Chili Cookoff - October 26th 4:00pm

4:00 PM CHILI COOK-OFF at Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area - COVERED PAVILION. GSMNP (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)

Same Day as the hike... Saturday October 26th.  It will be cool-crisp but it will be wonderful FALL FUN!!!!

Whether you hike or not...please join us at 4pm.  We have the pavilion reserved until 8pm

Come on later if you cannot make 4pm. 

Bring Chili....your best/favorite or creative recipe, 
a 2 liter and 
an easy desert (cookies, etc.) if you wish. (marshmallows will be roasted)  
Great time to be bring instant hot chocolate....we will have HOT H20.

If you have a Camp Stove/Coleman, etc. (no electricity is available) please bring to keep chili heat/warm would he helpful.

To make it more fun, think up a creative name for you chili. 

For example "Ken's Spicy- Smoky Mountain Chili"...."Paige's Lime Essence-Twangy Chili"

We want to sample your chili and declare a CHAMPION CHILI CHEF....complete with bragging rights until next year.

Directions - Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area is located on River Rd. in the GSMNP. 

 From Maryville -  Go to the Wye (Y ) and turn LEFT onto Little River Rd.(TN73) 

Metcalf Bottoms is approximately half way to the Sugarlands. (?5miles) It will be on the Left. 

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):

35.68028, -83.64944

35°40'49"N, 83°38'58"W

Directions From Knoxville...Go to Gatlinburg. - Take Bypass around Galinburg to Newfound Gap Road (aka US441) south from Gatlinburg. Turn RIGHT onto Little River Road (TN73) at the Sugarlands Visitors Center. Go 10 miles and turn RIGHT at Metcalf Bottoms picnic area sign. Picnic pavilion is on LEFT/west side of picnic area.

Google Maps works as well....https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=203389968209651568855.00049e3978f731bd48e93

We will enjoy the Chili and have a fellowship together!

Hike October 26 - 8:00 AM

TWO big events next weekend! OCTOBER 26th ...the hike and the Chili at 4PM.

The hike...it is one of the best hikes in the GSMNP.

For most of us in East Tennessee,when you say "Mt. LeConte" you must place your hand over your heart!

MEETING at 8:00 at the Trail Head for ALUM CAVE TRAIL. 

From Maryville,  go to the WYE/"Y", turn LEFT onto Little River Rd. (opposite of Cades Cove)

This road will be traversing the center portion of the park (very curvy and FOGGY in the early morning) to the Sugarlands Visitor center which is on the left. (FYI - take the bathroom break and stretch.)

Next, turn RIGHT onto (US441)NewFound Gap Rd. going toward Cherokee NC, . 8.7 Miles to the Alum Cave Trailhead is on the LEFT.

From Knoxville, etc...I would go toward Gatlinburg, use the bypass around the city and drop down at the Sugarlands Visitor center -(Which is on the corner of Little River Rd and New Found Gap Rd.)

 Take a break andNext,  turn RIGHT from Little River Rd onto (US441)NewFound Gap Rd. going toward Cherokee NC, . 8.7 Miles to the Alum Cave Trailhead is on the LEFT.

WARNING - PARKING WILL BE A ZOO!! The earlier you arrive the better!  Be Prepared - it is worth the effort, but generally,  people will be everywhere in October at the Trail Head.  Parking in the grass, etc. has generally been accepted by the Park Service.   When we come back to the cars after the hike you will be amazed at the inventive parking methods of the late arriving hikers. (a Note: I try to begin the hike in the dark, pre-daylight, to beat the crowds...but not this Saturday...just say'n.)

The hike is 10-11 miles round trip. (plan for 5-6 hours) It is uphill most of the 5 miles up and then downhill back to the cars.  A truly fabulous hike with vistas of fall leaves,  rock formations and of course the summit!

Layer your clothes....you can take layers off and change it up as needed through out the day. 

Bring water, bring food for the trail and lunch, and always bring rain jacket/pancho....(even on sunny days) and of course, comfortable walking shoes with excellent socks. (Synthetic or synthetic-wool blend (Smartwool) are best and provide the least chance of a blister.)

