Mar. 1 - Monte Sano Dayhike

“Thinking Mar. 1 would be a good day for a long dayhike, but not the Circumnavigation. Tentatively, the hike could go from the Hiker's Parking Lot on Monte Sano, down into McKay Hollow, back up to O'Shaughnessy Point, then down the Mountain Mist to the Stone Cuts trail, through the Stone Cuts, then over and around Logan Point, back up to the North Plateau, and back to the parking lot. This is going to be about a 7 mile hike, with some sections rated moderate, and a short (<6 feet) climb or two. Oughta be fun. Any other Huntsvillians (or others) interested?”

“yes, need directions from Tullahoma”

“Go from Tullahoma to US 231 using your favorite route. Go south on US 231 towards Huntsville. When you enter Huntsville, US 231 changes names and becomes Memorial Parkway. Continue south until you get to the Governors' Drive exit. Go east (turn left) on Governors' Drive until you get to Monte Sano Boulevard (at the top of the mountain, just before it goes back downhill), and take a left. Take Monte Sano Boulevard to Nolen Avenue. There will be plenty of signs saying "Monte Sano State Park". Follow these signs and you will enter the park. You will pass the picnic/park area on your right, then the parking lot of the old tavern on your right, and then you will come to a "Y" intersection. Bear right, and turn almost immediately into the hiker's parking lot. I've got a light bronze colored Dodge Dakota Quad Cab.

Closer to the date, send me an email, and I'll email back with my celphone number.”

“I'm in.. so far I dont have any thing going on that weekend.”

“Good! Be glad to have you along, MO! And waterdog as well!”

“I'm there! There is no way we only hiked 11 miles yesterday.”

“I'm beginning to question the mileages on that map, at least concerning the Flat Rock Trail. Most of the other mileages seem about right.”

“ok, thanks, sounds easy.”

“...popping to the top so more people see this...”

“I've hiked the route Bit has suggested. It's a great hike and not strenuous...ok, maybe just a few short sections...but, all in all a nice hike. I'll try to make it, but I'm on-call again that weekend.

Doh!!”

“My wife is gone that weekend too, so apres-hike, we can go over to my house, eat a nice big fattening meal, and drink beer until we pass out! Yay!”

“Yah there are only a couple of semi-tough parts.

MDS, you gotta tell 'em to get over it...”

“Any more takers for this hike? Gonna be fun...”

“Oh no!! Not those memories again...NO!!”

“lol leatherneck...sorry to bring it up...”

“Popping up again, since this is next weekend.

Currently we have:

bitpusher
Miss Opie
Father Goose
waterdog
MDSHiker (maybe)

I'm thinking that we'd meet at the hiker's parking lot around 10:00AM to give any out-of-towners time to get there without having to get up at an unreasonable hour. This hike will take about 3.5-4 hours, with a stop for lunch in the middle.

Looking forward to seeing everyone there!”

“I'm gonna try and make it.

8)”

“Cool! See you Saturday, I hope.”

“bit, I might try and make this. It just depends on how late I work friday night and if I can get up that early to be there by 10:00

Can't you take hwy 53 from Ardmore down and cross I565 then turn left onto Governors Drive there or do I need to go on down to Bob Wallace and go across to Memorial and back up to Governors.


BTW there used to be a place to eat at Hwy 53 and I565 that served cajun food, it was located on the left just as you went up the hill towards I565. Is it still there?”

“Tim's Cajun Kitchen, yep it's still there.

8-)

(That's the name right Bit ?)”

“Yah that's it MDS. Still good too!

Ewker, unfortunately, Governors' Drive doesn't intersect Hwy 53 (Jordan Lane) anymore. However, there is an onramp for 565 going east at the end of the bridge over 565. Take this onramp (left turn), and it should take you to Governors' Drive.

Here's a map of that interchange. I think you won't have any trouble getting there.”

“I have had quite a few beers at that place and the food is good to. They use to have a waitress there that was as good as anyone at Hooters.”

