Outdoor Chattanooga will take a publishing break during Thanksgiving week. Your next newsletter will arrive on Tues., Dec. 1. Look for the lightning bolt ~to see new events and activities.

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~Happy New Year!! – What are YOU Doing?
Yep, it’s time to start thinking about next year. Send us your 2010 events and we’ll put them in our Upcoming Events section (see below).

No Bike Polo or Rapid Learning Roll Practice Nov. 24
Our weekly pickup bicycle polo game and the Rapid Learning Whitewater Kids Club weekly roll practice will not happen on Tues., Nov. 24 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Both activities will resume on Dec. 5:
Bicycle Polo – 5:30 p.m. – Coolidge Park
Rapid Learning Roll Practice – 6-8 p.m., UTC Maclellan Gymnasium Pool

~Thanksgiving Dinner at Fall Creek Falls S.P. Nov. 26
Fall Creek Falls State Park in Pikeville, TN is one of eight Tennessee state parks that will serve Thanksgiving Dinner on Thurs., Nov. 26. The Fall Creek Falls restaurant at the Inn will serve a traditional turkey and ham dinner with all the trimmings from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Cost is $14.95, excluding tax, gratuity and drink. Our advice: go early, hike and/or bike some of the park’s beautiful and challenging trail system, then pig out. Learn more by calling (423) 881-5241. Other State Parks serving Thanksgiving dinner are: Cumberland Mountain, David Crockett, Henry Horton, Montgomery Bell, Natchez Trace, Paris Landing, and Pickwick Landing.

~Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge by Kayak Dec. 5
Outdoor Chattanooga and the Tennessee Aquarium will host an OutVenture kayak trip to the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge on Sat., Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The refuge serves as a stopover site for thousands of migrating Sandhill Cranes, as well as a home to many other species of waterfowl, songbirds and birds of prey. Aquarium aviculturist Kevin Calhoon will host the 3-hour paddle, which requires some kayaking experience due to weather and water conditions. Cost is $33 ($28 for Aquarium members) and includes all gear, a guide, transportation, warm drink and a snack. Register online or call (800) 262-0695 to learn more.

~Outdoor Chattanooga Bicycle Tour at MainX24 Dec. 5
Outdoor Chattanooga will join the around-the-clock celebration of our revitalized Southside during the MainX24 celebration on Sat., Dec. 5, from 1 to 3 p.m. The leisurely recreational ride will meander through downtown Chattanooga’s re-emerging neighborhoods. Riders are encouraged to wear their best cycling Holiday finery. Contact ride leader Minya James at (423) 643-6884 to learn more.

Events
S. Chickamauga Creek Greenway Alliance Meeting Nov. 18
The South Chickamauga Creek Greenway Alliance will host a special presentation by the Southeast Tennessee Resource and Development Council at their regular monthly meeting on Wed., Nov. 18, 12 noon, at Wally’s Restaurant in East Ridge. Guest Frank Segona will speak about programs that promote sustainable communities, stable families, and prospering farms. All people who are interested in protecting and enhancing the S. Chickamauga Creek watershed and its water quality are welcome. For more information, email or call Sandra Kurtz at (423) 892-5237.

~Walter Babb to Speak at Appalachian TU Meeting Nov. 19

The Appalachian chapter of Trout Unlimited will host fly fishing guide and instructor Walter Babb at their montly meeting on Thurs., Nov. 19, 6:30 p.m. at Greenway Farm, in Hixson, TN. Babb is an expert at fly tying, and is also well-known for his bamboo rods and knowledge of fishing in East TN. The meeting is free and open to the public. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis Nov. 21
The Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis, happening on Sat., Nov. 21 at 10 a.m., is a fun and festive way to kick off the holidays by helping people with arthritis. Participants are encouraged to wear a holiday themed costume, tie jingle bells to their shoelaces, and then run or walk 5K on the Tennessee Riverpark. Register online or on the day of the event, beginning at 9 a.m.

~Grateful Gobbler Walk Nov. 26
Join the Chattanooga Homeless Coalition for the annual Grateful Gobbler Walk on, Thurs., Nov. 26 at 8:30 a.m. in Coolidge Park. The 3-mile walk serves to raise awareness, charitable cooperation and philanthropy toward homeless families and individuals, and also provides a healthy, active alternative to the traditional gluttony of Thanksgiving Day. Cost to register before Nov. 20 is $20 for adults, and a suggested donation of $10 for kids 12 and under. Late registration is open the day of the walk from 6-8 a.m. in Coolidge Park.

~Holiday in the Woods at CNC Dec. 4 & 5
The Chattanooga Nature Center will host a special weekend of outdoor family activities on Fri. and Sat., Dec. 4 and 5, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with Holiday in the Woods. On Friday, guests can take part in tree lighting, movies, chestnut roasting and caroling. Saturday activities include live harp music at 11 a.m., guided canoe trip at 1:30 p.m. and scheduled animal presentations during the day. Admission is $4 for children age 4 to 11 and $7 for visitors age 12 and older; children age three and under get in free. CNC members get in free. Sleigh rides are $2 per person – children 3 and under are free. Call (423) 821-1160 to learn more.

