Still sailing Privateer Yacht Club celebrates 75 years
Naturalist 101 Continue on one local's journey to State Naturalist certification
AUGUST 2015 NOVEMBER 2014 GetOutChattanooga.com GetOutChattanooga.com
TOP 10
falls find our area’s best waterfalls
Contents
AUGUST 2015 | Volume 5 | Issue 8
Waterfall Guide A roundup of the majesty around you 39
foster falls
By Gabrielle Chevalier
Features
Forester. Well-equipped at $22,195** There’ a whole lot to love about this 2015 Subaru Forester.® The spacious interior. The capacity. The Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with 32 mpg.* Plus, it’s a 2015 IIHS Top Safety Pick. Put it all together, and it’s a vehicle you will always be able to depend on. Love. It’s what makes a Subaru, a Subaru.
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Fun on the Water
52
PYC still going strong after 75 years by kelsie bowman
I’m a Naturalist
58
Writer Sunny Montgomery learns more about the natural world
By sunny montgomery
photo: alan cressler
Departments Fresh Air Nature 10 9 Running 10 Birding. 12 Hiking. 14 Cycling. 16 GO Kids. 16 18 Paddling. 20 18 Camping 22 Climbing 24 Fishing 26
Your Best Month Adventure 30
Wakesurfing
Destination 32
Closest place to go caving
Gear Made Here 34
Noke’s Granola
Eat Right 36 Peach crisp
Calendar 37
Upcoming events
On the cover Alan Cressler at the falls on Middle Daniel Creek, Cloudland Canyon. PHOTO: manuel beers
Regulars rom the Editor. 4 F End of the Trail. 66
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Subaru and Forester are registered trademarks. *EPA-estimated hwy fuel economy for 2015 Subaru Forester 2.5i CVT modelsw. Actual mileage may vary. **MSRP excludes destination and delivery charges, tax, title, and registration fees. Retailer sets actual price. 2015 Subaru Forester 2.5i Limited pictured has an MSRP of $28,095
AUGUST 2015
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From the Editor OutsideYour Window
AUGUST 2015
Road to Recovery Bruce Hartmann Publisher
Mark Jones Editor-In-Chief
Jennifer Bardoner Managing Editor
Mark Kennedy Contributing Editor
Eric Taylor Design & Production
WRITERS Julia Bonney Kelsie Bowman Andy Johns Meghan Pittman Sunny Montgomery Jim Tanner
c o n tri b u ti n g P H O T OG R A P H E R S Manuel Beers Alan Cressler Maura Friedman Mark Gilliland Dan Henry Mike R. Hicks Kelly Stewart
Circulation Angela Card 757-6344 acard@timesfreepress.com
Advertising Scott Bruce 757-6427 sbruce@timesfreepress.com
Julie Harris 757-6615 jharris@timesfreepress.com
Get Out Chattanooga is published on the first day of each month by the Target Publishing Group, a division of the Chattanooga Publishing Company. Opinions expressed by contributing writers and editors are not necessarily those of the publisher, editor or Get Out Chattanooga. Reproduction of the whole or any part of content herein is prohibited without prior written consent from the publisher. The publisher will not accept responsibility for submitted materials that are lost or stolen.
Carter Pullen hits the trail for the Tennessee Youth Mountain Bike Racing series. Read more on page 16.
O
ne month ago we dedicated this space to celebrating our city’s second victory in Outside magazine’s Best Town Ever competition. What a long, difficult and deadly month we’ve experienced since then.
photo: Melinda Jamieson
A challenge greater than any Ironman, higher than our sandstone peaks and deeper than our rivers befell our city July 16 as four Marines and a naval officer were killed, and other armed forces and local police officers were injured. Get Out magazine is not normally a venue for commentary on news of the day or topics beyond the realm of outdoor recreation, but it is a place where we praise our community—and that is what was attacked last month. Chattanooga has typically been in the national and international spotlight for world-class cycling, triathlons and Olympic-scale whitewater. When the focus shifted to terrorism, even our Best Town Ever rivals from 2,600 miles away in Port Angeles, Washington, stepped up to make sure this community knew it had a support team from coast to coast. Reading back through all the thoughtful comments from local outdoor enthusiasts about what they believe makes Chattanooga the Best Town Ever, one word that resurfaced more than climbing, hiking, running or paddling is community. The same spirit that brings our neighbors together on the trail, is also bringing them together on the path to recovery from the despicable act unleashed upon us all. Community is what made Chattanooga a great city before July 16, and it is that bond that will keep this city great as we recover from tragedy.
Mark Jones Editor-In-Chief
A Publication of
Copyright 2015 by: Get Out Chattanooga 400 East 11th Street Chattanooga, TN 37403 Phone (423) 757.6505 mjones@timesfreepress.com This magazine and the plastic bag it is mailed in are recyclable.
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OutsideYour Window Pedal Power Outdoor Chattanooga and Rock/Creek Outfitters host a Paddle Sports Clinic and Demo Day at Harrison Bay State Park photo: Mark McKnight, rock/creek
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FreshAir
RUNNING CLIMBING HIKING PADDLING CYCLING go kids CAMPING BIRDING FISHING NATURE
Changing Hands High Point Climbing and Fitness acquires Urban Rocks.
READ MORE ON page 24 Photo: Doug Strickland
FreshAir Swim Safe By Julia bonney
Dive into clean water
S
ummer in Tennessee is notoriously hot, and when temperatures soar, nothing feels better than getting in the water. There are a variety of natural swim areas around, but while it’s fun to get out of the chlorine and into nature, how clean is it? Local resident Mary Beth Sutton is the executive director of the TenneSEA division of CaribbeanSEA, a nonprofit that educates kids about the importance of clean water and supports water quality efforts. Here, she weighs in on how to be safe when swimming out in the wild. Keep your head up. Lots of things can get in the water — pollen, nutrients from fertilizers, bacteria from sewage and dogs — and those who spend long periods of time in and under the water have been known to contract ear, eye and sinus infections. But is everything in the water hazardous? “No,” Sutton says. “Most of the levels we find are not bad for swimming.” Still, she advises swimmers to use discretion when dunking under. “Make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into.” Rain on your parade. A common swimming
GET OUT CHATTANOOGA AUGUST 2015
Don’t swim in fast-moving water or near the top or base of waterfalls. Currents are often hidden and can pull you under without warning.
r
Don’t let the hot air fool you, rivers still run cold. If you start feeling chilly, get out of the water and warm up.
r
Always wear sunblock. You can burn on cloudy days, too.
r
Don’t swim alone. Accidents do happen and it’s good to have someone around in case you need help.
r
precaution is to avoid water for 72 hours after a big storm. “This is fact in some places and myth in other,” Sutton says. Sometimes rain cleans up a river, while in places, such as Signal Mountain, septic waste runs into the waterways after a big storm. Sutton advises waiting 24 hours to swim after heavy rain and checking the area to see what sort of runoff is common. Trash, man. The human factor plays a big role in the cleanliness of swimming spots. In popular areas, a common problem is an abundance of trash left behind. “It’s one of the first issues and one of the easiest things to take care of,” says Sutton, encouraging visitors to practice leave-no-trace principles and
take out what they bring in. Another human-driven cause of contamination is bank erosion. Extensive use “causes stream banks to fall in and more sediment gets in the streams,” she explains. “More sediment means less life is found.” By treading carefully around waterways, people can lessen the impact they have on natural areas. “We’ve got more and more people wanting to get in the water,” says Sutton. “We’ve got to take care of it.” Jump in. Overall, Sutton says most area swim holes are safe, but encourages people to use caution when jumping into water. Smart swimming is safe swimming.
find out more: Curious about the water properties of your favorite swimming hole? Monitorwater.org sells kits for at-home testing. Kits cost about $21 with shipping and provide enough reagents to conduct up to 50 tests. 8
Safe swimming comes from more than knowing the health of the water. Follow these tips and keep your summer fun and injury-free.
lo ca l spots Not sure where to go? These local favorites should be a safe bet.
Audubon Acres Chickamauga Lake Foster Falls North Chickamauga Creek (Blue Hole) Rainbow Lake AUGUST 2015
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FreshAir
Feel good about what you eat.
By julia bonney
Water with a
twist
W
We looked at three new water trends to see if making the switch from tap water is worth it.
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Alkaline Water What is it? Alkaline water is water with a pH level of higher than 7. Most tap water comes in at 7 or lower on the pH scale, making it neutral or acidic. Alkaline water might be able to increase hydration in athletes who drink it regularly, although effects will come gradually. Worth it? Maybe. There are currently no scientific studies to support the claim that alkaline water will increase hydration. But there’s also nothing proving that it won’t. If you feel drinking alkaline water leaves you more hydrated, drink it. But know that if you decide to stick with tap water, you’re probably not missing out.
GET OUT CHATTANOOGA AUGUST 2015
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Chlorella What is it? Chlorella is an edible species of water-grown algae that is full of chlorophyll. Considered a “superfood,” chlorella is full of vitamins, amino acids, trace minerals and more. Chlorella promises to balance the digestive system, increase white-bloodcell count and reduce blood pressure by removing unwanted metals. Additionally, chlorella is known to fight fatigue and is often used for body detoxification. Worth it? Absolutely! The nutrients inside chlorella are good for cleansing your body and leaving you feeling refreshed. Mix it into your water or juice when you want to detox. Some runners claim chlorella boosts their energy when taken in tablet form, so if you’re tired of gels, give these a try.
