What we’re about
"I chose the road less travelled… Now I don’t know where I am."
"Never follow someone else's path unless you're in the woods and you're lost, and you see a path. By all means, you should follow that." - Ellen Degeneres
"Bring a compass. It's awkward when you have to eat your friends." - Unknown
So maybe we caught your interest?
Quick note then I’ll tell you what we’re about. We’ve never gotten lost or had to look at members as a food source. This is Chattanooga Outdoor Adventures not the Donner Party (some of you will get that).
We enjoys the outdoors in all forms. Events like Hiking, Rafting, Kayaking, and everything else.
But wait there’s more! I sound like a Ginsu knife commercial. Let’s not let any of the Donners have one of those.
We also plan other great activities in and around Chattanooga. Not just hiking. Musical events, food and wine festivals. A concert in a cave, you get the idea
It’s an open group and would love to get everyone involved and plan a lot of different things. Inclusion and fun are key.
Not just hiking, Adventures of all kinds
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Cumberland Trail: Laurel Falls Trail & Monkey Town-Dayton locationWalmart Supercenter, Chattanooga, TN
The Sunday after church Series
I go to the early service so I can do something after.
Another short and sweet writeup and short but sweet hike. I am going to when it gets even cooler bring back the long hikes, but for now this will do.
Not my usual long hike and it isn't far away.
Carpool at the usual location. Time listed is for the Carpool
Walmart
501 Signal Mountain Road by the roadNo I do not have an exact time we will be at the trail head so give us around 45-50 minutes to get there from the meet to carpool time.
The Trail isn't super long 4.6 Miles. (actual results may vary, IYKYK)
Rated Moderate so please realize if you are an experienced hiker you will find it moderately difficult. If you are a beginner it will be harder for you.You're responsible to know your limits.
What to bring? Mostly common sense.
Seriously, proper equipment includes footwear, hydration, snacks for when we stop at the falls to chill out for a minute.The Trail.
The All Trails Write up-Cumberland Trail: Laurel Falls TrailAfter? Break bread together and talk.
I always like to eat after.
Monkeytown-Dayton
287 1st Avenue
Dayton, TN 37321See yet another short and easy write up. I am on a roll.
Rain, sleet, snow, volcano, Dogs and cats living together! Mass hysteria! Volcanos, Sandra Bullock or Susanna Hoffs from the Bangles (Threw you a curve with the new name) calling me to get together at the meetup time will all lead to an event cancellation. If your friend looks like either one of them bring your friend. No one ever reads this far.
If anyone is even interested I attend
Silverdale Church-St Elmo Campus
4500 St Elmo Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37409
9:00 am service.
Back row center section. You can meet me there - Tunnel Hill Tour-Then Ice CreamTunnel Hill Heritage Center, Tunnel Hill, GA
A too hot to Hike Summer Series Event!
We are go for 8;00. I need everyone to either text or call Natalie at the park @ 706-264-9614 and tell her you're coming. It is a short walk to the tunnel entrance. WE WILL BE WALKING SINCE THE GOLF CARTS ARE SOLD OUT. Shouldn't be an issue. We're a hiking group after all. But EVERYONE Please call or text Natalie and give her your name and that your with COA. There is parking at the lodge and at the tunnel entrance. Just no space on Golf Carts.
Thanks Stephanie. She got a hold of the people since there was no option about times on the ticket. We are working on it and will know more Monday. Stay tuned for announcements.
I love Metaphors. A favorite is an old Polish Proverb "That's not my circus and those are not my monkeys." The gist is it's none of my business and I don't want to get involved. I don't.
We use the metaphor more than we know to describe different parts of our life
Journeys
The Journey is a roller coaster ride (Sometimes your headed up, flipped on your head, dropped from a great height, sent flying backwards, terrified, excited, and throwing up. Yea that one works.)The Journey is a mountain to climb (and my hike descriptions, elevation changes, and trail lengths are spot on. within a mile or four. In fairness I think it's about the joys and tribulations along the way. Some are up for both the triumphs and the struggles)
Love
Love is a fire (made her mad? smell something? Get out of the house. She set it on fire. Okay it could mean passion too, but keep a fire extinguisher close. I'm just sayin)Love is a bridge (You've got to build some things to overcome obstacles)
Carry a torch (She is either carrying it to light the way back to you, awww!! So sweet! Or to burn the bridge you built. Yikes!)
Love is a Netflix series (This is for the modern times. Love takes time to develop, plot twists and turns, different seasons, you can either get cancelled or Chill. Chill? Wait! Chill is actually a euphemism in the modern zeitgeist. Entirely different than a metaphor. Do the work so you don't get cancelled like a Netflix series. Chill is better, way way better)
Which of course brings us to Bruce Springsteen.
