Big Piney Rock House

Big Piney Rock House

Friday Jan. 26, 2018

Dana & Kenny Koogler

 We went over to visit with John and Sharon in Fentress County on a much needed get 

away weekend.   We have been going through a rough spell in our personal lives thanks to the upheaval caused by having substance abusers in the family.  Relapse is part of recovery, but that doesn't mean its painless. You don't give up. You keep loving . You keep praying. You keep working the 12 steps and you keep trying.   We finally made arrangements with Gabe's other

grandparents and our daughter and son in law to watch him for a weekend.   It worked out great, but what we did not count on was how tired we were.  We also did not count on 

how after awhile the problems at home follow you. You cannot run from things forever.

You gotta talk things out and work on it.  

      The weekend turned out to be rainy on Sunday but the rest of the weekend was pretty fair.

We did hash out our differences and the time away from home and being with friends was good for us.   Below is a quote I have in art work framed and on the wall at my house.  A reminder to keep trying. Never give up. 

“Come, come, whoever you are. Wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving. It doesn't matter. Ours is not a caravan of despair. come, even if you have broken your vows a thousand times. Come, yet again , come , come.”--- Rumi 

     Big Piney Rock House

  Friday we ended up with a few hours to do something.    We needed to keep it short.

We went down into Big Piney gorge to see the massive rock house we found.  We wanted to 

check it out during cold weather.  It is probably very snakey down in there during warm weather.     We went to the Sandy side and started in.     We found the trail in fair shape.

Still lots of overhanging limbs but only one fallen tree.     We made it there and walked down

into the drainage and followed it back to the rock house.  It was pretty cool.  The late afternoon sun had the woods looking golden and smoky.   

 RZR on the trail at the rim of the gulf

Golden sun in late afternoon woods.  

 Finally made it to the rock house.

 Looking out from under it. Nice to see blue skies.

 Taken from the second level of the rock house.

 Late afternoon sun makes its way into the rock house' upper reaches.

 

  Once we'd checked it out we found an easier, quicker way back to the RZR and the trail. 
We went on down to the bottom of the gorge to see the creek. It was wintery and pretty. 

Incredibly clear and sparkling waters of Big Piney Creek.

 Lots of icicles still around. Edges of the stream still frozen.

We did a quick stop by the spot where a cemetery is supposed to be.  We did not find it, but did find the remains of an old structure.  We will have to try again.  I have a way point for next try.

  Saturday-- Trail into Lost Cane 

  Saturday we visited with John and Sharon a bit.  They invited us to have dinner with them.

We told them what we planned to get up to and they opted out.  I told them I had a feeling it might not end up being fun or a success.  Unfortunately I was right.   

We stopped by a house we pass sometimes on Boatland Road.   I had photos of Mrs. Koger's beautiful tiger lilies I had taken one Summer when they were extremely pretty.   I got prints made for her.  I brought her a candle I made.   We stopped for me to take them in. I met her son James and told him what I'd come for. He told me she passed away last June of cancer.  

I was stunned and saddened. I expressed my sympathies and sorrow at having not made it by there in time to meet her. I left the things with him to enjoy and promised to try to be more neighborly.  I went back to the RZR with Kenny and burst into tears as we pulled away.  

Don't hesitate to do something nice for another, because we never know when it may be too late.  Her name was Clarice Koger and she was only 72 years old.  A sweet looking silver haired lady.  I hate that she is gone.   

     We went on to Bills Creek and the upper trail on the ridge.  It was open, but lots of brush to whack me in the face. We finally got on to where we'd found  a side trail we believed led down off the ridge and into Lost Cane just below Frank's Flume.   We pulled over and walked it. 

The plan was to clear it out IF it went where we believed and IF it was not a mammoth task.

We followed the old road, but it did not end up going where we believed.  It would have indeed been too much of an undertaking to clear out.   We finally had to give up and go back.   I was down.

I just didn't care about anything right then.   I was still saddened.  

