Yesterday, this Appalachian Irishman enjoyed another solo hike at Norris Dam State Park. The weather was sunny and crisp, unlike today’s rain. Today, I am bored, a “women’s basketball widower,” and unable to get into the woods. Yes, my wife and her father are attending the afternoon Tennessee Lady Vols' basketball game.
The first two photographs below show the solitary trail that I selected. I didn’t meet a soul. My reliable 1995 Nissan pickup, with almost 160 thousand miles on the odometer, was the only vehicle in sight. As a side note, I met a most interesting Bulgarian gentleman on a House Mountain hike in early January. He and I are now hiking together occasionally. Of course, I enjoy hiking alone at times to clear my mind, but I am always eager to meet interesting people to join my little Appalachian Irishman hiking club!
The next eight images show the beauty of the upper reservoir. The water was clean and blue, and the sky was a clear blue. In one photograph, you can see the dam to the south.
The next two photographs are of the dam itself. Norris Dam State Park and the nearby Norris Watershed offer an abundance of trails for backwoods camping, hiking, horseback riding, and biking. A couple of campgrounds and cabins are available. Of course, fishing and boating opportunities abound. Yes, I know. I sound like a commercial!
Ah, now, let’s get to the last photograph below and the point that the trail emphasized in my mind, a point that I already knew. The Marine Railway Loop Trail started out well, with the great views of the lake in the previous images. After trekking for a while, however, the trail became boring. So, in typical free-spirited adventurer style, this Appalachian Irishman set out to make his own trail! Exploring around, I crossed over two trails and decided to follow one. That trail led me to within about 100 yards north of where my truck was parked.
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