Introduction
Why had six weeks and two days (44 days) passed since my previous hike on House Mountain on Tuesday, September 9? The 9/10/2025 article and embedded audiovisual episode shared the experience of acorns popping like popcorn and bouncing like ping-pong balls! I have had the itch, but I couldn't scratch it.
Welcome, dear reader, to the 81st entry in the Hiking topic section. First up, I share the brief audiovisual clip from near the west bluff of House Mountain. Next, I explain why yesterday's hike was only my second one this fall. Finally, my comments about the hike include one photograph. The conclusion encourages turning right and going straight on the true hiking trail, in the woods and in life.
Episode from the West Bluff
First up is today's 40th episode of Appalachian Irishman – Podcasts (YouTube). The almost two-minute clip is titled House Mountain Hike 203, 10-23-2025: Only My Second Hike This Fall? Why? (pub. 10-24-2025; ep. 40). Standing near and above the west bluff, I tried to capture the sound of the rather strong wind that cooled the sweat from my tee-shirt. It was refreshing! Please pause to listen to the wind and my brief comments before continuing to read the rest of this article.
Why Was This Only My Second Hike This Fall?
So, why was this only my second hike this fall? I will encapsulate the details.
After the morning rain on August 13, I notice a small water stain on the kitchen ceiling. Our new roof was installed in April, mentioned in the 4/9/2025 article. Finally, on September 15, our roofing contractor sent a very capable man to inspect the roof. He caulked a vent that was missed last April. That fixed the problem.
As an aside, my annual physical examination was on Friday, September 19. Dr. Kalpesh D. Parikh and his staff at Corryton Medical Center provided excellent care. The examination and test results indicated that I am a healthy and fit 65-year-young man.
The major hindrance to hiking was our prolonged transition from Comcast/Xfinity for Internet, television, and home phone service. From September 20 to October 9, I was tied up in a technical labyrinth, from which I finally escaped. Of course, my dear wife also endured the transition. The switch to AT&T fiber Internet, DIRECTV, and Magic Jack home phone will save about $55 a month, which is around 20% less than Comcast/Xfinity. Several days of excellent hiking weather found me tied up in far too many technical details. The switch, however, was worth the trouble.
Another hiking hindrance was my three trips to my new dentist earlier this month. My teeth were x-rayed, cleaned, and inspected on October 1. They were fine. Unfortunately, however, on Friday, October 10, I chipped off a small section of the top back part of my lower right front tooth by biting into a plum seed! On Columbus (Indigenous Peoples') Day, my new dentist patched the tooth. The patch lasted one day. Thus, on Wednesday, October 15, my dentist repatched my tooth with a stronger patch. That fixed the problem. No, I have not bitten into any more plums! They are off the menu for a while.
Tucked into all the above, my wife and I enjoyed getting together with my youngest brother, his wife, and their two daughters during Heritage Days in Rogersville, Tennessee. On Sunday afternoon, October 12, we drove up to visit with them for a while. Also, we checked on the homeplace and visited with the neighbors who live across the road. Further, last Saturday, the 18th, we visited with friends in Morristown, Tennessee.
The Hike
Let's move along to yesterday's hike, shall we? After morning chores and my noon meal, without a plum, my 2006 Frontier took me to House Mountain. The parking lot was almost full. The weather was sunny, in the 60s Fahrenheit, and rather windy. Despite recent rain, there was no mud along the trails.
At 1:50 PM, I started hiking up the west trail. A few hikers passed by as they hiked down. Wearing a tee-shirt, I sweated enough. After hiking up the four lower switchbacks and through the low area, I started up the six upper switchbacks at 2:05 PM. Eight minutes later, from the highest switchback, I started west along the trail below the ridge.
Touching the marker rock at 2:25 PM, I was at the west bluff. After cooling off in the breeze, I took the following photograph at 2:33 PM.
The west bluff is centered and below me in the image. The fall colors were not yet at their peak. The view, however, was remarkable as always. A couple of minutes later, I recorded the audiovisual episode previously referenced. The cooling breeze was refreshing!
Tempted to hike east across the ridge to the upper-middle bluff and down the east trail, wisdom dictated that I hike back down and out the west trail. I still needed to shop at the Tractor Supply and be home in time to peel taters for supper.
I hiked down the same trail from 2:40 to 3:28 PM. Pausing at times, I spoke briefly with other hikers who were hiking down or up the trail. One gentleman, who appeared to be in his 50s, was ahead of me just below the ridge, where the original trail leads up. Uneducated hikers, however, have cut out a steep downhill section. I helped the confused man follow the right trail that leads up and across.
Quickly storing my ball cap and canteen beside me in my truck, the next stop was the Tractor Supply, before returning home to peel taters!
Conclusion
I still have the hiking itch! Hoping that no new hindrances come along, I look forward to many more hikes this fall! Lord willing, I hope to enjoy several hikes this winter and next spring as well.
The gentleman, confused by the cut-out trail and appreciative of my guidance to the correct path, serves as another analogy of staying on the right trail in life. Those who keep turning right and going straight in life come out at the right heavenly destination, which is everlasting.
Are you, dear reader, staying on the right trail in life? I hope so. If you are not, may I help you find the right path? You are welcome to email me, using the Contact Form on this website.
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