
44 minute read
Calendar
MayEvents
editor@getoutchattanooga.com
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1:Open Day at Lula Lake Land Trust
The gates to Lula Lake and Lula Falls are again open to the public. The property will be open on the first and last Saturday of each month until October, allowing visitors to hike, bike, picnic and more. Open Gate Days are free, but donations are encouraged to help keep the property available. Find out more at bit.ly/1YstKSo. 3:“For the Love” Get ready to fall in love with “For the Love,” a beautifully crafted documentary about extreme whitewater kayaking and the paddling lifestyle. The film will be premiered at Rock/ Creek’s 1530 Riverside Drive location, then followed by a 30-minute Q&A session with the filmmakers and a raffle for cool prizes. And, there will be beer. To buy tickets, visit bit. ly/1qOWxGx.
7:3 State 3 Mountain Challenge
Join George and Rich Hincapie of Hincapie Sportswear for this event’s 29th year. Hosted by Litespeed Bicycles and the Chattanooga Bicycle Club, this ride offers cyclists a choice of three routes: a 104-mile century route over three mountains through three states, a 64-mile metric route over one mountain through two states and a flat 25-miler through two states. Find out more at bit.ly/1jLPdoG. 7:Blueway Paddle Grab your canoe, kayak or paddleboard and drift from the North Chickamauga Creek Greenway to a takeout on South Chickamauga Creek. This guided tour will showcase the work that the North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy has done to keep the creek clean and navigable. Get your ticket at bit. ly/1T2v4tO. 7:Rabid Raccoon 25k Rock/Creek’s Rabid Raccoon 25k is not for the faint of heart. Beginning at the top of Raccoon Mountain, runners will race five miles to the bottom, then trudge up a lung-busting trail to the top. Those with the fastest time will be rewarded with an actual raccoon skull. Register at bit.ly/1R45pgw.
12:Another Gorgeous Evening
Who says outdoorsmen can’t be classy? This event, held on the banks of the Tennessee River, benefits the treasured gorge and features dinner, dancing, cocktails and a silent auction of artwork by local artists. Bonus::The art will capture some of Chattanooga’s breathtaking landscapes, giving you a chance to display your love of the outdoors (and sophistication). Get your ticket at trgt.org/tickets.
21:Paddling by Moonlight
The perfect activity for paddling enthusiasts and nature lovers, this after-hours trip along Lookout Creek offers a unique look at what happens on the property after sundown. Guided by Naturalist Corey Hagen, the moonlight explorers will catch glimpses of bats, beavers, roosting turkeys and barred owls. Find out more at reflectionriding.org/visit-4/ calendar.
21:Succulent Planter Make and Take Workshop
You’ve seen them in magazines, you’ve seen them on Pinterest, now you can see them in your home garden! Learn how to create your own succulent combination planters during The Barn Nursery’s Make and Take Workshop. Registering is just as easy as growing the plants themselves — just call 423-698-2276. 22:Ironman 70.3 It’s that time of year again, and Chattanooga is ready. The Sunbelt Bakery Ironman 70.3 Chattanooga provides the perfect training opportunity and the perfect location for athletes looking to qualify for the prestigious September race. Competitors will swim down the gorgeous Tennessee River, bike past the spectacular Lookout Mountain and run on scenic the Tennessee Riverwalk and Riverfront Parkway. To register, visit bit.ly/1N7jhuV. 30:Freedom Run Honor those who died protecting our country and support their families during the first-ever Freedom Run. The event, hosted by Run Chattanooga, feature a 1-mile, 5k and 5-mile option, and attendees are encouraged to dress in red, white and blue. The event is free, but donations and proceeds from shirt sales will be given to the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. For more information, visit runchattanooga.org/ freedomrun.
30:Chattanooga Chase
The Chattanooga Track Club invites runners, joggers and walkers to Chattanooga’s oldest competitive road race for its 49th year. The event features two races: an 8k known for its challenging hills and breathtaking scenery, and a 1-mile race on a flat, fast course through gorgeous North Shore neighborhoods. Proceeds will go to the track’s elementary cross country league. To register, visit chattanoogachase2016.com.