    We had a nice dinner with John and Sharon and lots of good conversation.   

We finally headed back to the No Tell Motel as I call it.. the Jordan Motel.  We slept and when we went to bed it was raining.  It was to have cleared out by morning, but it didn't.  We went back to Boatland to see John and Sharon and have breakfast. The day was rainy and cold and dreary.  

We said our good byes and headed home.

   It was good to get away, but most of our plans didn't turn out like we wanted. That is not the end of the world.  When you explore sometimes you are going to get disappointed.  At least we have the satisfaction of knowing what we wanted to know and can cross some things off our list.  

     A consolation prize was that at the start of the week a young couple reached out to me for help in finding Rainbow Falls.  I ended up helping them. Friending the lady on Facebook.  They are 

our kinda people!  I am very excited to get to meet them. They are Hippie Jack loving, music loving, outdoor loving, campers, four wheeling peeps!   A second good side effect of helping them?

I found out they can help me get to see Hell Hole and possible some of the other sink holes I want to check out to wrap up my sink hole research project. 

' A third great thing that happened was in studying the map for them I happened upon answers to accessing places I had wanted to reach! I also found new  questions for myself to have brand new Ponders over.  Julia Ross.. You know what I'm talkin' bout gurl!  LOL... The studying on a thing can be nearly as much fun as finally figuring it out!  

  

Big Sink 123" --Round Two! Finishing It Up

New RZR 1000

Big Sink 123" --Round Two! Finishing It Up

St. Valentine's Day Ride 

Dana & Kenny Koogler

Sunday Feb. 14, 2016

   We visited Big Sink a few weeks ago for the first time.  We had wanted to make a return trip to finish exploring that area.  We made it back yesterday in the snow and sleet and wintery mix in 27° temperatures. We bundled up. Kenny even thought to bring me a pair of clear safety glasses and both of us full face masks.  I wore all of it and was glad to have it. I brought us Hot Hands packets. Kenny did not use any, but I stuck some down in my mittens and they felt really good all day.

         Questions we had wanted answers to were:

• Are there any waterfalls up Little Sink Branch?
• Is there a trail along Little Sink Branch from top to bottom? 
• Are there more waterfalls up the un-named stream at the very back of Big Sink?
• Where do the trails go that head RIGHT at the mouth of Big Sink?
• What is back in the hole/cave that is in Big Sink where the way point pings?
• Is it possible to get to Perrys Branch Falls via the trails off Long Rock Rd?
• What is in the small sink hole shown near Suggs Branch?

   Kenny wanted to park somewhere different this time and go a different route. 

I was fine with that so we went in via Sally Gap.   We headed out and started seeing wildlife right away.  We saw deer, turkeys, ducks, a pileated woodpecker, a coyote, signs of hogs, a squirrel.

The RZR handled like a dream and the new fender flares and back windshield kept the mud out.

The new, tough skid plate under the machine protected us against the very rocky trail which at times smashed up into the under carriage.  Thanks Buck for helping Kenny install it so well.  You are a fine friend to have and we love you for it.  Great advice from you always!  

        We stopped once to check out the Caney Fork River and the bluffs along there. 

We had always gone flying past and we both wanted to see them today.    We were glad we stopped to check out the view. Pretty scenery and some interesting rock forms. 

Kenny made these bars to keep the machine protected from stuff mashing up against it. 

He did a beautiful job.  Fabricated them himself from scratch and had NEVER used a pipe bender before to my knowledge.  He painted them with that paint that is bed liner/rhino liner paint!  Makes them even tougher.  

 Huge icicles hanging off the bluff

 Aquamarine waters of the Caney Fork River

Mini arches and passages under the river bluff.

  

           We continued on toward Suggs Branch and went up the hills until at last we found a tiny sink hole pond I had noticed on the map.  We wanted to see if it was a pit cave or some cool water feature?  It was not.  It was a dry sink hole that looks like it must hold water now and then.   It was nothing, but at least we have the satisfaction of knowing now.