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Electrolyte Water What is it? Water infused with electrolytes, such as potassium and sodium, are designed to help your body absorb water faster. In the same vein of sports drinks such as Gatorade, electrolyte water helps with hydration by replenishing your body of the electrolytes lost through sweat or during heavy exercise. Worth it? Yes. Electrolytes help your body hydrate. Electrolyte water is especially beneficial after long runs and in summer when sweating is more prominent. For runs that last less than an hour, recovering with electrolytes isn’t necessary, however the lack of sugar in electrolyte water makes it better than sports drinks for all-day sipping.
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hen it comes to hydration, water can’t be beat. Lately there’s been an emergence of enhanced waters that promise better hydration and less fatigue. But is switching up your water worth it? Or are you better off sticking with what comes out of the tap?
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JOIN US
FreshAir
Do you enjoy caving and crawling? 38579809
Join us for our Wild Cave Tour OR
By meghan pittman
SUPER
C. E. Blevins exhibit to open at Audubon Acres
A
CAVERN TOURS
photos courtesy chattanooga audobon society
minister, folk artist and teacher, the late C. E. Blevins dedicated his last years to re-creating the eggs of bird species from all over the world. It took a lot of work — 20 years, to be exact — and a lot of trial and error. “I really believe God wants me to make these bird egg replicas. I prayed and prayed about it 15 years ago. I just couldn’t figure out how to make clay into the egg shape. It’s a hard shape to duplicate. And God talked to me in a dream one night. He showed me how to make the eggs and I’ve been making all I can since then,” Blevins wrote*. While his collection — rumored to be the most vast collection of exact bird egg replicas in the world — has been put away for a few years, it will soon see new life in a large, expanded exhibit in Chattanooga. In spring 2016, the Chattanooga Audubon Society will display more than 1,000 of Blevins’ “Avian Jewels” at Audubon Acres, located at 900 N. Sanctuary Road. But first, a lot of work is to be done. “It’s going to take a while because we’re having to build all new displays for them,” says Audubon Acres sanctuary manager Kyle Simpson. “Here we will have them out in Walker Hall, which has windows from about 5 feet
FOR A GREAT ADVENTURE !
“The reason I make them is because I have never seen anything more beautiful than a bird’s egg. And I just want people to be able to see them without bothering the birds.” —C. E. Blevins
To donate to the Chattanooga Audubon Society, visit
chattanoogaaudubon.org.
up, so the new cases will have to fit under those.” While only a small collection was on display at Audubon before — with a handful of others at Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center — Simpson hopes to put up the entirety of the collection — which means moving and relabelling all 1,100 eggs. “Right now we are in the process of applying for grants to fund the new displays, but those have a waiting period before we hear back,” he says. In the meantime, donations to Audubon Acres would be a big help. “We’re looking at a price tag between $5,000 and $10,000 for the finished product,” Simpson says. Known as “The Egg Man of Cohutta,” Blevins set out to create replicas of eggs of each bird species in his lifetime, from exotic birds to the crows he had to keep an eye out for on his family’s farm. The collection used to be housed at the Avian Learning Center in Cohutta, Georgia, but closed when the building was sold and turned into a personal residence.
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*Source: Avian Learning Center
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WHERE CAN A TRAIL LEAD you?
FreshAir by Julia Bonney
1
Washing machine: If your sandals aren’t suede or leather, you can throw them in the washing machine. Turn settings to “delicate” and let the machine do all the work.
2
Baking soda: Sometimes it’s necessary to use a little scrub action. Create a baking soda and water mixture, pour onto your sandals and let sit. Take a bristled brush (an old toothbrush works fine) and scrub the mix throughout the sandal before rinsing.
S
andals are the perfect summer footwear, and with lots of adventureready options to choose from, boots are all but unnecessary for exploring. However, long days of wear in the heat can leave your sandals smelling foul. Fortunately, sandal care is easy and universal, no matter what brand you pledge allegiance to. Follow these tips to get the smell out.
ODon’ts
Do’s
DO: Wash your sandals every few weeks, especially during seasons (such as summer) when they get lots of wear.
DON’T: Put your sandals in the dryer or dishwasher. The high heat can melt the glue and cause sandals to come apart.
DO: Wear your sandals in the shower or when playing in the creek. This helps keep them clean between washes.
DON’T: Use bleach. The toxins are bad for your skin and the environment.
DO: Pay close attention to crevasses and seams, as that’s where dirt gets trapped.
14
DON’T: Neglect sandal care. Aside from removing bad smells, cleaning your sandals also ensures their longevity by removing dirt that can rub and wear sandals down.
GET OUT CHATTANOOGA AUGUST 2015
3 4
Vinegar: If baking soda alone doesn’t do the trick, after scrubbing, spray your sandals with a 50/50 mix of water and vinegar. Soapy water: Mix hot water and soap, dunk your sandals in and let them soak. Wait a couple of hours, then pull them out and scrub them with a brush.
Leather sandals When cleaning leather sandals, throwing them in the washing machine or soaking them in water will do more harm then good. Instead:
1 down shoes with 2 Wipe a leather softener. Scrub off grime with a damp cloth.
No matter which method you choose and which type of sandals you have, once clean, set your sandals out to air dry. Keep them out of the sun to prevent fading and cracks.
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BrandbasedTips
Chaco:
If you own any of the Chaco Z sandals, the strap is continuous and runs into and out of the sandal footbed. Every few washes, be sure to “floss” the strap by moving it around to loosen any trapped dirt.
The Natchez Trace Parkway was a footpath that grew into a beautiful park from Natchez to Nashville. Now it is a National Park headquartered in Tupelo and it is one of the Top 10 National Parks in the U.S. #MyTupelo
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Teva:
Dry your Tevas in the sun, as some of the shoes are treated with a bacteria-fighting “sauce” that activates when exposed to sunlight for 15 minutes (but not longer).
Keen:
All Keen water sandals, even the leather ones, are machine-washable. Still, be sure to doublecheck before throwing them in.
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FreshAir
Young
Riders
A
s more mountain bike trails are developed in the Chattanooga area, there has been a subsequent increase in competitive mountain bike racing locally.
photos: Melinda Jamieson
Sam Pullen
The Team SORBA Chattanooga race series has developed a reputation as a well-run race series that draws hundreds of competitors from around the region to races throughout the year. But what about the next generation of mountain bikers? That’s where the Tennessee Youth Mountain Bike Racing Series comes in. The TYMBR is designed specifically for cyclists age 15 and under and works to teach young people in Chattanooga about the sport of mountain biking and give them an early taste of competition. The 2015 race series began in March with the Black Forest Classic at Enterprise South and will conclude at the end of this month with the two-day TYMBR Series Championships on Raccoon Mountain Aug. 29-30. The series is open to all levels of rider ability and the younger riders are allowed to use training wheels, strider
bikes and even tricycles and wagons — anything to get the kids out on the trails. For kids age 8 and under, parents are encouraged to ride or run with their children to boost their confidence and maintain safety on the trail. At each race throughout the season, top riders in each age group receive medals and earn series points. At the end of the season, the top point-getters receive a savings bond to be used for training or educational expenses.
The TYMBR series seeks to encourage kids age 15 and under to take part in athletics outside of ball sports. Though the 2015 season concludes Aug. 29-30 with the championship on Raccoon Mountain, TYMBR founder Eric Pullen encourages kids to come out and ride, whether they’ve been part of the earlier races or not. Races are split into twoyear age categories and medals are awarded to the top three finishers in each age group. For race dates and registration, visit tymbr.org. 38276154
Molly Black
About TYMBR
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FreshAir cool kid spotlight:
ETHAN ROSENOW Young cyclist heads to TYMBR championships B y J U L I A B O N N EY
T
he Tennessee Youth Mountain Bike Racing series, now in its third year, has shown significant growth, attracting not only local racers but kids from as far away as Nashville and Birmingham, Alabama.
Interscholastic Cycling Association, a nationwide high school mountain biking program, but he says he plans on riding with TYMBR until he ages out at 16. Ethan’s commitment to the sport is showing, and Pullen acknowledges the rider’s growth. “Ethan is training and putting effort into becoming a better rider and being competitive,” Pullen says. “He’s learned to push himself a little harder.” For kids wanting to get involved, Ethan recommends a decent bike and a willingness to practice. “Go in with a good attitude, where you can always get back up if you fall down,” says Ethan. “Have an attitude to keep pushing to do better.”
STATs: NAME: Ethan Rosenow AGE: 14 SCHOOL: STEM School Chattanooga PROUDEST RACE MOMENT: In the 2014 season, when he finished his first race and came in second place. WHEN HE’S NOT RACING: He builds robots. Ethan’s competed in a tournament where his team built a robot as big as he is.
photo: Melinda Jamieson
ethan rosenow
“Our first race ever we had, 25 kids showed up. The first race of this year we had 95 kids,” says series founder Eric Pullen. Pullen says one of those kids, who has proven himself to be a standout in the series this year, is 14-year-old Ethan
Rosenow, a 10th-grader at STEM School Chattanooga. Ethan first got involved with mountain bike racing in the eighth grade when Pullen started a team at Ethan’s former school, Normal Park Museum Magnet School. “Eric asked if I wanted to do a race so I tried it and liked it and have been doing it since,” Ethan says. He’s now been riding in the series for the past two years. Ethan says he doesn’t have the experience some riders do, but he doesn’t see it as a hindrance: “I can still be competitive,” he explains. “Having experience can help or hurt you.” This fall, Ethan will be eligible to ride with the National
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AUGUST 2015
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FreshAir
A closer look at
inflatable options By andy johns
About to blow up Benefits of inflatable SUPs have them poised to take over
O
n the river, they’re just as much fun as a conventional paddleboard.
