The annual Sasquatch camp out, gravel ride and Bar-B-Que is underway!
Sasquatch ’23 is underway! Cyclists (above) warm themselves by the fire while waiting for an incredible Saturday night dinner!
The weekend of November 17-20, 2023 found about 100 gravel cyclists and Bar-B-Que fanciers gathered at the Georgia Veterans State Park near Cordele, Georgia for the Eighth Annual Sasquatch cycling event! The weather was perfect for a weekend of camping, fellowship and cycling!
The epicenter for the event was this campground pavilion where the outstanding food was prepared and served!
Attendees arrived Friday afternoon and set up camp at the Pioneer campground at the park. The campground was clean and spacious and perfect for the weekend event! Participants camped in tents, RVs, and hammocks.
This cyclist slept in a hammock between the pine trees. The cool Georgia evenings were perfect for hammocking! This cyclist stayed in style in this beautiful RV on the shores beautiful Lake Blackshear! 2023 Sasquatch is underway! Signs directed campers to the Pioneer Campground where the Sasquatch event was centered! Riders gather around the campfire Friday night! As temperatures dropped into the 50’s the fire felt great! Ray and his team are busy preparing a gourmet meal! Painkillers were available for aching riders! Bacon being perfectly prepared on this flattop! Ray makes more coffee as riders prepare for breakfast! It was a beautiful weekend for gravel riding! Veteran Rider Rick Ashton points riders towards the breakfast line! This abandoned silo sits along the ride route.This old silo is a reminder of years’ past on the farmKeeping loose! This dried out Red Eared Slider was found wandering down the road during the ride. She was rescued and put next to a pond. Next day she was gone! This old farmhouse was once someone’s dream home. Now it stands abandoned. These model airplane pilots were flying their planes as riders returned from day 1. These model aircraft were impressive to look at, even more so to watch fly! This cut-out Sasquatch greets riders at the dinner pavillion! This was year 8 for the Sasquatch ride! The Sasquatch ride is a pretty big deal! This Salsa Cutthroat Gravel Bike sits ready to go! An artist working on a masterpiece! This railroad runs near the campground.Several tanks and planes are on display at the Veterans ParkRiders line up Sunday morning for another incredible breakfast!The Georgia dirt roads were in perfect condition for riding! Cotton was being harvestedLots of cotton! Impressive how clean and tightly packed this bale of cotton was! Thousands of acres of cotton are ready for harvesting! The weather and roads were perfect! This old hay rake serves as a reminder of days past…..This old cemetery contains graves from the 1800’s. Someone had put new head stones up in recent years but unfortunately the cemetery has become overgrown. Mark Wheeler prepares to ride on! Rick enjoys breakfast before heading out! This ride begins his training for the 2024 Tour Divide Ride! This dedicated bike packer has a bike packing tattoo on his calf. He admitted that of all the tattoos he has this was by far the most painful!
The 2023 Sasquatch Ride is in the books! The event was attended by more than 100 riders. The weather was perfect, the riders were strong and the food was over the top! Many thanks to Ray Egan and his team for putting this event together. We are very much looking forward to next year’s ride!
I was blessed to have been invited to attend the 2023 Florida “SWAT Roundup” in Orlando, Florida on November 8th and 9th. This week long event featured 49 Tactical (aka SWAT) Teams from all over the world to test their skills against the best in the business. It is hosted once a year by the Florida SWAT Association. Teams include NASA SWAT, Hungary TEK, Saraievo Police Department, AOCU SWAT HUNGARY, Sint Maarten Police Force, Korean National Police, Jamaican Constabulary Force, as well as a large number of teams from throughout the United States. At the end of the week, San Antonio SWAT was the overall winner!
Having had the opportunity to have competed in the SWAT Roundup many years ago, I was pleased to observe how much it has changed and grown. The venue is no longer at the old Orlando Landfill but now consists of many new state of the art shooting ranges and buildings. The teams are young and stronger than ever. The vendor show has grown to literally hundreds of vendors on site demonstrating their wares that consist of anything tactical.
What follows is a story in photographs of what this year’s Roundup was all about. Makes me want to suit up and get back into the game! Oh to be young again!!!
The Competition!
The Korean National Team begins the competition by crossing this rope and running to the range. These guys were incredibly fit finishing first on the Obstacle Course competition! After completing the shooting drill, teams still must carry an injured teammate across the finish line to stop the clock! The sniper must hit a small target (about the size of a golf ball) at one hundred yards before his team can proceed. The judge (red shirt) watches his every move. If the sniper misses his first shot, he can shoot one more time. If he misses again, his team is heavily penalized. The Judges at the Roundup don’t miss a thing! Dancin’ with the one who brought ya! Teams must traverse a variety of obstacles before shooting. All events are timed and any procedural error will cost ‘ya 30 seconds…Operators are challenged to shoot thru, over and under a variety of barricades after running and traversing obstacles. It ain’t easy! Runnin’ and gunnin’! The judge monitors the contestant using a stopwatch…Breathe!Tallahassee Police Officers finishing the Hostage Rescue competition! Makin’ it look easy…..it ain’t! Teamwork!Up & over! RooftopClimbing!Go! TPD Operator Wayne Staats discusses strategy between events!