Its hard to see, but this is the curving bottom of a small, dry sink hole.  

       We continued to another sink hole that has a couple waterfalls and caves in it. 

We decided to stop there and crawl in one of the caves and check it out.  We knew it would also give us a preview of how the water levels were today elsewhere.  The waterfalls were running, but the flow was low so we kinda figured that our search elsewhere for falls was not going to be as fruitful.    We enjoyed the sight of the falls and icicles and being down in the massive basin.

We also climbed up into the cave for a look. I was surprised to find that while you can hear water in the cave the floor is dry!  The falls emerge from source springs below the cave.

One of two waterfalls in low flow.  

 This shows a glimpse of how far down in a hole we are.  And it is another 50 ft to the bottom of the basin at least.

 Looking out of the cave entrance

Only photo that came out from inside the cave. The rest were so blurry and dark.

Kenny in front of the massive cave entrance in the side of the sink hole basin.

      We climbed back out of the cave and the basin and headed for the four wheeler. Kenny was ready to eat some lunch.   On the climb back down and out I got this side shot of both falls.

Two falls side by side...... they come from underground springs.  The stream flows a short distance and disappears back into the ground all within the sink hole.

        We ate a sandwich back at the RZR.   It was done moving around and standing out in the sleet falling.     It seemed like it was growing colder, but we were at least down out of the wind in here.  That always helps.   We finally got going again as we still had plenty we wanted to check out.    Kenny made all the right connections today in finding a route across Big Bottom Unit.  It was much easier than last try.  

       We could see Little Sink Branch below and a trail continued up it.  We had to stop and saw one or two trees out to continue. When we do that we always walk ahead to scout to see does the trail keep going and are there more trees down ahead?  If it isn't worth it.. its better to just walk.  The trail was continuing and there were no more trees down so it was a pretty worthwhile investment. Little Sink Branch is a pretty hemlock gorge, but the water flow as practically non existent.  It was good to get to check it out, but disappointing that we found no more falls.  I'd still like to go back when we've had a good hard rain for I think there would at least be some pretty cascades in a lovely deep green setting.   The rock forms in the gorge and surrounding it were amazing!   We finally made it to the top... and at plateau level..... the trail dead ended.  On the map it is shown having a connection with the bottom, but it was not the case.   The trail is shown as foot travel sized. I felt like we were fortunate to have found it in as good a condition as it is.  Clearly it is not being traveled. 

          We pressed onward having to lift one tree up a bit to make it under.  I got out and pushed and Kenny pulled the RZR on through.    We stopped to check out the next cave where the way point for Big Sink pings.  It is a newer looking smaller sink hole basin within a larger, older basin.   I had not wanted to go over there alone. Kenny went with me. Sleet still falling and getting harder now.   We walked the bottom of the basin then crept round the edge of it.  

The ground was stable and frozen solid besides.   We saw a large swallet for a wet weather stream.  We crawled into the mouse hole entrance to a cave at the back. It was so neat!

See how ragged the ground looks here?  Soft soil and lots of downed stuff and roots. That entrance over there drinks in the flow of a wet weather stream.

 Close up view of the entranc to the little cave. Kenny is going to get a light.

               Better view of the cave entrance from back further. The dark spot up above to the left is the top of the 2nd entrance which is hidden! 

 Once in the mouse hole front of the cave.. this is your view to the left.. another entrance comes in here!  I crawled over in that part.

 Looking back out of the main cave entrance.

Tight squeeze for a short distance to get inside. I'm inside looking back out.

Looking up into the top of the small cave. In looking at the full sized image I could see five bats. While there I only saw the one.

             

Spider in the cave! 

  Once in the room of the cave it was round with a pointy ceiling like being inside a stone tee pee.  Kenny guessed the dimensions to be 20x10x40 ft high.     It had some neat stone formations in side.   It also had some ice stalagmites.  Here is a short video of inside the cave.