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TRAIL SURVIVAL:
We at Get Out feel it’s appropriate to wrap up our Trail Survival series with a particularly hot topic: hyperthermia.
Things are heating up in the Tennessee Valley, and Erlanger emergency room physician Dr. Doug Gregorie says he sees plenty of victims of heat illness in the ER. So, as summer — and its typical Tennessee humidity — sets in over the next several weeks, here’s what you should know to protect yourself in the heat that’s ahead.
BY KELSIE BOWMAN
TRAIL SURVIVAL: HYPERTHERMIA
FIRST, SOME EDUCATION
According to Gregorie, the term “heat stroke” is often misused and probably doesn’t occur as frequently as the term is used. Actually, heat illness can come in varying degrees of severity.
» The least severe on the heat illness spectrum is likely a
heat- or exercise-associated collapse. Gregorie says he’ll often see this with a marathon runner who, as soon as he or she crosses the finish line, doesn’t look so hot (no pun intended) and might even collapse. “The reason being is that their body had adapted to the level of exertion to maintain adequate blood flow,” Gregorie explains. “When they stop all of the sudden, that muscular tone that was contributing to their blood flow would collapse. If you checked their core temperature, it is really not that elevated. It will definitely be under 104 degrees.” » Next on the spectrum is heat exhaustion. Here, the core temperature is still less than 104 degrees, but the victim starts experiencing physiological changes like nausea,
elevated heart rate, headache, weakness, chills and muscle cramps. » Even further up on the spectrum is heat injury, in which kidney or muscle function is compromised. This is typically only diagnosed in a definitive care setting where medical personnel can run lab tests. » Finally, at the top of the spectrum is heat stroke. “It’s the only potentially fatal form of any of these heat illnesses,” says Gregorie. With it comes a core temperature greater or equal to 104 degrees, along with neurological dysfunction like confusion and trouble walking. “At 104 degrees, proteins in our cellular makeup start to break down. You are essentially cooking,” he says.
PREVENTION PAYS OFF
The frightening thing about heat stroke, says Gregorie, is that it may not be that difficult to get to that point on the heat illness spectrum. Thus, prevention is crucial. “It will be a lot easier to stay ahead of this than to catch back up,” he explains.
With that in mind, here’s what you should do (and not do) to avoid heat illness:
» “Don’t go out in the hottest part
of the day,” says Gregorie. “If you’re going to go outside and exercise, try to go out in the morning or later evening.”
» Let yourself sweat. “If you can’t sweat, you can’t cool yourself off,” he says. The tricky thing about the
Tennessee Valley is the high levels of humidity. Gregorie says when the air hits 75 percent humidity with no wind, people naturally stop benefiting from sweating because the evaporative cooling is not occurring as it should.
So, wear loose-fitting, breathable clothing that’s moisture wicking when taking to the trails on a hot day. » Stay hydrated. In order to sweat in the first place, active hydration needs to be happening. Gregorie advises replacing fluid for fluid. In other words, continuously drink as much as you’re sweating out. Everyone is different, but on average, a person typically sweats about 1 liter of water per hour on a hot day, he says. This amount tends to increase as a person becomes more and more acclimated to the heat. “The best solution would be to replace fluid loss with some sort of electrolyte solution,” adds Gregorie. “Your salt balance gets very low because you’re sweating out salt but not replacing it [when only drinking straight water].”


TRAIL SURVIVAL: HYPERTHERMIA
REACTING TO HEAT ILLNESS
If you do find yourself experiencing the symptoms of a heat illness, whether heat exhaustion or heat stroke (headache, nausea, rapid heart rate, lightheadedness, weakness, malaise), you need to find a way to reverse the process as quickly as possible. “The longer your temperature is elevated, the more damage is being done,” Gregorie warns.
Here are some strategies to cool down a victim of heat illness:

First and foremost, stop any exertion. Find shade. Get out of any binding, sweaty clothes or anything that’s insulating and holding in heat. Drink fluids. If nauseated, sip the water; otherwise, take in fluids as quickly as you are able. If available, get into a cool body of water. If not, even spritzing with water and fanning is better than nothing. Monitor for signs of improvement with less severe symptoms. If no improvement, or the presence of severe symptoms, get to definitive care as soon as possible.
ABOUT OUR EXPERT
Doug Gregorie completed a fellowship in Wilderness Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and is now an attending physician at Erlanger Health Center’s Emergency Department. He’s the director of Wilderness Medicine at UT College of Medicine-Chattanooga Department of Emergency Medicine, as well as an assistant professor and associate residency program director for the Department of Emergency Medicine at UTCOM-Chattanooga. EDITOR’S NOTE: We want to extend a special thank you to our local medical experts, Dr. Chris Moore and Dr. Doug Gregorie, for contributing to our Trail Survival series over the past six months. Their insight and eagerness to educate our readers — as well as us — are so appreciated! BE PREPARED
This is the final installment of our educational series on common outdoor injuries or dangers and what to do about them. Visit getoutchattanooga.com for anything you might have missed.
CHRIS RAY COMPLETES HIS FIRST HALF MARATHON, THE CHICKAMAUGA BATTLEFIELD HALF, LAST FALL.


FOR ANGELMAN
LOCAL FATHER RUNS THE BIGGEST RACE OF HIS LIFE FOR DISABLED DAUGHTER
BY KELSIE BOWMAN
Before the sun’s warmth reaches the Ray family farm on its hilltop in Ringgold, Georgia, Chris Ray is already pedaling furiously on his trainer or running on his treadmill. As one of the thousands who will plunge into the Tennessee River at the swim start on May 22, Chris is preparing for his first Ironman event, the upcoming 70.3.
After his early morning workout, Chris heads to his recruiting job with MRI Network by 8:30 a.m., works until lunch — when he puts in another vigorous workout by running around his office building, swimming at the YMCA or biking at Enterprise South Nature Park — and then goes home to spend time with his wife Michelle and three daughters: Gracie, 12, Addie, 9, and Mercy, 4. “I really try to sacrifice a little bit of sleep or really put in a hard workout during my lunch hour instead of taking time away from the family,” says Chris, seated at his kitchen table.
Until recently, he spent his evenings collecting trash for a local apartment complex as a second job, but “the girls missed him,” Michelle says as she bustles around the family’s kitchen, stopping for a moment to affectionately touch Chris on the shoulder. “Addie wouldn’t go to sleep without him here.”
Even in the best of circumstances, Addie usually only sleeps an average of six hours a night, and that’s with the help of medication. She was born with Angelman syndrome, a rare neuro-genetic disorder characterized by developmental delays, seizures, lack of speech and more. So, though she’s the size of a typical 9-year-old, Addie’s brain is developmentally more like a 6-month-old’s, give or take a few months. She toddles happily around her farm home, pacifier firmly in her mouth, all while being carefully watched over by her parents and sisters.
“All in all, [Ironman] is about going through the grind because our life is somewhat like a grind, especially at times,” muses Chris. “I’m sure everybody’s is, but there’s definitely times we struggle with some things that are probably a little out of the ordinary because of Addie’s condition.”
Beating the Odds
Michelle describes Addie’s birth as the easiest and most triumphant event. “She was born in one hour from start to finish on the bathroom floor,” she says, quickly adding, “We meant to have her at home. I’m a home-birth midwife.”
The ease of her birth was not telling of what was to come. Michelle, who makes a living teaching women how to nurse their babies, was having trouble nursing Addie. At 4 months, her pediatrician said Addie was in danger of failing to thrive. He cut a large hole into the nipple of a bottle and directed Michelle to feed her that way.
At 8 months, Addie was overweight. “The child was so fat that I took her back because she couldn’t sit up,” jokes Michelle. “Her doctor said, ‘Oh my, now you have the opposite problem, but I think there’s something wrong.’ Chris and I thought that, too. At 8 months old she wasn’t sitting up, she wasn’t babbling, she wasn’t doing any of the normal stuff.”
Doctors and geneticists threw around various diagnoses that didn’t quite seem to fit. Michelle went out and bought a computer just to do her own research, and that’s when she came across the extremely rare Angelman syndrome.
THE RAY FAMILY: MICHELLE, ADDIE, CHRIS, MERCY AND GRACIE, FROM LEFT.

