Celebrity sighting and a night at Cheaha

[xMagnolia]

The Alabama Hiking Trails Society had their annual AlaRuck camping event this weekend at Cheaha State Park. It has a lot of CCC history. It was my first time there and I was pleased to see that most of the spots in the semi-primitive area had 1 or more places to hang. The forecast called for a chilly night, and having never slept below 43* before, I was a bit anxious. The wind was whipping on the ridge, but I was warm & snugly! The breakfast buffet in the restaurant tempted us to forgo the cold wind and indulge in all you could eat pancakes and grits and eggs and bacon. The naturalist led a group hike on Saturday and was very knowledgeable. Not quite as much fun as Bankhead Boy's group hikes, though.

At the potluck on Saturday night, I spoke with a very thin, older gentleman with long gray hair and beard. I asked if he was a long distance hiker (he had that look) he gave a shy smile and said, "I do a bit." I held out my hand to introduce myself, "hi, I'm Charlotte." "Nice to meet you, I'm Nimblewill"

NIMBLEWILL NOMAD- long distance hiker extraordinaire! Had been doing trail maintenance in Alabama w/ the guy who started the AHTS and they came over for the camp out to hang with old friends. 77 years old and he was hiking the desert this year. He plans to finish hiking the Pony Express Historic Trail next year.

I have a few pictures of the hike, but don't know how to post- I'll figure it out and include them later.

Charlotte

[xMagnolia]

Here are a few picturesthe hammock isn't me, someone else was hanging out at Pulpit Rock)

[ofuros]

Interesting area & character you bumped into, Charlotte....even here tapping the keyboard in Oz I've heard of Nimblewill,
visited his site and have a titanium version of his firebox. Those legs have covered a lot of ground.
Hope I can age as gracefully as him.

[oldgringo]

Very cool!

[southmark]

Did you meet John "Mother Nature's Son" Calhoun. He is a friend of Nimblewill's? He has not hiked as many miles but has hiked many.

[squidbilly]

That's so cool Charlotte, I'm jealous!

I have met John "Mother Nature's Son" Calhoun, though. Did some trail work with him on the Pinhoti.

[xMagnolia]

Yes, John was with him. They had been doing work on the trail and planned their trip to stop in to see old friends with the AL Hiking Trail Society. Those seem to be good people. They've done some good work on the trail system in Al.
John and Nimblewill were both a delight to listen to.