 Once done with this part of our adventure we continued on toward the back of Big Sink.
We decided between us that if the waterfall visible from the trail was not flowing very well we would forego climbing up the creek in order to hunt for more falls. The waterfall had about half the volume it previously did and we decided we'd wait to exert ourselves when we stood a better chance of seeing something worthwhile. I still believe there are more falls, but they may not flow all the time.
Incidentally there WAS water on the un-named stream, but again...... half the volume as before.

         We rode up out of the basin at the very back.    We tried some new side trails today once at Plateau level.    It helped make the connection as to where some of those unknown paths lead.
Back to the main road and we went hard after it to get over in the direction of Perry's Branch.
We found it with no trouble but it turned out about like I imagined.   The area is a maze of trails going this way and that. Many of them go nowhere.  Some dwindle down to foot traffic only and some are so rough that even on foot it wouldn't be easy.   We cliffed out and could go no further.
Kenny hadn't wanted to admit it, but that was how it played out.


      Sleet was pelting us harder now.  It was beginning to sting when it hit me even with my bundled up clothing, face covering and safety glasses.   I was growing cold and I could tell based on how Kenny looked and sounded he was dog tired. He had not gotten enough sleep the night before.
We decided to head back toward Crossville for something hot to eat and get in where it was warm.

              I helped him load the machine up and lock it down for transport.   We were soon under way.
The roads were starting to get slick.   Every time we passed a house with the wood stove going and smoke coming out of the chimney and the lights on it made me long to be home in the warm.
I was really looking forward to a hot shower and fuzzy pajamas.  We pushed on til we got to Rockwood. The roads growing slicker by the minute.  Kenny was drowsy now and beginning to worry me with him trying to drive in that shape.  We went in and got a nice hot meal at Cracker Barrel.   That and talking to Buck on the way home pepped him up and we made it home.
We unpacked everything quickly and were glad to be home safe and dry.  I was wind burned and red eyed despite all the gear, but I was happy just the same.

             What an awesomely fun day!  The hot shower and pajamas and a soft, warm bed never felt better!


Here is a short video of the sink hole waterfall we saw.




****Answers to the questions ****

• Are there any waterfalls up Little Sink Branch--No
• Is there a trail from top to bottom along Little Sink Branch? -- 
• From the bottom up there is, but it dead ends at plateau level. 

• Are there more waterfalls up the  stream at the very back of Big Sink?--

• Not sure. Have to go back and finish checking with more rain fall. 

• Where do the trails go that head RIGHT at the mouth of Big Sink?--

• Forgot to look-Have to do it another trip. 

• What is back in the hole/cave that is in Big Sink where the way point pings?

• Bats and a spider. And one very cool little cave.

• Is it possible to get to Perrys Branch Falls via the trails off Long Rock Rd?

• No. 

• What is in the small sink hole shown near Suggs Branch?

• Nothing. but leaves. and trees. Not even water. 

Frank's Flume

Down in Lost Cane.. one of the places we looked for a 2nd time, but it ain't here!

Frank's Flume 

Saturday Sept. 12, 2015

Dana & Kenny KooglerSharon McGee & John Ungerer

Ricky Roysden

Cliff & Joshua Miller (father & son)

Pictures are here beginning with frame 134

Frank's Flume Pix

   The original plan was  to go visit John & Sharon in Jamestown.  We would celebrate their having moved to Tennessee. We would eat. We'd explore.  Today was going to be the hunt for

Frank's Flume and we were going to find it.     Lathern Hull had been a lot of help and gone out of his way to help me in the search for it.  He sent us waypoints and directions.   The second part of the plan was to finally visit the East Fork Obey Falls. Jeff Moore had been real helpful

in finding an approach to that.  I got up early and put a roast beef on in the crockpot.   We took all that with us and the RZR and down the road we went.  Very excited at the prospect of a fun day with friends.  We had no idea how this was going to turn out.