But when you come off the water, you can roll them up and put them in your trunk. That’s part of the reason why industry experts expect inflatable SUPs to take off in the next few years.
Rock/Creek Marketing Director Mark McKnight, who owns two inflatables, says storage is a major reason blowup boards are seeing such growth. Instead of a 10- to 13-foot rigid board taking up space, the inflatable boards roll up to about the size of a carry-on bag. Beyond convenience, demographic information suggests outdoor enthusiasts are increasingly moving to urban ZIP codes — which
may mean inflatable SUPs are the only option. “[The trend] means a lot of us are going to be in apartments and condos.” “Where are you going to put all that stuff?” Luckily for space-conscious paddlers, the inflatable boards don’t sacrifice much in performance, and prices are similar. McKnight has taken his Boardworks C4 Waterman and Raven on various creeks including
the Ocoee and through the Red River Gorge. “If I didn’t tell you it was inflatable, you may not even know the difference,” he says. They’re also durable. He takes his boards places he would never bring a $4,000 carbon-fiber SUP. “It’s just like a raft on the Ocoee, you can bang into things,” he says. “Honestly, if you took a nail and a hammer to it, you’d have to try [to puncture it].”
Boardworks Shubu Raven
Badfish IRS
Length: 12 feet, 6 inches Price: $1,299 Features: Includes backpack for self-storage, highvolume pump and inline pressure gauge Can be deflated, rolled up and put into the backpack for transport High-density dropstitch construction, making the SHUBU very rigid for better performance Equipped with a bungy system for strapping down gear
Length: 7 feet, 2 inches Price: $899 Features: Includes backpack for selfstorage, high-volume pump and inline pressure gauge Equipped with glued on rubber tri fins Equipped with a bungy system for strapping down gear
Badfish MCIT
photo: mark mCknight
Chris Lykins paddles Lookout Creek
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GET OUT CHATTANOOGA AUGUST 2015
Length: 10 feet, 6 inches Price: $1,449 Features: The only inflatable SUP with tapered rails, which increase stability Rigid drop stitch deck sits below the rail height, lowering the center of gravity I Beam Stiffening System and extra-tough cone bow Includes backpack for selfstorage, high-volume pump and inline pressure gauge Equipped with glued-on rubber side bite fins and a detachable center fin allowing for versatility Equipped with a bungy system for strapping down gear
C4 Waterman iSUP BK Pro Length: 10 feet, 11 inches Price: $1,390 Features: Includes travel bag, pump with pressure gauge Equipped with thruster "Cuttlefish" FCS fin boxes Equipped with flexible fins (included) Equipped with D-ring for leash
AUGUST 2015
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21
8,000 SQUARE FEET OF THE WORLD’S BEST BICYCLES
FreshAir BY andy johns
TAKE FLIGHT.
Voted Chattanooga’s
#1
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mount mitchell
photo: kolin toney
BICYCLE STORE 6 Years in a row!
Fall Camping Planner
C
amping in the fall is about way more than the pretty leaves.
September, October and November are some of the best months to pitch your tent in East Tennessee, North Georgia and Western North Carolina. It may finally start getting cold enough to appreciate the campfire. Beyond that, it’s that sweet
spot for the tri-state area when it’s not too hot to go for a pleasant hike, but still warm enough to get out in the water in your canoe or waders. September and October are also usually the two driest months for the region, so there’s less chance for rain to ruin your trip.
Campsites are booking up quickly. Get started on your autumn adventures with these trips:
quick weekend trip 1 1/2 hours from Chattanooga
3-day weekend 2 hours from Chattanooga
4-5 days 4 1/2 hours from Chattanooga
A week 3 1/2 hours from Chattanooga
Thunder Rock or Chilhowee Campground
Amicalola Falls State Park
Mount Mitchell State Park
The Smokies
A quick 90-mile day trip into North Georgia is worth it to see the park’s spectacular namesake, but you can take your boots and a few days if you really want to experience all the park has to offer. Aside from the falls — which visitors can see from a unique perspective from the trail at the base — Amicalola is known as the site of the approach trail for the Appalachian Trail’s Southern Terminus on nearby Springer Mountain. Spend a night at the park and another backpacking to one of the early shelters on the AT. In the fall, you’ll miss the glut of hopeful through-hikers who pass through in the spring.
When standing on the observation point on Mount Mitchell, you’re not only at the highest point east of the Mississippi, but on a clear day you’ve got an 85-mile view of the fall foliage. Situated on the Blue Ridge Parkway outside of Asheville, a limited number of campsites can be a great basecamp for the outdoor mecca that is Western North Carolina. The short 1.1-mile section of the Black Mountain Crest trail from 6,683-foot Mount Mitchell to 6,647-foot Mount Craig is one of the better short hikes to be found anywhere.
Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee Just the drive out U.S. 64 through the Ocoee Gorge is enough to make this trip worthwhile. The proximity to Chattanooga lets you leave work Friday at 5 and have your camp set up before dark, but it’s the views of Parksville and Ocoee lakes that will make the trip a memorable one. Beyond fishing and paddling, both the mountaintop Chilhowee Campground and the riverside Thunder Rock Campground are surrounded by trails, including the 20.7-mile John Muir Trail.
In the (sleeping) bag: 22
Dawsonville, Georgia
North Carolina
East Tennessee & Western North Carolina The mountains are calling and you must go. Sure, you’ve been to the Smokies before. Hasn’t everybody? But with more than 800 square miles, you haven’t seen it all. Most visitors flock to the Tennessee side of the park around Gatlinburg. Park rangers say the less visited parts of the park include Abrams Creek, Balsam Mountain, Cosby, Fontana Lake, Greenbrier Cove, Heintooga Ridge Road, and Foothills Parkway. Beyond that, put some distance between you and the crowds by backpacking along the Appalachian Trail or one of the longer distance trails in the park.
Have a favorite camping spot? Let us know or share photos from a trip there at getoutchattanooga.com.
GET OUT CHATTANOOGA AUGUST 2015
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FreshAir B y M akaylah E v erett
Climbing to
New Heights
As of the first of this month, Urban Rocks Gym is now a High Point Climbing and Fitness facility, with an improved parking area and revitalized route setting program. The shift in ownership means members of High Point now have access to both facilities. High Point owners Johnny O’Brien and John Wiygul opened their downtown climbing facility on Broad Street in 2013 and say they soon realized they wanted to create a regional system of climbing gyms throughout the Southeast. “We were already expanding to a new market with a large gym underway in Birmingham when the previous owners of Urban Rocks Gym, Becky [Robran] and Chris [Gibson], contacted us,” says O’Brien. He says it seemed like the perfect opportunity to expand in the
Chattanooga market, a goal that had been put on the backburner in the midst of the Birmingham project. But, according to Urban Rocks’ Facebook page, some climbers who frequented the gym aren’t as excited. When the news was announced on the social media page, a few climbers expressed concerns via comments, including the fear that the hometown gym’s atmosphere will change. Urban Rocks was Chattanooga’s first full-service indoor climbing gym and climbers agree that it has helped foster the local climbing community for the past six-plus years it’s been open. “Chris and I have been very hands-on owners over the years,” says Robran. “We did all of the route setting while also maintaining and managing the gym. It has been a wonderful experience but also a very time consuming experience.” Robran, who says she and Chris are looking forward to some time off and have a longawaited road trip in the works, has no worries about the new owners maintaining the character of the gym. “I like to think that a gym’s
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huttonandsmithbrewing.com photo: CHATTANOOGA TIMES FREE PRESS
T
he city’s tight-knit rock climbing community is being brought even closer as two of Chattanooga’s climbing gyms become one.
E. MLK Blvd
character is largely determined by its members and others that are an active part of the community,” she says. “The community at our gym was one of the best communities of people that I have ever been a part of and I don’t see that changing any time soon.” Wiygul also assures climbers that the atmosphere and culture that was created by Robran and Gibson at Urban Rocks will remain, even with minor changes like revitalized workout and birthday party areas. And, while the policies of High Point have been carried over, the Urban Rocks prices haven’t changed, he says.
OPINIONS WANTED: What do you think about Urban Rocks’ change in ownership? Tell us at facebook.com/GetOutChattanooga.
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Future plans for High Point: O’Brien and Wiygul say the Birmingham High Point facility will open this February. The entrepreneurs say they will look for a fourth location in a new market soon and plan to set up a regional management team that will support all gyms. Membership to one High Point will allow multi-access to all future gyms across the Southeast. For more information visit highpointclimbing.com.
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FreshAir
CONFIDENCE comes standard.
B y j i m ta n n e r
Choppy Chickamauga hickamauga Lake is still one of the top locations for largemouth bass fishing in the nation, but it took a bit of a slide in the July issue of Bassmaster Magazine.