The Vendor Show
A large portion of SWAT Roundup is the Vendor Show, a large gathering of businesses providing products for the Tactical community. The Vendor Show was set up under a large pavillion between the ranges which was accessable to everyone at the event. Nearly anything related to the needs of SWAT Teams was available, unlike the early days when we designed and fabricated much of the gear we used out of need and neccessity. If we had only known how the tools of yesterday would evolve into the state of the art equipment being offered today!
The Round Up Vendor Show featured everything Tactical! This robotic dog was walking around the show! Guns! Silencers! The vendor show was huge! First Aid equipment was on display at the Vendor’s booth. Here is a display of the latest tourniquet available on the market. There was something for everyone! The Sniper who won the Sniper competition was awarded this rifle! Spectators watch the events. Notice the baby at the bottom of the photo wearing her ears! You need it? They got it! Holosun Optics! This future SWAT Operator was enjoying the event! If only this were true…Lest we forget those who came before us…..The Citrus County Team meets before the Hostage Rescue event. Up and over…Teammates and friends…From High Ready…Sling don’t fail me now…Go! Go! Go!Tactical Vehicles were aplenty at the Roundup! All these lug nuts would make you go nuts! Ready to roll! Customized tag! Wonder how hard this was to get thru the DMV???Mark Wheeler (left) discusses handgun tactics with a young Deputy Sheriff.
Top SWAT Cop Event
The family of Orange County Deputy Sheriff Michael Milmerstadt gathers around a cut-out of him on the range at the beginning of the Top Swat Cop Event at Roundup. Deputy Milmerstadt was fatally injured while training. His mother is standing to his right. The Top Swat Cop Event was named after Deputy Milmerstadt the night before this event.
The TOP SWAT COP event was well attended and was one of the highlights of the week. The event looked very similar to a Crossfit competition. The competitors were required to run, perform chin-ups, leg-lifts, weighted sled pull, multiple rope climbs, tote weighted bags (one of which weighed 200lbs), shoot various steel targets with a handgun and a long gun, bike ride and to repeat these events until all the sandbags were moved. This was one of the toughest events I have ever witnessed!
So begins the TOP SWAT COP competition! Competitors had to pull a weighted sledCompetitors must complete 10 pull ups before moving to the next station….Multiple rope climbs were the end of the line for several competitors. Running to the firing line to shoot…Competitors had to ride the stationary bikes…The heaviest sandbag was 200lbs…The 200lb bag has to be carried to a wall, taken over the wall and set into the back of an ATV.
SWAT Medic Competition
Thursday was individual events and one of these was the SWAT Medic competition. Before the event, I met and spoke with the coordinators and judges and they were more than willing to allow me to watch and photograph the event. The event started with the medics dragging a life-sized dummy in a sled for about 100 yards and then they entered the “shoot house” which was a two-story building with a catwalk above for judges to watch the competition below. This event was intense. The Medic had to work his way thru the house, assessing victims as he went, wearing a gas mask while a smoke machine clouded his way and sirens, gunfire, and radio traffic were blasted in the house. Once he got to the surviving victim, he had to determine the victim’s injuries and administer life-saving first aid techniques. The victim wasn’t a live human being but a robotic mannequin that was incredibly life-like and controlled by an operator upstairs. The robot registered a pulse and breathed. His eyes moved and his “wounds” bled as blood pooled on the ground from several wounds on his body. The controller told me that the technology for these robots originated from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan as Corpsmen and Field Medics worked to treat the wounded. These robots simulated the injuries sustained on the battlefield. Unfortunately, they also apply to the situations our First Responders deal with on a daily basis in our own Country. These robots provide real life scenarios that allow our First Responders to train and respond when the time comes. The Medics did an outstanding job under the watchful eyes of several judges who graded his every move and timed his efforts. Even though I was only an observer with a camera watching from above, this event was so intense it had me amped up and I found myself wanting to jump in and help. It was amazing to watch.
The event begin with a 100 yard dummy drag. The event has just begun…The Medic begins to assess the victim as he bleeds out from gunshot wounds. Notice the pistol on the floor. Three Judges watch the Medic closely as he works to stop the bleeding. Additional Judges watch from above. The controller’s computer tells him how much blood the victim has lost and if the bleeding isn’t stopped soon….the victim dies. The Medic explains to the Judge what he’s about to do. This Medic opts to move the victim to a safer location within the house in order to treat him. The victim is bleeding profusely and time is critical. Again notice the gun on the floor.
Cherish the Moment Guys…..
It has been over 20 years since I’ve been to Roundup. Thing have greatly changed since that time. The competition is no longer held at the Orange County Landfill and the new course is state of the art. The equipment has evolved making an incredibly dangerous job as safe as possible. However, the athletes still display incredible talent and dedication much like we did back in ‘the day. They understand that their skill set must be maintained at a high level because at any time they will be called to address situations that pose a deadly threat to their communities, their teammates, and to themselves.
It was great to visit Roundup once again and to see how much has changed. It is no secret how I miss those days and how I miss the outstanding operators that I was honored to have served with, several of whom are no longer with us. Hopefully, the athletes who competed this week understand how special these days are because it won’t be long and they, too, will be standing on the sideline watching younger competitors performing at these events as they once did. They will also miss rolling the ops that challenge their skills in their communities, where all the training will be applied to the test for which they exist…to save human life. May God Bless You Guys.
“Then I heard the Voice of the Lord saying “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said….”Here am I, Send Me!”
