Hike in Big Frog Wilderness-Cherokee National Forest

We hiked up from the Low Gap parking lot using Big Frog trail #64 to the summit of Big Frog Mountain, elevation 4,200 ft. Trail #64 was ok going up… nice long slope, but we noticed that as we got further from the lot, the trail became more and more overgrown. The last two miles the wind was increasing and the temperature was dropping. It was dark by the time we set  up camp and enjoyed dinner by the light of our headlamps with the  city lights from Cleveland visible down below in the valley. The wind continued to pick up throughout the night with 30 to 40 mile-an-hour gusts. I was glad I tied my guy wires to trees when I set up or they might have found me in the valley below by morning. I was hoping to see a bear but I think it was too cold for them to be out.

The next day we descended the Big Frog trail part way down and then took the Benton MacKaye trail to the Rough Creek trail and the remaining mile down the Big Frog trail to Low Gap parking lot.

I enjoyed hiking with my new hiking buddies Mack, Debbie, and Don and I am sure there will be many more hikes in the near future.

Cohutta Mountains

Big Frog Mountain

For fun in the outdoors the Cohutta Wilderness Area cannot be beat. With more than 40,000 acres in Georgia and Tennessee (where its known as Big Frog Wilderness Area), the Cohuttas comprise the largest wilderness east of the Mississippi.

The Cohutta Mountains are part of the oldest known mountains in the world. They run from Fannin County northeast to the Tennessee-North Carolina border, where they are known as the Smoky Mountains, and once bordered a prehistoric ocean. It is from these mountains that the Cohutta Wilderness Area gets its name. As settlers moved west they avoided these mountains because of difficult access and scant level ground for farming. Only a few hardy Scot-Irish settlers scratched out a meager existence in this section of Appalachia.

Around 1900, the Cohuttas became one of the last areas of Georgia to be forested. Logging continued in these areas until World War II when the federal government took over management of the land. In 1976, 36,000 acres were deemed wilderness. Since that time more wilderness area has been added.

Within the Cohutta Mountains are peaks that rise to 4,200 feet and more than a hundred miles of hiking trails. Within the Wilderness Area itself are 13 trails that total more than 87 miles of unusual remote hiking. Other than on the popular Jacks River Trail, it is possible to hike in this area for days during the Spring and Fall and not see other backpackers.

Two rivers (Conasauga and Jacks) flow through the Cohuttas, forming the major valleys on the east and west sides of the Wilderness Areas. In the river valleys the flora is prolific. It is not uncommon to see a wide array of plant life, thickly covering any land that gets available sunlight. As the trails climb the mountains the plants lessen, mostly because the trees block the sun.

Within this forest land, there are approximately 26 trails covering roughly 127 miles. Enjoy!

Gold Prospecting and Hiking at Coker Creek, Tennessee

Coker Creek, Tennessee

THARS GOLD IN THEM THAR HILLS!!!

Ed, Eggo and I spent the day prospecting for gold in  Coker Creek, Tennessee. Our findings were small but we plan on going back and camping out for a few days and check out other areas of the creek. Coker creek is a nice creek that runs from the side of what used to be called Gold Mountain, turns south, and drops into the Hiwassee River. All along this creek you can find gold. The problem is that most of it is on private property, and you are not allowed to prospect without owners permissions… most will not give it.

Most people are unaware that the very first Gold Rush in the US was in Monroe County,Tennessee, right in the area of Coker Creek. Gold was first discovered here in 1827 but the land was owned by the Cherokee nation at the time and the boom was considered as unofficial. The official boom didn’t start until around 1836 when it became clear that the native Cherokee and other tribes would not lay claim on the gold since they were being deported on the infamous “Trail of Tears” ordered by Congress and President Andrew Jackson, in defiance of Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall.

As soon as it became clear that all potential problems were cleared, the Gold Rush began. By then, however, the “official” Gold Rush had already started in Dahlonega, Georgia.

Hiking the Unicoi Turnpike Trail

I hiked along the Unicoi Turnpike Trail with Eggo for a short distance. At Coker Creek, the lush forest opens into the Doc Rogers Fields where  the Cherokee National  Forest has restored the native grasses along the creek bottom.
The Unicoi Turnpike Trail, also know as the “Trail of Tears”, is one of the oldest known travel routes in North America. What a sense of sorrow to be walking in the footsteps of the Cherokee Indians as they were forced from their lands. This ancient pathway is rich in history and served as the main route between the Atlantic coastland the interior of the Southeast.