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somewhat the result of its relatively small size increasing the amount of pressure put on the fishery by anglers. At 36,240 acres, Chickamauga Lake may seem large, but Lake Guntersville just downstream is almost twice as large at 70,000 acres. The larger size could have been why Guntersville remained
From a list of bass-rich waters provided by each state’s fishery agencies, 630,000 B.A.S.S. National clubs were polled to gain non-tournament lakes. Then, the B.A.S.S. Council, a 3,500-member panel of super-avid bass fishermen, helped put the lakes in order, which was then finalized by a 15-member blue ribbon panel from the fishing industry based on data from hundreds of bass fishing clubs and tournament organizers. Source: Bassmaster Magazine
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if there’s no current running.” The lack of current running through Chickamauga Dam, especially on weekends, keeps fish from feeding as much as they do when the water is moving more. This results in some anglers struggling to find a good bite in the spring and summer. Chickamauga’s slide is also
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The Tennessee River reservoir just upstream from Chattanooga came in at No. 41 in the magazine’s list of the top 100 bass lakes in the country, a relatively hefty drop after being ranked No. 7 in Bassmaster’s 2014 rankings. Bassmaster Magazine Editor James Hall notes that Chickamauga remains an extremely good bass lake, but says its inconsistency this year makes it harder for recreational anglers to have success. “The guides told us that with Chickamauga it’s feast or famine,” Hall says. “It’s either the best lake in the country or it can make you feel like you don’t know how to catch a fish
firmly in the Top 10 at No. 6 on the 2015 Bassmaster list. Still, there’s no reason for Chickamauga Lake fans to hang their heads according to Hall, who fishes here regularly. “All that said, being ranked 41st is still tremendous in the big picture of things,” he says. “Chickamauga is one of the best lakes in the country out of thousands in the United States. It’s definitely a ‘bucket list’ lake.”
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Watch as I take on wakesurfing
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“How did you guys get into this?” I asked over the gentle, but forceful, purr of the speeding boat’s engine. Harrison Bay spit water into my face as we skimmed across the lake’s surface.
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“We got old,” the captain replied over his shoulder. While I love lake days, I’ve never been one for water sports. On a trip to California for a family reunion, I balked at the suggestion that we learn to surf. I couldn’t gather enough courage to try water skiing on a trip with a bunch of friends to one of their parents’ North Carolina lake house. I turned down a free kitesurfing lesson in Florida. My need for a paycheck was the only thing that got me strapped into a whitewater kayak to try to learn to roll it on Lake Chickamauga. (Refer to the June 2013 edition of Get Out to see how that went. I’ll give you a hint: not too well.) On another adventurous excursion for this fine publication, I managed to fall out of a whitewater raft … in a place where no one — not blind people nor paraplegics — has managed to fall out before, according to my (amused) guide. “This is the first water sport I’ve actually liked!” I exclaimed after my wakesurfing tutorial, and, I’m proud to report, subsequent 30
bout on the board on Harrison Bay. Wakesurfing is touted as “a great alternative to wake boarding or water skiing for those who want a more relaxed ride at a lower speed” on Moses Watersports’ learn-to-wakesurf Web page. I was skeptical. “You just need the right boat, the right board and the right teacher,” Moses Watersports’ Mark Newton assured me as I gingerly climbed into the back of one of the Harrison business’s boats. It turns out he was right! And that the right boat for me was a Supra SG 450, the right board was a Phase 5, and the right teacher (aka, captain) was Chris Finch, who sells boats for Moses, and lives the lifestyle attached to them. Still, the lake was the only thing that was calm as we ventured out to Wolftever Creek. My nerves were in a broiling battle with my will. I gawked at the frothing wake that towered above the surface of the water we continued to cut through.
GET OUT CHATTANOOGA AUGUST 2015
The wide Wolftever inlet just off Harrison Bay provides the perfect place for a lesson: The water is calmer. And there are fewer people to see any bumbling attempts. I tried to appease my nerves by asking my experienced cohorts questions like, “So what’s the difference between wakesurfing and wakeboarding?” Matt Mathis, who recently traded wakeboarding for wakesurfing, replied, “You can have a day-ender real quick with wakeboarding.” I found some comfort in the underlying meaning of his words. Wakeboarding, with all the photos of extreme athletes doing extreme stunts, has always seemed completely out of my reach, pushed even more so by the epic falls associated with the sport. Even the idea of being strapped to waterskis, ankles popping as you inevitably fall, terrifies me. And I watched “Jaws” way too early in life to have the stomach for surfing. Turns out wakesurfing is similar to wakeboarding in
6397 Lee Highway • Suite 100 • Chattanooga, TN 37421 Miller-Motte.edu MMT.CHT.10221.K.101 © 2015 Delta Career Education Corporation. All rights reserved.
how you get yourself into position: Place the board parallel to the back of the boat — which must not have any propellers. Though you’re not strapped to a wakesurf board (thank God), the position of your feet is the same: perpendicular to the side of the board, with your lead foot* really close to the back of the board and both heels planted in the middle. Holding onto the tow rope, you’re basically pulled up until the board is under you as the boat slowly yet swiftly drives away … if you have a good captain. I (or should I say Finch) managed *Which is your lead foot? Have someone (gently) push you backward. Whichever foot you step back with is your lead foot.
to get the board under me on the first try, though getting comfortable with that and actually making it to a standing position took a few more tries. “You’re doing great! It takes most people three tries to get up,” Newton said before Finch interjected, “Try 10.” Four or five tries in, I made it to a trepid standing position, though continued to promptly fall off until I was able to steer the board off the top of the wake, which meant a few more spills. I came up laughing — and more determined — every time. Wakesurfing is just easy enough that almost anyone can do it, and just hard enough to make it challenging and fun. The key is to ride the base of the wave that’s created by the boat. Think of all those crazy surfer pictures you’ve seen where a swelling wave looks ready to encircle the rider in a glassy centrifuge.
Where the nose of the wakesurf board is pointed is where you’ll go. Your front foot is the gas; the back the brake, and, with a little seesaw action, also serves to keep the board from nose-diving into the water piling up around you. “You’ll feel the sweet spot,” Finch told me, referring to the moment when the rope is no longer pulling you; the wave is. Though in my hourlong lesson I managed to get comfortable enough to give my best mashup of “I’m a rock star!” and “I’m a surfer!” hand gestures, I held onto the rope for a sense of grounding, even when the exhilaration of riding a wave had me longing to try some airborne stunts. I still have no desire to wakeboard — I value my health too much — but I just might have to take a cue from those extreme
athletes.
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Your Best Month
Destination B y M e g h an P itt m an
Closest Place to …
Get Cool With as hot as it gets in the summer, sometimes you gotta go underground if you want to stay cool. While water is nice and refreshing, caves stay a constant cool — 58 degrees — and you can always visit, rain or shine.
There are more than 7,000 caves in the Greater Chattanooga area, but you should only go to caves with experienced guides and proper gear. Luckily for you, there are several outfits to help you safely explore.
Petty John’s Cave 29.7 miles from downtown Chattanooga
Raccoon Mountain Caverns
Located near Fall Creek Falls and Savage Gulf Recreational Area, the Cumberland Caves offer a variety of guided tours. On Saturdays, no reservation is needed, and there are even overnight tours available. Taking spelunkers through Lemon Squeeze and the Devil’s Backbone , this site offers miles and miles of trails. If that’s not enough, visit the Cumberland Caves for Bluegrass Underground, a monthly music performance held in the Volcano Room.
In nearby Walker County, Georgia, 9.4 miles from downtown Chattanooga this Pigeon Mountain cave is physically challenging, but worth the exploration. With features called Closest to Chattanooga is Raccoon the Worm Hole , Bridge Room and Mountain. Already a favorite Echo Room, you’ll get an eyeful playground for area outdoorsmen, while traversing the 6.5 miles of less explored than the mountain’s trails throughout the cave. You’ll trails are the caverns, which contain need a full change of clothes — and an underground network a lot of patience, as of trails, tunnels, caverns you’ll be required Safety first and even waterfalls. On to shimmy, slide This should go without saying, these tours, expect some and climb carefully but if you are an inexperienced belly sliding, crawling and throughout the and aspiring caver, you must, stooped walking — but you’ll must, must go on some sort of cave. The Georgia escorted trip before striking be rewarded with 49-Cent Girl Guides also out on your own. You not only Squeeze and a visit to leads tours of pose a risk to the delicate Sandpaper Slide . You can infrastructure when you are Sitton’s Cave in not careful or prepared, you also choose a 45-minute nearby Cloudland can also injure yourself very walking tour, which is less Canyon State Park. seriously; even gravely. challenging.
