Just returned from backpacking in the Roan Highlands along the NE Tennessee/Western North Carolina border. We covered around 42 miles in three days on the Appalachian Trail. We climbed over grassy balds and walked through mountain top evergreen forests. We reached elevations over 6000 feet. It was three days of hard hiking but in the end it was worth it. The picture above was taken near the end at a place known as Beauty Spot. The picture in no way does it justice. I’ll just say that Beauty Spot has to be one of the top scenic views in the entire southeastern United States. Incredible. The scene above stretches around for almost 360 degrees.
At least, he did when I was a kid. “Fantastic Features” aired on WHBQ-TV in Memphis, TN from 1962 – 1972. The host was Sivad, “…your Monster of Ceremonies.” Sivad was played by Watson Davis. Sivad is just Davis spelled backwards. The scary fellow created by Mr. Davis became a Memphis icon. How many vampires do you know with a southern accent? Even if I did not watch the movie that followed, I always watched the opening…
We were fortunate to have NOLS photographer Brian Hensien along on the Wind River trip out in Wyoming. Brian is a great guy and good friend and my eyes and ears on the ground back in Lander. We had a blast taking some night time photos such as this one along the East Fork River. I supplied the light inside the tent for 5 seconds while Brian continued to expose the image for another 25 seconds or so. A great memory. Can you pick out the Big Dipper?
My education in things outdoors continues. For the next two weeks my classroom will be the Wind River Wilderness in Wyoming. I’ll leave you with a poem by Robert Frost, who regularly appears here at Scott’s Corner. I am now incommunicado.
Into My Own
One of my wishes is that those dark trees,
So old and firm they scarcely show the breeze,
Were not, as ’twere, the merest mask of gloom,
But stretched away unto the edge of doom.
I should not be withheld but that some day
Into their vastness I should steal away,
Fearless of ever finding open land,
Or highway where the slow wheel pours the sand.
I do not see why I should e’er turn back,
Or those should not set forth upon my track
To overtake me, who should miss me here
And long to know if still I held them dear.
They would not find me changed from him they knew-
Only more sure of all I thought was true.
I’ve always thought that the music that came out of California in the 60’s and early 70’s was… well… Cool! And I’d heard The Byrds, and Buffalo Springfield and knew that they had a really special sound that involved the melding of musical genres, that is- a little bit country a little bit rock and roll. But when this song came out in 1972, it quickly became one of my favorites. It still is. This song is the perfect country/rock statement. The lyrics, harmonies and chord progression sounds just as fresh today as it did in ‘72. I really love Bernie Leadon’s work on the telecaster here. Glen Frey’s lead vocals are perfect. Randy Meisner and Don Henley supply the rythm and round out those trademark Eagles harmonies. Add it all up and you’ve got California country/rock perfection. Turn it up, roll down the windows and enjoy.
I finally made it to the top of Mt. Yonah. I have driven past it many times on my way up to the North Georgia Mountains. Mt. Yonah, with its’ bald brow of exposed granite, can be seen to your right if you’re driving from Cleveland to Helen. Popular with rock climbers, the Army Rangers even train there at times. We took the trail up and it’s a steady climb to the top. I made it up in just under 1 hour. Our hike began at 6:30pm and we hung around for the sunset. Then by headlamp and flashlight we made our way back down the mountain. More pics are available on my Facebook page.
It was exactly one year ago, on just my third hike with the Atlanta Outdoor Club, that I hiked this trail. Beginning on the Bear Creek Trail before taking the “connector” over to the Mountaintown Creek Trail we pass the Gennett Poplar, the second largest tree in the state. I’m happy to report that the tree is still leafy green at the top, its’ long straight trunk stretching skyward. The tree measures 18 feet in circumference. The trail is well maintained with signs posted at every turn. We crossed the creek several times along the way at times near knee deep in the water. Here’s a picture I took of my good friend Danny standing in front of the Gennett Poplar.
I finally made it to the top of 