As you hike through the Cherokee National Forest between Unicoi Gap and the Doc Rogers Fields, you will follow the footsteps of people who have traveled this path for centuries. Along the way you will discover the marker for the murdered  toll gate-keeper and the remnants of Rolling Stone CCC Camp.

A Mother’s Day Tribute

Happy Mother’s Day to all you beautiful  mothers!

Our family lost our mom in 1998 but her presence is always strong in our hearts. Each Mothers Day I feel a sense of happiness to know my mom is in a better place and watching  over us.
As much as I miss my mom I am very blessed to have many caring and loving siblings. We try to look out for each other and have carried on many of the traditions that our parents began.

My sister Janeen wrote this poem when our mom passed on. I have always been inspired by it and it still brings me to tears. I hope you enjoy and remember to hug your mom every day that you are fortunate to have her in your life.

Wings for Momma
1998
by Janeen Schneider

You were ready a long time ago for your wings
Weren’t you Momma?
Wanted to fly up with Dad and hear the angles sing
Is that so Momma?

Now there’s pain no more,
instead of wood your feet are standing on soft cloudy floors.
Am I right?
Are there nights that you stand peeking through heavens door?

Now you’ve earned your wings, go fly
Tell me Momma
How can you see us while
so high up in the blue, blue sky?

How do your feathery wings feel, are they heavy to hold?
Light like a feather,
wish this story could be told
Wish you could tell me Momma

Are you and Daddy now young
like when first wed?
I know your now warm, never cold
Tell me Momma,
are you given water, are you fed?

Momma, I wish I could see you and Daddy dressed all in white
I’d tell you I miss you but I know you both had need for flight
I know you must be a most beautiful sight
So this gathering of family and friends are here to tell you
fly high
Safe journey
And a sweet Goodnite

Costa Rica Colors

          What fasinated me the most were the beautiful colors of Costa Rica. Driving through the countryside to witness an array of brightly colored houses, the vibrant oranges of the sunsets, and the shades of green in the forests.

 Click here for a video of the beautiful colors.

Sunset at Posada Mimosa, Grecia, Costa Rica

Color is  freedom. It can liberate the mind, allowing one to express deeper levels of emotion, thought and cultural identity. Color is a part of the Costa Rican identity; it’s fundamental. Costa Rica is  a country of biodiversity, and green is the essential color of Costa Rica.
          Many hues of blue capture all the tones found in water, from turquoise to sky blues to purple-blues. The colors represent happiness. For every instant in life, there is a different color.

The brightly painted ox carts

Costa Rica Ox Carts

were used as means of transportation to haul the coffee crop and other export goods from the Central Vally to the port at Puntarenas. These carts had a huge importance in the economic development of Costa Rica. Can you imagine seeing this cartful of color trekking through the mountains and to the coast of Costa Rica? What a sight!

When travelling through Costa Rica, most assuredly one aspect that will stay with you is the sun.  It is almost as if the sun is closer to you here.   It bathes everything with a golden hue and gilds the surrounding landscape.

Travel in Italy, Como Lake

“She who loves to travel”    I want to do it all, see it all, and taste it all. Travel in Italy, especially Como Lake, is one way to experience the culture, food, people, and last but not least the beauty of the magic variety of the landscapes reflecting a peaceful union from town to town. You can easily be seduced by the sublime and graceful aspects of this lake. 
     We traveled from Milan,  by train,  to Como. Each day we would catch the ferry and spend the day exploring a new village. We did not have time to venture into the northern sections of the Lake but plan on returning to this remarkable place again in the near future. We spent five amazing days at Lake Como.

