Outdoor Chattanooga News And Events

Wednesday, October 17, 2012 - by Ruth Thompson
Haunted Canoe and Hay Rides Oct. 26
Outdoor Chattanooga will host a Haunted Canoe and Hay Ride on Fri., Oct. 26, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the City of Chattanooga's Greenway Farm. The family event will feature a short hay ride on Greenway Farm, followed by a fully guided canoe raft trip to encounter the ghosts and goblins that haunt N.
Chickamauga Creek. No canoeing experience is necessary. Cost is $15 per person and includes all canoeing gear and guides. The later you come, the spookier it will get. No reservations; first come, first served. For more information, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888. 

More Outdoor Chattanooga Events and Activities
NO Rapid Learning Roll Practice Oct. 23 
Due to Fall Break and scheduled maintenance on the UTC Maclellan Gym indoor pool, we will not host our Rapid Learning Whitewater Program roll practice on Oct. 23. We'll be back on schedule Tues., Oct. 30. To learn more, email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888.
  
Fireside at Greenway: Spooky Nooga Storytelling Oct. 18
Outdoor Chattanooga will host Spooky Nooga storyteller Vincent Ivan Phipps, M.A. for Fireside at Greenway Farm on Thurs., Oct. 18, from 7 to 9 p.m. Welcome the ghost and goblin season with the whole family. We'll get the campfire going. You bring the camp chairs, blankets and marshmallows. To learn more, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888  
 
Family Canoeing at Greenway Farm Oct. 18
Before the Fireside program this Thurs., bring the family to canoe N. Chickamauga Creek on from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Outdoor Chattanooga will provide canoes, paddles and life jackets at the farm's south launch for people to use on the creek. Cost is $8. Cash or check only. All equipment and staff supervision will be provided. Life jackets are sized for adults and kids ages 5 and older. Children younger than age 5 should have their own life jackets. To learn more, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888.    
 
Free Bicycle Maintenance Clinic Oct. 18 - NEW DATE!  
Learn how to prep your bicycle (and you) for cold weather riding at our next free Bicycle Maintenance Clinic on Thurs., Oct. 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. Taylor Keaton from the Chattanooga Trek Store will share his advice on all things "bicycle." To learn more, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888. This clinic was rescheduled from Oct. 11.    
 
Chickamauga Battlefield Bicycle Tour Oct. 20
Outdoor Chattanooga and Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will host our last 2012 bicycle tour of Chickamauga Battlefield on Sat., Oct. 20, 9:30 a.m., from the Battlefield Visitors Center. Adults and kids ages 8 and older are invited to take a leisurely ride around the battlefield (approx. 5-6 miles) with a National Park interpretive ranger to learn about Civil War history. Bring your own bicycle or borrow one from the Outdoor Chattanooga mobile bicycle fleet. Riders must be at least 5' tall to borrow a bicycle. To reserve a loaner bike, call the Battlefield Visitors Center at (706) 866-9241. Helmets are required for all riders.
 
Chickamauga to Chickamauga Bicycle Road Ride Oct. 20 - CANCELLED
The adult ride from Chickamauga, GA to the Battlefield is cancelled. So come to the Battlefield and join the regular tour (see above).    
 
More Events and Activities.
Johnson Mental Health 10K Pumpkin Run & 5K Walk Oct. 20
The Chattanooga Track Club will host the Johnson Mental Health 10K Pumpkin Run and 5K Walk on Sat., Oct. 20, The fast, flat out and back course runs through historic Moccasin Bend. Online registration is open.    
 
Teaching Nature Journaling Oct. 20 at CA&NC
The Chattanooga Arboretum and Nature Center will host a special seminar for home school teachers, called "Teaching Nature Journaling," on Sat., Oct. 20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the CA&NC facility. Cost is $30 and reservations are required. Limit: 20 participants. For more information email or call Dr. Jean Lomino at (423) 821-1160 x 108.    
 
Head of the Sequatchie on the Cumberland Trail Opening Oct. 20
The Head of the Sequatchie area of the Cumberland Trail will open on Sat., Oct. 20, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This area is usually closed to the public and contains waterfalls, caves and other spectacular features. The area is located north of Pikeville, TN off of old TN State Hwy. 28. Additional open dates will be Nov. 17 and Dec. 8.      
 
7 Bridges Marathon and Half Marathon Oct. 21
Scenic City Multisport will host the 7 Bridges Marathon on Sun., Oct. 21, beginning at 7 a.m. from Renaissance Park on the North Shore. Both the 26.2 and 13.1 courses will take participants over Chattanooga's downtown bridges and through neighborhoods, before finishing in Coolidge Park. Registration is still open.     
 
The "Ins and Outs of Blueways" Oct. 24  
The S. Chickamauga Creek Greenway Alliance will welcome TN State Scenic Rivers Administrator Jan Polansky at their monthly meeting on Wed., Oct. 24, 12 noon at Wally's Restaurant in East Ridge. Polansky has been a key advocate for the creation of blueways and "Park and Float" areas across the state. She will give the gathering an update on ongoing blueway creation and identify some issues to consider when establishing these water-based trails. The public is welcome. To learn more, email Sandra Kurtz.  
 
So how well do you know how to navigate in your sea kayak? Here's a great resource from Great Lakes paddler Bryan Hansel.
Last Week's Web Hit
Outdoor Kindergarten - We want to go!
 
Upcoming Events . . . 
October
26           Haunted Canoe and Hay Rides
27           Moonshine Mud Run
               Smoky Mtn. Wheelmen Fall Century
27-28     Festival of Jack ‘O Lanterns

November
2            Bike2Work Breakfast
3            Alzheimers Challenge Cycling Benefit
3-4        Head of the Hooch
6-8        Tree Identification 101 at CA&NC
10         Upchuck 50K/11-Miler
              Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon/Half Marathon/Jr. Marathon
10-11   TN River Gorge Overnight Kayak Trip

December
9           Chattanooga Whiskey Run
15         Lookout Mtn. 50 Mile/10K 

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