SUNDAY STROLL - BEE ROCK

On beautiful sunny, breezy fall days the need to be out in nature takes hold and off we go. Come with us as we hike up to Bee Rock just outside of town. We park in view of the Garden Inn Bed and Breakfast at Bee Rock. This Inn has a wonderful view of the Calfkiller River Valley and we are headed up the adjacent trail for our own view of that valley.

Have you got your hiking gear with you. Mine starts with my hiking stick and then includes binoculars and a camera. A water bottle would have been nice, but we forgot.
We will be following the folks you see up ahead. It is such a pretty day there are several nature lovers to be found here today.

The rock strata is obvious here and forms a stairway up the hill.
We were struck by the width of this old tree and couldn't help wonder if it is one of the rare breed of virgin timber that was never cut down when the wily white guy moved in.
Finally we begin to near the edge and the crest of the hill we have been climbing. We have a peek of the valley across the way.

Step out of Bee Rock and discover the major outcropping of rock here at the top of the mountain. The Cumberland Plateau is a flat top mountain 100 miles long and forty miles wide (give or take a little here and there) but includes valleys and deep pockets all along the way.

Here we are doing what all tourists do. We take pictures of us taking pictures. Flutemaker has his back to the vista of the Calfkiller River Valley. It was named after a local American Indian chief, the river that flows into the city of Sparta has been gathering from little brooks and streams that start up here on the mountain and run down to join together.

I've turned around and now you can see a bit of the rock face and the folks over there getting ready to repel down the wall of stone.

This area has long been used by rock climbers and emergency rescue worker for practice for more serious work elsewhere.

To see a quick video of the repelling head on over to Flutemakers alterego Socratease at his blog.

I can explain here why this area is called Bee Rock. In the good old day this rock face was home to a great number of bee hives. Apparently bees used the crevasses to house their hives and the native warriors would brave the steep walls and stinging homeowners to steal the honey. It was highly prized back home by the cooks and all lovers of sweet tasting treats.

I was enthralled by the tenacious trees and their fierce hold on the rocky top we were wandering around on.

I wanted to leave you with an enduring sign that others have been here before us. Since S.P. and G.C. were not the only inscribers up here and the fact the 74 could have been1974, 1874 or possibly 1774 I think saying "I was here" must be primordial and part of our ancient genetic material. Humans have been leaving their mark as long as they have been making marks.

So off you go to your next adventure. You can find other strollers at Aislings place.