              We got to John & Sharon's place at Maple Hill where Betty & Klaas DeJong have rented them a cabin.   We all visited and hugged and laughed.   I finally got to meet their cat, Coon.  He is a Maine Coon cat.   He is beautiful.   We plugged up the crockpot on the table outside.  We got going and headed over to their place at the Shabin.    We left on the four wheelers and went up Skinner Mountain.    It was a clear, cool perfect day.  They lent us jackets since we didn't bring anything except rain gear.   

         We had never been down into Lost Cane during the Summer and it is officially still Summer.    We did end up having to clear trail of trees and brush, but not too bad.   

We laid in the way points and headed in that direction.  Lost Cane is always pretty, but I will say that it is foreboding in Summer.   I would not have felt as comfortable had it been warmer. 

It is a snakey place of weeds higher than your head in many areas.   We stopped so John could see Lobster Man.  Kenny went ahead checking the trail for more blow downs while we did that.

        We stopped in certain places along the way to point out where waterfalls usually run

when we have had enough rain.  They dry up to nothing in Summer.   Even the two that I thought flowed year round do not flow in Summer. They were a mere trickle.    We got down

to the bottom and the weeds were unreal.   

This is actually pretty good right here!  The weeds are beginning to die back some.

    The waypoints were off by a lot. I have a feeling it is because I had to convert them for our

GPS to use them.   We checked and hunted. Finally we checked an area we'd already visited and looked before in desperation.   I've been down the disappointment road before and so have John and Sharon.  So has Kenny.  We were let down, but not devastated.  We might have to 

wait to see this thing.   

Here is a view of the area we checked a 2nd time.  

    It was getting on toward lunch time so we sat there and ate a little something.  I heard something to my left.    They disputed me at first.  I kept listening.  It was a four-wheeler. 

Lost Cane is not a place we've ever run into a soul before!   They were looking for something.

They were stopping and starting.  John asked me what I thought they were looking for?

I told him "Probably the same damn thing I'm looking for!"  So when they got down in there near us and stopped.. I couldn't see them but I could hear them. I hollered..... "Woo hoo!? Come over hyere and talk to me?!"  Kenny and then the rest of us headed over there.

We met up with three fellows. Ricky Roysden. Cliff Miller and his son Joshua.   We introduced 

ourselves and they were indeed heading to Frank's Flume. Ricky knows that area extremely well.    They invited us to accompany them with the explanation it would be rough.

We of course did not care and so off we all went.    I had been praying for the Lord to help this work out like it was supposed to and He never fails me!    He sends blessings and help in some unusual and fun ways.

             We had missed a turn by about 1/2 mile. Honestly, were it not for Ricky

we'd never have seen it.  The weeds and the fact that in all the exploring the floor of Lost Cane we had NEVER seen this turn. It is an old trail that gets even less use than the rest of it.

We followed them plowing through weeds and brambles.   We continued past an old wooden

shack that looks like it was used as a livestock shelter on our left.   We were seeing dry creeks

at first then we began seeing water.   We finally just pulled over and stopped.  It was about a mile back in to where Frank's Flume lies.  We walked .25 miles or so one way.

It is a pretty, rugged place.    More trees down and more trail clearing.    Big rocks and small rocks of odd shapes!    I asked Ricky if this was the old Blue Banks Road. He told me no that was further out off Manson Road.  Yet this area is the start of Blue Banks geologically.

There is blue clay in the hillsides here.   

             Starting to see water again!  

 Chunks of drying blue clay

Blue clay layers in the hillside

Closeup of beech drops.   They are parasitic on the roots of beech trees.

Pretty back in this holler

John along side Franks Flume for perspective.  

It is not a real high water feature, but it is pretty and unusual.

We hadn't gone too far on that rocky slick creek bed when someone sang out Here it is!

Franks Flume at last.   It is like a round keyhole in the bluff with water pouring out.

It runs all the time while the rest goes dry.  Minnows swam in the creeks back here!