Tours available through Cumberland Caverns: cumberlandcaverns.com
Tours available through Georgia Girl Guides: georgiagirlguides.com
Cumberland Caves 70 miles from downtown Chattanooga
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GET OUT CHATTANOOGA AUGUST 2015
Tours available through raccoonmountain.com
AUGUST 2015
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Gear Made Here good eats: Noke’s Granola st o r y an d p h o t o g r ap h y B y sunn y m o ntg o m e r y nate's owner luther cutchins
Noke’s Granola Some people call it Nukes. Others call it Nookies. Luther Cutchins says, “Hey, as long as you call it, it’s all good!” Cutchins is owner of Noke’s Granola, which is actually pronounced N-oh-ks. Cutchins wasn’t always such a go-withthe-flow kind of guy. That easygoing attitude was actually inspired by his brother Ryan, for whom he named his company. “When my brother was small, my mother used to call him Ry-nokie,” Cutchins remembers. “I was the big brother, so of course I was like, ‘Oh, my little Ry-nokie!’” he says in an exaggerated singsong voice, facetiously batting his eyelashes. At some point, says Cutchins, Ryan’s pet name was shortened to Noke. Then it just stuck. It followed Ryan to high school, then to Birmingham where he attended the Culinary Institute of Virginia College. And then, in 2012, Ryan died unexpectedly of complications due to undiagnosed heart problems. Cutchins was devastated. “We were peas in a pod,” says Cutchins, who, like his brother, worked in the restaurant industry. However, unlike his brother, Cutchins describes himself as “corporate,” while Ryan, he says, was a free spirit. “He lived all over the country with just a backpack full of stuff. He’d wake up one morning and say, ‘Hey, I think I’m going to live in New York.’ I was almost the exact opposite. I worked for Macaroni Grill for 15 years. I was married at 20. I wanted a house, a picket fence, children,” Cutchins says.
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At the time of his death, Ryan might have lived anywhere in the world, but he’d recently moved back to Chattanooga so that he and Cutchins could open a catering company together. “The last two years he was alive, it was me and him cooking in the kitchen, literally side by side, every single day,” says Cutchins. Their catering company was called Heirloom Catering, and one of the most popular recipes was Ryan’s organic, soft-baked granola made with oats, walnuts, pecans, peanuts, cashews, almonds, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, butter, honey and sugar. Cutchins says it became a running joke. No matter what extravagant spreads the boys prepared, it was the granola that received the most compliments. Shortly after his brother’s
GET OUT CHATTANOOGA AUGUST 2015
death, Cutchins closed the catering company. “I just couldn’t anymore. I was really, really struggling,” he says. However, Cutchins had three young children to support. And so, he channeled Ryan’s sense of adventure. He left the corporate restaurant world and dove headfirst into entrepreneurship. In 2014, Cutchins officially trademarked Noke’s Granola. Now, he conducts the majority of his business at the Chattanooga Market on Wednesdays and Sundays and the Chattanooga River Market on Saturdays. His booth, topped with burlap, white paper flowers and free samples, is a popular spot for people of all ages to gather, taste and make conversation. “I’m a people person. I love to run my mouth,” Cutchins says.
In fact, he calls it therapy. That part of making and selling Noke’s Granola helped him finally come to terms with his brother’s death. “Just being able to talk freely about him, that’s when [his death] stopped consuming my every thought.” People would ask Cutchins questions about his company and he would share stories about his brother. Like the time Ryan took a job on a Hawaiian cruise ship. It didn’t take Ryan long to realize it was an awful gig, Cutchins says, so he quit. He just got off the boat while it was ported in Maui. “He lived on the beach for a while. He got a job in a restaurant. He met some people that worked there and moved in with them. The next thing you know he’s lived there for two years. If that happened to me I would have cried ‘I’m homeless!’” says Cutchins. He leans back in his chair and laughs heartily. On a sweltering summer afternoon, his cheerful nature is not lost on the market-goers who swarm his booth like bees on honey. Then, reminiscing once more, Cutchins says, “Proud — that is the best word to describe how I felt about him.”
A blend of goodness All Noke’s artisanal granola blends are organic and all-natural. Ryan’s blend: All-local, made with oats, walnuts, pecans, peanuts, cashews, almonds, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, butter, honey and sugar
Where to find it
Power blend: Paleo-certified and “beegan” (vegan except honey) made with almonds, pecans, walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds, Goji berries and honey
You can find Noke’s Granola at the Chattanooga Market on Wednesdays and Sundays and the Chattanooga River Market on Saturdays. Or, you can find it on the menu at 1885 Southern Coastal Grill, Granfalloon and The Local Juicery. Noke’s Granola is also available in the bulk bin of recently opened Harvest Grocery in Hixson.
Seasonal 6 Berry blend: Vegan, made with oats, walnuts, sunflower seeds, Bing cherries, sour cherries, cranberries, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, agave nectar and sugar
To order online visit nokesgranola.com.
AUGUST 2015
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Your Best Month Eat Right
Your Best Month Calendar Eat Right
By Julia bonney | Recipe from theyearinfood.com
Have an upcoming event? Tell us about it. editor@getoutchattanooga.com
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Missionary Ridge Road Race
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Blackberries bring back memories of younger summers; reaching through dense thickets and coming away with scratched arms and baskets full of plump, juicy berries.
This 4.7-mile road race takes place atop scenic Missionary Ridge and a 1-mile fun run/ walk is also included in this year’s events. Proceeds from the race benefit the local American Red Cross chapter and Team Bruner Scholarship Fund. Registration costs $30 for the 4.7-mile race and $15 for the fun run. Visit chattanoogatrackclub.org to register.
But the antioxidantrich fruit has more benefits than just good memories. The high level of nutrients help fight cancer and heart disease as well as improve brain health. Mixed in with other fruits, such as mineral-rich peaches and vitamin C-packed strawberries, blackberries make for a tasty and healthy summer treat.
Put your adventure skills to the test with this 24-hour adventure race. Taking place in the heart of the Ocoee, teams will bike, paddle and run to cover miles and beat the clock. Open to beginners and seasoned teams. Registration costs $275 per person. Register at thehogback.com.
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What you do
1
What you need
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Climb-A-Thon
Test your strength and endurance, all while raising money to provide adaptive climbing opportunities to youth, adults and veterans with physical disabilities. If they raise a minimum of $100, participants can compete in bouldering, top-roping and sport climbing at High Point Climbing and Fitness. Visit https:// secure.qgiv.com/event/566339/ to register.
Kick your experience up a notch by heading out to a nearby blackberry bush to pick your own.
For the filling: ■ 3 ripe yellow peaches, diced ■ 2 cups blackberries ■ 1 cup blueberries ■ 1 cup strawberries, diced ■ 1/3 cup cane sugar ■ 2 tablespoons lemon juice ■ 1 tablespoon flour ■ ½ teaspoon dried ginger ■ ½ teaspoon cinnamon ■ ¼ teaspoon cardamom
Hogback 24-Hour Adventure Race
For the crust: ■ 2 cups rolled oats ■ 1 cup pecans, chopped ■ 1 stick (½ cup) butter, cubed ■ 1/3 cup flour ■ 1/3 cup sugar ■ ½ teaspoon dried ginger ■ ½ teaspoon cinnamon ■ ¼ teaspoon cardamom ■ 1 teaspoon sea salt
GET OUT CHATTANOOGA AUGUST 2015
Preheat oven to 375 Fahrenheit. In a large mixing bowl, combine the fruit. Fold in the lemon juice, cane sugar, 1 tablespoon flour, ½ teaspoon ginger, ½ teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon cardamom.
½ teaspoon ginger, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon cardamom and salt. Using your hands, work the dry mixture together with the cubes of butter until a loose topping has come together.
2
3
Separately, mix together the rolled oats, pecans,
/ cup flour, 1/3 cup sugar,
1 3
Grease a large baking dish. Pour in the fruit mixture, then top evenly with the crumbled topping.
4
Bake for 35 minutes, until crust is browned and edges are bubbling. Let cool for at least 10 minutes. Serve with ice cream, or on its own.
Go2Green
The Crash Pad in Southside is hosting the last in a three-part series on sustainable building. The talk will be on tiny homes, with a tour beforehand. The tour takes place from noon to 5 p.m. with the session on tiny homes beginning at 5:30 p.m. Admission is free.
Chattanooga Mud Run
With military-style obstacles and a whole lot of mud, the Chattanooga Mud Run at Greenway Farms adds a twist to the classic 5k race. Participants can race solo or as a competitive or noncompetitive team. All proceeds go to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga. Registration is $275 for a 5-person team and $65 for individuals. Visit habichatt. org/events to register.
photo: MAURA FRIEDMAN
yield: 8-10 servings prep: 15 minutes ready in: 35 minutes
AUGUST Events
SEPTEMBER Events Rock/Creek Women’s Trail Running Summit
10-13
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Join other female trail runners for a weekend designed to build connections and inspire women to be trail running ambassadors. On Saturday, North Face ultra-runner Diane Van Deren will join in and offer afternoon clinics for participants. Registration closes Sept. 7 and price is $250 for just the clinic; $325 to add a bunk. Register at ultrasignup. com.
Kayak to end Kawasaki Disease
Help raise awareness and support efforts to end Kawasaki Disease, the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children. Bring your own kayak or rent one and spend the day on the water. Registration is required. Email Kayaktoend@ edgereg.com to register.
