Down to the River

I'd never actually been on the Forest Service Road my truck wound down this morning, but somehow it seemed familiar. It was a nice familiarity, like seeing a friend after several years. Although I'd never been down that particular road, a gravel track that twists and turns several miles as it descends a river gorge, I've been down dozens like it, and they often lead to wonderful places. This one was no exception. The road itself terminated at a simple gravel parking area, but a trail from that parking area led to a remote stretch of the Chattooga National Wild & Scenic River, where a friend and I spent a fun day exploring new waters and catching redeye bass. The redeyes don't grow large, but they are feisty and strong from battling currents. The river gorge is beautiful, with abundant lush forested mountainsides on both sides, abundant wildflowers, tumbling rapids and deep green pools.