An October 2023 Appalachian Trail journey by four friends beginning at Testanee Gap and hiking to Dicks Creek Gap, Georgia. The goal of the trip was to allow Jay to make up 32 miles of trail he had missed during previous trips, the other 3 hikers were just “tagging along!” With winter quickly approaching and bursting fall colors changing daily, this trip became a challenge not only to complete but the hunt of an unexpected vital necessity and that was water. Prior to leaving for the trip, we had been told that water was scarce but was available. The lack of water nearly caused us to abandon our efforts mid-trip, but when you are up on the trail you can’t just step off. Many miles from a road crossing in any direction you had better find a water source somewhere or suffer the consequences!
Our gang prepares to begin the trip after being dropped off at Testanee Gap.Even Lake Chatuge was low compared to years past. We left the car at “Around the Bend Hostel” near Dick’s Creek Gap. After having stayed at several Hostels over the years this was by far the nicest! Hundreds of worn out boots adorn this tree outside the Hostel. This fireplace at Lake Chatuge Lodge became a topic of conversation during cold nights up on the AT.Our shuttle driver “Grace” dropped us off at Testanee Gap to begin this journey. Grace is a retired Hillsborough County Deputy and knows her way around these mountains. On the top of this hill sits “Hogpen Gap” which is the peak of an incredibly tough climb at the “Six Gap” bicycle race held every September in Dahlonega, Ga. Cyclists often attain speeds of 60mph + coming off Hogpen. This plaque is affixed to a large rock at Unicoi Gap. And so it begins…These white blazes mark the Appalachian Trail. Make sure you see one every so often ensures you are on the trail. Jay works his way up the trail. Bob works his way towards the top of Hogpen Gap. What may be mistaken as trash left on the trail is actually “Trail Magic” left by “Trail Angels”. Trail Angels are aware of the serious drought on the mountains and leave gallon jugs of water near where the trail crosses a road. These jugs were a God send and helped us to complete our hike. Thanks Trail Angels! Night one was spent at Low Gap Shelter. Bob takes a breather before dinner after a long day on the AT.This fire was hard to start due to a rainy night before however the heat it produced was welcomed due to a cold wind on top of the mountain! Dinner is prepared on a “Pocket Rocket” stove and a can of MSR fuel. As the sun drops so do the temperatures at Low Gap Shelter. We came across this good water source along the trail. The water was flowing good off this mossy vine compared to many other “water sources” we encountered on the trail. Late October on the AT offers beautiful views of the changing fall foliage. In a couple of weeks all these beautiful leaves will be gone and the trees will be bare. Jim gives a thumbs up as he prepares to keep walking the AT. The forest contains millions of old growth hardwoods like this and older. Jay uses his new MSR Miniworks water filtration pump to gather water after a long day on the trail. This pump proved to be invaluable as it allowed us to gather and filter water in very small areas. This water filtration system kept us from having to abandon the trek. Jay and Bob filter water. Having a good supply of drinking water at dinner and at breakfast makes life a lot easier. Many of the water sources were so small we added purification tablets to our water bottles. This is the end of the water purification pump that draws the water up to the filter. Notice how smalll the water source is. There was a salamander hiding in the crack just in front of the end of the system. Salamanders are very prevalent on the trail. The mighty Warbonnet Blackbird XLC is hung between two trees in preparation for a windy AT night! Campfires were hard to get started due to recent rains. The sun sets on the AT, many people find comfort in shelters like this, some refer to them as “the shelter crowd”. Jim has his tent ready for the night! These rock steps are part of the Appalachian Trail. Climbing these steps with a pack on your back can make for a long day! The mountain foliage is beginning to change. Within a few short weeks all these leaves will be gone as winter sets in. Watch your step when these rocks get wet and slick! Mountain mushrooms along the side of the trail. This is a burl on a dead log next to the trail. What a beautiful bowl it would make! A windy rainstorm the night before made this colorful carpet along the Appalachian Trail. The AT Canopy consists of old growth hardwoods. Jay checks his “Far Out” app to determine the latest information on available water!Don’t let this fuzzy little fellow crawl into your sleeping bag! Jay pushes on with his new trail shoes! Always looking for a way to cut weight, these shoes are much lighter than the old hiking boots. Another hollow log next to the trail. This one contained no Keebler Elves but likely housed a family of possums! We walked thru a large patch of these autumn blooms. The views off the trail were beautiful. Jay eases his way down this stairway. The remote backcountry is no place to fall and injure yourself, safety is paramount. Blood Red Sweet Gum LeavesThe white blaze dictates the Appalachian Trail, however the blue blazes dictates water. We didn’t venture down this trail in search of water and we hope water was plentiful down this trail…but we doubt it. These two gallon jugs of water are known as “Trail Magic”, and were left next to the trail by “Trail Angels”. We used Trail Magic several times to “water up”. The autumn views were incredible! This was the water “source” a couple hundred yards downhill of the Tray Mountain Shelter. This pipe came out of the side of the mountain and should have offered plenty of water. Unfortunately the water coming out of this pipe was nothing more than a trickle. Again water was scarce. Making miles…..This is a hornets nest near the Appalachian Trail.
Thirty two miles and four days/three nights later we walked off the Appalachian Trail at Dicks Creek Gap. The last day we encountered rain, hail, heavy wind and dropping temperatures. Mountain weather can change quickly. Regardless, we pushed on and soon the sun came out again. This was a beautiful trip and reiterated what we had learned previously and that is the Appalachian Trail through Georgia ain’t no joke! It was beautiful yet very arduous. The club that maintains the AT in Georgia does an outstanding job, much better than others we have seen north of here. Water was scarce and had Jay not brought his MSR water filter our trip would have ended early. Once again we were reminded of the importance of reducing weight on the trail. We have cut and cut yet our backpacks still seemed too heavy. So it goes….we will keep reducing weight in an effort to make these mountain treks a little more manageable.
