Well, it is the end of October and Halloween is here (or Samhain)! I spent it like I do most years. First sitting by the fire and then watching some horror movies. Since we had a few pumpkins around this year I carved four. I even brought back a design from 10 years ago. Oh, and one looks like a Sleestack from Land of the Lost (😄). Anyway with that... Happy Halloween!
Pumpkins camping: Elkmont (TL), Camp Creek Bald (BL) & face in fire (R)
Today is the last day of October and that means part two of the 7th Annual Halloween Hike.
As I chronicled here the first part was at Bays Mountain Park. The reason for this was the weather since I didn't know if it would clear out. I had a similar situation in 2019. While the rain did subside it was cloudy and drizzly so I scaled back the outing and decided to hike part of the Tusculum Trail.
Part One @ Bays Mtn. Park
Heading to the Tusuculm4590
...Trail
I went from the bridge over TN-107 to where I got my first two COVID doses at Greeneville. I think this is the more picturesque of the halves of the trail. There were some fall colors, but the clouds I mentioned obscured where I camped last weekend, Camp Creek Bald. Overall it was a pleasant hike on Halloween!
Since it is the heart of autumn I decided what better way to spend Hump Day than hiking. Because of the weather, this outing will be part one of the 7th Annual Halloween Hike. Anyway, I couldn't think of a better place than Bays Mountain Park for this Wednesday outing.
I knew this Kingsport Park would work because I had a third COVID shot appointment and it is always a great place for fall colors. I first enjoyed checking out the deer pin and my old friend Buddy. He had a nice rack and was showing off quite a bit. Then the Wolf enclosure I got to see a scuffle. While I did go up to the old fire tower (which I discovered has another name...Garden Mountain) this outing concentrated on the Bays Mountain Lake area because of how beautiful it is with changing trees lining its bank. It made for a great hike that even Pete enjoyed.
Bucky!
Wolves
Pavilion @ Lily Pad Cove
Beauty of the lake
Fall colors
The Bays Mtn. Fire Tower also known as Garden Mtn.
Clockwise (CW): Church Hill School, Food City, Allandale Mansion, I-26, HAAP
CW: Camp Creek Bald, Holston Mtn., Mt. Rogers, Unaka Mtn., Chimneytops, The Roans
New tower sign
Floating Bridge
Looking back at the tower & looking down earlier
Crossing the dam
View from...
...the dam
Once I was done I headed to Walgreens in Rogersville for my third shot (one & two) of the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine. My arm was sore and I felt a little tired Thursday, but it is better than getting COVID. Oh, I still haven't grown a second head!
