Kenny took a vacation day and I didn't have to teach on Oct. 30, so we headed to Piney River, near Spring City, TN, for a hike. We picked a spectacular day, the weather was perfect and the trees were in their fall glory! We hiked 3 miles back to the 100' bridge. The water was very low due to the ongoing drought that our area has been suffering.
On the other side of the bridge I got some photos with interesting effects of the reflections of the trees on the river. It is good for me to try and think outside the box every now and then.
Well, I couldn't do a hike without getting some photos of critters! Kenny spotted this spider on the rock wall by the river. I was surprised at how patient it was with me to let me get so close to it!
As we were hiking back we passed one of the rockhouses, a rock ledge outcropping, when Kenny made the comment that it would be a perfect place for a snake. Just a minute or two later we heard a rustling in the leaves, then Kenny hollered and jumped back, lost his balance and fell over the side of the trail. I was laughing, checking to make sure he was ok, and trying to get a picture of the cause of the excitement at the same time! He had been startled by a large (about 5' long) Black Racer. Those snakes vibrate the tip of their tail in the dry leaves to make them sound like a rattlesnake. It did a pretty good job of getting his attention!
Before driving home we drove up to the firetower above the Piney Falls trailhead. The views from the top of the tower were incredible!