THE RAY FAMILY LIKES TO RACE TOGETHER.

She called the doctors and, after some convincing, they ran the very expensive test for the syndrome. As Michelle expected, it came back positive. “I already knew and was so sure, but I don’t think Chris was quite prepared for the news. He about passed out on the floor,” she says.
“All we had heard were terrible things [about AS],” says Chris. Doctors and therapists said Addie would never walk. She’d live off a feeding tube. She’d basically just sit in a corner and drool.
“Look at her with those flowers. I can hear her laughing,” Michelle says with a smile as she gazes out the kitchen window at the girls playing on the swing set in the backyard. Gracie and Mercy have given Addie a fistful of wildflowers to enjoy while they push her on the swing. “She likes to move all the time; all day long, every day. She loves roller coasters — anything with speed. If she’s not moving, she’s not happy.”
The therapists were wrong, says Michelle. Addie can walk, though she can’t run. She can eat on her own — especially if it’s junk food, much to the chagrin of her clean-eating parents. She can laugh and interact and love.
“They can all do that,” Chris says, referring to other kids who are diagnosed with AS. “The doctors just didn’t know.”
Running the Race
Over the past couple years, both Michelle and Chris became interested in running and, subsequently, triathlons. They started with the Sportsbarn Sprint last summer (which Michelle had to miss at the last minute because a client went into labor) and another sprint in Athens. The initial goal was to get in shape, but soon they both fell in love with the sport, and set their next big goal as the Ironman 70.3.
It was Addie’s love of speed and movement that first gave Michelle the idea to start pushing her in a special stroller during their races. Whenever they can — like at the Cupid’s Chase in February and the Dash for Down Syndrome in March — they’ll borrow the very expensive stroller required from a nonprofit called Team Triumph and include Addie in on the action. The benefit is twofold, Michelle says: It raises awareness of AS, and “Addie loves to roll and to move, and she can’t [on her own]. She can hardly walk.


She’s never going to run. So, we do it for her.”
Due to a knee injury, Michelle is disappointed to have to sit out the upcoming Ironman 70.3, and Chris says he can’t actually bring Addie along with him on his Ironman journey this May. She would have to be signed up as a physically challenged entrant and the family wasn’t able to do that this year. “We consider that to be the long-term goal,” he says. Upon hearing herself being discussed, Addie stops playing in the living room, walks up to Chris and grabs his arm with a big smile.
Chris does plan to bring her along in a smaller triathlon coming up in Cohutta, Georgia. Addie will even be able to join him on a small raft for the swim and in a bike trailer for the ride, as well as in a stroller for the run. It’s a lot of extra effort on Chris’ part. Triathlons are exhausting enough when the athlete is only responsible for heaving their own body across the finish line. But to both Chris and Michelle, it’s worth it.
“It’s about the pure enjoyment,” says Chris. “When the horn or the gun goes off at the start of a race, Addie just giggles all the way. She loves passing people. If the race is a loop, she’s smiling and giggling when people come back. I feel like her happiness doing that makes other people out there happy.”
Michelle adds, “I want people to know they can do whatever they want no matter what kind of adversity they face. We have really hard stuff. If we can make the time to train … anyone can.”

Find out how you can help the Ray family purchase a special racing chair for Addie so she can stay in the action with Chris at gofundme.com/Addiesnewwheels.
CHRIS RAY TAKES ON A 10K TRAIL RACE.

