posted July 9, 2008
After an Independence Day holiday, it’s time to get back to the serious business of playing outdoors. Look for the lightning bolt ~to see something new this week.
Beginners Kayak Adventure July 11
The public is invited to Hamilton County’s Chester Frost Park for a free Beginners Kayak Adventure on Friday, July 11 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Outdoor Chattanooga’s OutVenture staff will provide kayaks, paddles, and life vests. Interested participants should bring a sense of adventure and wear clothes to get wet. River shoes or sandals are highly recommended. Boats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The event is appropriate for adults and children ages eight and older. More information is available by calling (423) 643-6888.
BMW of Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon July 12 & 13
1,500 of the country’s best amateur triathletes will converge on the Chattanooga waterfront for the BMW of Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon on Sunday, July 13, from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A 1.5K swim, 40K bike, and 10K run will be the highlights of this Olympic-length event. Competition will be centered around Ross’ Landing and the Green. The event is free and the public is encouraged to attend. The pre-event expo opens on Saturday, July 12, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., continue during competition on Sunday, and will include 30 exhibitors, including food and beverage vendors, and the BMW of Chattanooga tent, where visitors are welcome.
Paddlers Nights at the IMAX July 18
Outdoor Chattanooga and the Tennessee Valley Canoe Club will present a special Paddlers Night showing of “Grand Canyon Adventure: A River at Risk” on Friday, July 18, at 9:00 p.m. at the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX. A special discounted ticket price of $7.75 will be available for kayakers and canoeists who wear paddling gear. Tickets may be ordered in advance by calling (423) 265-0698 and using the code word: “boof.” A $1 processing fee will apply for advance sales. A pre-movie meet and greet will begin at 8:00 p.m. and feature exhibits by conservation organizations like the Tennessee Clean Water Network, American Whitewater, and the Tennessee Aquarium Research Institute.
Events
Bike2Work July 11
Since everyone was busy scarfing hot dogs on July 4, the monthly Bike2Work breakfast will take place this Friday, July 11, from 7:00 to 8:30 a.m., at the south end of the Walnut St. Bridge. Join Chattanooga’s bicycle commuters for coffee, breakfast, and good conversation about two-wheeling to work. Call or email Philip Pugliese for more information at (423) 643-6887.
Dragon Boat Camps Begin July 11
The producers of the Chattanooga Dragon Boat Festival will offer a series of mini camps in July and August for dragon boaters who want to hone their skills for competition. Participation is open to anyone aged 16 and older. Camps will last a day and a half (Friday evening and Saturday). Cost is $75 per person, and includes equipment, lunch on Saturday, video review sessions, nutrition information, and at least four training sessions on the water. Chattanooga Dragon Boats will host a 500-meter regatta on Sept. 13 for paddlers to test their new skills. Registration forms are available online, or for more information, call or email Penny Behling at (877) 580-7223.
~Soddy Daisy-Sequoyah-Lakesite Rail Trail Public Meeting July 14
Soddy Daisy-Sequoyah-Lakesite Rail Trail project will hold a public meeting at the Soddy-Daisy City Hall, 9835 Dayton Pike, on Monday, July 14, at 7:00 p.m. Learn more about the new 6-mile greenway project that will run from Soddy Daisy to Igou Ferry Road.
~Nightfall Bicycle Cruise-ins July 11 & 18
Join Suck Creek Cycle for their weekly Nightfall bicycle cruise-ins and rides to the free Nightfall concert series on the Blue Cross Stage at Miller Plaza. Cyclists are encouraged to meet at the 315 Cherokee Blvd. store at 5:30 pm with their favorite cruiser bike and ride together downtown or meet at Miller Plaza later to compare “steeds.” For more information, call (423) 266-8883.
~River Conservation Night at the IMAX July 17
Rock/Creek and Greenlife Grocery will host a private screening of "Grand Canyon Adventure: A River at Risk" on Thursday, July 17, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Tennessee Aquarium IMAX. Cost is $20 and will include a pre-show reception, followed by a private showing of the film at 7:30 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Tennessee Aquarium's conservation programs. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Rock/Creek store at Two North Shore, 301 Manufacturers Rd. For more information, call (423) 265-5969.
~Bar-B-Que for Bikes Police Fundraiser July 26
A Bar-B-Que for Bikes benefit for the Highland Park Bicycle Unit of the Chattanooga Police Department will take place on Saturday, July 26, at 6:30 p.m. at the Deli Man and Cake Lady restaurant at 1414 McCallie Ave. Tickets are $18 and $12, and all proceeds will go to purchase equipment for bike patrol officers. For more information, call (423) 624-0505.
Adventures
~Women on the Water July 10
This women-only kayak trip, hosted by Outdoor Chattanooga's OutVenture and the Tennessee Aquarium, will give participants a laid-back river adventure on Thursday, July 10, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Kayaks and gear are provided. Cost is $25 ($20 for Aquarium members). Call OutVenture at (423) 842-6629 for more information.
~Sunset Kayak Trip July 12
Join Outdoor Chattanooga's OutVenture and the Tennessee Aquarium for a kayak tour of downtown Chattanooga on Saturday, July 12, from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. Participants will paddle past downtown landmarks, including Maclellan Island, the museum bluffs, and the Passage. The trip is appropriate for adults and children ages 14 and older when accompanied by an adult. Cost is $25 ($20 for Aquarium members) and includes boats, gear, and guides. Call (423) 265-0698 to make a reservation.
