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Hiking or Biking?
There are many wonderful hiking and biking trails nearby.
There are many wonderful hiking and/or biking trails nearby.
Greenway farms is excellent for biking or hiking. There are some
dangerous places immediately off these trails (e.g. steep hills, cliffs, water hazards, etc.) In my experience we've found
it necessary to keep closely together (parents with children) to keep safe. Twice a few would want to jet off on their own when
biking and twice two of the more adventurous children wanted to climb steep cliffs -- fortunately I was right there and in
an intensely assertive mood ...
The State Parks are also wonderful for this purpose. We are blessed with many options for hiking and biking. It will
not be too much longer before a large biking and horseback riding trail will be opened in a new park in the old TNT plant
area off of Bonny Oaks and Hwy 58.
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State Parks
Fall Creek Falls State Park
We've hiked and enjoyed some beautiful local state parks (free admission too!)
Fall Creek Falls (about 45 mins away) Will not be able to see all of this park in one day. May be able to see most of
the falls in one day. There are some hazards to be aware of near and on the way to the various falls -- have to stay together
and not let children stray off or run ahead. Hazards include steep cliffs, high places, rope bridges, lots of water, lots
of woods, large rocks and steep slippery places near the waterfalls. Recommend taking own food and drinks - the park is free
admittance but there are few places to eat at resonable prices. As for our trip -- we had an awesome picnic compliments of
Ms. Jeanie!
Fall Creek Falls Gallery
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Chester Frost Park
(Big with lake, fishing, camping, and many other amenities -- close by in Hixson)
Chester Frost Park Information
We visited Chester Frost Park again this past Sunday. We saw white ducks on the lake shore and a pelican land on a pier -
beautiful. There was a grandfather and three grandsons fishing off another pier ... they were friendly and suggested that
our girls reel in some of the small bluegills they were frequently catching with crickets. OBTW; THE best place for buying
crickets is "Blaylocks" (located just past the Chester Frost Park turn-off on Hixson Pike) It may seem a bit confusing
when you see that the place is a bluegrass music store as well as bait place. We got 50 crickets for $2)
Once before we took a quick picnic lunch and a checkered table cloth -- spread the stuff out next to the beach (yes a
nice sand beach ...?) and followed it with a lake race using two of the Bethel canoes. It was an exciting and close race
out around the bouys and back to shore. Lots of spirited yelling, splashing, and paddling -- amazing in that many of our young
ones had not paddled a canoe before.
Although they will do for now -- we need more life jackets as some of the ones we have are near the end of their life
cycle and the size selection is limiting. If you see these on sale or at the thrift shop ... would you let us know please?
I've got two ways to get the canoes to and from: A light-weight trailer or some clamp on van rails. I keep these handy - along with excellent quality tie down ropes.
Horses ?
Looking for horseback riding facilities.
Thus far they are proving elusive ...
Don't know yet if the following are good but if someone has time to check them out?:
Rising Son Stables
(423) 842-0202
6466 Big Ridge Rd
Chattanooga, TN 37343
Caylor Stables
(423) 894-4722
E Brainerd
Chattanooga, TN 37402
Chattanooga City Government: Adm.
(423) 757-5167Â
101 E 11th St
Chattanooga, TN 37403
Stardate 19:10:2005
Well the Lord is amazing ... Paige loves horses and we've been looking for somewhere to let her ride
and learn horses ... the other day, as we took a Silverdale schoolmate home on Middle Valley Road, THERE was a sign with phone
number about horseback riding lessons. A few days later, the letter from Sharon comes to us about Mr. Hixson offering free
lessons for our children! Paige intended to call but had memorized the phone number wrong as she passed by. However, the
Lord had the man come by Bethel and make a generous offer. Coincidence? No. LovingKindness. Thank you and Praise Your Name
LORD!
Mr Hixson
760-1754
Was offering free basic lessons on Saturdays; 1.5 hour lessons for two children per
session (8-15 yrs old)
After the basic lessons he is willing to consider continuing with children who reamain interested.