What is AS?
According to the Angelman Syndrome Foundation, AS is diagnosed in 1 in 15,000 children. It’s a relatively new discovery; the genetic factor involved in the diagnosis was only identified in 1997. Symptoms include varying degrees of developmental delays, seizures, a happy demeanor, lack of speech, and a delayed ability to walk as well as balance issues. » Learn more: Visit angelman.org.
CHRIS RAY COMES OUT OF THE WATER DURING HIS FIRST TRIATHLON LAST SUMMER, THE SPORTSBARN SPRINT.
Chris Ray: Q&A
Q: WHAT’S YOUR BEST EVENT? A: “Definitely not running,” Chris laughs. “I really do enjoy the bike but I think it’s going to wear me down because it’s so long. So if you’re talking about being in the mix or close to it, it’ll probably be the swim.”
Q: WHAT DO YOU SEE AS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE? A: “It’s probably going to be the last 5k on the run. Even though I started running before I started anything else, it’s my weakest event. I have a really hard time with cramping. I did the Chattanooga Half Marathon [in March] and the Chickamauga Battlefield Half Marathon [last November] was my first one. The last 3 or 4 miles it was a struggle just to get through it because of the cramping. We’re trying to work through it with my nutrition plan.”
Q: YOUR INITIAL GOAL WAS TO GET FIT. HOW’S THAT GOING? A: “I’ve lost 26 pounds from July of last year,” says Chris, adding that he feels so much better as well. “Since I started racing, I don’t even know what I weighed because the scale that stops at 350 wouldn’t weigh me. So I probably weighted 360 pounds and now I’m at 293.”
Ironman Chattanooga 70.3
Watch for Chris Ray out on the course! Ironman 70.3 is hitting the Tennessee River and the streets for the second year in a row May 20-22. Check out vendor booths with exclusive Ironman merchandise in the days leading up to the race on the 22nd, when you can watch as thousands of Ironman hopefuls strive toward the finish line. Find a schedule of events and other need-to-know information at ironman.com.
UNDER ONE

ONE SKY
BY SUNNY MONTGOMERY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY HERE-IS-WHY
Brian Morris and Marc Radloff spent most of March stranded in Tanzania, their broken-down Land Rover saddled with film equipment, parachutes and hang gliders. Fortunately, they were able to find a place to sleep for $7 a night.
Still, they were running out of money and were 1,300 kilometers from Uganda, which was supposed to be their next destination.


A young orphan suffering from cerebral palsy takes his first flight. “Here is a kid that is used to just trying to survive, and we helped give him this pure moment of joy,” says Morris.

Paragliding in Sossusvlei, Namibia
Sossusvlei, Namibia


Orphans in Tanzania cut up for the camera.
IN UGANDA ,
the plan was to connect with Amani ya Juu, a nonprofit fair trade organization that teaches African women to design and produce handcrafted goods. Proceeds for the products help support the women, many of whom have lost their families to war or disease.
Morris, a hang-gliding instructor, and Radloff, a paraglider pilot, had a less conventional approach to enriching the women’s lives: They planned to take them flying. This was but one component of One Sky Project, a yearlong African venture founded by Morris and Radloff.
It began as simply a means to complete the No. 1 entries on their bucket lists. For Morris, that was hang gliding Table Rock in South Africa. For Radloff, it was paragliding Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Both had been born in South Africa. Morris moved to Lookout Mountain, Georgia, at age 6. Radloff relocated to the States in his early 20s.
“This was our homecoming,” Morris says of the project.
The men met while flying in Tennessee. Radloff noticed Morris had a South African flag embroidered on his harness and struck up a conversation. They became fast friends over their shared experiences and dreams of returning to Africa. Soon, plans for One Sky began to develop.
Along the way, they hooked up with videographers Suzy Beck and Jonathan Fambrough. As the team grew, the project evolved.
“Why not try to give back to the communities we fly in?” thought Morris.
And so its mission expanded to comprise three components: First, to fly Table Rock and Mount Kilimanjaro. Second, to enrich the communities they traveled through by connecting with nonprofit organizations — for example, Amani ya Juu in Uganda, Mufindi Orphans in Tanzania, and Ikhaya la Themba, an after-school program, in South Africa. Morris and Radloff would take the nonprofits’ clients flying; Beck and Fambrough would produce pro bono short films to help market the causes.

The children at Mufindi Orphans pose with Morris and Radloff before being given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fly.
The third component of the project was to film a full-length documentary about the trip.
They budgeted $30,000 for the project, which included post-production costs. Through Kickstarter, they raised $22,478. They supplemented with sponsorships from gear companies such as Flytec, Sup’Air, Airtime Solutions and Goal Zero.
Last January, the crew arrived in Africa. Since then they have traveled to six countries, taken 18 locals on tandem paraglider flights and 70 children hang gliding. When their car broke down in March, they were down to $1,000.
“I have no idea what we’re going to do,” Morris says in regards to the project’s dwindling funds. “We underestimated the amount of the time it would take to shoot enough video to cover a good story, as well as the time it would take to traverse the African continent.”
One thing is certain, Morris better consider updating his bucket list. By April, the Land Rover was running again, but not well enough to make the trip to Uganda. So the crew headed south. At the time of print, Morris was in Cape Town, awaiting the right weather conditions to fly Table Rock.
With his eyes to the sky, he is hopeful.
» To follow One Sky Project’s developments visit oneskyproject.com.

Karas, Namibia

THE ORGANIZATIONS



Mufindi Orphans is a nonprofit organization located in Tanzania that provides shelter, nutrition, education and medical care to children and families affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis. According to UNAIDS.org, as of 2014, between 550,000 and 1,800,000 Tanzanian children ages 0-17 have been orphaned due to the disease. Founded in 2005, Mufindi Orphans also does community outreach to help curtail the spread of HIV. For more information visit mufindiorphans.org. Ikhaya la Themba, which translates to “Home of Hope,” is an after-school program in Cape Town, South Africa. Many local schools in the area are overcrowded and understaffed. The mission of Ikhaya is to bolster children’s education. Subjects are re-taught, a hot meal is provided, and children are given a safe place to play with a jungle gym and soccer fields. For more information visit iklethemba.co.za. Amani ya Juu, which means “peace from above” in Swahili, was founded by Chattanooga native Becky Chinchen. With locations in Uganda, Kenya and Liberia, the organization was founded to teach marginalized women practical business skills such as design, stitching, management and bookkeeping. The women produce handbags, jewelry, stationary and more, handwriting their names onto each tag. Then, the goods are sold online or shipped to Amani’s Chattanooga storefront at 420 S. Willow St. As Morris explains, “We were able to take $10 and feed over 20 women. When someone buys a dress for $100, that will feed 20 of these women for a week and a half.” For more information visit amaniafrica.org.
CAMPING GUIDE