Villages around Como Lake

     Como Lake, in ancient times called Lario, is characteristically shaped like a sprawling upside-down Y with its three arms, the western one called Como’s, the eastern called Lecco’s and finally the northern called Colico’s.
     Como is the third Italian largest lake after Garda and Maggiore Lakes, covering a surface of ninety-one miles and a depth of 1,345 feet.
     The lake’s geologic origin, as many other Italian sub-alpine lakes, is glacial. It’s basin was totally covered with an impressive glacier.
     The Lake receives the rich contribution of thirty-seven affluent streams and is framed by imposing summits, the highest of which, Mount Legnone – over Colico – is 8,563 feet high.
     The only island of the Lake is the islet of Comacina also called San Giovanni’s, property of the Accademia di Belle Arti of Milan, precious for its ruins of religious buildings on Roman pre-existences and even for its well preserved oratory of San Giovanni.
     Lake Como is a particularly lucky territory, favoured by an unusually mild climate and the Appine range serving as a barrier to the winds coming from the North: all this allows an extraordinary richness in the flora boasting, above all in Tremezzina area which is one of the sunniest areas of the Lake.
     The Lake was always exposed to invasions and rules. After the Franks, the town of Como finally gained its independence around the year 1000 but it was afterwards subject to the seignory of Misconti and Sforza.
     The sweeping views from the Lake are exciting and unique: the princely residences showing off on the shores and the luxuriant vegetation provide a bewitching picture of harmony and gentle perfection.
     Finally, the Lake also represents a precious naturalist resource: not far from Gravedona is the Pian di Spagna, so-called because of the Spanish troops settled there between the seventeenth and eighteenth century. Nowadays, this area is an important international naturalist reserve.
      Enjoy photos of  my journey by clicking on picture below.

Punta Balbianello

 

Cinque Terres, Italy

Image via Wikipedia

“Stepping out of our ruts, The truth is that our finest meoments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.” by M. Scott Peck
 
Sister’s trip to Italy a few years ago.
Each year we  gather as many of the eight sisters together, as possible, to seek out a new adventure
This journey included Lorelei, Janeen and myself. This was our favorite spot on this trip.
Watch for our other adventures as we travel through Italy in future  postings.

Riomaggiore as viewed from boat.

Click here http://www.photoshow.com/watch/dR2Wk6mD to view video of the other villages

Little Things

     The faucet is leaking, we walk out of the house with mismatched socks, we run out of milk, we’re low on gas, the yard needs mowing, we forget to thaw some meat for dinner-these sorts of trivial issues can pile up to ruin a day. But only if we let them.
     We can’t think big thoughts all the time, but we can keep the little things in perspective and not let their sheer numbers overwhelm us.
     Take a deep breath-maybe two or three deep breaths-and remind yourself that as annoying as the minor problems of everyday life are, you’re not going to fret about them.

by Linda Picone
Positive Quotations

Be Yourself

Need a little inspiration or motivation to be yourself? The following quote has gotten me through some difficult times. It made me realize that I am a unique and special women, brought into existance by remarkable parents. My  journeys through life have taught me to embrace the freedom to just be ME. Enjoy the following words of inspiration.

The world would like to change you;
There are pressures all around.
You must decide just who you are,
Then firmly hold your ground.

You have an image of yourself,
An ideal sense of you;
And to this vision you must always
struggle to be true.

You know what you are good at,
and you know where talents lie;
But if you’re ruled by others,
Your uniqueness could pass by.

Remember there is much to learn,
But all new things aren’t good.
Wisdom lies in what you’ve learned
and what you have with stood.

So, be yourself and don’t allow
the world to take control.
Preserving your identiy
Is life’s most precious goal.

Venice, Venezia

I left for Italy with my sisters Janeen and Lorelei. Venice was just one stop along the way. We were able to spend time with my brother Allen and our sister-in-law Angie. We did a few short walks around the city enjoying the sights and awesome food. I missed the beauty and peace of our first days in Cinque Terre though.

Venice is a city in northern Italy, the capital of the region Veneto, with a population of 271,367.  Venice has been known as the “La Dominante”, “Queen of the Adriatic” and “City of Water”

The buildings of Venice are constructed on closely spaced wood piles, which were imported from the mainland. It is petrified as a result of the constant flow of mineral-rich water around and through it, so that it becomes a stone-like structure.

Enjoy my trip to Venice through pictures of some of my favorite spots.

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Come Travel with Me

“I see my path, but I don’t know where it leads. Not knowing where I’m going is what inspires me to travel it.”

I hope you enjoy your journey through GYPSY DREAMER’S world. This is a new site and you can look forward to some wonderful adventures in the near future.