17 Days 'Til Christmas

‎"Dear Lord, I kneel to you to pray.
As Christmas grows closer day by day,
please help us remember
your Son was delivered
in poverty,
simplicity,
and probably September.
Amen" ~ Ms. Coo

The Geminid Meteors are Coming

This month, planet Earth will barge it's way through a stream of debris left by the extinct comet now asteroid 3200 Phaethon. This happens every year around this time resulting in what we call the Geminids Meteor Shower because the meteors appear to come from the constellation Gemini.

This year's Geminid meteor shower should peak around the 13th and 14th of the month. The moon shouldn't be much of a problem as far as light pollution goes as it will be setting around midnight, which is a good time to head out to catch the meteors. We usually like to head out around that time or just a bit later. The Geminids usually produce about fifty meteors and hour on a pretty regular basis making it one of the best showers of the year.

So if you haven't got anything better to do in the wee morning hours of the 14th head outside and look up. Of course you'll need to bundle up to the point you look like a cross between Randy in "A Christmas Story" and the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. It's okay though as all that padding will make you comfy for laying down as that is the best way to view a meteor shower. Otherwise, you might end up with a sore neck within minutes.

Don't be dismayed if you have to get up early the next morning and that prevents you from getting out to watch the shower. You can go out the weekend prior to the 13th/14th, that is provided the skies are clear, and watch for them because Geminids start flying through the night sky around December 1st and continue through to the 18th. It just happens that the 13th/14th is the peak and usually produces the best rate of meteors per hour.

So everyone be sure to pray for clear skies next week as we would love to get out and freeze, err I mean, watch the meteor shower.

Happy Trails,
Tim and Robin

An Old Fashioned Appalachian Christmas

We're counting down the days until St. Nick squeezes his rear through our chimney and out through the cabinet that now sits where the old wood stove used to reside. I'm not sure I ever remember this house having that wood stove, but I've sure heard all the stories surrounding it (like my anecdotal grandfather vs. a very persistent chimney owl ). Although we've discussed putting a nice pot-bellied stove back in this heirloom homestead, to date we still rely on our HVAC unit unless an electricity failure forces us to kerosene heat.

I do miss the smell of a wood stove though. It just screams, "Christmas is coming!" I miss a lot about how things were many winters ago. As a child, I loved toasting my tootsies by my Great Grandparent's old family room stove.

Oh, how the holidays bring back such wonderful memories! Popcorn garland, cedar trees, Christmas carols, homemade ornaments, cookies, pies, and that silly plastic tinsel they used in the 80s. Gives me the giggles every time I think of it!

We have always had a "normal" (more like "commercialized") Christmas: a purchased tree (always Fraser Fir), pretty gift wrap, store-bought and ribbon-tied ornaments (not a hook to be found!), fruity-flavored candy canes, a stocking for every pet, and -- well -- usually a huge credit card bill to go with all of it. But in the past year we've been growing out of our consumerism jeans, and this year - Christmas is different. Very different! And we're LOVING every minute of it.

We opted for a historical Christmas, one laced with Appalachian love, folklore, and tradition. We didn't buy a tree this year, but rather cut our own cedar and carefully decorated it with the most rustic, handmade and used ornaments we had. We made popcorn and cranberry garland, strategically placed only a few light strands (no candles on our tree!) and used an aluminum pie tin to cut out a star for the top.

Our hearts feel as light as they ever have, and Christmas has become a happy holiday once more. We're no longer worried about having gifts under the tree (although we will - we've already done some shopping) and Santa is bound to come... as long as Ashby pulls her grades up a bit! *wink, wink*

By the way... Ms. Coo squeaks, "Just 18 days 'til Christmas!"

Marine Railway Loop - Norris Dam State Park - 11/28/2010

Another Sunday, another new "I'll make you wish you could call in on Monday, Sunday". This time out Swiss Army Gauge (Wifey), Tim, and The Trusty Side Kick Beene, headed out to Norris Dam State Park to hike the 4.3 mile Marine Railway Loop Trail.

I know what you are wondering. We came up with Robin's new trail name, Swiss Army Gauge, or Gauge for short, this afternoon on the trail as we were discussing how various parts of her body could tell us many things while out on the trail. For instance, her hair can tell us what the humidity outside is (a hygrometer), her knees can tells us approximately how far we have traveled (an odometer), her joints can tell us if rain or storms are likely and what the temperature is (thermometer). Finally, her head can tell us the barometric pressure, that is if it is high/low and whether it is falling or rising (barometer). So now you can see where Swiss Army Gauge was derived.

So back to the trail. There are two starting points for the Marine Railway Loop. One is on Hwy 441 just before the west side entrance of the park if you are coming up from the dam. The other trail head is on the west side of the park behind deluxe cabin number 8. Of course at this point there isn't a trail sign anywhere until you walk back behind the cabin.