Many Thanks to God and to those who made this trip possible. It was a team effort and a great opportunity to challenge ourselves to enjoy the beautiful Appalachian Trail. Until next year…….
Fireworks Explode over Beautiful Lake Mystic! The sun rises over Lake Mystic to start the July 4th activities! Fifty Two American Flags line the road around the lake!
A Summer Afternoon on the Lake…
The Sea Serpent rides again! Wazzup???If the Doctor could see him now! Hang on! Coming up for a quick breather! Hair! Scooter makes a fashion statement with his Patriotic overalls!
The Annual Boat Parade!
The Fireworks!
Another wonderful Lake Mystic Fourth!
Another incredible Lake Mystic Fourth has come and gone! It was a very busy day at the lake and thankfully it was a safe one! Hopefully this tradition will continue for years to come and our Country will continue to thrive. We are blessed to live in such a wonderful Country where we are free to celebrate our independence. Have a safe summer and hopefully we will do it again! God Bless!
This blog is a compilation of photos taken on April 24, 2023 during the Law Enforcement Memorial in Tallahassee, Florida.
Agencies march down Monroe Street heading to the State CapitolLeon County Sheriff’s Department Deputies march down Monroe StreetTallahassee Police Officers march down Monroe StreetSurvivor’s march down Monroe StreetSupporters watch the Parade pass byPolice motorcycles pass byTallahassee Police Officers march on….Officer Chris Fariello’s Parents walk towards the Capitol.Tallahassee Police Department Chief Lawrence Revell leads his Department down Monroe StreetThe Florida Pipe and Drum Corps march down Monroe StreetFamily members of slain Officers march on…The riderless horse goes by…Boots turned around backwards…The service begins on an overcast and rainy morning…Honor Guards abound…The Pipe and Drum Corps honor their fallen brothers…Someday…Mounted Units pay their respects…Eleven new names will be etched on the wall…Families will soon place a carnation on the map of Florida to signify the loss of a loved one. Was a windy and rainy day…The PledgeSalute…Horses…21 Gun Salute…
This was a very somber event as eleven Law Enforcement Officers lost their lives in the line of duty last year. We long for the day when we don’t have any Officers killed and these type of events won’t be necessary…
Blessed to have had the opportunity to honor our fallen brothers who gave their all for their communities in 2022.
The Tour de Force is a 270 mile bike ride which begins in North Miami and ends five days later in Daytona Shores. The ride is to raise funds and to honor those Law Enforcement Officers who died in the line of duty during the past year. Unfortunately, we lost 11 Heroes last year.
It was a great ride for a great cause. It was a privilege to have been a part of it.
Our journey began on Saturday as our team left Tallahassee and drove to Daytona where we picked up a couple more cyclists and their gear and headed to Miami. Twas’ a long ride, but we were excited as we knew we had a great event awaiting. Welcome to Miami!
Welcome to Miami!Miami Palms!
The morning of the second day (Sunday) is spent on a “warm up” ride from Coral Gables back up to Sunny Isles. Always a beautiful ride, this year’s warm up ride was no exception! Once again, we found ourselves riding north up US 1 in South Beach just prior to the Pridefest parade! This was a very well attended event. We rode up the parade route with no interference from Police assigned to work the event!
Our team enjoys a Sunday Morning warmup ride! Our warmup ride looking west towards the Port of Miami and Miami proper. Chip tells his teamates that he has worked up an appetite! We stopped at a downtown market and got some coffee, Cuban breakfast and a smoothie. This market had a lot to offer including fresh fruit! This big red Go-Rilla was near the downtown marketplace. Fruit…..and plenty of it! Chip and Chris enjoy a cup of Cuban coffee at a street cafe. Shortly after this photo was taken both riders grabbed their cups and ran from the area after they heard what they thought were gunshots nearby. Ironically it was only Moe’s tire experiencing a pinch-flat that exploded causing people in the area to flee for their lives…welcome to Miami! These fruit stands are awesome!
After breakfast we continued our ride north into and thru South Beach. Little did we know today was the annual Pridefest Parade! The event was very well attended and we found ourselves riding north on the mile long parade route just minutes before the parade was to begin!
Rainbows adorned the Pridefest parade route! Several local Police agencies had their vehicles participate in the Pridefest Parade! Parade ready!
After the warm-up ride and a swim in the Atlantic out behind the hotel, we showered and loaded up and headed to one of the trip highlights…dinner at Versailles! Versailles is an incredible Cuban Restaurant in Little Havana. The food is over the top and we have looked forward to this dinner since the last time! This restaurant is the hub of Cuban politics in South Florida and it is said that the Bay of Pigs invasion was decided in a back room at Versailles. If you are ever in the area, do yourself a favor and visit this place, you will thank me later!
Welcome to Versailles! As usual the place was packed! Cuban desserts fill the display case! Customers line up at the coffee window to get some freshly brewed Cuban coffee!
After dinner we returned to the hotel and went out to the pier out back. Lots of people were fishing and I saw a Pompano and a Mackerel caught. Lots of excitement when these fish were reeled in, not so much by the fisherman who caught them but by the crowd gathered.
