The locals probably wouldn't consider this the middle of nowhere. On second thought, maybe they would.
Pickwick Lake is in the NW corner of Alabama where it butts up against Mississippi and Tennessee. We stopped for a couple of days to enjoy operating a radio station from the summit of Woodall Mountain --- the highest spot in MS at a whopping 806 feet about sea level.
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Our campsite is walking distance from the water. We parked the kayaks on the beach all week...
| 2009 CW Sweepstakes
I worked SS from Northern. Alabama. The 501 QSO's are my second best effort ever. I possibly could have set a personal best, but the weather was so nice, I took Bigun on a long morning walk and spent a good part of the afternoon in the kayak. 80 meters was the big band this year ---my first major contest where low bands out produced the high bands. --... ...-- . . |
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The rangers are happy to tell you that this is a BIG hole in the ground. Very true.
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Extreme Sports At Mammoth, I signed up for a crawl around in the dirt tour --- a more authentic cave experience, one with hard hats and headlamps and without stairs and handrails. I got it. Our guide explained that spelunking is an "Extreme Sport". He drilled us on safety rules before we could start. We spent the next half a day scampering up, down, and under rocks. I expected a difficult, strenuous, physical challenge. It turned out being a piece of cake. Both hands were free, and, I wasn't loaded down with gear. Heck, when I scamper down a river bank, I'm bogged down with waders, a net, a vest, lunch and water, and one hand is tied up holding the fly rod. The felt waders tend to slip a bit on the rocks, and I need to keep an eye peeled for rattlesnakes or water moccasins, not cave crickets. Which sport do you think is more extreme? |
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Here's Bigun leading us on a hike. To get to the trail head, we had to cross a river in a two car ferry boat.
We also checked out Bowling Green, the confederate capitol of Kentucky.
Although next August is nine months off, we can feel our trip already winding down. Kentucky is our 38th state, and probably our last.
We'll be back in Seattle before you know it.
We have a problem --- too much to do here: day trips into Knoxville, Marysville, and the Cadres Cove section of Smokey Mountain National Park. There is a radio contest and a gun match this weekend. There are two paved rail trails, some good trout water, and plenty of boat/kayak launches. Mostly though, we're ready for a nap.
We camped on the banks of the Misty River...
Knoxville was really cute. Did we remember the cameras?
Maryville, a Knoxville suburb, has a nice bike trail. We left the bikes, and took the dog.
Nice River Walk downtown. Cool Aquarium.
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