They say having too many choices is a good problem to have, but if you’re looking to go camping in the Southeast, the sheer number of options can be staggering. Looking for something waterfront? What about a site you can bring the whole family to? Maybe you’re looking for a more backcountry, personal experience in Appalachia? Then again, maybe you want a campsite with a great view of the natural splendor of Great Smoky Mountains National Park? The possibilities are endless. We at Get Out love camping, so we decided to help narrow down your search.
Still, you’d better buckle in. There’s a lot of camping out there.
BY SHANE FOLEY
FAMILY FRIENDLY
DEFEATED CREEK PARK
140 MARINA LANE | CARTHAGE, TENN., 37030 | 615-774-3141
WHY WE LOVE IT: If you and your family can’t decide on what to do, stopping at Defeated Creek Park should keep everyone happy. Seriously, this park has everything — 12,000-acre Cordell Lake features 381 miles of shoreline, and that’s only the start. The site routinely holds special events and giveaways for kids, and people of all ages are welcome. AMENITIES: Mountain biking, swimming, tennis and volleyball courts, horseback riding, fishing and boating are just a few of the options you’ll have at this impeccably maintained campground. Laundry services and electrical hookups are available. The campground, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has over 150 RV- and tent-friendly sites. PRICING: $15 nightly and $28 daily for the standard electric site; premium group shelters go for $50 nightly and $100 daily. GOOD TO KNOW: If you happen to be out at Defeated Creek in late May, check out the Uncle Jimmy Thompson Bluegrass Festival in nearby Granville, Tenn., on May 28. Local bluegrass acts will rock the stage from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m.
BLEDSOE CREEK STATE PARK
400 ZIEGLERS FORD ROAD GALLATIN, TENN., 37066 615-452-3706
WHY WE LOVE IT: Bledsoe Creek State Park is a reserved, humble park with reasonable rates of $20$25 per day and some of the best birding, hiking and crappie fishing in the state. Picnic tables and grills make it easy to enjoy the company of neighboring campers, and the sites are all ADA compliant, making them accessible to those with disabilities.
ENOTA MOUNTAIN RETREAT
1000 HIGHWAY 180 HIAWASSEE, GA., 30546 706-896-9966
WHY WE LOVE IT: The Enota Mountain Retreat is an educational nonprofit that informs campers about organic farming and living. Besides featuring excellent hiking 1.5 miles from the Appalachian Trail, Enota Mountain has organic produce for sale, opportunities for kids to feed local farm and rescue animals, and a covered outdoor kitchen to cook up some of the fresh food you get on-site. Cabins and RV/tent sites are available.
OLD STONE FORT STATE PARK
732 STONE FORT DRIVE MANCHESTER, TENN., 37355 931-723-5073 WHY WE LOVE IT:
Despite being only a few minutes from numerous restaurants in neighboring Manchester, Old Stone Fort’s heavily wooded surroundings give it a distinct secluded feeling. While RV sites are available, staying at Old Stone Fort really feels like you’re in the great outdoors instead of a campground. Gentle nearby nature trails give children the perfect opportunity for day hikes and observing the native bird population.
JULIAN PRICE MEMORIAL PARK
NORTH ON THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY FROM ASHEVILLE, MILEPOST 297 36.1424° N, 81.7457° W 828-963-5911
WHY WE LOVE IT: Adjacent to the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, Julian Price Memorial Park is part of the largest recreational area along the parkway. Excellently designed hiking trails, guided walks, carriage rides, fishing and canoeing are available. A 300-seat amphitheater onsite is home to numerous educational lectures, evening campfires and theatrical productions throughout the summer and fall.
CAMPING GUIDE
CONTINUED

PHOTO: FREDLYFISH4 / CREATIVE COMMONS
OVERLOOK



CLINGMANS DOME
35.5628° N, 83.4985° W | 865-436-1297
WHY WE LOVE IT: The Dome is the highest point on the Appalachian Trail at 6,643 feet. The site offers breathtaking views on clear days of seven different states from the observation tower, affectionately referred to as the “flying saucer.” The colder, misty weather that permeates the peak enables a gorgeous coniferous forest of sprucefir to flourish. We can’t overstate the view from the third-highest point east of the Mississippi River. AMENITIES: Although the AT has very little in the way of convenience, the steep trail up to the observation tower is paved, making it easier to ascend after a day of rugged backpacking. PRICING: If you’re looking to camp in the backcountry of the Smokies, you’ll need a permit from the National Park Service, which can be obtained online. Nominal fees typically accompany the permits. GOOD TO KNOW: The steep hike up to the peak can be taxing despite being paved, so those with disability, young children and the elderly may struggle to make the ascent. Thankfully, Clingmans Dome Road features numerous spots to pull off and appreciate the view.