The pier out behind the hotelPier Pressure! Sunny Isles…Someone would like a handout…..Sunny Isles at night…
After a good night’s sleep, we got up early and headed to the North Miami Police Department where the ride began. A large crowd had gathered to get the ride started. Once again it was very humbling to think of why we were there.
Kevin Obrien and Bruce Doras along with a couple of Miami Dolphin Cheerleaders before the start of day 1.The Honor Guard presented the colors prior to the start of day 1. Armbands honoring our fallen heroes were worn by riders and exchanged before the start of every ride. Tallahassee Police Department Officer Chris Fariello’s parents were present for the start of the ride. They are wonderful people and it was an honor for all of us to spend time with them. The riders from the Tallahassee Police Department wore Chris Fariello’s photo pinned to their jersey’s in his honor. Our team prior to the ride.A cyclist has attached these photos to her bike of three heroes who are no longer with us. Police Motorcycles are lined up ready to begin the escort. A helicopter flies overhead to start the ride. Riders Up! And so it begins! The reason we ride is always on our minds…The tour from above…This year’s challenge coinThe riders in front of the Fort Pierce PDOur mechanic stayed busy…Ride on…This 10 year old Parrot keeps a close eye on things…Many thanks to the Motormen! We couldn’t do it without them! Rey, Scott, and DavidChip explains how it all went down…Our Motorcycle escorts did an incredible job all week long! Fuel tanks on Police Motorcycles were works of art…This Statue of an Officer greeted riders as they rode into the Fort Pierce Police DepartmentAnother Causeway just south of Daytona BeachThis Sea Turtle came up to greet riders on the last stop of the tour! As the ride ended 270 miles later riders and support staff were treated to Pizza, BBQ and this beautiful cake that summed it all up..
The 2023 Tour de Force Ride is in the books. The tour did an outstanding job honoring the 11 fallen heroes that we lost in 2022. Participating in this ride was a true honor for all who were involved. It would be great to say that this will be the last ride but deep down inside we all know that it won’t be…and sadly next year we will ride again. Never forget that the reason for this amazing event are the Heroes who stood in the gap and sacrificed their lives so that the rest of us can safely enjoy all that this great State and Country have to offer.
Early April 2023 found the AT crew back at it again, this time the journey began in Tallahassee and after a day’s northbound drive temporarily ended outside the Iron Horse Station in Hot Springs, NC where a fire had shut off the town’s power for a few days. Leaving the truck in Hot Springs the group was shuttled another 50 miles north to the launch point at Sam’s Gap where the five day trek south back to Hot Springs began. ‘Twas a good week, but make no mistake…it was a very tough week. What follows is our story…..
Hot Springs NC was eerily quiet after several days of no electricity due to a fire nearby. Could this be an omen for the week ahead? Waiting for the shuttle to Sam’s Gap Jay and the packs are lined up ready to go! As Jason the shuttle driver pulls away Kevin, Lawrence and Bob are left under the interstate bridge excited to finally begin the leisurely walk back to Hot Springs! And so it begins…..
The first day found the group trekking 11.2 miles from Sam’s Gap to the Flint Mountain Shelter. If all goes well this trip will bring the group about 327 miles from the original starting point of the approach trail at Amicolola Falls to Springer Mountain where it all began several years ago.
Moye Rest monument at Sam’s Gap.Rusty barbed wire hangs off a weathered fence post along the trail, a reminder of those brave pioneers who came before us. The “AT”The team takes a “breather” after a long uphill climb. This blue blaze indicates a water source in this direction. Water is called “the source of life” and that is no more important than on the Appalachian Trail. Everything revolves around a water source. Old fallen hardwoods slowly decay along the trail as nature takes it’s course. The trail continued along this old fence line. A downhill portion of the trail. Some say the downhills are more difficult that the uphills…I don’t agree! Recent rains made water plentiful which is important, however if it is not coming from out of the ground it is best to filter or boil it before consuming, this was strongly advised by the “Pipe Snob!”Kevin looks for his water filter before filling his bottles! This large rock was covered with lichens that appeared to have been burned by a fire. They hadn’t been but they were certainly different! This handmade bridge allowed hikers to cross this stream without getting their feets wet! Follow the blaze! Lawrence and the team catch a breather after climbing a steep hill. Broken and overhanging trees and limbs were prevalent on the trail. These “widowmakers”” are to be highly respected when setting up camp at night in a tent or hammock. Medical help in these remote mountains is many hours away at best. Although it was early April the trees had not yet begun to bloom. In spots groundcover was beginning to awaken after a long mountain winter. This unique snag appears to be some type of Gargoyle greeting hikers as they walk past! The Appalachian Trail offers some incredible mountain views! It’s not called the “Blue Ridge” for nothing! The team takes a break in the action! One of many mountain waterfalls!Mountain woodpeckers are making the most of this dead tree!As we descended late in the day we encountered two old graves. This lady lived 100 years and was buried here 58 years ago. I couldn’t help but think about what life in these mountains must have been like 158 years ago when she was born. What an incredible life she must have lived. At the end of day 1 we found deluxe accomodations at the Laurel Hostel. For only $25 each we stayed in this hostel which offered cold drinks and cold beer! It did offer a great place to get out of a cold mountain wind. We were awakened early by several roosters who lived nearby. Yes the small building on the left is what you think it is…and it worked great too! Inside of the hostel. It had a shower and small heater and it kept the cold wind at bay. I slept great! This old sawmill was just down the road from the Hostel. It still works but I wouldn’t use it. No telling how many arms this thing has claimed! It is a death trap! SawmillThis radiator keeps the sawmill engine cool. Stacked lumber from the sawmill.Jay and Kevin navigate a cow gate to start day 2. The AT continues thru this pasture, there were no cows in it today. Someone carved the AT Logo into the end of this log. Jay, Kevin and Bob exit the pasture and cross a highway to continue the trek. Kevin stands atop a large rock on day 2. The trail can be very rocky and slippery when it is wet. Kevin, Lawrence and Bob take a lunch break in one of the shelters.
