Cloudland Canyon (Jun 28- Jul 2)

We left Trackrock about 9:30 am and arrived here about 12:30. We backed into site 7 and began to set up when the hosts came and told us that our friends Dick & Pat were holding a site next to them. We talked to them for awhile, then got set up.

We joined Dick & Pat around their fire in the evening and were talking when a barred owl decided to join us in a tree not more than 15 feet away. He sat on his perch and watched us for about 5 minutes before moving on.

Tuesday, Jun 29 - After bacon & eggs, we put our new backpacks on and hiked the West Rim Trail. This is a beautiful hike, with dramatic overlooks. It was very warm.







Wednesday, Jun 30 - Happy Birthday John. After cereal breakfast, we hiked from the west rim to the east rim and added a side trip to the upper falls. This is a nice, but again rugged trail, with roots and rocks to watch for. The scenery is not as spectacular as the west rim loop trail until you arrive at the east rim. We relaxed and listened to music on our I-Phones, then joined our friends at Canyon Grill for dinner. The food was great, but more expensive than usual, but it was John's birthday afterall.


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Hike with MHH - Lake Winfield Scott (June 21)

We started from Lake Winfield Scott on a six mile hike on the Slaughter Creek trail. It was a fairly steep grade and quite warm. A few of us opted to turn back after about two miles. We had a nice lunch after the group returned and a few of us launched kayaks in the lake in the afternoon. We fished and caught many bream and Joan caught a nice bass. All were returned to the lake unharmed. This is a very beautiful area.

View Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/johnjoanW/HikingTripLakeWinfieldScottJune21#


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Stream Restoration (Jun 19)

We joined some Trout Unlimited chapters in putting large logs in various configurations into Bryant Creek. This effort is intended to encourage Brook Trout reproduction in the small feeder stream of Coopers Creek. We were directed by the National Forest Service. It was a long, rough ride on FS dirt roads to get here.

View Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/johnjoanW/BryantCreekRestorationJun19#


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Toccoa River Horseshoe Bend Park (Jun 15)

We met several friends from Trout Unlimited for a couple hours wade-fishing in a great trout stream. We each caught one nice (nine inch) trout. Most from the group did about the same. We were chased off the water about noon by some thunder. We all met at All Aboard BBQ in Hayesville for lunch. The food was much better than the service.


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Kayak Trip - Lake Chatuge (Jun 11)

We met six friends and launched at Jackrabbit NRA for about a four mile trip on the lake. It was warm, but cloud cover kept it bearable. Afterwards, we stopped at Chevelle's Restaurant for an excellent. Because we were a group, they brought us a huge plate of desserts.


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Paddling/fishing Lake Chatuge (Jun 9)

We got up early this morning and after Joan got her haircut, we took the kayaks and launched them at Jackrabbit Rec. Area. John had the hot hand today with three very nice bream. Joan had to settle for a small rock bass and bream. We plan on having them for dinner soon. We caught all the fish on a small foam hopper that John ties. It is big enough that the smaller bream usually cannot get hooked.


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Hiking Dicks Creek Gap (Jun 8)

We joined the Mountain High Hikers for a nice 3.2 mile hike on the Appalachian Trail where it crosses Hwy 76 west of Clayton, Ga. There were 28 of us on the hike which had a few fairly substantial climbs.


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Senior Rodeo at the fish hatchery (June 4)

Today we helped represent TU at the Chattahoochee National Fish Hatchery. This was the annual Senior Rodeo when the throw hundreds of trout into Rock Creek for those over 55 to catch. We helped serving lunch for everyone after they fished. Folks stood nearly shoulder to shoulder to try to catch some trout. Everyone seemed to have a good time.




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Fires Creek (June 3)

Today we went to Fires Creek Recreation Area in the Nantahala National Forest in NC to fish there. We started in the picnic area and hiked about a mile on the trail up the creek. John caught two trout, one small one on a parachute Adams and a larger one on a yellow grub. We returned to the picnic area and had lunch, and since the tubers left, we decided to fish around the picnic area. Joan caught two nice trout on a black ant. It was warm, so we wet waded, which worked well.


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