Maple Syrup Season Is Underway With The Tapping Of The Sugar Maples

Well, we are about to start the final month of winter, which means it is time to start tapping Maple Trees. This is my third season tapping trees and making Maple Syrup (these are blogs on the first two years here, here and here). My first year was more successful than my second, which might have been down to the quality of sap (the first year was far better).

However, each year I have started earlier and this year is no different as I am kicking off in January. I am starting with Sugar Maples, but next week I am planning on tapping Sycamore, Silver Maple, and a Box Elder. So stay tuned as I will have blog updates on my progress.

Day Three: Ex-Com

The main focus on the final day of the Tennessee Chapter Meeting of the Sierra Club is the Executive Committee Meeting (Ex-Con). First I helped make breakfast, which turned out pretty good. At the meeting, my local group here in Hawkins County, CareNET, got official recognition and the Wood Booger is Ex-Con Sergeant at Arms.

Day Two: Hiking & A Program On The Cedar Glades Of Lebanon

On Saturday of Day Two of the Tennessee State Chapter Meeting of the Sierra Club, the focus was on the Cedar Glades of the State Park. First, there was a hike led by State Naturalist Randy Hedgepath who showed us the Cedar Glades. 

Later Mac Post led a short outing which talked about Dr. Elsie Quarterman, who was instrumental during her life in protecting the Cedar Glades. Then that evening Dr. Kim Sadler brought it full circle talking about the Cedar Glades and Dr. Quarterman.

Day One Of The Sierra Club Chapter Meeting

Well, I am here today for Day One of the Tennessee State Chapter Meeting of the Sierra Club. Friday is the settle in day, but I did build find fossils and build a fire. That is all for today.

Davy Crockett's Journey To King Of The Wild Frontier Started In Limestone

The old song says "born a mountaintop in Tennessee," but Davy Crockett was actually conceived in a valley next to the Nolichucky River. So Wednesday I decided to head to David Crockett Birthplace State Park near Limestone.

I had been to the park before, but I didn't tour the old Crockett Homestead. What is interesting is there were changes made last year. The old homestead cabin was moved to the front of the park and a new, more accurate homestead was built in its place. Besides the cabin, there are other buildings and examples of a homestead.

Two cool things near the front of the homestead. The first is a monument to Crockett, but what really stood out is the wall made up of stones from the 50 States with there names. The other the large footstone from the original Crockett Cabin that stood on the site.

I did do a little hiking, but there are no trail maps, but I did find three named trails...Meadow Scape Trail,  Collett Grave Trail, and Limestone Creek Trail. While the Meadow Scape was alright the Collett Grabve Trail passes the grave of its namesake Edward Newton Collett which overlooks Limestone Creek and this is appropriate since this path ran into the Limestone Creek one.

The Limestone Creek Trail is a picturesque path that parallels this waterway until it flows into the Nolichucky Rive, right behind the homesite. Anyway, while a short trip, this one to Davy's birthplace made for a good outing.

High Winds Of Winter Doesn't Stop A Trip Down The 🐰 Hole

On Saturday it was time to drag the Big Lummox out for a hike and what better place than the AT (Appalachian Trail) on the Roan Highlands.
When we got to Carvers Gap I was a little disappointed because of the lack of snow, but unlike the Lummox the high winds just got the Hiking Machine pumped! However, the crying of the Lummox got louder and louder as we climbed the shrouded summit of Round Bald. He wanted to quit then and there, but I slapped him silly a few times, hoisted him on my back and carried him up, Jane Bald. I guess once we got there I took pity on him because I could have hiked on to Hump Mountain, so we headed back.

The deal was we would head on up to the shelter on Roan High Knob. I had to wait while he put on his pansy YakTraks. I don't know why he thought he needed these as I was doing all the work. We made it up to the shelter and he took a break to eat while I explored. I had to come back and calm him down as ice falling out of the trees spooked him. On the way back he was back on my back as he about slipped on the ice, even with his "YakTraks." Even though I had a lot of work, being on the AT made it worth it.