As we continued to walk south on day 2 we came across a sign leading to the Shelton Graves. There are 3 people buried together on top of this mountain. Two were brothers who were home on leave during the Civil War. While on leave they were discovered by Union troops and shot and killed. Their family buried them here. One young Confederate Soldier was only thirteen years old.
The sign leading to the grave site. W.D. Shelton is buried here. Thirteen year old Millard Haire is buried on this mountaintop after being shot and killed by Union troops. He was born in 1850, killed in 1863. The Exposed Ridgeline Trail (ERT) took us up and over a rocky mountain top some of which required the use of hands and knees to get over some of the rocky climbs! A view from the top of the ERT. Kevin prepares to walk down a rocky part of the trail on the ERT. Looking west off the ERT, we believe that the flat part in the distance is probably the Tennessee Valley. The ERT was treacherous and we were warned about sunning rattlesnakes before we started. These rocks indicate the 300 mile mark, the distance from Springer Mountain which is the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Upon reaching the shelter on night 3 this fellow showed up talking to himself and walking barefooted. He is on his third “Thru Hike” and is walking northbound from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. Ironically his trail name is “Feet”. He wears sandals when he is walking around camp, otherwise he is barefooted. For a lack of a better word this is incredible! This “North bounder” is on his second “thru hike”. He had this dog with him which is almost 16 years old. The dog’s claim to fame is that she is the Appalachian Trail record holder for the oldest dog to walk the entire Appalachian Trail on a leash. She is a rescue dog and is attempting this feat again where if she is successful she will once again break the/her record! The shelters fill up fast at the end of the day, especially when a night rain threatens. After dinner Jay hoists the food bags up on the bear cables to keep the bears, rats, and other critters out of our food. Our food bags are hung high on the bear cables overnight. Thankfully we have not lost any food to critters……yet. The trail takes a toll on the feet…..Everything revolves around water sources on the trail and some are better than others! This green leaf directs water into a stream so that it can be easily collected. Once the water is collected in bags it is run thru filters and into water bottles for drinking. Here Lawrence and Jay filter water thru Sawyer filters. Staying hydrated is imperative and the last thing anyone needs is a waterborne illness on the trail. Water can also be boiled in a kettle and used for making meals. This old kettle along with a Pocket Rocket stove system has served us well for many years. Lawrence and Jay enjoy a hearty breakfast before making more miles on the trail! Most of these dehydrated meals are really good, some not so much…Spring Mountain Shelter was to be our last stop on the trip, rain was forecast for the coming night and this would offer us a good place to stay dry. Unfortunately we had previously learned that a thru-hiker had holed up in this shelter for 3 days/nights suffering from the Nora Virus and had just left about a day before we got there. The shelter stunk of illness and biting gnats were swarming the area. We opted to push on another 3 miles and camp in the woods on the last night on the trail. With about 47 miles behind us this was our view thru the rain of the town of Hot Springs as we descended the mountain and brought the trip to a close.
This trip brought us to approximately 327 miles completed since leaving the approach trail to Springer Mountain at Amicolola Falls walking northbound. We will continue our efforts to conquer the trail until we no longer can. The further we venture the tougher the logistics become. This was a great trip but make no mistake it was very arduous. This was the toughest leg we have accomplished so far and that is saying something. We introduced two new hikers to the trail which was rewarding in and of itself. We saw two bears which was a treat as we had not yet seen a bear until this trip. The timing of this trip allowed us to encounter numerous northbound “thru-hikers” who’s goal will be to make it all the way to Mount Katahdin, Maine. They are unique individuals and we wish them the best. Our hat’s are off to anyone who can reach that goal. Until you spend some time on the Appalachian Trail its tough to appreciate what a tremendous undertaking that is! Kudo’s to five member team and their families who made this trip possible. We worked together as a team and looked out for each other and accomplished our goal. This trip reaffirms our belief that life is short and we had all better take the time to enjoy the blessings God has given us. If you want to do something then DO IT! Thanks be to God for giving us the resources, desire and strength to make this happen. We are already in the planning stages for the next leg north on the trail. Thank You for taking the time to check out this blog and allowing us to share this trip with you! (Dave Ferrell).
This beautiful spring is one of many we visited on our Suwanee River Kayak Trip!
As we continued our southbound Suwanee River Kayak junket, we started where we left off last year at the Suwanee River State Park on a rainy Sunday November Morning. The five paddlers met before daylight and loaded equipment into two trucks and drove to the State Park.
The Paddling Team
Fortunately, the rain subsided and the weather could not have been better for the three day trip with highs in the 70’s and lows at night in the 50’s which kept the mosquitoes at bay.