  Sharon and I had to hoot and holler a big ole WOooooo Hooooo!  In jubilation and gratitude at having found it at last!  Like finding treasure! And getting new friends as part of that treasure!   Told you it was a good and unexpected day.   :-)  Ricky showed us another hole in the bluff that he says water shoots out of during times of high water.   It was dry today.  This feature flows constantly, but it varies with rainfall amounts.  There is an abandoned gas pipe that goes all the way back there and beyond!    

Below is a video of the flume that shows how neat it is compared to the photo.

  We went our ways, but met up again later.  A tree had fallen over the path on the way back!
In just that short time another one down!   We met Ricky, Cliff and Joshua again up top. We rode with them a bit more and they showed us yet another loop on the mountain.   I had that feeling
going through the depths of the next mountain holler through dark woods and pines..... I can't believe this is real.  Yet it is! It was a great day.

             We finally tore ourselves away. They had a gathering at Mr. Fleurs house (Flowers)
they invited us to. We declined for this time though it was mighty tempting.   We went back to the shabin and put stuff away.  Then we headed back to Maple Hill for a nice supper.
Today was a dream.  Sitting eating roast beef and taters and carrots outdoors on a cool evening.
A meadow of gorgeous late Summer wildflowers behind us.    Life is sweet and we are blessed indeed!

Bryants Cove Four-Wheeling

Rhexia marianna--growing in a wetland at the start

of the Bryant's Cove Ride.  (Maryland Meadow Beauty)

Four-Wheeling Bryant's Cove 

Kenny & Dana Koogler

Saturday August 2, 2014

Pictures are here: Bryants Cove Pix

43 mile Round Trip Ride

     Kenny & I wanted to get away and do something different.   We hadn't been four-

wheeling since April.   I was longing for my beautiful Cumberland Plateau.   We had talked 

about going exploring, but hadn't done any of that for months.   It was time.  Kenny did not

want to go camping.  We planned a get away weekend out in the Plateau with a stay at a motel.

Less work for Kenny that way not having to pull the camper.   He had been to Bryants Cove, long ago, but I had never been.  We decided that would be a fun trip.   I had no expectations. 

I did not want to feel obliged to find anything.  I did not want to continue my pattern of doing

things over as a sure bet.   

         We headed over early Saturday morning because the drive would be long.
Kenny was a champ and found the parking spot and road access to Bryants Cove he'd used before.  I had done some additional research Friday evening and had an idea where we were 
supposed to be starting out.    It worked out perfectly. He still had the track on the GPS from 
the last trip with Buck.  We parked back Pryor Ridge past the church at an old lot full of log trucks.   We saw one other vehicle and trailer that appeared to be someone else riding, but we did not run into that person on this trip.  They were gone by the time we got back. 

      We took a wrong turn at first and headed out past a swamp. I'm glad we did make a wrong turn because it was a pretty area with rhexia galore!  

 

Top: Wetland swamp

Bottom: Maryland Meadow Beauty 

    We got turned around and heading the right direction.  The GPS makes it easier to get yourself

oriented and it beeps periodically to let you know you're on track.   It was not long until we came to an 

area of sandstone filled with rose pinks and blazing star.  I got some photos and found something I did 

not even know was possible.  I found white blazing star blooming in the midst of all the normal, purple/pink

variety!   Lots of butterflies were around feeding on nectar.

Top: Normal pink blazing star

Bottom: White form of blazing star

  We rode on through red dirt and gravel tracks.  We went through mud holes.  The sun was shining. The skies were blue with puffy clouds.  It was a warm day, but not too hot.   We had dragonflies buzzing past and butterflies flitting from flower to flower.    Frogs hopped all around 

those mud holes.   Every so often I need to smell dust and red clay.  I can't have things groomed

perfect and touristy all the time.  A person has to have some grit in their gizzard now and then to

cope with life.    I was going to make certain this weekend I got PLENTY OF IT!

