Paddle - Machine Falls

 Today we met the Paddling Buds group at the Short Springs Natural Area.  We paddled about 4 miles around a small island until we got to Bobo Creek.  (We did miss the creek and had to turn around to go up the right channel.) We docked our boats in a small creek - about 2 feet deep and 8 feet wide.  As I was moving my boat from one side of the creek to the other, Benji got in the boat and it was just enough weight to make me lose my balance.  I tipped right there into the creek and fell along my side, hitting my hip along a rock.  Later that day, I hurt!  We didn't wait long until we saw Amanda and Tyler walking downhill with Phoebe and Winnie.  We all walked around the rocks and started down the creek to see Machine Falls.  The path was very rocky, muddy and slippery so we made the decision to not walk down and see that waterfall.

Camping - Old Stone Fort

 We took a short paddle on the duck River, 2 miles for one Hour. As we got to the end the current was stronger so that’s where we turned around. We did paddle a short distance pass to put in and could see your trailer up on the hill. Taylor and Amanda Came over for lunch and we had crackers and cheese, salad  and strawberry pretzel dessert. We hung out at the campsite until Amanda and Tyler came over much later for dinner in the dark. We had barbecue and pasta salad. As we sat around the campfire Phoebe was going crazy looking towards the woods. We kept shining the flashlight over there seeing nothing I thought she was just hearing things, until after a while we all saw a large armadillo run by.

Camping - Old Stone Fort Archaeological Campground

 It was a short drive to the campground less than three hours. We set up the camper and then headed to A late lunch at the A taste of Europe restaurant. We sat out on their patio in order two German beers. Scotty had a Pauliner Oktoberfest and schnitzel and I had a heffeweisen and a bratwurst. Back at the campground, we chilled out and took a short walk down to the river. It’s a small, quiet campground, but it appears there will be lots of people here this weekend. I even saw a fellow Mama Bear, Heather camping here with her husband also. Our site is large although the driveway for the camper was narrow backing in but Scotty did it as usual. 

Hiking - Pickwick Island and Shihloh

 We headed over to Pickwick Island State Park which was upriver and on the other side of the river across from the dam. This hike goes through the woods and then overlooks the lake where you can also see the damn. It was an uneventful 3 mile hike. 

From here we headed to Shiloh national Battlefield. Julie went into the visitor center to get a map and she do a quick growls Scotty waited outside with Benji as he had already been here with the Boy Scouts. This is a huge area of land and very well laid out for a driving route. Just by following the map we stopped at 21 spots and got a feel for the terrible tragedy that happened here. Many soldiers died and we saw at least three trenches were soldiers were buried. There were also lots of monuments commemorating the different units that participated in this battle. When we got back to the campsite, we gave Benji a bath. He was having bowel problems which is probably too much information for this blog, but we need it to wash his behind. He appeared much happier after he was cleaned up. We snacked or had leftovers for dinner and then made s’mores over a campfire. Campfire, s’mores, beautiful campsite, clean dog butt- it was a perfect evening.

Camping -Pickwick Dam

 We drove to the next campsite. It is located right below Pickwick Dam on the river among lots of very tall pine trees. It was a windy, overcast day so we decided to stay near the campsite. We walked around the campgrground (1.25 miles)and noticed what appeared to be a new campground very close by. We made fajitas for dinner and watched a movie. 

The wind had picked up considerably and then the rain started. There were Possible tornado watches nearby so we got raincoats ready, unlocked the truck and got as prepared as we could. The camp post knocked on our door and told us the bathroom would be a safe spot. It got very very windy and lots of rain, but fortunately no tornadoes.

Hiking - Tishomingo State Park, MD April 12

 We headed over to Tishomingo state park which is only about 20 minutes away Tishomingo is located in the foothills population characterized by approximations these rock formations are the current nowhere else in the state. The first trail we did here her was the outcroppings trail it begins and ends at the swinging bridge although we think at the end we may have merged onto deer Creek Trail. This trail works its way along a ridge of huge rock outcroppings and offers splendid you in the valley and travels through. The Chickasaw Indians lived in the caves among these rocks when they inhabited the area. (2.1 niles) We finished the hike, we had a picnic lunch at a table near the swimming pool. 

Next we drove over to the Saddleback Ridge Trail. This again is a large outcropping of rocks and this trail was used by the Chickasaw Indians to travel to the freedom hills area in the north. As we came back down towards the pond we got onto a trail that circle the CCC pond called pond trail. These trails were all constructed by the civilian conservation corps during the great depression. (2.4 miles) We did almost 4 miles today and headed back to the campsite to relax for a bit.

Later, Scotty took BenjiBear for a ride in the kaysk around the secluded bay. Wr still need to get him used to riding in a kaysk without whining. As we expected, he did better because he couldnt see me in ghe truck.