I especially liked the inclusion of pictures of the local flora and fauna.
This shows one of the advantages of having a TC - getting to see places like this out of season when they are quiet - feels so much more natural rather than fighting your way among throngs of tourists.
Steve.
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Wonderful post! I liked your story of the little girl on the trail a lot. Some of the most interesting conversations I've had are with folks I meet on a hiking trail. Talking with folks along the way is one of the most memorable parts of a long camper trip, along with the sights of course, which your great pics showed us.
That spot is on my list for my next cross country trip. It'll be hard deciding between there and New England for October.
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Nice trip report. Thanks for sharing. The photos showing some of the natural wonders were great. Makes me want to check this out or a possible stop on our trip next fall.
Thanks,
Larry
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dpgerson wrote: Wonderful post! I liked your story of the little girl on the trail a lot. Some of the most interesting conversations I've had are with folks I meet on a hiking trail. Talking with folks along the way is one of the most memorable parts of a long camper trip, along with the sights of course, which your great pics showed us.
That spot is on my list for my next cross country trip. It'll be hard deciding between there and New England for October.
You are in luck, New England leaves change coloe as much as a month before Tennessees.
Fla-gypsy – The campground in the park has both full hookup and W/E sites. We were in Loop A where there is an open meadow. The sites are paved but many are not very level. They do have several large flat handicap sites near the bathhouse. During the off-season you can stay up to 4 weeks. More info at Fall Creek Falls SP.
Dodgebob08, Canned Ham, rv2go – I’d driven through this area for the first time last summer and knew right then I had to go back with the camper. Now I need to take the DH since he’s never been there but I might wait until it’s warmer too
Tomkaren13, tktplz, steeljag – You’re welcome.
Tktplz – Coming from LA you might take the Natchez Trace Parkway. It’s a nice leisurely drive. About 1-1/2 hr out of Nashville is the Meriwether Lewis campground (milepost 385) which is a free, no-hookups national park campground in the woods. At the north end of the parkway is the Loveless Café, deservedly famous for their country cooking. PM us and we’ll meet you there
Sleepy – Yes, Burgess Falls is nice although not a place to camp or spend more than a few hours. I’ve seen Ozone Falls too but not Rock Island, Virgin Falls, or the Laurel-Snow SNA. I’ll have to pick your brain on a place to dry camp around the latter sometime. Meanwhile, I’m enjoying the pix of your summer trip
sandersmr – I’m sure they’d love to have you come back for another visit!
sabconsulting – Nothing like the flora & fauna of your latest TR but not too bad for a 3-day trip. And, yes, I much prefer touring without the crowds. My DH keeps asking me if he will ever get to go somewhere when it is IN season
OBXcamper – That’s what Fall Creek Falls is all about, waterfalls!
Dpgerson – Yes, you can meet some interesting people on the trail. They seem to be more relaxed and willing to talk for a minute or two. Particularly if they are headed uphill and need a break
Windwalker55 – And I’d like to make it to Missouri sometime. PM us if you do head this way and pass thru the Nashville area. Maybe we can say Hello.
Boy you folks are intrepid campers to head out in the cold damp of winter to bring us pictures. I got a little misty eyed looking at the waterfalls. Thanks a lot and glad to know the DB has a heeled heel.
"Sleepy – Yes, Burgess Falls is nice although not a place to camp or spend more than a few hours. I’ve seen Ozone Falls too but not Rock Island, Virgin Falls, or the Laurel-Snow SNA. I’ll have to pick your brain on a place to dry camp around the latter sometime. Meanwhile, I’m enjoying the pix of your summer trip"
We met people on Reddington Beach where we were staying in a campground with the kids in 1970. The place was called "Trailers on the Gulf"... hurricane agnus eliminated it in '73. The lady was born and raised where the parking lot is now located at Burgess Falls... her last name was Slagle. The log cabin that she grew up in was still there when we made our first trip there.
The name of the river is "Falling Water River" with 3 huge waterfalls. As you konw Burgess Falls is 9 miles south of Cookeville, TN. It is a fantastic stop.
Continue south from Burgess Falls about 30 minutes to Rock Island State Park... Rock Island SP has a nice campground. It is near (NW) Fall Creek Falls. It is at the confluence of the Collins River with the Caney fork.
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I would suggest that you use the campground and resturant at Cumberland Mountain SP just south of Crossville as a staging area for Virgin Falls SNA at DeRossett (this one is a long hike with big elevation changes... there are cave cliff shelters, and a large water fall that comes out of the mountain and dissipears at the base.
From cumberland Mt SP you can easily do 30 minute trips in any direction and find fantastic places... like Ozone Falls, Fall Creek falls, or stop at Stonehaus Winery for a good meal, and a taste of TN.
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The best books: Natural Wonders of Tennessee, Ardi Lawrence and H. Lea Lawrence ISBN 1-56626-196-1
and: Natural Wonders of Kentucky, Ardi Lawrence ISBN 1-56226-139-2
I bought both books... your libtuary should have them.
I know that this is more than you ever wanted to know... but.....I really enjoy your trip reports
Whazoo - Our trip was like a stroll in a hothouse compared to Mooney's recent outing in the Sierra's. But yes, we got misty eyes too ... and misty coats ... and misty cameras. And I too am glad that my DB is now well heeled ... or at least well healed.
Sleepy - And what did the Slagles say about living at Burgess Falls? I'd tend to think that they would have fond memories of playing around the falls as kids but then that may not be the case. My folks bought some land in the NC mountains from an older lady who was born and raised there. They expected to hear that she had fond memories of growing up there but she told them that all she remembered was that it was *$%#! cold. Thanks for the additional info on the falls and books. I'm always open to learning more about nice places to visit.
When I left home, we really didn't have a place picked out to meet. However, after driving throught the Pigeon River Gorge and noticeing all of the water flowing from every place, I realized the falls at FCF would be flowing like mad instead of the usual winter trickle. So with a quick phone call, we settled on the place.
Since I was a lot closer, I was able to take the round-about way to FCF and see some extra sights. But evidently, I took a wrong turn and found the edge of the world.
After looking at my map and getting my bearings, figured out where I went wrong. So turned around and found a great place for lunch followed by a short walk examining the great natural ice sculptures.
I finally arrived at FCF about an hour before DS. This gave me a chance to explore the campground loops and then settle down to watch the deer.
We spent most of the evening sitting by the fire watching the deer and catching up on things. Every time I mentioned turning in, DS would grab a few more logs and throw them on. It has been a long long time since I've sat by a fire for so long.
Next day, we explored the park as described by DS. Here are a few of my photos and the stitched picture she mentioned.
And just to set the record straight, I wasn't resting my foot, I was letting my older sister catch her breath as I thought she was having problems. After all, every time I looked back, there she was way behind using the camera as an excuse.
After a rare night where I slaughtered her in Rummikube (sorry, have to rub it in ) we called it a night. I original planned on leaving about 5am, but after waking up and shining the flashlight on the sleet covered table, I decided to play it save and wait til it was daylight. Still had enough time to explore some backroads in the Pigeon River Gorge with the heavy snow falling making it look like a winter wonderland.
Now with 2011 here, I'm ready have even a better year with more camping in some distant lands.
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