The blaze on the trail is black and luckily the blazes are relatively new. Otherwise you might think it's a blaze but actually your eyes being tricked by the trees, much like Tim's eyes did thinking a tree had a white blaze on it at one point along the trail. Behind cabin 8, you walk a couple hundred feet before you see the blaze and a trail sign pointing to either the left or right. To the left, the trail heads straight down to the lake side. To the right the trail meanders along the ridge top at a gradual grade down. We opted to head down to the lake first, as we didn't think we would like that climb out after 4+ miles.

The trail is more or less a figure 8 loop. So there are a few options on how to traverse it. Also, as I stated earlier, you can start the trail from two locations. Total elevation Gain/Loss on the trail is 200+ feet. There are two ascents along the trail and two descents along the trail regardless of which direction you take it.

One of the descents/ascents is along an easement. It's great place to stop and take pictures, if you can keep the power lines from being in the shots. It was a steep hike down - a spot where if there were over a foot of snow, it might be a blast to sled down or something. Robin thinks this is ludicrous, and is rather, a sure-fire way to die.

Another notable spot along the trail is a rest area just off to the side of the trail. The rest area sits next to what would be an island if the lake was up but otherwise was a peninsula in the lake. We took that detour and walked around the peninsula and couldn't stop thinking how great of a place it would be to camp. Unfortunately, there are signs posted everywhere that state "No Camping". Darn the luck. I guess the park has had problems with boaters camping there or something. Nonetheless it is still a cool spot worth checking out.

The rest of the trail offers great views of the lake and along the easement at one point, a great view of the Appalachians, quite possibly the Smokies, off to the east. This trail is definitely one that will get your heart rate up but otherwise not real tough. The footing is decent, not a lot of roots or rocks. There is a bit of dead fall here and there but otherwise nothing real major to be concerned with.

So if you find yourself in the area and would like a nice little challenge of a hike along with some wonderful views, then stop by Norris Dam State Park and check out the Marine Railway Loop. You can also learn a little bit of the history surrounding this area at the Friends of Norris Dam State Park website. Oh and don't forget to play on the playground at the deluxe cabins when you're done. Until next time...

Happy Trails,
Tim and Robin

The Race to 100

We're feeling the pressure now. The thought that our ultimate goal of 100 hiking miles for 2010 may not exactly be met is bouncing around in our minds. To date, I have 28 miles left - Tim has 30. During a warm month graced with 15 hours of sun, this would be possible. But the reality is, it's cold. Really cold. And our usable daylight hours total 9 hours at best.

Our itinerary for this weekend started out with two days of hiking, but Mother Nature decided Saturday was a great day for staying in out of the rain. Our Sunday forecast optimistically suggests a high of 36 with snow flurries in the morning and mostly cloudy skies to grace our daylight hours.

With 20 days until Christmas and 26 days until the hiking odometer is scheduled to reset, we are left with these last four weekends to get our miles in. I would like to say that I'm certain we'll reach our goal, but the practicality gene in me preaches otherwise. But it's not going to keep us from trying!

And since we won't be letting Jack Frost keep us indoors this morning, it's a good time to go over a couple cold-weather hiking tips:

1. LAYERS, LAYERS, LAYERS! - I cannot stress anymore how important this is. I tend to be old-fashioned and prefer a base layer of thermal, followed by a thin long-sleeved shirt, then maybe even a wool sweater and a coat. If you really feel you'd be better prepared, then spend the money on some of those "newfangled" synthetic clothing. I happen to prefer wool as an outer shell, followed by a goose-down coat. Wool is good because it fends off outer moisture (like snow flakes!) and keeps you toasty warm. I also like a hat, two pairs of socks - thermal socks underneath if you've got them! - and a good pair of gloves. In my opinion, layering is most important not to keep you extra warm, but to allow you to strip as you get warmed up. Moisture underneath (caused by sweating) can lead to hypothermia later. Don't risk it! Take the time to remove layers as you warm up, and put them back on if you cool again.

2. BE PREPARED! - Mother Nature is unpredictable. In my daypack - 2L water bladder, Hot Hands hand warmers, an emergency blanket, a candle, a lighter, waterproof matches, a small flashlight, a whistle, a pocket knife, basic first aid, map, some snacks, a rain poncho, and my GoGirl (a necessity for hiking women all over the world!). Tim usually carries a ham radio and a gps on his pack - I usually have my cellphone, too.

3. KNOW THE TRAIL!! - Or at least have researched it/have a map. Snowy/Icy conditions may require ice cleats. If your trail follows a creek, you don't want your feet wet in the winter. Know if or how you'll have to cross to avoid this. I have, in the past, had to wade in the creek to cross after heavy winter rains. In this case, I usually have extra socks and will remove my boots to cross sock-footed. Then I promptly change from the wet socks to the dry and replace my boots.

4. FLIGHT PLAN!! - Above all else, notify someone of where you'll be going and when to expect you back, even on a small morning hike!

Hope you're enjoying the fresh, icy-cold, morning air as much as we are!

Happy Trails,
Robin & Tim