How in the world do I get to these places? Easy, his song Tunnel of Love. It's actually one of the best metaphors for a relationship and it uses a tunnel. It's in the song title People!
Fat man sitting on a little stool
Takes the money from my hand while his eyes take a walk all over you
Hands me two tickets smiles and whispers good luck
Cuddle up angel cuddle up my little dove
We’ll ride down baby into this tunnel of loveI can feel the soft silk of your blouse
And them soft thrills in our little fun house
Then the lights go out and it’s just the three of us
You me and all that stuff we’re so scared of
Gotta ride down baby into this tunnel of loveThere’s a crazy mirror showing us both in 5-D
I’m laughing at you you’re laughing at me
There’s a room of shadows that gets so dark brother
It’s easy for two people to lose each other in this tunnel of loveit ought to be easy ought to be simple enough
Man meets woman and they fall in love
But the house is haunted and the ride gets rough
And you’ve got to learn to live with what you can’t rise above if you want
to ride on down in through this tunnel of love.I think his metaphor nails navigating through, but this tunnel is much less scary than Bruce's Tunnel of love.
Here is there description (with my commentary)
Join us for a spine-tingling adventure as we delve into the dark and foreboding Tunnel at night! (Sounds about right) Legend has it that the spirits of the past still linger in our abandoned tunnel (This checks, they never forget anything. True story I watched a guy accidentally run over his mother inlaws leg at the Dillard house once. I am sure he is still living with it), once traversed by trains that rumbled through the darkness (Been hit by a train or two, maybe four?), carrying the echoes of forgotten whispers and unspoken fears (Well yea, this stuff is scary). Walking through the darkness, you’ll feel the weight of history and the whispers of the dead (dead used to be the only way out. Now there's lawyers).
This unique event is perfect for thrill-seekers, history buffs, and those who dare to venture into the unknown. But be warned: the shadows can be deceiving, and the silence can be unsettling. (Silence? don't ask if they're okay. you will get "I'm fine" Which oddly does not mean fine.)Relax! You won't find love in this Tunnel (Unless Sandra Bullock is there. Then leave! This is my tunnel).
No, this is a Tunnel Hill tunnel tour. Not Tunnel of love.
Lets Dig into the details (see what I did there)
Click here for more and a link to the tickets.
Tunnel Hill Tour Facebook Event with ticket link
Let's get there around 7:30 pm with anticipation of going on the 8:00 pm thing. (I know wildly late for some, I am a wild man. Actually as I get older I guess it's more of a mild man. I am attending Susan's event earlier in the day and so should you. I can get cleaned up and over here by 7:30)
After? It's on the way home. Was thinking about a cocktail, but this is better. Ice cream at...
I love Ice cream. Nice way to end an evening. Either Ice cream or Netflix are nice ways of ending an evening. That wasn't a Metaphor or a euphemism. It's an innuendo. I like those too!
I used a lot of parenthesis in this write up (sorry about that)
- Mountain Bike Ride - Forest Service Road 302, Ocoee, TNFSR 302, Ocoee, TN, Ocoee, TN
Mountain Bike Ride - Forest Service Road 302, Ocoee, TN - Scouting Trip
Coordinates: 35.0687°,-84.6428°I'm willing to try a new group activity. Are you? I've mountain biked forest service roads through the years, but never FSR 302. Therefore: "scouting trip".
I expect very little traffic on this FSR, and maybe many lake views. I've mapped this as 15 miles max (7.5 miles out, 7.5 miles back). We can decide to do less as a group depending on the terrain, but expect at least a 10 miles (5 out and 5 back).
I've only been on my bike a handful of times this summer, so I expect this to be a conditioning/training ride, easy to moderate pace.
If you'd like to get a feel for FSR 302 (Indian Creek Road), here's a video:
https://youtu.be/sFXlEA95XMUA contour map and route plan (including elevation profile) can be found in the photos.
If you're unable to attend, but are interested in cycling events like this in the future, please leave a comment below.
Standard Notice, Disclaimer:
Meetup organizers/leaders are not guides. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions as you would take if you were hiking alone. You are solely responsible for your own safety and well-being. By signing up for and/or attending this Meetup event, you acknowledge, understand, accept, and agree that hiking and other activities can be dangerous and can cause serious bodily injury and possible death. The organizers of this group and current and former members cannot be held responsible or liable in any way for the actions of any participant -including you- at any event. All attendees participate at an event at their own risk and are solely responsible for any damage to their property, and/or any injury to themselves or their guests. By signing up for this event, you affirm that you understand this disclaimer and that you knowingly and voluntarily agree not to bring any type of a claim arising out of or related to this Meetup event against the organizers of this Meetup group.