Day 1 from Suwanee River State Park to Dowling Park River Camp
Day 1 awaits!Jay waters up for the day ahead! Mark makes some final adjustments before heading out! This old railroad trestle stands as a reminder of days long gone. This old trestle is one of several we will paddle under. Edward settles in for a day of paddling! The Suwanee River is lined with beautiful limestone formations. The river was very low which exposed the lower portions of the formations. Limestone! With the river level being so low, many of the springs alongside the riverbanks were exposed and flowing into the river. Often they gave themselves up by the noise they make long before they were seen! Rick and Edward discuss the finer points of paddling techniques such as “feathering” the paddle! Old bridges span the river.Mark takes a break under a bridge! The day 1 morning rains finally left and the afternoon was beautiful! Day 1 ended at the Dowling Park River Camp.
With day 1 in the books, the paddlers pulled into the first stop of the trip, Dowling Park River Camp. These river camps are state run camps only accessible by the river. There is a camp host at these sites who oversees and maintains the properties. The camps are free but you do have to make reservations ahead of time. They are a very welcome sight to weary paddlers. They have restrooms and bath houses with hot/cold running water. They have picnic tables and screened in houses to sleep in. They could not be nicer!
Day 1 consisted of 14.5 miles of paddling at a 3mph pace. The winds were light and the paddling was excellent. The river was very low which, over the course of 3 days, exposed 12 sets of rock shoals that the paddlers had to navigate. These shoals were challenging and added some excitement to the trip!
Dowling Park River Camp CabinBath Houses at Dowling ParkInside of the screened cabin!Jay begins day 2 with a hearty Mountain House Breakfast.Day 2 takes the paddlers from Dowling Park to Peacock Slough. Day 2 Begins! Rick begins day 2 by pouring water out of his Kayak.And they’re off! Old bridges cross the Suwanee! Another beautiful spring pours into the Suwanee! The Cypress Trees were showing their fall colors! Cypress knees and tree roots line the river bank.This buck swims the Suwanee!
Shortly before noon on day 2 a big whitetail buck flew down the eastern bank of the river and with one huge leap hit the river. He was on a mission as if swimming for his life. I paddled close to him in order to take a few photos, trying not to get too close, but he spotted me and turned back. I backed off all the while taking photos. Unfortunately, he swam into a large, downed oak tree in the river and got trapped. He desperately fought to get over the tree and finally made it. Once away from the tree, he swam to the shore and climbed the bank and ran south. Having seen little wildlife on the trip this was an exciting occurrence!
Bucky exits the river and takes off! Sorry for the poor image but Bucky wasn’t waiting around for photo ops! Cypress Knees! This suspension bridge spans the Suwanee! Mark paddles out of a beautiful spring!Dive platform over a riverside spring! Day 2 ended at Peacock Slough River Camp. Deluxe accommodations await! This pavilion at Peacock Slough was the paddlers dining hall. Like the other River Camps Peacock Slough is only accessible by river. Day 2 comes to a close.
Paddlers paddled 18 miles on day 2 with an average speed of 3mph.
Day 3, the final day of the trip is about to begin! Day 3 will find paddlers travelling from Peacock Slough to the boat landing at Hwy 27. Edward begins the 3rd and final day! BubblesJay begins the day! Day 3 turned out to be a warm and beautiful Florida day, perfect for paddlin’! Reflections!Paddlers encountered this old railroad turnstile trestle, a remnant of days long gone.This old trestle is a part of American History…oh the stories it could tell…These migrating Turkey Vultures roosted by the hundreds. Paddlers were very careful not to paddle under these big birds! Yet another spring empties into the Suwanee River! Paddlers ventured up into this Spring just north of Branford. People were swimming in the spring.
Day 3 was the longest day of paddling with approximately 20 miles having been covered. The trip ended at the Hwy 27 bridge/boat landing where the next leg of this journey will begin. This was a wonderful adventure with 5 great friends! The entire trip was approximately 52 miles at a 3mph average. The river was low and we encountered 12 rocky shoals. Wildlife was scarce however we did see a deer, turkey, otter, and a lot of birds. Very little boat traffic and few people were encountered! This trip only leaves us to strongly anticipate the next leg! Hope you enjoyed this blog! All photos were taken with a Go Pro Hero 8 Black.
With Covid finally slowing down the 2022 Halloween event on Beard Street was full on! Below are some of the ghosts and goblins waiting to greet trick or treaters on this scary Hallows Eve Night! Enjoy!!
This Gargoyle protects a Cherry Street driveway! This flying dragon waits to greet Hallows Eve visitors! This skeleton enjoys a relaxing afternoon in a swing! Bustin’ out of the Crypt! A Horned Reaper! Ghost! Bustin’ out of the coffin! Hollow Eyes! Grounded! This scary clown comes out of the shrubs to greet visitors! Scary Skelly! Mr. Splatters and his pet birds! Witches brew! Spooky Punkin! Eerie Ghost! Bones! Yikes! Fortune Teller! Keep Out! Dog Rider! Cooking! Jack O Lantern! Oak Tree Skeleton! Mrs. Green FaceSpooky!Get the Mucinex! Welcome! Help! Gargoyle Eyes! Spiders! Spooky Voyeur! Bloody Beauty! Werewolf! Grave Digger! TerrorWelcome!Eeery! Dracula! Swinging! Witches! Cymbal Playing Monkey! Animated Raven! Bonz! Rocker! Hello! I’m Out! The Threshold! No Thanks!