If needed - just buy $10-15 Excellent SOCKS and keep your OLD SHOES/ Running shoes, etc....Trust me. It's all about the socks.  Generally it is a bad idea to purchase new shoes and then go immediately on a hike...

just invest in EXCELLENT SOCKS (do you see a pattern?).

With the outdoors in general : "Cotton is ROTTEN"....Cotton socks, in my own personal experience and backpacking and hiking as a Boy Scouts leader,  will almost always get wet, causing friction and then wear a blister.  

Few things kill your morale more than hurting feet...and it so preventable. 

We will be taking our time and enjoying the day...Ken hikes slow.

EVENTS for FALL 2013

We are trying to have a couple events each month...some may fit with what you like to do and others may not. Hopefully there is something for everyone, some High Adventure and some Low Impact.  Everything is for the whole family except our Christmas party.

September 1 SUN- 1pm - After Church Swim Party at Jimmy and Wendy Hicks Home in Maryville. Bring your family, modest bathing suits and fast food or sack lunch to Wendy and Jimmy's  home in Maryville. (note: most folks visit, relax and watch the kids swim)
September 14 SAT- Dollywood Class Trip - if you have season passes or you want to buy tickets for the day...we are meeting at Dollywood at 10:00 am.

Join us if you can! This is one of those events that fits for some and not for others. No need to buy tickets and added expense if you don't want to do so.

September 21 SAT  Bake Sale in Alcoa to help Pat with her service Dog.  Great opportunity to minister. 

September 29 SUN  the Lunch in the APEX after church - 12:30pm Soups, etc. - We have reserved the entire APEX for fellowship. Fun for everybody...easy.

October 19 SAT  High Adventure....Moonlight Bike Ride around CADES COVE.  More info to follow.  All the adventure of loop + a headlamp.October 26th SAT High Adventure.....Dawn start - HIKE to Mt. LeConte - Alum Cave Trail/GSMNP early start up LeConte. 11 miles  http://www.hikinginthesmokys.com /lecontealum.htm This if for moderately experienced hikers/walkers.  11 miles, I have found is okay for "motivated" kids over 12 or so.  Again, not everybody likes hiking...so join as it fits.   Best Hike in the Smokies...certainly in top 3 hikes. 
October 26th SAT 4pm - 8pm  CHILI...2nd Chili Cook-off at Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Shelter GSMNP  Time for a re-match....compete for the best chili, bring your favorite chili or just eat chili till you bust!  Metcalf Bottoms info-  Rain or shine...we have the large covered Pavilion reserved.
November 9 SAT  UT FOOTBALL Game at the Dave and Kim Long's home in Maryville. UT vs. Auburn....even if you are not a fan, come on and enjoy the fellowship.

December 6 FRI - Class Christmas Party - no kids....stating at 6:30
Jimmy and Wendy Hicks' home in Maryville. This is our ONLY event without our families.
It's a nice chance to visit, mingle and have fun fellowship.

 December 21SAT and 22 SUN - LCT Living Christmas Tree....JOIN us in ministry together and we will plan to eat our meals as a class together as we minister in the TREE!  Some people sing, some build stages and props, some dance, some act, some pray, some usher, some work backstage, some work lights, sound, cameras, paint scenery, fly angels on cables, some help with children's choirs, and so much more. ...there is a place for everyone to minister with our church.

Picnic at SHBC - July 2013 Photos

Fiesta Fellowship Photos at Ken & Paige's House from June

Evolution vs. God

Evolution vs. God  click to view
Ray Comfort and Way of the Master/Living Waters

Great video demonstrating Evolution is a belief system based upon "blind faith in the possibility of millions of years creating life and distinct species."

Check it out.

Ken

Fiesta Fellowship Saturday June 22 at 5-9

Just a reminder that next Saturday night from 5-9 is our Bible Fellowship Mexican Fiesta at Ken & Paige's House.  We live at 431 Westwood Drive, Maryville, TN 37803

Please email me at allenderpaige@gmail.com BY FRIDAY to let me know how many of your family will be in attendance so we can buy enough fajita fixins.

Also, go to www.perfectpotluck.com to sign up to bring your favorite mexican dishes!  

The last name is Allender, and the password is fiesta.  

We are looking forward to a fun night of fellowship and good food!

Email me at allenderpaige@gmail.com

Gracias!

Paige