Mom And Kid On The Trail

Lyrics for sun gone by Joy Lynn Clark

Walking in the woods

And I think it’s gon’ be long

Got no shoes, muddy feet

With my flip-flops on

And it’s burning up

And I want the sun gone

Just for a while

And I hope it won’t be long

Sun gone

Walk on

Laying in my tent

And I want my son gone

I think I want A hammock

That he can just swing on

Wants to be the boss

Do what you feel son

 I ain’t too far

So you can just get on

Sun gone

Walk on

Get your flashlight

And have some fun

Feed that fire

Talk to everyone

Leave me alone

And take your BB gun

Grab your pocket knife

And don’t hurt anyone

Sun gone

Walk on

Just waking up

And I know

My sons gone

Got to hike up on the hill

To see what’s going on

Glad he had some fun

And he’s getting his grub on

So I keep on going

And get my hike on

I’m gone

10/8/2018

In may, I began planning my camping trip.  I have been camping in the past but, never where I was the one with the most experience.  It was just me and my son.  At first, I bought a tent and I put it together (just to make sure that I could by myself) and we slept in it a couple of nights on the weekend.  My cat, my son, and I.  It was pretty cool and nice in the grass on those cool nights.

I had planned to join a camping group in late June in the Appalachian Mountains.  We left in early June and camped at different sites all along the way.

Our first stop, Mammoth Cave.  We stayed there a week which was amazing.  We pitched our tent, (my son started our fire with lots of lighter fluid and leaves which was funny but, he got the job done).  We spent a couple of days hiking and eventually we took one of the cave tours which was awesome.  We tiptoed in the dark, through tight spaces, and I wish I had a headlamp.  Our camp at Mammoth cave also had a water pump, electrical outlets and an outhouse (which was really not too bad).  Other amenities included a laundry mat, Kayaking, general store, and post office all within the park.  RVs are also welcome and most common.

I met a few nice folks there, a couple with horses (yes, you can bring horses and there are even horse trails).  Also, several Boy Scout Troops were camping and they shared some of their meals with us.

Next, we stopped at Nolin lake which was nearby and stayed a few days.  It  was awesome too.  There was swimming and kayaking which my son thought was awesome.  I was glad too because our first week was rough for a number of reasons so I was glad to chill by the lake for a few days.  This one however, was a state park with a daily fee.  This was when I first understood the idea of, “pay camp”.  However, some of the amenities included water and bathroom facilities.  We also saw a cottonmouth that night so watch out for snakes.  Also, It is at least 40 minutes to town so bring what you need.

We met some more nice folks there who shared some of their venison burgers with us which were really tasty and not dry at all.

Our third stop was Clark-Jackson State park.  It was also a state park (with a daily fee) but the amenities were pretty good.  Mind you we were tent-camping but, this one had water, electric, bathroom, showers, volleyball, basketball courts, and a pool with a water slide (which had an extra small fee).  Boy, was I glad for those showers.  I really made use of them often and sang my heart out, lol.   They also had events on a daily basis.  One event was  a water-balloon fight which was massive for the kids and my son met lots of friends there.

Ok, here is where I stop to mention the bugs.  Of course there were bugs because we were outside.  We expected the ticks and mosquitos but, there were also moths with spurs and they leave a nasty rash.  I suggest that you wear pants because you will scratch and scratch which could lead to infection.

Fourth stop, Cherokee Park in the Tennessee River Valley.  We stayed in the tent-camping area where we were the only ones (Most people were in the RV park which is separate).  I kind of liked having an entire area to ourselves however, we had to pitch our tent on an area that is covered with rocks.  I was totally unprepared so I had to drive to the store and buy a couple of mattress pads to make our nights a little better.  Also, I had to build mounds of rocks around my tent stakes because I just couldn’t stake the tent in this rocky terrain.  In addition, the tent-camping area is right on the river but we didn’t swim there because I could not tell if there was a wake.

Also, Cherokee Park TRV has bathrooms, showers, water, electric, and a beach that offers swimming, boating and kayaking.  Just remember, not too many people tent camp there and you will have the wildlife at night.  I was so glad that my cat was with us because a raccoon was stalking our tent.  It was my mistake to leave the cat food out and this raccoon scratched a hole in my tent.  Thankfully, my kitty got on her hind legs and scared it off, many times.  We hardly slept a wink some nights because we could hear all of the animals coming to check out our spectacle of a tent.  I sang lots at this site, partly to hear my voice echo and scare the animals away.

Next on our trip, Chattahoochee National Forest.  I was glad to finally get with our camping group.  At many of the parks we stayed at prior to this it was just me and my son and a few travelers that we met along the way.  Chattahoochee is what my son and I planned for.  We met with a large group of experienced campers and we had a time like no other.  It is not my first time meeting with this group but it my first Nationals.

 

We joined up with a worldwide group of different people that convene, trade, socialize, teach, share, eat, and give back to the earth.  Many groups come from different states  and countries and set up camps.  Many camps have their own point of view and share their philosophy. All of the camps are set a ways apart so it becomes a network of camps and ends up feeling like a village.  Many of the camps that have been around forever (including the organizers) are well known and people look forward to visiting them and sharing in knowledge.  I joined a couple of camps during my stay.

At first I joined the family camp mainly because there were other children.  We had a blast and my kid hung out all day and night with other kids.  They also have a kitchen where the kids can enjoy lots of snacks and meals.  I heard that some of the organizers drive to town often and get food donations.

I hiked what felt like miles on a daily basis for a cup of joe.  There was one camp that made the best coffee ever and I had to go there and only there for it, every day many times.  I also sang while the guitarists play.

Ok, let me take a moment to mention, bring your cup and your plate and utensils.  Seriously, if you can get some food somewehere   you need something to put it in.  I just take my whole backpack because I am usually on the trail and visiting all day long.

I spent many nights singing by the drum circle.  I also spent many days hiking from camp to camp.  I enjoyed hearing different bands play by the bonfire.

I made up “Sun Gone” singing in the drumcircle by the campfire.  It sounded so awesome I wrote it on a cardboard box.

I also enjoyed  lots of hiking.  One night, after having to move my car  I had to hike in.  I realized that I was on the famous Appalachian Trail and was scared but, the trail is clearly marked and there are several places to stop and take a rest.  In addition, I visited a camp that is all about the environment and we saw and and learned to identify different plant species in the area.  Many of which are edible.

My kid likes to get lots of stuff and spends lots of time trading.  There is even a place for that!

All in all, we had to work to make our camps a nice place for gathering.  In the end, we had a blast and learned something too.

This is not a pay camp however, donations are well appreciated.  I gave a bit of cash and donated my food  to the kitchen in the camp where I stayed.

Be well advised to adhere to the parking regulations.  You can get towed or ticketed which would really suck.  You will probably have to hike in with your gear so, keep that in mind.

Also, there are no amenities like those pay camps so you will have to figure something out.  Plenty of trenches were dug and I freshened up with baby wipes.

Cherokee National Forest  was the next stop on our way back.  I was gonna drive hours back but, after our takedown and drive through the mountains, Cherokee seemed like  a good place to stop.  Just so you know, It takes a bit of cunning to find this place.

When we arrived I was so tierd, we just pitched hammocks and relaxed.  My kid walked along the river and I was glad he had River Sandals.  Our campsite was very picturesque.

Hoosier National Forest  also took a bit of hunting to find.  We actually arrived late.  When we got there I was too tierd to make camp and we slept in the car.   The next morning we realized that we were right on the river.  What a beautiful scene.  I walked my kitty to the lookout where we had a view of the river and the farms.