The 2022 Hallow’s Eve was set to be a great event! Lots of people were beginning to arrive prior to 5pm so hopefully everyone had a great time! A lot of work went into putting this event together! Hope you liked it and……HAPPY HALLOWS EVE!
We just recently returned from a week long trip to Northern Michigan. Having never been there before we really had no idea what to expect other than what we had read online, had heard from friends and seen from looking at photos on the internet. Upon our arrival we were in for a tremendous surprise! The place is incredibly beautiful!
The season was fall in mid-October, the temperatures were cold (well, cold for Florida residents, the good folks in Michigan weren’t too affected by the weather). A storm was passing thru which led to rain and strong winds coming in from the west across the lake. Winds so strong they knocked a lot of trees down including some across the power lines which led to three days of no electricity. Fortunately we were privy to a Generac Home Generator which ran non-stop until at last the power was restored.
Storm clouds gather over the lake. White caps and rolling waves were being produced hundreds of yards offshore. The rain was cold with winds gusting to 25mph and reminded us of Florida weather when a hurricane is approaching. Thankfully it settled down!
It was harvest season and farmers were busy bringing in apples and corn and lots of both! Road side fruit stands were plentiful and to stop at one was a treat! The offered apples, cider, honey, baked goods and just about anything else you could imagine that makes this area so very special! Visiting this area took me back about fifty years to when we had similar stands here in Florida. Sadly they have become a thing of the past in our part of Florida. The stores in Michigan were clean and very well stocked. The employees were friendly and helpful, a far cry from what we have been accustomed to.
A painted wooden basket of juicy ripe Honey Crisp apples displayed outdoors. Honey Crisp Apples are very popular here. They were really good too!
We hunted early one morning. The rain on Lake Michigan had turned to snow further inland and the wind was howling. We hunted over corn rows using two highly trained Brittany Spaniels who knew their business. They located and flushed these pheasants who fell to 20ga shotguns loaded with #5 high brass shells. These birds will be enjoyed with gravy over rice and yes, that is snow on the birds and on the tailgate! It was COLD!
Cold Pheasant morning!
The Hunting lodge was loaded with mounted birds, fish, deer and other animals. The Taxidermist who mounted these items is world renowned and awards adorn the walls of the cabin. He is very skilled!
An award winning mount of a pheasant.This Mallard Drake is very lifelike! A fire in the fireplace was a welcome sight on a cold Michigan night!This beautiful fireplace is over 100 years old and sits in a fishing cabin next to a trout stream. The craftsmen who built this fireplace are long gone now but they had skills beyond imagination! This photo does not do it justice…
One thing that really stood out is the cleanliness of the area. There was NO trash on the roadsides, on the beach, nowhere! What a difference this made and it really added to the uniqueness of the area. Its a very special place.
Many of the roads in the area are gravel roads and just like this what stood out….NO TRASH!
One afternoon we visited a beautiful lake fed by a crystal clear and strongly flowing trout stream. We were blessed to have caught several very nice Rainbow Trout, some weighing in the neighborhood of 3lbs! These fish were fat and healthy. They put up a great fight and were put back into the lake to hopefully fight another day!
This artesian spring has been flowing since 1931. People stop by constantly with their water jugs to fill up. The water was cold and very good! The artesian spring is named “Old Facefull” and provides water to many people in the area!
The seasons were changing and the leaves were incredibly colorful, more so than I have ever seen before!
Golden leaves carpet the ground in Northern Michigan! Golden canopy! Looking up! Reds!Changing!Fallen Beauty! Crimson!Canopy! Stunning!Greens and Golds!The deer were plentiful in the area. This beautiful doe watches us watching her! Fire Tree! Tequila Sunrise!
As the weather finally calmed we were able to get down onto the beach along Lake Michigan and do some walks. The water was clear, emerald green and very similar to the water in the Caribbean. I wanted badly to swim but I knew I’d suffer if I did because it was freezing cold. The lake could very well freeze over in a couple of months!
The sand was tan and smooth and very clean. There were a lot of rocks in certain areas of the beach and in the water. The rocks were different colors and sizes and were smooth due to the constant wave action which was similar to the waves in the ocean. One afternoon while we walked 3 bald eagles flew overhead! It was a very beautiful beach and much like the roads there was no trash to be found!
Lake Michigan driftwood.Waves and rocks!This strange looking critter had washed up on the beach. Not sure what it is! Lake Michigan driftwood.This old duck decoy had washed up on the beach. Every street was awash in beautiful fall color! This large rock has been washed smooth by the constant wave action of beautiful Lake Michigan!The stormy shoreline of Lake Michigan meets the beautiful fall foliage!Driftwood on the Lake Michigan shoreline! Wave action washes the rocks along the shoreline of Lake Michigan! The end of another day on Lake Michigan! The Lake Michigan sunsets are breathtaking!
Our research and anticipation of Lake Michigan did little to prepare us for the absolute beauty of this area. It was nothing like I had imagined. The beauty of the water rivals the Caribbean! Had it not been so cold I would have spent the afternoon swimming in it! The lake is vast, over 300 miles long and 160 miles across, unlike any lake I have ever seen! Words alone cannot describe it’s awesomeness and beauty!
The Northern Michigan landscape is stunning this time of year with the turning fall foliage. Large corn fields and apple orchards line the hillsides for miles. This visit was truly a step back in time to the beauty of this great country that I remember from my childhood. It was a trip we will never forget!
Blackwater Images 