Did I say I hate the cold?

So, I’ll go ahead and confess that I slept in my car, and while it wasn’t any warmer, it certainly made things a lot easier in the morning. Fortunately, the temperature remained tolerable until sunset and a hot bowl of faux pho (phaux?) and a hot shower kept me warm a lot longer.

Rémy looks askance at my faux pho bowl. He thinks he’d like something with more meat in it.

I will also freely admit that sleeping in a car is hardly the most comfortable way to sleep. I tossed and turned all night. But, it did make it easier to get up and out in the morning. And, as I drove to Tim’s Ford State Park, I eyed the threatening sky with trepidation. But despite the fact it looked as if it could rain at any second, the rain never materialized, and I was able to hike three trails before lunch time, the last of which was an ADA-approved paved trail from the Lost Creek Overlook back to the Visitors’ Center. I was delighted to be able to get a handicapped-accesible trail into the book.

View from Lost Creek Overlook.

Then, as I walked back to the Visitors’ Center, I noticed that they had a building that housed four birds. And the first bird was a Red-tailed Hawk named Bella (A “Twilight” fan must have been responsible for her name) that had to be caged because her wing was damaged beyond repair. She was a beautiful bird and I was able to confirm that I had indeed found a Red-tailed Hawk feather on the Gilbert Gaul trail. There were also a buzzard and a Great Horned Owl as well as an empty cage.

Because it was so early, and because the temperature was supposed to drop below freezing that night, I made the decision to go ahead and drive back to South Georgia where it would, hopefully, be warmer. And it was! By the time I was south of Macon, the temperature had climbed nearly 20 degrees.

The Savannah Film Festival begins tomorrow, and I have yet to decide how much of that I intend to attend. It looks like there is going to be a warming trend in Tennessee next week and I still have four parks remaining for my Fall deadline. It’s going to be awfully difficult to pass up my last chance for warm weather.

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Verizon-less

That is to say, as soon as I entered Fall Creek Falls State Park yesterday I was without phone and internet service until I left again this morning. And while the day was a bit warmer in the morning, it was also grey and drizzly. As a matter of fact, I woke up in the night feeling that it had warmed up (my face no longer stung from the cold) and shortly thereafter I heard that telltale pitter patter as raindrops struck the nylon fly of the tent. Before I panicked about packing up a wet tent, I reminded myself of the story I had read just that morning about a Chinese farmer, the moral of which being that you never know when something is going to be a blessing or a curse. It is a fact and you should wait to see what happens. So, I thought, trying to get comfortable on my sleeping pad, I will wait to see what happens. Sure enough, the rain stopped before dawn and the tent dried out before I had to pack it.

The eponymous falls

The next day remained grey and threatened rain, but it cleared up by nightfall and proceeded to get cold and windy. I could hear the hickory nuts dropping around me (and on the car and tent) like miniature bombs. I was fortunate enough, though, not to be hit directly.

So, yesterday, I hiked a new trail at the park that ambled through the woods before following the shores of a lake. It was named after a Civil War artist named Gilbert Gaul, who had lived in the area. Despite the grey, the 4-plus miles was a lovely walk. It reminded me (minus the hemlocks) of walks I used to take in the woods behind Briarpatch, our former home in Pike County. The highlight of that hike was the feather I found. I’m pretty sure it belongs to a Red-tail Hawk, but I could be wrong. Either way, it made me happy.

Rémy regards my find. A bird that big could carry him away!

Today, I drove to Old Stone Fort State Park and hiked the self-guided trail around what was once a Native American fort between the forks of the Little Duck and Duck Rivers. The fort was used ceremonially as well as for protection. And, in the afternoon, I opted for an old paved trail that traversed a meadow alongside the Duck River. The picture makes it look like it was a beautiful day but it was actually cold and windy—I was wearing a silk long john shirt, a long-sleeved t-shirt, a pile pullover AND a raincoat. Did I say that I get cold easily? There’s a reason I live in a warm place.

The paved path . . .

Speaking of which, I may be sleeping in my car tonight. It’s supposed to drop into the 30s again and while I can stay warm in my sleeping bag, my Raynaud’s makes my fingers useless once I’m out in the open. I barely got the tent packed away this morning. Definitely something I am seriously considering . . .

Cumberland Mountain

First let me say that it was a lot colder than I like this morning: 39 degrees. I lost the feeling in my toes, but fortunately my fingers were fine. But it is supposed to get colder, and I am not looking forward to taking down a tent with numb fingers . . .

Morning Prayer, pre-dawn, with Rémy.

That being said, it was a beautiful day and I had an enjoyable time hiking the Pioneer Trail here at Cumberland Mountain State Park. I ran into a lot of wildlife again: two striped garter snakes, a shrew climbing a log, lots of chipmunks and some timid deer. I also saw a couple of Wooly Mammoth Caterpillars:

Most of hike was along Byrd Creek on a pine straw-strewn path between rhododendron and mountain laurel. But this particular rock formation was fun to hike through:

Fat Man’s Squeeze

Tomorrow: Fall Creek Falls. And I am praying that it doesn’t rain. Though, I have rain gear, if necessary.

The Re-hikes

I left early this morning to drive back up to Tennessee and re-hike the Council of Trees Trail at Red Clay State Park and the Bay Loop Trail at Harrison Bay State Park. The first hike was pleasant but not far different from the first time I hiked it. But, the second hike today was wonderful. The weather was perfect and this time I saw loads of wildlife.

In addition to meeting two snakes, I also passed some mallards floating on the lake, a

The first snake.

 

great blue heron and five deer. The first two deer looked up, briefly, as I walked by, but then went back to grazing. The second deer nearly took my breath away. She was only about three feet away and looked at me with the very definition of doe eyes. She stamped her foot and I felt like she was saying, “please don’t make me regret standing here.” I smiled and continued walking. Later, I passed another couple of deer who barely glanced up as I passed by.

Now Rémy and I are ensconced in our campsite, and as it heads toward sunset, the temperature is cooling rapidly. Time to make dinner.

 

Rémy is not sure about the idea of green tea.

On the road again . . .

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Venetian Victoria

. . . or hiking, rather. I set out tomorrow to make a few corrections to the two parks I already hiked, and to hike four new (to me) parks: Cumberland Mountain, Fall Creek Falls, Old Stone Fort and Tim’s Ford State Parks.

Then, back to Georgia in time to pick up my pass for the 8-day Savannah Film Festival. And then there will be one more round of parks before I hibernate for the winter.

Venetian Victoria . . . still waiting

“Delta Dawn” will remain behind to keep watch for her “Magic Man.”

And I’ll be taking along her new friend, Rémy, so he can continue to help me with my ongoing photo project.

Rémy anticipates the trails of Tennessee.

La Vie Bohème

Feluccas on the Nile taken during a brief cruise down the Nile.

We are all wanderers of this earth, our hearts are full of wonder and our souls are full of dreams.

~~Romany saying