East lakeshore trail Tellico 22 miles of beauty

The volunteer hikers from Tellico Water works association invited me to come out and walk part of the amazing 22 miles of lakeshore trails around Tellico Lake.  They have been working on trails since 2002 and now have made 6-8 neat hikes and they log close to a marathon in length.   This trail the East Lakeshore Trail is a relatively easy trail without much climbing but oh so pretty around the edge of the lake with lots of shade.    Ann and her fellow hiking buds and volunteers said they have 3 different hike groups in the TEllico area as a magazine recently said this area was amoung the top 10 retirement communities in the country and I can see why. www.tellicowater.org  and they have directions  We went over the bridge and dam close to Lenoir City headed straight out 321 few miles then right at 95 then few miles and rt at a brown sign for east lakeshore trail

Memorial day bike at West Bike Shop

Yes it was Hot and Humid but also a great day for a memorable
bike ride. West Bike shop (sponsor of my Teenage Fit and Fun PBS show 1 pm PBS)

put on a great ride w/ 200 plus riders on a mid 90 degree day.   Sheriff escort and super rest stops helped us all enjoy a great ride despite the heat.

Cades Cove to Big Creek two great parks to see in one day

Got up on Memorial Morning and grateful to be able to do all the wonderful activities we get to do as a free country ... thanks to our veterans..     One buddy (sharon) is doing her 900 mile GSMNP trail map and needed a 1.2 section up around Indian Graves Gap off Cades Cove road.    We met up and did around 4 miles on a gorgeous day.  At 8 am in the GSMNP it was actually cool and pleasant.  Then after a little time at work and meeting with a sponsor of Fit and Fun (Dr. Michael Beeler Masterpiece Smiles) in Norris I headed to Big Ridge State park .. (( off norris exit for App museum take right. past the dentist office about 11.5 miles to the park.)))    I am going to lead a hike here for the Get on Local trails series (Legacy park/TCSC) this summer in July.    What a lovely state park with great areas for camping, picnic, play, fishing, biking, water activities.  My 11 year old Gracie B and bud Jenna E biked around and saw some nice cabins I plan to rent out soon  There are many 1.0-1.5 mile trails that can be put together for a nice hike.   The rangers at the Big Ridge State park were very nice and had maps etc.

Bryson City Get A Way

  A few hiker/biker buds decided after the spring GEt on Trail Spring hikes w/ Friends of the Smokies were over to head to Bryson City for an overnight trip   It is not a bad drive thru the park during the middle of the week.  We drove over 441 towards Cherokee and 3 of us decided right past Oconoluftee Visitor Center to drive up on Blue Ridge Parkway do bike 10-12 miles.   Yes it is hilly but OH so worth the climbs.   And during mid week there are not many cars at all on this gorgeous scenic parkway.   After a few hour bike we drove just a few more miles to Cherokee and had picnic lunch.  Then we met most of the rest of the group in Bryson City (10 miles from Cherokee) and biked on the Road to Nowhere.  If you park at the high school, it is only about 8 miles to the tunnel.  This is the tunnel that was going to lead to the long road across the mountains to Fontana area of the GSMNP.   It ended up being a road that would cost 10x the original price and also was going to damage the wildlife and waters around the area.  WE learned a lot about this where we stayed at the Historic Calhoun House.  Owner Luke helped work out a settlement for the county which has helped their economy while preserving the beauty of that area  After a nice dinner and hanging out at the Calhoun, we had a great breakfast then headed out the Lakeshore Drive (Rd to nowhere) again and this time hikes a few short loops close to the tunnel.  Goldmine loop then Noland Creek trails are nice hiking trails with lots of shade and pretty flowers.