~Triple Crown Bouldering Series – Stone Fort Dec. 5
The third leg of the 7th annual Triple Crown Bouldering Series will return to Chattanooga on Sat., Dec. 5 with a world-class competition at Stone Fort on Signal Mtn. The event, which attracts some of the best climbers in the nation, benefits the Southeastern Climbers Coalition and the Carolina Climbers Coalition. Both organizations work towards accessibility and the preservation of climbing areas in the southeastern U.S.

Adventures
SORBA Night Mtn. Bike Rides Every Thurs.
The Chattanooga Chapter of the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA) has reached an agreement with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to host weekly night rides on the Raccoon Mountain singletrack trail system. The rides, geared toward experienced Mtn. bikers, will take place every Thurs. night throughout the winter, weather permitting. Participants should meet at the East Brow Parking lot at 6 pm. All riders are required to wear a helmet and have either a bike or helmet light. Email Jeffrey Schaarschmidt for more information.

Hike with the TN Trails Association, Soddy-Daisy Chapter
The Soddy-Daisy Chapter of the TN Trails Association regularly hosts hikes along the Cumberland Trail and other areas around northern Hamilton County.
Sat., Nov. 21 - Cumberland Trail - Laurel Falls in Dayton
Hike to Laurel Falls and beyond on the recently revitalized trail above Laurel Falls which terminates at Bryan Overlook. Total distance about 6 miles. Email or call hike leader Don Deakins at (423) 842-3140 for details.
~Sat., Nov. 28 - Cumberland Trail - Snow Falls in Dayton
Hike approximately 10 miles to Snow Falls and Buzzard Point via the Cumberland Trail. Email or call hike leader Don Deakins at (423) 842-3140 for details.
~Sat., Nov. 28 - Lookout Mountain
Hike about eight miles on the Bluff, John Smartt, and Lower Truck Trails. Email or call hike leader Caroline Woerner at (423) 364-1131 for details.

~Cumberland Trail Possum Creek Dayhike Nov. 21
The Chattanooga Hiking Club will host a 10-mile hike on the Possum Creek section of the Cumberland Trails, North of Soddy Daisy, on Sat., Nov. 21. The moderately strenuous hike will go along sections of Little Possum and Big Possum Creeks, by waterfalls, up and down ridges, two gorges, and across two new bridges. Contact hike leader Boodie Fox for details and directions at (423) 842-1178.

South Cumberland State Park Activities
The rangers at the South Cumberland State Park host activities every weekend at park facilities near Monteagle, TN. Visit the Friends of SCSRA for a detailed calendar. All times are CDT.
Fri., Nov. 27
8:00 a.m. - Gizzard Day Hike
Hike the 13-mile Fiery Gizzard Trail to work out your senses as well as your turkey and pumpkin pie-sated body. Meet at the Grundy Forest parking lot with a pack lunch and plenty of water.

Website of the Week
The American Trails Website offers a gold mine of information about planning and building trails. We welcomed their board of directors this weekend, in preparation for hosting their biennial National Symposium in November, 2010.
Last Week’s Website:
Dick Schier has collected links to a number of rare bird sighting alerts from all over the U.S. on his Web page. Look for a recent post from Brainerd Levee and the Amnicola Marsh section of the TN Riverpark.

Coming Up . . .
December
12 Wauhatchie Trail Run
19 Lookout 100K & 10K Trail Race

2010 (Happy New Year!)
February
21 Southern 6 Trail Race

March
15 ~Fall Creek Falls Thaw 15K
20/21 ~Waterfalls Weekend at Fall Creek Falls
27 Rock/Creek River Gorge Trail Race

April
10/11 ~Wildflower Pilgrimage at Fall Creek Falls
16/17 ~Star Party at Fall Creek Falls

May
1 3State/3Mountain Challenge
22 Scenic City Trail Marathon and ½ Marathon

June
4-6 TVCC Paddle School
~Rock Climbing Workshop at Fall Creek Falls
11/12 ~Astronomy Weekend at Fall Creek Falls
18-20 Chattanooga Mountains Stage Race

July
9/10 ~Astronomy Weekend at Fall Creek Falls
11 Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon (tent.)

August
6/7 ~Astronomy Weekend at Fall Creek Falls
7 Greenway 5-Mile Trail Race
16 ~Fall Creek Falls Triathlon

September
13-16 Pro-Walk/Pro-Bike

October
2 Rock/Creek Stump Jump
Sequatchie Valley Century
TN River Blueway Canoe and Kayak Race (tent.)
23/24 ~Fall Colors Weekend at Fall Creek Falls
30 ~Wild Foods Day at Fall Creek Falls

November
5-7 Head of the Hooch (tent.)
~Rock Climbing Workshop at Fall Creek Falls
13 Upchuck 50K
14-17 20th American Trails National Symposium

December
4 Triple Crown Bouldering Comp. – Stone Fort
18 Lookout Mountain 100K/10K