     The forest was deep and green. Healthy hemlock groves. Umbrella magnolia, sycamore, hickory, maple, beech and oak were some of the trees represented in the forest.   The sun shone

down through the groves of trees making dappled patterns.    The air began to change and grow cooler.   The further we went the cooler it grew.  Usually losing elevation means its going to warm up.   Today we went lower and the air was cooler.  We both knew what that meant.  Out here in the Cumberland Plateau you are likely nearing a cave when you feel that cool air!  We were in bottom land now with lots of weeds and lush grass.  Purple phlox was all around smelling so sweet.   Mud holes of black loam stood full of water.   We looked to one side and there was the cave we'd felt air

coming out of!  I am not sure, but I think this is Peter Cave.  I have not been able to find any info on what the entrance to it looks like. 

 Nearby this cool entrance was a snake. It looks like a rattlesnake from the pattern.  I also saw a tiny green frog about 1/2 inch long!

       

      Kenny remarked when we stopped to check out the cave "Oo! This place looks snakey!".
I had to agree with him.  He went in the general direction of the cave. I was taking photos of tadpoles and checking out frogs.   I heard him yip from behind me and I knew something was wrong.  He was pale and backing away. He'd been right about the snakey comment.  He came an ace of stepping on one in the weeds.   We decided it was best for us to mosey on.

      We went further up the cove and saw the typical rocky, dry river beds of the plateau's karst land.   Swallets stood along the edges of some of these dry washes waiting like large open mouths for the water to return for them to drink.   We saw something move to the drivers side and it was a 
green heron!   Today we saw lots of wildlife.   Here is what we saw:

• two deer
• half dozen turkeys
• pair of wood ducks
• two hawks
• lots of trout
• minnows
• frogs
• one copperhead
• one muskrat
• a beaver dam but no beavers visible
• two cardinals
• one indigo bunting

• one green heron

     
We turned and went up a side trail that did not look familiar just to see where it went. It was through an ugly area where they were logging.  Finally we turned around and headed back to follow the track we were supposed to be on.  We soon passed an old building.  Turns out is is the Bryant's Cove Church.  It had a big sign on it that said "No Camping", but right past it was a travel trailer.  I guess that is the manse.  Gotta love living in the Bible Belt.  Here in Tennessee you pass signs just anytime telling you things like "Its time to turn so you don't burn." and "Get Right with Jesus while its still time!"  I'm not making fun. I'm a believer in Christ.  It just tickles me some of the stereotypical sign hanging behavior.  I can't help having a fondness for preachers with nicknames like "Cotton" and "Mutt". It sounds like where I come from in Virginia.  Only the men there with those nicknames were not exactly preachers.  My Pawpaw was "Shine" Bradley.

 

Top: Bryants Cove Church

Middle: Placquard on the front of the church

Bottom: I guess the trailer is the parsonage.

    The river began having a little water in it.  We followed it along and eventually we came to a spot
where I got my first glimpse of something I had not seen in awhile.  The beautiful aquamarine color of the waters of the Little Sequatchie River.   The color I associate with the Cumberland Plateau.   It was hot out.  
The river was deep in shade and looked so inviting.  I saw two large trout and a school of smaller fish swim past.   A nice sunny, hot day and a clear stream of sparkling green water was too hard to resist so I didn't 
even try.  I shucked off and dived in head first.   The water was cold even for me, but once I got in and was wet it became easier to tolerate.   It was that spicy kind of cold.  Water so cold it feels hot.  Makes your skin turn red.  Steam was coming up and fog hanging in the valley over the stream. Rain drops fell now and then out of a clear sky and steam came up.  I was doing the back stroke looking up at a blue sky and dark green
leaves on the trees.   I rolled over and gathered a mouthful of water and sprayed it like a fountain.  I was a cartoon character.  Moments like this make lasting, special memories for me.  Times like this I feel truly and fully alive.   Glad to live where I do and be who I am. 

My swimming hole for the day.  

