Tennessee State Parks Open Today!
To celebrate the opening of our state parks after being closed for more than a month because of COVID-19, Granddad planned a great hike for us at Big Ridge State Park. Emily plus four, Abbey plus 4 and the Grands comprised our Friday Field Trip. Although it rained during the previous evening, our day began overcast but pleasantly cool. Besides our vehicles in the parking lot at the Old Mill, there was only one other vehicle.
We departed for the trail head intending to complete a 3-mile loop.
We observed the 6-foot social distancing...for the most part.
We parked at the Old Mill and headed out for Big Valley Trail. We began to see an abundance of wildflowers. This giant yellow trillium was just a step off the trail. At this point the trail was quite muddy and sloppy from the rain.
By the time we reached the ridge and were hiking along the Ghost Hollow Loop trail, the forest became dominated by pines, oaks and other hardwoods. We were very excited to find several small oak seedlings with oak galls attached. The galls are formed when a tiny female wasp (Callirhytis seminator) lays her eggs on a part of the tree: bark or leaf and the chemical reaction between egg and tree change to produce a protective "shelter" for the wasp larvae.
Some scientists think the abundant tannin in the oak protect the larvae from fungal infections. The gall is very bitter, thus birds and other predators avoid eating it. The tree then not only protects the developing larvae but also provides nourishment for them. God's creation is truly amazing!
What a delightful surprise! Pink ladies' slippers were scattered all through the woods in the pine/oak forests.
I never tire of finding and photographing these lovely dancers!
The kids enjoyed finding and counting the blooming plants and the foliage of plants not blooming. They told me that they counted 78 plants with at least 20 blooming.
Charlotte decided a high perch would provide the best view!
Her mom stood beneath the large fallen tree to give perspective.
Of course, the other grandchildren saw an opportunity to turn the tree into a climb challenge.
Oh, to be young and agile!
Bleeding hearts along the trail provided a pleasant surprise!
I believe these bleeding hearts are considered a garden escape rather than the wild bleeding hearts typically found on rocky outcroppings.
Nonetheless, they are still lovely and add a pleasing color to the new spring green.
Our excursion took us past the Snodderly Armp Stanley cemetery where we noticed many small, rough-hewn stones. This cemetery is one of the oldest in the area with many graves predating the Civil War. A number of people buried here were babies or small children at the outbreak of the Civil War.
John Hutcheson, Sarah's husband, lived to be 84 years old, quite unusual during that century.
It was obvious that many of the grave markers were recent additions to the cemetery. So often the graves were marked by a single unmarked stone. It is good to see that these old graves have been identified and marked.
Jordan pointed out that this marker had a hummingbird etched at the top. A dove was often a favorite symbol on tombstones.
Leaving the rich cove hardwood forest, we strolled through a section of rocky outcroppings and scraggly pines. Plantain-leaf Pussy Toes bobbed in the breeze. Upon close inspection, you will see how the blooms resemble the pads of kitty feet.
A little farther down the trail Charlotte was excited to spot patches of Dwarf Crested Iris.
No field trip would be complete without the sighting of a snake. This small, pencil-thin snake about 12-14 inches long crossed the trail in front of us.
Micah called, "Come on, Grandmama!"
"Look what I found!" It was another black and yellow centipede!" We saw an abundance of these shiny, multi-legged myriapods. Just to distinguish between a millipede and a centipede you need to know that a centipede has one pair of legs per body segment and a millipede has two pairs of legs per body segment. I guess we should have flipped it over to check if it was a millipede or a centipede. Next field trip....
Pinxter flower, a wild azalea, is always a treat to find in the forest! This one grew down off a steep embankment above the lake.
At the bridge dam, we took a left on the Lake Trail and crossed the bridge. Or as Charlotte liked to say, "The dam bridge."
Charlotte is the Vanna White of sign demonstrations.
After a long climb up a steep hill, a shelter and sturdy bench provided a great place to rest and capture a group picture. Emily and Granddad, fearing our loop trail along the lake might be under water, decided that it would be a good idea for Em to jog the remaining 0.25 miles to get her Ford Transit and meet us at the road. So, we have a happy picture!
The reward for cooperating is an opportunity to create a silly pose!
Not as big as some of the trees we've seen but large enough for Jordan and Charlotte to want to pose between the big trees.
Tailgating! The reward for completing a 4-mile hike! Micah, the youngest one to hike the entire trail, takes a brief rest with Mommy and baby sister before picnicking!
Meat sticks! Yummy! Just an appetizer before all the other goodies get unpacked.
The old mill provided lots of opportunities for "framing" the grandkids! Zechariah and Charlotte yell, "Come on, Grandmama! Look at us!"
Just two cool dudes!
Caleb couldn't wait until he could get framed!
We had the parking lot all to ourselves for tailgaiting.
Hmmm, what movies has Griffin been watching?
Someone smuggled an iPad aboard.
Lydia is always an adorably happy baby!
She cut her first tooth this week!
Mama's mini is gleeful.
Even during a pandemic, siblings enjoy being together.
Look closely and you will see Schaeffer jumping out the window.
An old mill provides a large playhouse to enjoy.
Do I see Jordan and Micah peeking over the window sill?
Caleb and Micah try to hide!
Let's all load up and head home! It has been a very wonderful day!
The Grands certainly enjoy spending time with family especially when we can go on hikes, excursions and field trips to interesting places!