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吀䤀䌀䬀䔀吀匀 䄀嘀䄀䤀䰀䄀䈀䰀䔀 䄀吀 吀刀䄀䌀䬀㈀㤀⸀䌀伀 ⠀㐀㈀㌀⤀ 㔀㈀ⴀ㈀㤀㈀㤀 ∠ 䈀伀堀 伀䘀䘀䤀䌀䔀 伀倀䔀一 䔀嘀䔀刀夀 䘀刀䤀䐀䄀夀 䄀䴀ⴀ㘀倀䴀
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嘀䤀匀䤀吀 刀䔀嘀䔀䰀刀夀刀伀伀䴀⸀䌀伀 䘀伀刀 䌀伀一䌀䔀刀吀 匀䌀䠀䔀䐀唀䰀䔀 38933597
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area waterfall guide
adventure can happen anywhere Come check out our NEW 2015
Find Me at the
RENEGADE
FALLS
Jenkins Family Owned & Operated
706-638-1662 | 2561 N. Highway 27 | Lafayette, GA 30728 in front of Walmart
www.jenkinschryslerdodgejeep.com
a guide to the area’s top 10 waterfalls
38901787
photo: eric taylor
By gabrielle chevalier
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area waterfall guide
T
here’s nothing quite like the unassuming majesty of a waterfall. You can usually hear its roar before you can see it, before you can appreciate the sight of its churning, winding ways as water cascades down to meet the land below. Some are a mere five minutes from the hiking trail. Others make you work to find and experience
them, buried deep within the woods. But with as many as the Chattanooga area has to offer — in particular the 10 highlighted here in our guide — there’s no excuse to miss the magic they each offer. So whatever you do, don’t listen to ’90’s girl group TLC’s cliche advice: Go chase waterfalls.
* Author’s note: Obviously, there are too many favorite falls nearby to list them all. This list aims to represent a wide variety of vistas with hikes ranging from easy to tricky and everything in between. So go out and explore — and remember to wear your slip-resistant water shoes.
Cloudland Canyon Falls Cherokee FAlls
90' hemlock Falls
drive time
35
minutes from chattanooga hike distance
2
miles total hike difficulty
hard
60'
Located in the heart of Georgia’s Cloudland Canyon, Cherokee and Hemlock falls are known for the leg workout required to find the view. Although the trail length is fairly short overall, in order to see the falls you will descend more than 400 feet downward from the elevation of the initial trailhead. To return to the trail after seeing the falls in all of their glory, be prepared to climb the canyon’s intimidating 600 stairs. If you start to lose your momentum, just picture the gorgeous view of the canyon awaiting you at the top. Everything — even overnight options ranging from camping areas to “yurts” and cabins
Amenities:
fast fact: When
38930322
photos: andrew kalat
34.8402630, -85.4828810
the Cloudland Canyon trail returns to the trailhead and starting elevation at the end of your waterfall experience, you will have dropped and gained over 1,000 feet of elevation during the hike.
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area waterfall guide
75' Cummins Falls 36.24949, -85.5717
drive time
2
hours from chattanooga hike distance
2.5 miles
hike difficulty
hard
It’s only fitting that a waterfall with one of the top 10 best swimming holes in the United States (according to both Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast magazines) would make you work hard to trek to it. But the view and opportunity to swim in the gorgeous, clear waters make the hike through moving water and the climb up a ridge well worth it to witness the beauty of the idyllic falls and large swimming area located just north of Cookeville, Tennessee. Amenities: Shaded picnic area — though no grills or trash cans, so be sure to pick up before leaving! Fast facts: Located
on Blackburn Fork State Scenic River, Cummins Falls is Tennessee’s eighth largest waterfall. photo: mike r. hicks
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107' DeSoto Falls
area waterfall guide
34.706596, -83.915254
drive time
55
minutes from chattanooga hike distance
350 yards
hike difficulty
VERY easy
35.66583, -85.35583
drive time
1
hour from chattanooga hike distance
.25
miles (or less) hike difficulty
cane creek cascades
easy
piney creek falls
For those looking for more activity and another view, descend down the concrete stairs for a look from the bottom of the falls. Amenities: Picnic shelter areas with grills, campground and more
It is believed that the falls’ namesake explorer never actually visited himself, but rather sent men to what is now DeSoto National Park to explore.
Fast facts: photos: kevin wood
256' Fall Creek Falls
Named for Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto (the first documented European to discover the Mississippi River), this enormous waterfall is one of the tallest in Alabama. Nestled on Lookout Mountain, the waterfall pathway is paved and is known for its ease of access for people of all abilities.
For a spectacular view of one of the tallest waterfalls in the Eastern United States — and the tallest east of the Mississippi River — look to Fall Creek Falls, located in the state park that shares its name. And, to make the hour-long drive to Spencer, Tennessee, even more worthwhile, you can visit the five other falls at the park: Cane Creek Falls, Cane Creek Cascades, Coon Creek Falls, Rockhouse Falls and Piney Creek Falls. Amenities: On-site campground, nearby inn, and more
Fast facts: Fall
Creek Falls State Park is the most visited (and largest) state park in Tennessee. Made up of more than 34 miles of trails, the state park even offers overnight trails for those chasing a more intense experience.
Be sure to look for the 80-foot, 120-yearold steel fire tower jutting out of the forest. The tower is currently in the submission process to be added to the National Register of Historic Places, and many hope the tower will eventually be reinforced and become an observation deck for visitors to the state park.
Watch out:
photo: THE_GUT / creative commons
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area waterfall guide
60' Foster Falls
35.4343, -85.69624
photo: mike r. hicks
35.18177, -85.676
50' Greeter Falls
drive time
45
minutes from chattanooga hike distance less than
2
miles
Made popular as one of the premiere climbing destinations in the South, Foster Falls is home to a variety of beautiful plant species. Operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority in Sequatchie near Tracy, Tennessee, the area remains less-visited by guests outside of the climbing community, so it’s ideal for a calm afternoon with an easy hike through the woods. And, the end of the trail to the falls will take you over the river on a suspension bridge for the best view from the bottom of the falls.
hike difficulty
Amenities: Restroom, picnic
easy
Fast facts: A top
1.25 hours from chattanooga
hike distance less than
area and grills available
1
mile
hike difficulty
moderate
overlook to the falls is handicap accessible and near the parking lot.
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Although there are several routes you can take to find Altamont, Tennessee’s Greeter Falls, the quickest takes you only about half a mile from the trailhead, down a winding staircase and straight to a glorious view and great swimming opportunities at the lower falls. And for those in an adventurous mood, several other marked trails nearby mean you can continue exploring to see more of what South Cumberland State Park has to offer (which is a lot). Amenities: Picnic
photo: alan cressler
to moderate
drive time
area
Fast facts: The
Savage Gulf State Natural Area where Greeter Falls is located is the largest unit of the South Cumberland Trail.
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80' Laurel Falls
40' Rainbow Falls
35.54719, -85.02396
35.12701, -85.3655
drive time
15
minutes from chattanooga hike distance
1.5 miles
hike difficulty
hard Found just outside of the Chattanooga area near Dayton, Tennessee, Laurel Falls offers a combination of paved walkways and steeper, wildlife filled trailways. To find the beautiful blooms on the shrubs which inspired the name of the falls, be sure to take a trip in May.
drive time
1.25 hours from chattanooga
hike distance less than
area waterfall guide
2
Amenities: Ample paved parking, nearby visitor’s center
miles
Amenities: None Fast facts: Rainbow
Lake also features a smaller “falls” created by the dam in place. For those tempted to jump off the dam — which we cannot endorse or condone — please check the water levels before doing so, as they fluctuate greatly.
Fast facts: The
hike difficulty
moderate photos: kelly stewart
Neither the hike to the bottom of the falls nor merely getting to the overlook to Rainbow Lake is for novice hikers, but those up for the adventure will not be disappointed. From an overlook with a view of the Tennessee River to the challenging hike down to the falls (ropes along the way have been installed to keep hikers from falling down the steep, rocky incline), there is much to see and appreciate at this secluded Signal Mountain spot.
Laurel Snow Trail where the falls is found was the first national recreation trail in Tennessee.
Watch out: Bears are common on this part of the trail, so protect both the hikers and bears by being especially cautious not to leave food remnants which tempt the animals to come out and become less fearful of people.
photographing the falls North Carolina photographer Kevin Adams, a naturalist and photographer for more than 30 years, has become well known for his photographic portrayal of waterfalls. Dubbed “The Waterfall Guy,” Adams provides a few tips for amateur photographers interested in upping their waterfall photo game.
First and foremost, get out of the sun. Cloudy and rainy days provide not only a more interesting waterfall photo, but also provide better contrast and saturate the color of the surrounding foliage. Identify what you are trying to showcase most before shooting — then make sure the resulting image highlights that.
“Sometimes it’s as simple as asking yourself, ‘What about that waterfall made you want to stop and take the picture in the first place? What is most appealing?’” Simplify! Use just enough surroundings to give people place: “Don’t overwhelm people with too much information.”
Take advantage of photos that are out of the ordinary or find an interesting angle. Maybe the trees surrounding the falls are a vibrant, fall-festive red, or maybe there’s an ice formation in winter worth capturing. Either way, try to stay away from the popular and often seen straightforward shot. photo: alan cressler
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area waterfall guide
110' Falling Water Falls 35.18969, -85.2826
drive time
10-15 photo: That Outdoor Guy, courtesy of roots rated
minutes from chattanooga hike distance
300 yards
hike difficulty
very easy
Just minutes away from Chattanooga’s downtown is a view from the top of a waterfall that isn’t for the faint of heart. But for those comfortable looking down more than 100 feet at the free-falling water, a quick drive up to the town of Walden on Signal Mountain and a five-minute hike are all you need for a peaceful view that will take your breath away. Amenities: Small parking lot at the top of the falls Fast facts: For
a view from the valley and a longer hike, the base of the falls can be viewed off of Levi Road in Soddy-Daisy.
