, but not that great.
Below: Sharon and Otey in the photo for scale.
We enjoyed the hike and were glad to say we finished it making it to the falls, but both felt like it was a bit lackluster. It was not that fantastic for either wildflowers or the waterfall. Not sorry we went, but one and done. Going during times of heavier rain would make the falls more appealing, but it would also increase the difficulty level of the off trail hiking. There are too many good hikes to do in Tennessee to ever do this one over. It was still good to see it for myself considering how long I'd been curious about it. We made it back to the vehicle carefully and avoided some of the tough spots on the way back. I had put the camera away and wasn't stopping for photos plus we knew the way now.
We made it back to the vehicle and stowed our gear so we could sit by Roaring River for lunch.
The river bottom here is loamy, soft soil and lots of leaves, debris and weeds. We were on the look out for snakes, but thankfully didn't see any. We also checked carefully for ticks once we were done!
Lunch was good and we put stuff away to head back toward Hilham to Susie's store.
We had no cell service and made one wrong turn. Sharon swears she has no sense of direction, but today she was on point. She realized we were heading the wrong way and we pulled over to try to get a signal to use google maps. Thankfully my crazy cell phone worked today and helped get us turned around. We doubled back and headed toward a main road. One of the thing I noticed upon getting home and dealing with images and video editing and blog writing? I found that by trying to keep up with my cell phone, Go Pro and camera I ended up not being very organized. It was tough to put it all together. I failed to take video of some stuff. I failed to take photos of some stuff. I've been trying to remember to take more photos with my cell phone. Doing this has led to some lack of focus and feeling very scattered. I can't easily remember where images are? I need to get in a better groove or just put the cell phone away.
Below is a short video of the waterfall
Thursday April 17, 2025
Sharon and I pulled up to Mayhue Master's General Merchandise Store in Hilham around three o'clock in the afternoon. I had seen the outside of the store several times in passing, but had not stopped to come in. It is one of those places you really have to experience for yourself. It is pure, wholesome Americana at its finest. Mayhue Masters opened and ran this store for fifty-five years. He passed away in 2001, but today the store is owned and run by his daughter Susie. She lives across the road in a brick ranch style home. The store has had updates and improvements, but being a traditional, family oriented lady and shrewd business woman Susie has managed to keep the store largely as it has always been.
People today often crave and appreciate these little islands of tradition and a slower pace from a simpler time. We live in a world full of screens and technology and hurry. Stepping into this country store provides a little proof that Mayberry still exists in places. Hilham Tennessee is in Overton County and while it is a thriving residential area there isn't a lot going on. Susie's store is a hub of the community.
Below: Pulling up in front of the store in Hilham.
Below: the gas pumps are still operational here! Rare in today's modern world that these little country stores have kept up with the fuel business. 
Below: Front sign of Master's store
Below: front porch of the store with a customer sitting out front talking on his phone to someone. note the firewood on the edge of the porch. The screen door and more benches out there for sitting around chewing the fat.
Below: another thing to take note of outside the store is the BBQ smoker. Made fresh each day when they are open.
A step inside the store and you pick up a hint of wood smoke as well as the smell of cooking. Lunch rush is over by the time we arrived, but the place still smells great from the scent of good food. There is a guest book to sign in the middle of the store.
Below: the stand with the guest book. Susie reminded us to sign it! I did, but Sharon wasn't a newby to this place so I don't think she signed it today. 
Below: looking back the main aisle of the store from the front.
Below: soft drinks, space heaters, mops, garden tools for sale
Below: Susie at the cash register with a customer
Below: old timey stuff like moon pies and candy cigarettes!
Below: moving further into the store you will pass the wood stove which is the heat source as well as a gathering place. Susie keeps an iron skillet full of peanuts warming on top the stove and a container for the hulls. 
Below: the wood stoves .. two of them!
Below: the beautiful Susie Masters owner and operator of the store today! Daughter of Mayhue and Effie! 
Below: signage and look closer... Liberty overalls! 
Below: closer look at Liberty overalls in every size from babies to big guys
Below: toward the rear of the store is the dining area
Below: I can't help thinking of SNL's Cheri Oteri when I see "Who's next?"
Below: scenes in the store.. merchandise and ovens for cooking and collectibles for decoration.
Below: looking past the stove down the main aisle to the front door.
Below: more dining space and iron skillets around the ceiling.
Below: the dining and cooking area with the menu
Below: the menu closer up
Below: today's specials
Below: oil lamps lots of them! Hand even today when the power goes out.
above: one final scene of the skillets... my weapon of choice for attitude adjustments for men... and the rockers and products. Notice in the top right corner.. an old wash board
I'm not going to post too many photos or videos of the store. I don't want to ruin it for folks who may want to experience it in person by oversharing. I feel sure Mayhue would be proud of how his daughter has continued running this lovely country store. She is salt of the earth. The store is a gathering place and Susie and Cathy are the glue in this community. She gets to know all her customers especially the regulars who live nearby. She tries to help everyone who needs it. You can get anything from a good meal, to necessities for home, a quick snack, cigarettes, fuel, a cozy place to visit, to advice on how to approach your landlord about a request. That sort of thing cannot be found in many places today. That is what community is all about and Susie and Cathy, her cousin who helps run the store are responsible for.
Dogs lounging around. Customers on the front porch. Sitting around the wood stove in one of many chairs. A slower pace. A simpler time. It is still out there to be had in quaint little Hilham, Tennessee. Come visit and find out for yourself.
Below is a map of the location of the store alongside Hwy 85 in Hilham. Easy to find.
Last, but not least is the theme song for the store written by Eldon Davis. Give it a listen. It captures the history and spirit very well.
Mayhue Master's Country Store written by Eldon Davis
Below: Front sign of Master's store
Below: front porch of the store with a customer sitting out front talking on his phone to someone. note the firewood on the edge of the porch. The screen door and more benches out there for sitting around chewing the fat.
Below: another thing to take note of outside the store is the BBQ smoker. Made fresh each day when they are open.
Below: signage and look closer... Liberty overalls!
Below: scenes in the store.. merchandise and ovens for cooking and collectibles for decoration.
Below: the dining and cooking area with the menu
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