Fun ride along River Walk in Chattanooga
8 miles along river and winds around downtown and waterfront all the way to Chickamauga Dam

Scenic but not a trail where you can ride fast. There are lots of twists and turns around the city then it gets easier.   But it is well used by joggers, and bikers.   Follow the blue railing as there are a few spots where other trails turn off this main trail.

"if these walls could talk" on the Old Settlers Trail 

Our Get on Trail 2n Oct hike split up the group where one went in along Redwine creek and ended up 6.5 miles later close to McCarter Barn. The 2nd  group went in at McCarter Barn and hiked past Redwine to Steiner Bell man way for 9 miler.  We arranged some "key swapping" before hand to make it work. But both groups got to see a dozen old chimneys, walls, and glimpse into what used to be an active community.  And we all commented that we are glad that hikers are aware that while it is great to look it, it is not okay to take out any artifax from the Park.  That would ruin this historic hike for others for years to come.   The McCarter Barn area is close to a little red radio building (across street) and you can park 4-6 cars along the highway off the road but don't block the gate.  Then Redwine area is close to Bent Creek where you can put a few cars across the street on side of road but need a knowledgable guide to help you find the manway which leads to Old Settlers Trail   

Great Hike for Young, Old, Beginners @ Bud Ogle Nature Trail

Our first hike for 2011 Get on Trails w/ Friends and Missy took 60plus folks up to Mynatt park (up off beginning of Motor Nature Trail).  There we hit the Twin Creeks trail that is a pretty 1.7 mile trail across little creeks and rock walls to Twin Creeks Science Center.  At that juncture you keep going on the trail a quarter mile and you come to junction with nature trail (straight) or left up to the Noah "Bud" Ogle farm site.   We went that way and enjoyed former GSNMP dispatcher Glen Cantrell tell us about life in this area back in mid 1900's as he used to pick apples in this area.  (hence the name Cherry Orchard rd etc)
A preserved cabin and barn can be seen and up by parking area you can pay 50 Cents for a nice little brochure with 12 "sites" to see along a nature trail that leaves the area and makes a loop back to twin creeks trail.   Park Volunteer Jim Burbank took about 15 of us on this extra one mile loop and both a 8 year old (max) to our 70 + folks enjoyed the stops along the way to see a still standing "tub" mill w/ horizonal water wheel, rock piles from old "weaner" cabin where younger adults lived close enough to their parents to help with chores but far away enough to have their "own space" too.

There is some parking along the road (motor nature trail/cherry orchard) to park at the bud ogle place and then do this one mile hike.   Or you can start at mynatt park and walk the 1,9 miles to the home place and add on the loop.  But it is worth the trip and great spot for an easy hike.

Tour de Cure & Club Vibes Cyclist helping others

Fall is a great time to not only hike but also to enjoy East Tenn on your bike.  Tour de Cure was a great ride in Monore/Loudon county where Rotary and other sponsors help Boys and Girls Club and Habitat in that area. www.tourdecure.com and check out the routes as the scenery was great.   Then Club Vibes is always looking for more folks to help bring a tandem, donate, or volunteer to be a Pilot.   They meet once or twice a month and Sue Buckly (pres of smoky mountain wheelman and visually impaired herself) help get other blind riders there and pair them with seeing cyclist to allow all to have a great time outdoors. www.club-vibes.org      To check out list of great routes and rides this fall a good site is www.smwbike.org

Martha W Inn and Creeper Trail can't be beat

Staying at the Martha Washington Inn in Abbingdon Va. is a treat in itself, but adding on the Virginia Creeper Trail with it,  CAN'T be beat.    The Martha Washington Inn was generous to help support FS Regional Hope Center w/ an auction donation this summer, so I told the manager I'd put out an email to see if some of my Fit and Fun Friends would like to join me for a stay at the Inn w/ some bike riding on the Creeper Trail.  Day one the ladies and bud Jerry Owens (long time family friend and photog WBIR) set out from the Inn and rode bikes (or drove car) to Abbingdon Winery.  It is close to Avelerado which is on the trail and winery half mile off the trail.  It was lovely spot with some cute gifts and wine tasting.  It was only about 85 miles from the Martha to the winery so a nice 19 mile ride and rolling hills not too bad.  Day 2 most of the ladies (some did walking tour of Abbingdon) and Jerry and hiking buddy Carl who drove in that morning, heading to the trail to ride again.  Some of the ladies drove to Damascus and got a shuttle to top, you can also get a shuttle at Abbingdon Bike store next to trailhead.   So some of us ended up going all the way to Damascus on the lower half which is up and down and over beautitful farm land and woods.   The 2nd half from Damascus to Taylors Landing is flat then uphill but not too steep.   We often stop at Taylors landing across the water and bridge to eat at Cafe where we enjoy beans cornbread etc  From that spot to the top gets a little steeper but we saw more color already popping out.  On the way down we stopped off at Damascus at cute roadside cafe that has pastries, sandwiches and ice cream.  (good thing we biked so much) Then some of us still had the 17 miles to go back thru Alverado (open on weekends) which now has a nice new restroom area etc.  Then we finally arrived back at The Martha at 5 pm   So we did a 9-5 day of biking.  You don't have to bike that much to enjoy the Creeper Trail or area.  The AT crosses the Creeper trail 3 times and so there are lots of great hikes close by as well.  And if you get the chance to stay at the historic Martha Washington Inn (Barter Theatre across the street) you should. Every room full of history and beautifully furnished.  Some ladies enjoyed the spa and hot tub pool area too which was thoroughly enjoyed.   Ask them for group rates especially if you are willing to go midweek.  And the Creeper trail is popular but less traffic (bike, foot, horse) on the weekdays. www.marthawashingtoninn.com  www.virginiacreeper.com