Will Christine be in the Smokies... Yes, but not with the ATC

Guess what?! It is time for me to take on a new challenge... As of August 17th I will be the newest full-time employee of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Trails Division. It is an opportunity of a lifetime and it still feels surreal that they picked me! My list of duties is long and overwhelming but essentially I will be responsible for one of the Trail Districts in the Park - everything from trail assessment to trail work, have a professional crew to supervise and work with.... I will also be working on a volunteer program since I think volunteers are really who make great things happen on the trails. So in just a few short weeks I will move myself from my home at Konnarock into the Park. I wish I could have been there to lead Rocky Top 2008.... I hope to make appearances up on the AT to visit and work with you guys... or at least drop by the cabin for dinner. I hope you all know that I love you dearly and you are what makes it so hard for me to leave... but I hope that our paths will cross again - you all will be hearing from me once I need some volunteers -- and of course I am going to become a member of the Smoky Mountains ATC Hiking Club and will return to Konnarock and Rocky Top as a volunteer as soon as I can!!!!! Please, please, please stay in touch and enjoy your time at the good ol' Top this fall.

~Christine
wishfulthnkr@hotmail.com

Longwe tru on the AT!!!!

Rocky Topper Update:
Moria is thruhiking the AT and i was fortunate to cross paths with her while working with a Konnarock crew near Gullion Mountain, Va a few days ago. It was wonderful to see her and hear how her adventure is going... she has walked about 550 miles!! Way to be Longwe Tru... happy trails :)

Smoky Mountain Hiking Club Section...

The Konnarock Trail Crew, which works from Springer, GA to Rockfish Gap, VA, is beginning its season and recently spent the day looking at a project on the Smoky Mountain Hiking Club Section. We were just south of the smokies but i did manage to catch a glimpse or two of the good ol' smokies and Fontana Lake.

Wouldn't it be nice to work up in these mountains???
Think Rocky Top!

Along the AT...

Greybeard heads for the PCT

Carl Goodman is not only a ridgerunner in the Smoky Mountains but also an annual volunteer at Rocky top and a great trail builder. Below is a press release regarding his upcoming PCT hike. If you would like the full press release just email wishfulthnkr@hotmail.com.

Way to go Carl!!!! Happy Trails :)

Take Time to Stop and Smell the Flowers

At Rocky Top a lot of trail work gets done... the smokies make that even more rewarding with their beauty. There always has to be some time to stop and smell the flowers.....

If my calender is right, It's only January!?!

Rumor has it that Rocky Top is already filling up for this fall!! Lots of volunteers must be as jazzed about the upcoming season as I am! SO..If you are hoping to come to Rocky Top in 2008, act soon to secure a crew spot!

Experience the Smokies with Rocky Top

More Recent History....

A few fun pics of the dynamic trio that made up the backbone of Rocky Top 2007! This might remind some of you of the great people on staff and the fun times had during last season... and act as motivator for those of you that did not make it out to volunteer last year. do you want to miss the fun times this fall? i think not :)

Rocky Top 2008 Schedule

Oops. Just updated the Rocky Top 2008 Schedule to match the REAL dates. I apparently had an old version of the schedule when I created the blog.... but never fear it is correct now :)

Hey Rocky-Topers!!

Welcome to the Rocky Top Trail Crew Blog. New posts will apear at random so make sure you bookmark this blog and check back as often as you like! This is the place for all things Rocky Top. If there is information you would like or things you want to see appear here for all to see just let me know.

Hope to see you all at Rocky Top this fall!
Happy Trails,
Christine

Taking a Look Back - '05 and '06

Team ToYer - Ted and Christine

I would have taken a look farther back than 2005 but that is when I came on the scene and thus is all I know about. Recently, Ted Wilson - beloved bearded trail crew leader - announced that he is hanging up his Pulaski. Rocky Top 2005 and Rocky Top 2006 were lead by 'Team ToYer' - the Ted and Christine duo. So in my reminiscing here are a few classic photos.....

Thru Wind, Rain and Snow

Homo-Budro-Tibido Buddies..

Ted's Winter Wonderland...

Finally Amir Fights Back

Crew Leading At-A-Glance

Safety. Safety. Safety.

Some "building bridges".. we built Walls

Some tasks take many, others just take Ted!

Life in the Smokies Before Bear Cables...

Swing that Sledge..as Volunteer Looks On

Is that....It Couldn't Be... It Is....Ted on a Horse!!