“This hike will take about 3.5-4 hours, with a stop for lunch in the middle.
bitpusher
07:21:08 PM
02/22/03

Uh, bit, we were on the trail for over 7 hours and didn't finish. How do you figure???”

“This hike is a lot shorter, only about 7 miles. This isn't the same as the Monte Sano Deathmarch Circumnavigation....I'm planning on hitting the highlights of the park trails on this hike, including the Stone Cuts and McKay Hollow.”

“Okey-doke...”

“Should I wear my pink tank top or new low cute blue one? Can we goto Hooters afterwards?”

“If the weather is decent, I will be going to the Stone Door area instead with 4 of my little girls. We will be rock climbing. The weather has been so wet lately that they have not been able to climb for quite a while. I have been out several times hiking during these storms without them or anybody for that matter. Had a good trip last week-end. Lots of water everywhere. But if the weather is unfit for climbing I will still be there. Cheer's Bro. Waterdog”

“wow I think I scared everyone away!”

“OK waterdog...it's looking like the weather will actually be decent on Saturday...have a good time at the Stone Door, we'll miss ya!

Miss Opie...bring both then we'll decide at the trailhead...lol...

And Hooter's sounds like a good idea!”

“what's the count now? who all is going?”

“somebody needs to bring their wife so I'm not the only female!”

“Lessee...waterdog dropped out, but only if the weather is nice. So far we have:

Me
Father Goose
Miss Opie
MDSHiker (maybe)
Ewker (maybe)
waterdog (probably not)

My wife can't go, she's going to be out of town that day.

I'm having lunch with a friend tomorrow. I'll ask her if she wants to go. Don't hold your breath though.”

“Mother Goose may go if I can get her out of the sack that early in the day...”

“10:00AM FG...don't have to be there 'til 10:00AM...”

“If waterdog goes he will bring along a little pup, she already said she would go if we don't go climbing. The weather is not looking good for climbing.”

“LOL, bit. It MIGHT be possible...”

“I don't think there's anything on this trail your little pup can't do, waterdog. Especially if she's into rock climbing...

lol FG....”

“I'm not a morning person either but I can make it there by 10!

hey bit what are the directions to the trailhead?”

“Do you know how to get to Monte Sano State park?”

“yes and I will be coming from Governor's”

“OK, the state park is on Nolen Ave., which is right off of Monte Sano Blvd. Keep going down Nolen, past the picnic area, until you come to a Y in the road. Bear to the right, and the Hiker's parking lot is right there. I believe there's even a sign, but I can't remember for sure.”

“Yep, there's a sign for the Hiker's Parking lot.

I'm planning on being there...our huge software upgrade when real smooth.

I was in charge, of course.

LOL”

“Whew, that's good news, MDS.

Looking forward to seeing everybody there.”

“Forecast for this hike has changed yet again...now looking like a cloudy but dry day...Temps moderate.”

“Unfortunately, my friend won't be able to come.”

“My wife can't go, she's going to be out of town that day.

I'm having lunch with a friend tomorrow. I'll ask her if she wants to go.
bitpusher
08:24:36 PM
02/26/03

Unfortunately, my friend won't be able to come."
bitpusher
01:08:15 PM
02/27/03

Interesting bit's wife is out of town and he is asking another woman to go hiking with him plus he's having lunch with her tomorrow!!

Unfortunately for whom bit ;)”

“No, I had lunch with my friend today! And my wife knows that I was going to ask my friend along, since I talked with her about it!

I'm innocent, I tell you, innocent!”

“yeah, that is what they all say. You had better not walk in front of your wife while she is driving the car...lol”

“Loretta is down with a stomach virus. And I have been up since early this morning with the intestinal bug "the squirts" so we are no go on this one as of now. Hope the weather is good for you.”

“Sorry to hear you're not going to make it, waterdog. Hope you get to feeling better. You could try taking Albon for your 'condiditon'. That's what I'm giving my kitten. ;-)”