     Kenny reminded me we still had a long way to go.   I reluctantly got out and dried off with a towel and put my stuff back on.  We went further up the river and encountered some people.  All 
other riders who were out for the day.  We chatted with them a bit and traded info. They were nice men and very helpful.   The one man indicated we were heading the correct way to find a waterfall that was supposed to be along this loop.  We were hoping to see two falls today. I had read about them and had seen photos.  Kenny had seen both of them on his trip three years earlier and so far was doing a great job of re-creating the route.   

Kenny and me visiting with a couple other riders.  The fellow in the gray tee shirt was very helpful.

       He told us about Miners Path and said we would not like it that it was washed out.
 We followed our track on around to where the waterfall should be and we found it.  It was flowing, but
the typical Summer low water flow.  It was a pretty spot to stop and have lunch by the stream.   We saw
a few more people some of whom were camping in the area.  What I found disconcerting was all the beer bottles, beer cans, soda cans, and trash.  Someone had put out a plastic drum to collect trash, but
it was nearly overflowing.  The campers we saw were throwing their litter on the ground.   They had trashbags with them, but were not bothering to use them.  Two legged pigs.  Whatever we haul in... we haul out!

 

 Small scenic cascade in Bryant's Cove, TN 

     We did some more exploring and found a side trail that ended. We doubled back and hit Miner's Path and found out that it WAS indeed washed out.   We went up and down that rough thing.  We got down in the ditch at one point and before you knew it... we were laying over on the side.   Kenny winched us out of that predicament. I laughed like crazy.   It was funny to me.  

He had just fixed the winch the night before we left and boys howdy.. I was so glad!  We sure needed it today.    We finally made it to the top and back out on the dirt road for the next leg of the trip we were surprised to find the sky had turned black and a thunder storm was coming!

       Top: Seeing the world sideways
Bottom:  Darkened skies threatening a Summer storm.  It rained shortly after we saw this and it continued for a couple hours! 

   The next part of the trip involved red dirt and sandstone trails up to the top of the mountain.
Next we went on the gravel or hard top road a short distance and began closing the loop.  We saw several interesting rock houses and bluffs. We enjoyed the sight of healthy, deep green forests.
We had some views out across the plateau at one point.    We found the spot where another waterfall was supposed to issue forth out of the bank and drop into a sink hole. It was not flowing today, but it was still a pretty area.  I suppose it does not flow all the time.

      We had another loop to complete and I was offered a chance to NOT do that loop.
From the point where was sat it would have been a three mile ride back to the truck.  I was having a good time and not wanting to miss anything so I agreed we'd see it through no matter what.
No getting mad at what transpired after that, because I asked for it.  

    The next part of the trip was about another 11 miles with the last five miles rougher than a cob.
It was over river jacks and other rough huge boulders.  Reminded me of the end part of Lost Cane.    Dry wash from Hell.    It was so bad that we both had our doubts if we were even going the correct way. Kenny confessed that both times he was wishing Please please just get me out of here!  He did not bother to tell me that before hand, but there was nothing for it now.  
Shake my teefs out honey!  What it did.   The scenery was still pretty.  We stopped a couple times just to get some relief from the violent shaking and jarring of the ride.   The Little Sequatchie is down to holes of water on this part.   Some of the holes of water were clear and rather shallow and you could see fish swimming.  Other holes were dark to the point you could not plumb the depths.
The surface of these holes was like a mirror.  Aggravating and rough as it was... I'm still glad I went.   We made it out ok at last and we were both darn glad to see the truck again!

    It was a tiring, but satisfying day. A successful ride.  A safe ride.  And for all my bitching about the roughness of that one section.. I know I will go back for more.  The enjoyment and discovery 
far outweighs the discomfort.  The rain had stopped.  The sunset was pretty. 

That evening as we went to dinner in Jasper the valley below Monteagle was lined with wisps of cloud and the sun was sinking low.   We both know we have only scratched the surface of what this place holds.  We will be back.

Beaver pond and swamp along the trail. You can see his lodge out there!

   

Mirrored surface of a section of Pocket Creek where it has dried up to holes.