CHEAHA MOUNTAIN
19644 HIGHWAY 281 DELTA, ALA., 36258 256-488-5111
WHY WE LOVE IT: Nestled in the heart of Talladega National Forest, Cheaha Mountain features a wheelchair-accessible walkway to the best overlook for miles. The site is more unique among the other Overlook sites on the list due to its lodge, restaurant and recreational activities and amenities available near the peak.
PHOTO: MIKE TEWKESBURY

LOOKING GLASS ROCK
35.3037° N, 82.7935° W 828-877-4423 (PISGAH CENTER FOR WILDLIFE EDUCATION)
WHY WE LOVE IT: The gorgeous granite, balding face of Looking Glass Rock can be seen from a long stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, and the view from the Rock is even better. Birders should rejoice as well. The mountain is a popular nesting spot for the peregrine falcon.
BIG FROG MOUNTAIN
34.9995° N, 84.5294° W
WHY WE LOVE IT: For reasons unknown to us, Big Frog Mountain has a very low usage rate, meaning the unmarked trails and camping opportunities will typically be sparsely populated. Cozy rhododendron tunnels and crisp streams dot the landscape on the mountain, which features some of the best vistas to show off the natural beauty of the Cohutta Mountains in Tennessee and Georgia.
TRAY MOUNTAIN
34.8012° N, 83.6838° W
WHY WE LOVE IT: The Appalachian Trail makes its way through Tray Mountain, offering up stunning vistas along the ridge to the peak. Twisted mountain laurel create a natural tunnel for much of the hike, and a side trail from the grassy campsite takes hikers to the beautiful, cozy High Shoals Falls.
CAMPING GUIDE
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WATERFRONT

PINEWOOD CANOE AND CAMP
2011 CASH HOLLOW ROAD | NUNNELLY, TENN., 37137 | 931-729-1042
WHY WE LOVE IT: Pinewood Canoe and Camp offers just about everything on the waterfront you could want. Natural gravel bars on Piney Creek make for great pit stops during a float down the river to fish, swim or even just relax in the warm sun. Swimming holes abound throughout the site, letting campers pick their preferred level of seclusion. Although Piney Creek isn’t exactly a mighty river, we guarantee you’ll have a good time on a float down the river in your kayak, canoe or inner tube. AMENITIES: Every campsite has a great view of the river, and fire rings and bathhouses are available for campers. Creekside cookouts are commonplace, and a great way to meet neighboring campers. Fishing, swimming, kayaking and canoeing opportunities abound on the creek. PRICING: $20 per night for RVs for two people; $15 per night for campsites with electricity for two people, with a $7.50 charge for each additional person and a $5 charge for each additional child. GOOD TO KNOW: If you’re around Pinewood over Memorial Day weekend, the camp staff is bringing nationally renowned country group The Corbitt Brothers for concerts the Friday and Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. Admission will be $10 for the event.
BONES CANOE AND CAMPGROUND
16520 BAKERVILLE ROAD HURRICANE MILLS, TENN., 37078 931-209-5908
WHY WE LOVE IT: Make no bones about it, Bones Canoe and Campground is distinctly wild. Camping is allowed anywhere on the property, and you’ll get a full outdoors experience at the site. While there is an office and space is available for self-contained RVs, the campground will give you a much more natural camping trip than one to a lake with a fully stocked marina.
LILLYDALE CAMPGROUND
985 LILLYDALE ROAD ALLONS, TENN., 38541 931-823-4155
WHY WE LOVE IT: Dale Hollow Lake is renowned for its stock of trophy-sized smallmouth bass, including the undisputed world record caught by David Hayes in 1955: an 11-pound, 15-ouncer. If you think you’ve got the skill to break a world record, Dale Hollow Lake might be your place. If smallmouth isn’t your game, the lake is also abundant with largemouth bass, crappie and muskie. Nearby, the Obey River features quality brown and rainbow trout for fly fishermen.
HONEYCOMB CAMPGROUND
188 CAMP GROUND ROAD GRANT, ALA., 35747 256-582-9882
WHY WE LOVE IT: The gorgeous white sandy beaches and well-stocked and maintained marina are enough to warrant a visit to Honeycomb. If you like it enough to stay longer, that option is available. Honeycomb offers campers the ability to rent out a campsite on a month-by-month basis at a reduced rate, making it the perfect place to settle down with your RV and enjoy the boating, fishing and barbecuing.
FRENCH BROAD RIVER CAMPGROUND
1030 OLD MARSHALL HIGHWAY ASHEVILLE, N.C., 28804 828-658-0772
WHY WE LOVE IT: The sleepy French Broad River paints a picturesque image of nature for camp-goers. Tubing, fishing and tennis are just a few of the activities at the campground, which has spacious sites for both RVs and tents. Cabin rentals are also available. The real draw, though, is the brief drive to scenic Asheville, putting you in the perfect spot to enjoy the great outdoors and one of the finest cities in the Southeast.


PADDLE IN
Looking for a waterfront camping trip that’s a little more rugged than normal? We’d start by recommending the Tennessee Blueway, a 50-mile stretch of river through Chattanooga down through the Tennessee River Gorge, with dozens of put-in spots and primitive campsites available along the way. If you’ve done that and are looking for more, direct your attention to neighboring Alabama, home of the Alabama Scenic River Trail, the single longest river trail in America at 631 miles.
ALABAMA SCENIC RIVER TRAIL
WHY WE LOVE IT:
What’s not to love? Alabama has an incredibly diverse river system, ranging from swift whitewater, swampy bayous and saltwater flows to and from the Gulf of Mexico. This variety of topography, coupled with the sheer amount of rivers there are to travel, means no two trips along the trail will be the same. AMENITIES: Depending on where on the river you are and where you’re going, conveniences could range from full-blown hotels to just stark wilderness. What sort of camping you want to do on the trail is entirely up to your planning. PRICING: It would definitely be wise to bring cash with you depending on how long you’re planning on staying. Longer trips where you’ll have to go to a city to get food will warrant a cost. However, it’s entirely possible to bring all the food with you that you’ll need and camp out on public land along the rivers, meaning this trip could be completely free. GOOD TO KNOW: It is possible to get through the locks at the dams on the Alabama River by contacting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers station that runs each dam. Dams on other rivers, however, don’t have locks for boaters to go through, so plan your trip accordingly. Dead-ends such as those are marked along the river. WHERE TO PUT IN: Although there are hundreds of spots along the trail to put in and camp, we recommend the Little River Marina and Lodge, less than an hour and a half from Chattanooga.
LITTLE RIVER MARINA AND LODGE 1780 COUNTY ROAD 102 CEDAR BLUFF, ALA., 35959 256-779-6461
However, depending on what section of the trail you want to paddle, you may want to research it yourself. For more answers, check out alabamascenicrivertrail.com.
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BACKCOUNTRY

