Sams Creek Manway

above: pioneer junk.. an old wash tub lying about on the manway

Sams Creek Manway

Kenny & Dana Koogler 

 Sunday Nov 16 2025

 We had quite spell of sickness the past two weeks. Plans blown to smithereens for our 41st Wedding Anniversary.   None of what we had planned took place.   Despite all that by Sunday Kenny was finally well.  We were able to attend worship service at our home church Rocky Branch Baptist.    We went home after to have lunch, rest and see what we'd make of the rest of the day. The weather was beautiful. Clear and crisp with the temperature seventy degrees at the house.    Kenny asked me if I'd like to go over to the park to take a stroll?  I was happy to hear him say it.     I'd had more than enough being cooped up.   

     We went over to Tremont around 3:30 p.m. to find plenty of parking at the road's end.

Still a fair number of hikers out and fishermen, but not a terrible crowd.   I still wasn't in the mood for a bate of hikers so we chose Sam's Creek instead of the main trail. It had been way too long between visits.   It was beautiful.  We got out of the truck where we parked. The holler back there was dimming by that time and the temperature was sixty-three degrees!  A little chilly with my shorts on, but I got moving and I was perfectly comfortable.  

       We encountered more fellow hikers on this manway than I ever have before.  We saw at least eight people. Six out of them were leaving as we arrived.  The last two were coming in as we hiked out.    We ended up hiking a bit further than we'd thought. Kenny was so fatigued on Friday that just being out for a little over an hour to eat at McAllister's did him in.   I did not want to press our luck by going too far.   We enjoyed the pretty scenery, fallen leaves, little bit of remaining color, history, the cascades and the start of Betsy Lee's Stick Season!  

       Below: the steel I beam bridge over Sam's Creek

above and below: two views of spots along this lovely stream. 

Below: Kenny ahead of me on the manway with the sun still in the sky, but the gloaming has come to this holler.   The dimming of the day. 

above: old wash tub junk at Long Branch crossing. If you look closely you can see this was bridged at one time. 

above and below: looking at the rock work of the old bridge abutments and walls on Long Branch

Below:  you can see the sun and Autumn colors high up, but down lower near this beautiful stream it is darker and cooler.   It is tranquil and pretty. 





Last of all is a short video clip of the stream and some mournful music that sets the mood for the place.  The music is Autumn Stillness by Violin Sky

  I cannot hike back here without thinking of Big Will Walker and his many wives. Two of which helped him bear the children that led to me having ALL FOUR of my grandchildren!  

I hope when I get to Heaven he is one of the first people I get to see to thank him.  God is great every single day.  His wonders to perform!