R
A
C
E
4th Annual “Run For Wishes” August 22 Sponsors
etn.wish.org
38891053
Jill, Robin, Dr. Gary
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EAST BRAINERD RD. SIGNAL MOUNTAIN RD. FORT OGLETHORPE SODDY-DAISY RINGGOLD OOLTEWAH HWY. 58
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Wind and the the
Waves Privateer Yacht Club sets sail for 75 years By kelsie bowman photography by maura friedman
Privateer Yacht Club member Pete Snyder rigs his boat for a day of sailing. 52
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It was 1940, and the Tennessee Valley Authority was capping off a monumental project. After four years of hard labor, the Chickamauga Dam was complete and the reservoir filling with water — 36,000 acres’ worth.
Later that same year, the Privateer Yacht Club was founded, and members have been setting sail on the lake — and around the world — ever since.
Setting sail “When you fall out — I mean, if you fall out — don’t worry. We’ll come back and pick you up after the race is over,” quips PYC social director Keith Harper as we start toward the club’s docks, nestled in a private harbor on Chickamauga Lake. Harper, along with skipper of the boat John Roberts, had invited me to crew with them for the day’s races. I laugh at the joke, but I’ve never been sailing before, so falling out of Roberts’ 22-footlong sailboat is in fact very possible. Harper leads me along the maze of docks, which were largely built by volunteering PYC members, explaining how he came to be a member himself. Always a bit of an adventure seeker, his girlfriend 54
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bought him sailing lessons as a gift three years ago, and he was hooked. “Feeling the power of the wind itself that’s driving you, there’s nothing mechanical about it,” he says over his shoulder. “It’s pure physics.” Looking out at the lake and the overcast sky, I don’t feel a lot of wind, and wonder how exactly we are going to sail — much less race — across the water. We come upon Roberts, who is already grappling with the sails, and the two sailors quickly teach me the basics of the vessel: The front is called “bow” and the rear is “stern.” “Jib” is the front sail and the “mast” holds the mainsail. And, whatever else you do, watch out for the “boom,” or it’ll knock you out of the boat. Before I know it, we’re gently floating out into open water.
photo: chattanooga library picture file
The dam and resulting Chickamauga Lake meant flood control and better waterway navigation for the city. But, as a strong wind swept across the brand-new lake, it meant something else to a few adventurous Chattanoogans.
sailboats on chickamauga lake in 1942
In the beginning Even with Harper’s three years in the club and Roberts’ six years, both could still be considered new — at least compared to some members. Brainard Cooper, for instance, says he was there when the club sailed the first boat into its harbor in 1950. At that point, 10 years had gone by since PYC was founded by local Owen Duffy. The fledgling club had spent the previous decade setting sail wherever members could find space, largely sailing out of Gold Point Marina in the late ’40s until a land-swap agreement was reached for the club’s current location. “I was just 15; I don’t know anything about [the property swap] except that I was a beneficiary,” jokes the now-80-year-old, explaining
that it was his father, Brainard Cooper Sr., who got him into the sport. “He loved it like nothing else. We sailed every doggone day back in those days. We’d go up and sail until the sun went down. And if we hadn’t got back before dark, we’d paddle home.” But it’s obvious Cooper Jr. loves it just as much. When asked why, he says, “Who knows? It’s like asking, ‘Why did you fall in love with a girl?’ When the wind blows, it’s bigger than you are. It’s you against the elements.” Fellow member Pat Crowe, 85, goes back a little further with the club, but only by a couple years. He joined up in ’48, coming home during the summers from Notre Dame to sail; and getting truly active in the club after returning from service with the Marine Corps in 1956. Today, Crowe
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even lives in one of the 10 cabins on PYC property, so he’s always close to his three sailboats. “It’s just been a major outing for my family,” Crowe says. “I raised our children here and they’ve all been sailors.” The club has grown over the years. Cooper says it probably started out with 25 members and now boasts nearly 150, with races several days a week year-round, including a Frostbite series in the winter. “There’s a great deal of racing activity that goes on at Privateer Yacht Club, and it always has. If you don’t have an aggressively active racing program you end up like a country club, and there are already plenty of those,” explains Cooper. On a good Saturday, 10 or 15 boats usually compete, with trophies and bragging rights at stake. But on my first race day, with the threat of rain looming over the mountains in the distance, only three set sail for the race.
A Volunteer Club Privateer’s clubhouse was just built last year, largely by volunteering members, says Harper. The previous clubhouse was built when the club first moved to the property, at 4713 Privateer Road, in 1950. The new clubhouse, thanks to member and architect Rob Fowler, has lots of features perfect for the club’s sailors, including its expansive back deck overlooking the lake where members often sit, chat and “wait for the wind.” The ceiling is even designed to look like the structure of a sailing vessel.
On your mark A steady, soaking rain finally breaks through the gray sky as we circle the race officials’ motorboat, waiting for the signal to cross the starting line and begin the race. With the blast of a horn, we’re off. Tacking left, we make our way to our first mark, a red buoy floating out in the distance. Our aim is to round it and make it back faster than the other boats, and so far we have the lead. Roberts steers the boat as Harper feverishly works the countless lines of rope strewn across the bow, using the jib to harness the wind. “Keith is the one who works the magic,” Roberts jokes. As we cover ground — er, water — the wind picks up and I wonder how I didn’t notice it before. Now, it’s everywhere. Ripping at our sails, at my hair, tugging at my rain jacket and sending stinging rain into my eyes. It fills our sails full force, literally pulling our boat sideways until the port side looks in danger of submerging. At Harper’s command, I climb hastily to the high side 56
from left, pat crowe and brainard cooper
A New Generation of Sailors It’s easy to spot PYC’s signs for youth sailing camps around town — they’re everywhere. Harper says the club puts an emphasis on teaching the younger generation, as well as any adults who want to learn, how to sail. “It builds character and confidence in the youth,” he says. “We get kids coming into the youth sailing program who have never been on a sailboat before and are maybe a little uncomfortable in their own skin. We see kids come in kind of timid and they leave very self-confident. The social implications of that … strengthen the youth of our community.” Better yet, he says he’s witnessed some kids bring their parents out to the lake to teach them how to sail.
swimming. In fact, it knocked every boat in the regatta over but one. “They didn’t get up; we did. We ended up winning that regatta,” he says, laughing. “We knew we were golden then. It was a sign from on high.” Speaking of signs from on high, Crowe recalls how, in the ’70s, the club used to bring the nuns from Memorial Hospital to the lake to take them sailing or let them watch from pontoon boats. One day, the wind died down so much it took the fun out of the sport, so one of the club members jokingly requested that the nuns send a prayer up for more wind. “The wind blew so hard, one boat blew over,” laughs Crowe. “We said, ‘Turn it off, sister! Turn it off!’”
A winning crew of the boat and swing my legs over, trying to use my body weight to help hold the boat upright. Settled there, I laugh at the bizarre angle of the boat and wonder how on earth it doesn’t just flip over. It’s called turtling, and it actually happens more than you’d think. In fact, every sailor I’ve talked to has at least one story of being dumped
GET OUT CHATTANOOGA AUGUST 2015
overboard thanks to a wicked gust of wind. At the annual Southern Snipe Championship back in 1970, for example, Cooper was crewing with friend and fellow member Dan Williams. They reached their first mark in the race, and as they were rounding the turn, a puff of wind knocked the boat clean over and the sailors went
Thanks to Harper and Roberts, we win our first race and are circling back up to prepare for the second. The rain has stopped and the sun is already peeking out through the clouds and heating the air. I shed my rain jacket and toss it below board as Harper tells me about an adventure he went on last January. A member of the club owns a large sailboat usually docked
at New Port, Rhode Island. But every year, he gets help from fellow members to sail it down to Bermuda for the winter, and Harper, who had just completed his Level 1 training certificate in sailing, was asked to jump on the 12-person crew for the 700-mile, four-day trip. “One of my dreams was always to sail on the open ocean; it’s kind of a romanticized thing and I had that wanderlust,” he says, explaining that most of those types of trips are only taken in the summer when threat of foul weather and hurricanes is much less. “So undertaking that trip in the north Atlantic in the middle of winter, we had some storms, some 45-knot winds, which really roughed up the seas. “I never felt unsafe, but I definitely felt the power of nature’s elements. It was just our boat on the open waves.” Crowe says he used to make those trips every year as well, and though he’s slowed down on his sailing quite a bit in recent years, he has lots of memories sailing “all over” the Caribbean and even across the Atlantic Ocean, from Holland to England to Spain to
the Mediterranean and back home to the states. Not only have members sailed far and wide, “We’ve had some of the finest sailors in the world sail here,” says Cooper. We’re talking world and national champions at Chickamauga Lake. The members themselves are no less distinguished. Cooper is just one of four members who have held the position of Commodore of the Snipe Class International Sailing Association— a snipe being a sleek sail boat that used to be a club favorite here in Chattanooga. The designation sent him sailing in nearly 30 different countries. He just recently stepped down from his role as the class’s national commodore, and he continues to lend his experience and expertise at regattas as an official. “It’s been a long career,” he says. “But Lord, it was fun.”
Find out more about Privateer Yacht Club at privateeryachtclub.org.