DAVENPORT GAP TO MAX PATCH ROAD

WHY WE LOVE IT: One of the prettiest sections of the Appalachian Trail, the 19-mile trip from Davenport Gap to Max Patch Road really showcases the splendor of the region. The elevation along the trail changes from under 2,000 feet to nearly 5,000 feet over the course of the trail, so get ready for an invigorating hike over some of Appalachia’s best bald peaks. AMENITIES: There are a few shelters along the trail that will afford you some vestige of comfort during your hike and get you off the ground at night. PRICING: Although there are no fees associated with doing this portion of the Appalachian Trail, bringing a few bucks along for food after the trip is done might be a good idea. GOOD TO KNOW: Max Patch, the conclusion of this section of the trail, is an old logging campsite with some incredible views of the Smokies. If the backpacking portion isn’t for you, Max Patch Mountain’s peak is an excellent spot to set up camp or have a picnic. There is parking near the peak and an easy twomile hike in.
PHOTO: ANOLDENT / CREATIVE COMMONS


PHOTO: JASON A. G.
DAVENPORT GAP SHELTER


PANTHERTOWN VALLEY
35.157732° N, 82.998769° W 828-524-6441
WHY WE LOVE IT: Panthertown Valley has some of the most immaculately kept trails in the area thanks to the Friends of Panthertown nonprofit organization. Over 30 miles of trails complete with wild blueberries, eight different waterfalls and views that last for miles are at your disposal.

PHOTO: JIM LIESTMAN
VIRGIN FALLS
SPARTA, TENN. 35.8290° N, 85.2950° W 615-532-0431
WHY WE LOVE IT: An excellent first hike for beginner backpackers, Virgin Falls rewards those who complete the trail with an awesome view of its namesake cascade. Interestingly, the fall flows out from an underground stream. After falling 110 feet, it flows back underground again, making it one of the most unique waterfalls in our state.
PORTERS CREEK TRAIL
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS, NEAR GATLINBURG 35.696728° N, 83.388272° W 865-436-1200
WHY WE LOVE IT: This is the perfect site for anyone looking for a romantic hike, or anyone who appreciates flowers blooming. The trail nearly explodes in native wildflower blooms throughout the months of April, May and into June. Historical sites are dotted along the trail, including the foundation of an old settlement as well as the Smoky Mountain Hiking Club Cabin from the 1930s.
GAHUTI TRAIL AT FORT MOUNTAIN
34.778950° N, 84.70553° W 706-422-1932
WHY WE LOVE IT: Only about an hour from Chattanooga, the sights you’ll take in while on this trail are among the best in the region. Traveling through some seriously remote Georgia state park land, you’ll cross numerous streams and different ecosystems while you ascend and descend the 4,000 total feet of elevation change along the trail.
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HIGH ADVENTURE
NANTAHALA OUTDOOR CENTER
WHY WE LOVE IT: The NOC has basically everything your outdoorsy heart could desire. Zipline tours, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, paddling school, paintball — you name it, they’ve got it. One of the premier outdoor outfitters since 1972, the NOC is world-famous for providing the most intense, energizing and safe outdoors experience possible. Whether you go for a day or longer, we guarantee you’ll have a great time. AMENITIES: The deluxe cabins and motel on-site have you covered for any amenities you may want. Several fantastic restaurants are nearby, and a local amphitheater often hosts live music and shows for your enjoyment. Hostel-style accommodations as well as raised platform tents are available. PRICING: $200-$500 per night for a cabin. If that’s too steep, the Dogwood Motel has rooms for $80-$90 per night. Looking for something more earthy? The basecamp, where Appalachian Trail hikers stay, costs $40 every day. The outdoor activities range from $70-$200, depending on what you’re doing. Visit noc.com for more pricing information. GOOD TO KNOW: The NOC offers a number of instructional training courses as well, ranging from wilderness survival and medicine to raft guide training. A visit to the NOC might even set you up on a new career path!

PHOTOS: NOC MARKETING


WARRIORS’ PATH STATE PARK
490 HEMLOCK ROAD KINGSPORT, TENN., 37663 423-239-8531
WHY WE LOVE IT: Besides being one of the most pristine and gorgeous parks in our state, Warriors’ Path has much to offer those looking to get active. Opportunities for horseback riding and miles of taxing mountain biking trails will give the energetic camper a run for his or her money, while the Olympic-size pool located at the campground will give them the ability to cool off afterwards.

HISTORIC BANNING MILLS
205 HORSESHOE DAM ROAD WHITESBURG, GA., 30185 770-834-9149
WHY WE LOVE IT: This site perfectly blends the comfort of a cabin with the adventure of ziplining, kayaking, geocaching and climbing. Stay in furnished, relaxing lodges or your RV while experiencing whatever adrenaline rush or activity you’re looking for. Falconry shows and demonstrations are also available for those looking to put the wild in wildlife.
BROOKSIDE CAMPGROUND AND RAFTING
764 US-19 TOPTON, N.C., 28781 828-321-5209
WHY WE LOVE IT: Not many campgrounds offer the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing campout with showers and laundry while also providing the chance to float down a whitewater river either with or without a guide. Naturally, Brookside scoffs at those other campgrounds. If you’ve caught the rafting bug, Brookside will definitely suit your needs.