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OUTDOOR RECREATION AT ITS BEST
Posted: Thursday, April 14, 2005
Contact: Candace I. Davis
Chattanooga Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
423/424-4430
From hang-gliding to walking and everything in between, Southeast Tennessee offers visitors a wealth of opportunities to experience
outstanding natural resources and scenic attractions. The Southeast Tennessee Region stretches south to Chattanooga, west
to the breathtaking Sequatchie Valley, east to the mountain-lined Tennessee border, and north to TVA’s Watt’s
Bar Lake. There are scenic trails, rivers, byways, skyways and overlooks that offer opportunities for walking, hiking, biking,
canoeing, rafting and hang-gliding. Some areas even offer llama trekking.
In the Chattanooga area …
The Tennessee Riverpark includes parks, fishing piers and playgrounds that extend along the shores of the Tennessee River.
Highlighting the park are several miles of walkways that connect the Tennessee Aquarium and Ross’s Landing to the Bluff
View Art District, the Chickamauga Dam to the C.B. Robinson Bridge, and Tennessee American Water Works and the Rowing Center.
The Riverwalk also includes the Walnut Street Bridge, the longest pedestrian walkway bridge in the world. The existing fifteen
miles will eventually extend for 20 miles along the south shore of the Tennessee River from the Chickamauga Dam through downtown
Chattanooga out to Moccasin Bend.
Recreational walkers and canoe enthusiasts can explore 14 miles of trails and scenic Lookout Creek by visiting the Chattanooga
Nature Center and Reflection Riding Arboretum & Botanical Garden. Nature lovers can view more than 1,000 species of trees,
shrubs and wildflowers. Historical and education exhibits keep visitors informed of the history and heritage of the Chattanooga
area.
Walkers and cyclers can also enjoy the North Chickamauga Greenway. The two-mile greenway winds through the hills and forests
surrounding Chickamauga Creek and connects to Spangler/Greenway Farm, where picnic facilities are located.
At Signal Point atop Signal Mountain hikers can travel one portion of the Cumberland State Scenic Trail and view the scenic
Tennessee River Gorge. The gorge has long been known for its superb vistas of both the river and the surrounding Appalachian
Mountains.
As America’s largest hang-gliding school, Lookout Mountain Flight Park and Training Center certifies one in every five
Novice-rated pilots in the United States. The park not only offers lessons and certifies gliders, but they also feature tandem
flights. Tandem flights allow an inexperienced hang glider to simply ride with a trained glider. The take-off, flight, and
landing are all performed by the trained glider with both the “driver” and passenger hooked securely to the glider.
While on Lookout Mountain, hikers should explore the 38 miles of hiking trails that start at Point Park and extend around
the side of the mountain. Not only can hikers experience a sweeping view of Chattanooga and the Tennessee River, but they
can also enjoy the abundant Civil War history on Lookout Mountain.
For those interested in caving, Raccoon Mountain Crystal Caverns are some of the Southeast’s most active and scenic
caverns. They offer two types of tours. For the leisurely explorer, guided walking tours are available. The adventurer can
choose to explore the unlighted and undeveloped portions of the caverns with an experienced cave guide on a “Wild Cave
Tour.”
As for fishing, North and South Chickamauga Creek and Lookout Creek boast a full stock of rainbow trout. Possum and Soddy
Creeks are noted largemouth and spotted bass creeks, and also contain crappie, bluegill, shellcracker and catfish. The Nickajack
Reservoir is the portion of the Tennessee River that flows past Chattanooga into the gorge. The scenery is beautiful and the
fishing is even better. Fishers find smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, striped bass, white bass, panfish and catfish.
In the Sequatchie Valley area …
The Sequatchie Valley and Cumberland Plateau boast some of the most breathtaking scenery in the Eastern United States. One
might guess then, that they also offer some of the finest recreation to be found. Visitors can hike, camp, fish, cycle and
canoe.
Fall Creek Falls State Park, named for a 256-foot waterfall, contains more than 20,000 acres of cascades and trails. The 13.7-mile-long
Cumberland Scenic Trail is located within another outdoor paradise, Prentice Cooper State Forest. Walk, hike or bike Mullen’s
Cove Loop and Pot Point Loop for magnificent scenery and Native American history. The same goes for South Cumberland State
Recreational Area, a 12,000-acre park rich with landscapes and waterfalls. Hikers can follow Fiery Gizzard Trail along 13
miles of the Fiery Gizzard Creek gorge to the rim of the scenic Foster Falls TVA Recreation Area.