~Walking History Tours July 15 & Aug. 12, Stroller Stroll July 23
The Chattanooga History Center will present walking history tours based on Maury Nicely’s "Chattanooga Walking Tour and Historic Guide" at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, July 15 and Aug. 12, and a special Stroller Stroll on Wednesday, July 23. The tour routes will focus on the Irish Hill section of Chattanooga. Sites included will be Fountain Square, the Dome Building, First Methodist Episcopal Church Tower and many more historical sites. The fee is $3 for adults and $1 for youth aged 6 through 18. Stroller occupants are free. To register or learn more, call (423) 265-3247, ext. 10.
~Wilderness Hike at Little Frog July 12
On Saturday, July 12, Jeffrey Hunter of the Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition will lead a wilderness hike through the Little Frog Wilderness on the Benton MacKaye Trail. The moderate 5.3 mile hike will explore the forest north of the Ocoee River. A car shuttle will be required. The hike is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. To register or learn more, email or call Nicole Martinez at (828) 252-9223.
~Canoe Lookout Creek July 19
Cool off with a relaxing float down Lookout Creek with the Chattanooga Nature Center on Saturday, July 19 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A CNC naturalist will introduce participants to the flora and fauna that live in and near the creek. Wear clothing and shoes appropriate for canoeing. Cost is $20 or $12 for CNC members, and includes all gear. Pre-registration and prepayment are required. Call 821-1160 ext. 0 for reservations. The program is recommended for adults, families with children ages 8 and up. All children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Cumberland State Park Activities
The South Cumberland State Park in Monteagle, TN offers special hikes, seminars, and other activities every week. Visit the Friends of South Cumberland Park for a complete calendar.
Classes and Clinics and Camps
~Get Smart! Street Smart July 12
Join Bike Chattanooga at the Development Resource Center at 1250 Market Street from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 12 to learn the fundamental skills needed to begin riding a bicycle on the road. League of American Bicyclist instructors teach basic bicycle maintenance and safety checks, traffic laws, and riding skills. The class is geared for adults and children aged 16 and older when accompanied by an adult. Cost is $25 per person and students must have a bicycle and helmet. Pre-registration is required. Call or email Philip Pugliese at (423) 643-6887 to register.
Volunteer Opportunities
~Lookout Mountain Trail Work with American Hiking
Join the American Hiking Society and the National Park Service in restoring, maintaining and beautifying the Chickamauga Chattanooga National Military Park. Trail Work sessions will begin on Wednesday, July 16, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and continue on Wednesdays and Saturdays through the Summer and Fall on the Bluff, Gum Springs, Kiddie and Mountain Beautiful trails. Scheduled trail work days are Wednesdays, July 16 and Aug. 27, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Saturdays, Aug. 2, Sept. 6, and Oct. 4, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. To volunteer or get more information, email or call Carla Hilling at (423) 266-2507, ext. 4.
~Sarah's List:
Sarah Quattrochi is the volunteer coordinator for the Lookout Mountain Conservancy, Refection Riding Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, and the Tennessee River Gorge Trust. Below are upcoming volunteer opportunities for all three organizations. Call or email Sarah for more information or to volunteer at (423) 653-0091.
Friday, July 11, 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. - Trail work at the Pot Point Self-Guided Nature Trail with Tennessee River Gorge Trust staff and volunteers.
Tuesday, July 15, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Work day at John C. Wilson Park on Lookout Mountain. Tasks include brush removal, weeding of invasive plants, watering and trash pickup. Water and light refreshments will be provided.
Saturday, July 26, 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. - Join Reflection Riding staff and volunteers to update Arboretum Certification by identifying and cataloguing trees.
News
~Appalachian Trail Conservancy Offers a Tennessee AT license Plate
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is working in conjunction with the Tennessee Department of Revenue to print specialty Appalachian Trail license plates for registered Tennessee drivers. The Conservancy needs 1,000 paid applications to proceed with printing the plates. The cost is $35 or $70 (for a custom plate) above the cost of regular registration. $15.59 of each fee will go towards AT Conservancy efforts in the State of Tennessee. A current program in North Carolina raised over $200,000 in the past three years. Each of the first 1,000 applicants in Tennessee will receive a one-time free year’s membership to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, to be activated when the plates are distributed. Other groups that sponsor conservation license plates include Tennessee State Parks, Friends of the Smokies, and the Tennessee Wildlife Federation.
Coming Up . . .
July
25 BYO-Boat Downtown Sunset Float
26 Battlefield Bicycle Ride
August
1 Bike2Work
2 Missionary Ridge Road Race
9 Boonies Mud Cup 1K, 5K, 8K
9 Beginners’ Kayak Adventure – Booker T. Washington State Park
10 Sports Barn Sprint Triathlon
17 Fall Creek Falls Triathlon
23 River Gorge Omnium and Downtown Criterium
Raccoon Mountain Road Race
Battlefield Bicycle Ride
24 Raft for the Cure
30/31 Booker T. Washington Mtn. Bike Race
September
1 FCA 5K
5 Bike2Work
6 Beginners’ Kayak Adventure – Harrison Bay State Park
UTC Powerade 5K Cross Country Run
13 BYO-Boat Williams Island Kayak/Canoe Trip
~Dragon Boat Regatta
14 Cave Man Triathlon
14-20 Bicycle Ride Across Tennessee
20 Tennessee River Blueway Canoe and Kayak Race
Battlefield Bicycle Ride
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