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i am an ecosystem
part tres By sunny montgomery
I
n 1943, psychologist Abraham Maslow published a paper titled The Theory of Human Motivation. In it, he described the tier of human needs that must be met before a person can achieve self-actualization — or, as I choose to call it, happiness. First, he says, one must satisfy basic needs: food, shelter, etc. Only after that can a person progress to higher levels of growth: a sense of security, a sense of belonging, self-esteem and, ultimately, the discovery of one’s true potential. In the 1960s, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs was expanded to include cognitive needs (i.e., the need for meaning) and aesthetic needs (i.e., the search for beauty). These additions rank after self-esteem and
before actualization. As a student of the Tennessee Naturalist Program, Maslow’s expanded hierarchy was one of the first lessons in our curriculum. This summer, I am working toward becoming a certified State Naturalist, a process I am chronicling each month in Get Out Chattanooga. The Tennessee State Naturalist Program is a 15-session regionally tailored training course that introduces participants to natural history and environmental stewardship. To earn certification, students must complete 40 hours of lectures and field studies and log 40 hours of volunteer services. Instruction is led by local scientists, teachers and professors. Classes are organized
by Julia Gregory, senior educator at the Tennessee Aquarium. So far we have studied birds, rocks, insects, reptiles and amphibians. This month we look at Tennessee trees and mammals. Once certified, State Naturalists are considered wildlife ambassadors, helping educate others about the natural areas and resources within their community. According to Gregory, it is important for naturalists to understand Maslow’s hierarchy because in order to teach the value of nature — say, on a group hike — an environmental leader must first meet a person’s low-tier needs such as bathroom and water breaks, access to first aid kits, etc. If a person is hungry, thirsty or does not feel
safe, says Gregory, he or she will be unable to find meaning in your lesson. However, like one’s perception of safety, the value of nature will vary from person to person. As do the reasons one might choose to become a certified naturalist. There are 11 students in my class: nine women and two men. Our ages range from mid-20s to late 50s. We are psychologists, engineers, journalists and teachers. Like, for example, 28-year-old Stevie Davis, who says she wants to become a State Naturalist so that she can enrich her third-grade classroom. Jacob Whitt, a 29-yearold graduate from University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, says he is taking the course as a refresher before pursuing a master’s degree in
Wildlife Conservation. Thirty-three-year-old Shannon Bennett, an environmental engineer, says she wants to become a naturalist simply because she loves nature. Initially, I enrolled in the program only on assignment. But the deeper I come to understand my natural world, the more I reconsider my motivation. The more names I give to the species around me, the simpler it is becoming to find joy. On a sunbaked pasture at Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center, a group of precertified naturalists converges on a hot summer morning. We find shaded refuge at the treeline where we gather to practice tree identification and to study mammals.
this is what i learned. 58
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tennessee forests
Threats to our Forests
The scientific study of trees is known as dendrology. How to ID a Tree
Eastern redbud
It is easiest to identify a tree by its leaf. So, it is helpful to become familiar with certain tree terms.
Simple vs. compound In order to tell the difference between the two, look for the axillary bud, which grows from the stem, also called the petiole, which sprouts either a single leaf (signifying a simple leaf) or a cluster of leaves (signifying a compound leaf). simple leaf
Tennessee’s forest is categorized as an oak-hickory forest. This means that out of the 14.4 million acres of forest that cover the state, 10.2 million acres, or 71 percent, are comprised predominately of oak and hickory trees.
compound leaf
PHOTO: ERIC TAYLOR
The non-native hemlock woolly adelgid (adelges tsugae) is a small aphid-like insect that sucks sap from the eastern hemlock (tsuga canadensis). The pest now infests 27 out of the 40 Tennessee counties that have native hemlock stands. To date, more than 325,000 hectares of hemlocks have been infested across the U.S.
teeth
veins
petiole lobe
Sugar maple Acer saccharum
This wasn’t always the case. During the 19th century, Tennessee forests were comprised of more American chestnut (castanea dentata) than hickory trees. Then, in 1904, an Asian-imported fungus known as cryphonectria parasitica was discovered killing chestnuts in New York City. The disease went airborne and quickly spread. To date, the blight has killed an estimated 4 billion chestnut trees in the eastern U.S., forcing the once abundant species to near extinction.
The eastern redbud (cercis canadensis) has the only heart-shaped leaves in Tennessee’s forests. However, the tree is easiest identified in April by its rosy pink blooms. According to Gregory, redbud blossoms are quite the delicacy. Said to have a slightly tart, nutty flavor, these edible blooms can be consumed raw, cooked or pickled and are often used as a colorful addition to garden salads. Did you know?
Tennessee’s state tree is
the American tulip tree (liriodendron tulipifera), sometimes called a tulip poplar or a yellow poplar. The best way to ID this tree is to remember it is the only square leaf in the forest.
The emerald ash borer (agrilus planipennis) is another non-native insect currently threatening North America’s ash (fraxinus) population. While feeding, insect larvae disrupt the flow of nutrients and water under the bark, causing the tree to weaken and eventually die. Since 2002, it has spread to 18 different states and is responsible for tens of millions of ash tree deaths. The southern pine beetle (dendroctonus frontalis) is a bark beetle that affects a variety of pine (pinus) trees. Damage occurs when the female insect chews her way into a tree, releasing hormones that attract more beetles while also infecting the tree with fungus that lives on the female beetle’s back. This epidemic is particularly relevant to Tennessee as 22 percent of our forests is comprised of loblolly pine (pinus taeda), shortleaf pine (pinus echinata) and mixed oak-pine stands.
Photo Courtesy of the American Chestnut Foundation
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mammals
Tennessee Trivia
While trees are one of Tennessee’s most abundant resources to study, mammals prove to be a bit trickier, accounting for just a fraction of the earth’s organisms.
The Opossum
“The animals we tend to get most excited about are actually the smallest group,” says Corey Hagen, Reflection Riding’s director of education, who led the mammal portion of our field study. But there is still a huge amount of diversity within the mammal class.
Total number of vertebrate species:
66,178
Total reptiles: 10,038 (15%)
Total amphibians: 7,302 (11%)
Total birds: 10,425 (16%)
Total mammals: 5,513 (8%) total fish: 32,900 (50%)
For example, Thailand’s Kitti’s hog-nosed bat, commonly called the bumblebee bat (craseonycteris thonglongyai), is the smallest mammal in the world, weighing just 2 grams — or, less than the weight of a nickel.
There are 19 orders of mammals in the world. Ten of those orders live in the U.S. where there exist over 410 different species. Over 40 percent of those native species belong to the rodentia order, meaning rodents.
The blue whale (balaenoptera musculus), weighing an average of 180 metric tons, is the world’s largest mammal. To help put its size in perspective, a blue whale’s tongue weighs as much as an adult elephant.
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Mammalian Order: Didelphidae
There are more than 60 different species of opossum worldwide. However, the only species found in the U.S. is the Virginia opossum (didelphis virginiana) — which also happens to be the only native marsupial found in the U.S. The opossum is the oldest surviving land mammal. The first opossum-like species, called the mimoperadectes houdei, evolved 65 million years ago; a time when some dinosaurs still stalked the earth. Even more impressive, while ancient fossils show slight differences in the opossum’s prehistoric predecessor, the species has remained relatively unchanged over time. Playing possum: The opossum’s best-known defense against predators is its ability to “play dead.” But actually, the opossum is not “playing.” Rather, this is an involuntary reflex caused by extreme fear. During this time, the opossum not only goes comatose, it also reduces its heart rate and respiration. Its anal glands express a green mucus which smells of decay. The opossum can remain in this state for up to four hours.
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Tennessee Trivia
The coyote Mammalian Order: Carnivora
Coyotes (canis latrans) resemble a small- to medium-sized German shepherd and are native to the Southwest U.S. The wild canine first began to expand its range in the 1950s, which, not coincidentally, coincided with the building of the first freeway system. Once the new roads and bridges were in place, the coyote moved at will. That, coupled with the decrease in wolf populations, allowed the coyote population to boom.
It is nearly impossible to control coyote populations as females have an impressive ability to increase their reproduction rate when necessary. For example, in 2007, as part of a predator control program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services killed more than 90,000 coyotes across the country. In turn, females began to breed at younger ages, mating with more partners and even increasing their litter sizes. Studies show that North American coyote populations are likely at an all-time high.
PHOTO: missouri dept. of wildlife resources
The VOLE
mammalian order: rodentia
The woodland vole (microtus pinetorum), occasional prey for the coyote, is also called the pine vole. The tiny mammal spends most of its life underground, weighs around 30 grams and is about 100 millimeters long, or about the length of a person’s index finger. Despite the obvious differences between the vole and the human (homo sapiens), the two species actually share similarities when it comes to social behavior. Like humans, woodland voles are mostly monogamous. They live in family groups consisting of mother, father and offspring. Parent voles are even known to occasionally “hire” outside help, or bring in single voles from other dens to help care for their brood.
The coyote is also known as the American jackal or the prairie wolf.
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While humans may benefit from having the highestfunctioning brain, at the end of the day — from the air we breathe to our social needs — we still come down to biology; the ongoing struggle to be our strongest self.
Stay tuned for next month, which will begin, literally, at the end of the day, when we take a midnight canoe trip down Lookout Creek to study the wildlife that comes out after dark.
AUGUST 2015
GET OUT CHATTANOOGA photo: brian gratwicke
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End of the Trail Photos: john rawlston
Brett Hulgan looks around to see how close his competitors are as he nears the finish line.
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Christoper Douglas heads for the finish line during the Chattanooga Riverfront Triathlon.
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PHOTO: smuzz / creative commons