Nickajack Lake and the TVA Shellmound Recreation Area provide visitors with a variety of outdoor activities. As the host to
the annual Fall Color Cruise and festival, Nickajack Lake offers some of the most splendid scenery in Southeast Tennessee.
Shellmound contains campgrounds, hiking and biking trails, recreation and swimming areas, and excellent fishing.
The Sequatchie River offers great canoeing. Gliding along Class I and II rapids, canoers will be overwhelmed by the rock-lined
wall of the Cumberland Plateau to the west and Walden’s Ridge to the east. Canoe the Sequatchie will supply all of the
gear and equipment needed.
Fishing opportunities abound in the area west of Chattanooga. Fishing for rainbow trout is excellent in the Sequatchie River
and the creeks throughout the county. The Nickajack Reservoir is famous for its varieties of bass, catfish, panfish and sauger.
To the north of Chattanooga …
In Rhea County, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the resources of four natural wilderness areas. Trails lead walkers and hikers
through forests and mountain gorges and around unique rock formations. Waterfalls are visible throughout the areas. Also located
in Rhea County is the 38,000-acre Watts Bar Reservoir. The lake is located above Watts Bar Dam and boasts some of the finest
sport fishing in the state. Chickamauga Reservoir is noted for its bass and walleye fishing.
Portions of both the Watts Bar and Chickamauga Reservoirs run into Meigs County, where the waters hold bass, catfish and panfish.
Wildlife viewing in Meigs County is at a premium, with cranes and blue heron in abundance along the Chickamauga Reservoir.
Also in abundance are the campground areas throughout the historic county.
In the Tennessee Overhill and east of Chattanooga …
The Tennessee Overhill region is named after the Cherokee towns that were situated “over” the “hills”
from the Carolina colonies in what are now McMinn, Monroe and Polk Counties. In an area that is rich with Native American
history, visitors can discover scenic byways, trails, lakes, rivers and forests.
The Cherokee National Forest (CNF) owns much of the land throughout these three counties, thus it boasts most of the outdoor
recreation in the area. The lakes, rivers, and mountains in the CNF offer not only some of the most exquisite scenery you’ll
find, but they also provide the backdrop for outstanding recreation. Whitewater rafting, boating, hiking and mountain biking
are just some of the opportunities available in the forest.
For world-class rafting, canoeing and kayaking, visit Polk County and take a trek down the site of the 1996 Olympic Whitewater
Events, the Ocoee River. The Ocoee offers Class III and IV rapids that are considered to be the best in the eastern United
States. Divided into three sections, the river offers canoeing, rafting, kayaking and tubing. There are 23 rafting companies
that take riders down the river with experienced, licensed guides. Contact the Chattanooga Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
(423/756-8687) for a complete list.
The Hiwassee River was the first to earn the Scenic River distinction from the state of Tennessee. This river flows through
Bradley, Polk and McMinn counties, and offers a somewhat calmer ride that is perfect for the beginning canoer or kayaker.
Class I and II rapids will guide riders down what is called the “showplace” of the Tennessee and Tennessee Valley
Authority water system.
The Overhill area is more than just whitewater. For outdoor recreation, the possibilities are endless. Visitors can rappel
down a mountain, trek through the forests with a llama, fish portions of the Hiwassee, Ocoee and Parksville Lake, glide in
a sailplane and ride on horseback. Details about any of these activities can be obtained by calling the Tennessee Overhill
Heritage Association at 423/263-7232.
Adjacent to Tennessee Overhill is Bradley County. The Red Clay Historical Area is rich in Cherokee history and offers scenic
nature trails that combine recreation and education. Leisure walkers can take to the streets on the Cleveland Downtown Historical
Greenway, a walk that features more than 20 historical sites throughout a quaint, downtown area. Class I, II and III rapids
on the Consauga River challenge rafters, canoers and kayakers.
For more information contact:
Chattanooga Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
2 Broad Street
Chattanooga, TN 37402
(423) 756-8687 | (800) 322-3344
www.chattanoogafun.com
* Poindexter Cottage *
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