Jumping off a mountain

[mymaison97]

So I've been waiting for fall to arrive in Tennessee to get some good fall foliage pictures and unfortunately most of October was rainy. We finally get a decent day to head to the mountain and most of the leaves have been brought down by the recent rain. But it was a lovely day for a hike. We headed to an area called Stone Door, which has beautiful overlooks of the gulf. These first 2 photos are at the first overlook of Savage Gulf, looking toward Stone Door. I cropped the 2nd one so that you could actually "see" the stone door. (it's important later in the story/hike!) Please note: it's basically a huge rock formation on the side of the mountain!





We are now standing on top of that rock formation known as Stone Door. The rule of thumb here is 6ft from the edge you can stand, 3 feet you sit/kneel and at the edge your on your belly. My husband (the brave/stupid one) stands at the edge, looking down. Me (the smart one), is sitting about 3 feet from the edge, enjoying the view. (at this point, he's moved behind me taking pictures of the crevices, etc) Out of nowhere...KABOOOMMMM! No warning and we're in the middle of nowhere! (Remember, basically suspended on a piece of rock on a mountain!) I have NEVER moved so fast before in my life! No idea what it was nor where it came from. Had my husband still been at the edge, he probably would have jumped!



Heading back toward the lookout, we're about halfway back when 2 corporate jets go screaming by...probably just several hundred feet above the tree line! Of course they couldn't have done that while we were still in an area to get a good picture! Have no idea why they were so low...maybe flying into Chattanooga is my best guess...it was definately a day for surprises!

[pjflan7]

what mtn were you on? I was raised on Lookout and also lived year on Signal

[Fred flyfisher]

Beautiful image. You can certainly tell fall has fallen there.

[mymaison97]

Originally Posted by pjflan7

what mtn were you on? I was raised on Lookout and also lived year on Signal

Monteagle Mountain...we've not been to Lookout mountain yet.

[pjflan7]

Ahh yes....Monteagle is the land of wrecks in the winter! Go on to Chattanooga...it is a pretty place and check out their world class aquarium!

[mymaison97]

We've definately been to the aquariums...lost count quite a while ago. Now that the kiddies are a little older, they enjoy the hikes...although if I would mention the aquarium, they would ask when are we going?!