Beech Creek 2007

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CREW!!

What a terrific weekend! The portents were all in our favor - Nathan and Chris were the first to show up at the church! We set sail in good time and stopped at our traditional departure point from civilization - Mickey D's in Clayton. After a brief snack we all watched Nathan consume massive quantities of food (this will become a theme) and then headed for the woods. Our hike was along the Beech Creek Trail just inside NC. The trail is a nice loop that travels from the north access parking lot up the Tallulah R. to and past its source (heading north and clockwise for those of you who are visually oriented) while the southern parking lot allows access to the loop as it winds up Beech Creek (in an eastern and then northern sweep). We chose the southern access although it was rumored to be more difficult (we laugh in the face of trouble) because it allowed us to get in a nice long hike and end up at a great camping spot just less than 2 miles from the parking lot.

The weather was perfect - alternating between blue skies and high white clouds to massive black thunderheads which often provided a nice cool breeze to freshen the way. Almost at the beginning of the hike Nathan had to stop for an equipment check to fix his Bro (man bra). I didn't know those things existed outside of Seinfeld. To make matters worse, he was in the lead so all of us had to watch. The hike started up and kept going . . . and going . . . and going . . UP. Seemed like every time we got to a promising turn where the trail could do something different and fun like follow a ridge line or even, gasp, descend, it just kept climbing. We had a chance to practice cats and took a few equipment checks and water breaks. However, there was absolutely no complaining or whining from anyone, including me when chunks of lung started mysteriously showering the trail behind me. However, the climb proved more than worth it when about 2/3's of the way up we reached the side trail to High Falls. It is truly a lovely spot with a long and fairly wide fall down a sheer rock slope. We enjoyed playing on the rocks, taking pictures, and having a little siesta.

Shortly thereafter we came upon the remains of a large stone foundation that looked medieval. It was here that Clare made her first new friend of the trip - a snail. She named it, told it stories, and made silly pictures with it. When we left, it whined and tried to wag its tail and follow her up the trail but she was on a mission and wouldn't look back. That gal can be tough.

Speaking of tough, we all kept climbing. Nathan and Chris kept up their usual banter to the amusement (occasionally) of others. Bridgette bailed me out a few times by asking for a break when she saw me turning colors. Kathy kept on trucking while Lara and Clare looked for more critters to befriend. Matthew kept on trucking in the traditional sherpa position at the rear to sweep up any debris that the rest of us left behind. Lunch was a scrumpt-dili-itious smorgasbord of ham and PB & J Philfood with a few extras from folks' backpacks thrown in. Following lunch, many of us used Clare's hand sanitizer, Very Sweet French Vanilla Rock Sugar Candy hand sanitizer, to clean up. I swear that I did not read the label until after I used it. I also swear that since then I have washed my hands seven times and have taken an extremely long, hot shower and can still smell it. Beware Clare product.

Freshly energized, we set off up the slope with Lara in the lead. Mysteriously, with Lara controlling our fate and Nathan out of the lead the trail soon leveled off and began even to drop. As it leveled we reached a side trial to Big Scaly which everyone decided to hike. There is just no stopping this bunch. Much of the trail in this area was the site of a recent fire the origins of which proved a fertile topic of conversation. When the trail proved to be mostly a ridge walk with similar views, several of us found other things to do. Kathy found a contemplation cove and Lara, Clare, Matthew and I found a nice area to use for nature study. I found a great log to lie on to resume my long standing examination of cloud formations and somehow wound up dreaming of waffles. Bridgette, Chris and Nathan just kept on trucking to the summit and were back before I dreamed of sugar free syrup.

Down the slope we at last reached the side trail for Chimney Rock, a large tower of rock with great views of both the surrounding country and the forest below. Despite the hard day we had already enjoyed, everyone again voted on the additional hike to the Chimney and clambered up the rock. There is just no stopping this bunch! We had a tiny bit of carnage to satisfy the spirits (small drop of blood on a knee and a few scrapes) and otherwise left unscathed. Bridgette had gotten her second wind and led us off with the disclaimer that she would go slow. We had hiked for about 32 seconds when I had to call for her to slow down. Wasn't the last time to try to rein her in either.

We made good time to our campsite and would have done better except for the OF knees dictating a slower pace down hill. The skies were very threatening as we set up camp but the rain held off. Matthew and Nathan set up hammocks. Matthew's hammock blew out when he first tried it and crashed him to the ground but, unfortunately, only Nathan witnessed it and did not get any pictures. Matthew prepared our Rice and Chicken (?) supper and did a magnificent job. It was perfectly cooked and deliciously seasoned and that wasn't because I was starving. The bacon and cheddar mashed potatoes . . . well . . . we just won't talk about how they were cooked. If you can't say anything nice . . . After cleanup, we had the energy to play Frisbee (Jake, I know you are proud) and then a hearty round of cards. There is just no stopping this bunch! Everyone slept well with the sound of the adjoining Tallulah River providing a perfect lullaby. Up and out the next morning in time to get to the Old Clayton Inn for breakfast where we all had a great meal and watched Nathan consume massive quantities of food. The kid seriously ordered two meals and then polished of the food of three other people. Must be some tapeworm!

Many thanks to all concerned - to Matthew and Nathan for their superior leadership, to Lara, Clare, Chris and Bridgette for excellent hiking, conversation, and camp work, and to Kathy, our resident botanist for all of the above. Sorry this is so long but there is lots to report when you have this much fun! Let's do it again soon.

Don W.
Advisor, Crew 149