MULBERRY GAP
400 MULBERRY GAP ROAD ELLIJAY, GA., 30540 706-698-2865
WHY WE LOVE IT: Mulberry Gap is a mountain biking haven, offering up guided single- and multi-day tours of one of the premier trail systems in the Southeast. Whether you opt to stay in one of the roomy cabins, park your RV or pitch your tent, be sure to bring one thing: Your bike. If the cycling isn’t enough for you, whitewater paddling, ziplining and yoga are just a few of the other possibilities.

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STARGAZING
PICKETT STATE PARK

4605 PICKETT PARK HIGHWAY | JAMESTOWN, TENN., 38556 | 931-879-5821
WHY WE LOVE IT: If you’re looking for stars, Pickett is the place for you. In conjunction with Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area, Pickett became the first state park in the Southeast to be recognized by the International Dark Sky Association for its commitment to creating a dedicated space to view the heavens. Park representatives have worked with local communities to limit the amount of light pollution, giving you the clearest view of the night sky in the state.
AMENITIES: Over 30 miles of hiking trails are available for camp use. Swimming on the sandstone cliff-surrounded beach is another possibility, but perhaps fishing, canoeing and kayaking on the scenic Arch Lake better suit you. Cabins ranging from rustic to deluxe are available for rent, and the campground has over 30 sites for more rugged campers. PRICING: $16 per day for a tent camp; cabins range from $60 per night for rustic to $130 per night for deluxe. A non-refundable $5 reservation fee is required for cabins. GOOD TO KNOW: The famed Perseid meteor shower will be taking place on Aug. 12. Pickett and Pogue Creek have organized a party to view the shower, with special guest Paul Lewis from the UT Space and Science outreach program.

PHOTO: ALAN CRESSLER
LAND BETWEEN THE LAKES
238 VISITOR CENTER DRIVE GOLDEN POND, KY., 42211 800-525-7077
WHY WE LOVE IT: Land Between the Lakes is a sprawling natural recreation area, and much of it is dark enough to really showcase the Milky Way and the rest of the cosmos. Camping is available anywhere in the park, provided you have the proper paperwork. Also, the nearby Golden Pond Planetarium is a perfect opportunity for you to not just observe the stars, but to also learn something about them, too.
FALL CREEK FALLS STATE PARK
10821 PARK ROAD SPENCER, TENN., 37367 423-881-5298
WHY WE LOVE IT: Fall Creek Falls is beloved by many for a variety of reasons. Let us perhaps add another, then: Regions of Fall Creek Falls are the darkest in the state, making it optimal for stargazing. Officials at the park hold routine astronomy weekends where you can meet amateur and professional astronomers and enjoy the sky together.
DOLL MOUNTAIN
DOLL MOUNTAIN ROAD ELLIJAY, GA., 30540 706-276-4413
WHY WE LOVE IT: Doll Mountain is renowned by locals as a premier location for being able to see the stars clearly. This is no mere stargazing spot, though. The beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains which encapsulate the campground offer up some great nature walks, and Carters Lake presents boaters and fishermen with ample opportunity to have a good time.
OAK MOUNTAIN STATE PARK
200 TERRACE DRIVE PELHAM, ALA., 35124 205-620-2520
WHY WE LOVE IT: At Oak Mountain State Park you’ll be inundated with things to do, from internationally recognized mountain biking to horseback riding, golf and everything in between. More importantly for you, local astronomical groups regularly congregate at the darker areas of the campground for spectacular views of the night sky.
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PHOTO: CAMP LECONTE
GLAMPING
While we don’t particularly consider this to be camping, it is wildly growing in popularity. For those not in the know, glamping stands for “glamorous camping,” which can mean functional outdoor hotels complete with clean bedsheets, fluffy down pillows and heated pools. Even we have to admit this looks pretty fun.
CAMP LECONTE 1739 EAST PARKWAY | GATLINBURG, TENN., 37738 | 865-436-8831
WHY WE LOVE IT: This is your chance to be outdoors in the literal height of luxury. Camp Leconte is one of the most well-renowned and sought-after locations in Gatlinburg. And who wouldn’t want to sleep in a treehouse? What about an open-air treehouse complete with queen-size beds, a built-in shower and a barbecue grill? All while being close to the most popular attractions in town? No one, that’s who. AMENITIES: For a campground, Camp Leconte doesn’t spare much expense. The treehouses and safari tents feature fresh linens and beds, along with coolers with ice and beverages already stocked. The RV and primitive camping sites have access to all features of the campground as well, including a heated swimming pool, hi-speed WiFi, bath houses and laundry services. PRICING: $30 per night for the primitive (that is to say, tent) sites; $50 per night for an RV hookup site; $120 per night for a safari tent; and $170 per night for a luxury treehouse. We recommend you make reservations online; the safari tents and treehouses are in high demand. GOOD TO KNOW: The on-site trolley will take any visitor or “camper” directly to downtown Gatlinburg for a day of shopping and fun. Camp Leconte is also in walking distance to Mills Park for a lovely hiking and picnic spot.
End of the Trail End of the Trail
PHOTOGRAPH: DMITRY SHISHKIN
Hikers pause for a photo after traversing the Possum Creek Gorge Segment of the Cumberland Trail.
