Every year, families from our church gather at Bandy Creek Campground in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area for a weekend of fun and fellowship. Big South Fork is located on the western side of the Tennessee Valley, in a region known as the Cumberland Plateau. Because the elevation is about 600 feet higher than Knoxville, fall colors arrive earlier than in the foothills. This year, the colors were nothing short of splendid.
Officially, the camping trip runs Friday to Sunday, but a few of us eager beavers began arriving on Wednesday to take advantage of the gorgeous weather and enjoy each other’s company at a leisurely pace. Ten of us gathered for dinner on Wednesday night. Helen and I prepared Southern Seafood Gumbo to share with everyone. Some nice side dishes rounded out the meal.
A few more folks drifted in on Thursday in time to enjoy the Beef Filets and sautéed scallops with bacon that Dave and Jennifer prepared to melt-in-your-mouth perfection. There was plenty of food, and I will admit to consuming more than my share. You don’t often get sautéed scallops, and I didn’t want any to go to waste.
Families began arriving in numbers on Friday. Helen and I have attended this event for years, and there has always been a sizeable crowd. This year, however, far exceeded expectations. Campsites filled quickly—almost to the point of filling the campground. By Saturday, a few sites had doubled up. The fabulous weather helped, but the efforts of Nick and Robin, the event’s organizers, along with the previous work of David and Jennifer, created strong interest in our congregation, particularly among young adults with young children. I don’t have the exact total, but I’m certain attendance approached 70, including children.
Helen and I used our Friday to drive to the historic town of Rugby, Tennessee. Rugby was established in 1880 by an English Statesman named Robert Hughes. He created it to provide an American community for the second sons of English gentry denied an inheritance when the family property went to the first-born. The community was an experiment in communal living where everything produced was divided equally among the residents. Rugby didn’t survive, but remained as a place of historical interest.
Friday night included Nick’s hand-tossed pizza, prepared in a brick-fired oven, and Jennifer’s amazing potato soup. Fresh apple pie was on the table as well (diet? What diet?) We closed out the evening around the campfire with hymns and a devotional message.
Saturday morning began with breakfast in the Pavilion, and children ran free, rode bicycles and scooters, played tag, and had a delightful time. I didn’t see a single phone in anyone’s hand. At 10:30, anyone interested in hiking gathered for a 20-minute drive to nearby Pickett State Park for a two-mile trail hike under a colorful fall canopy (picture at top). Helen and I, the most senior members, brought up the rear, hiking poles in hand. Helen took a slight misstep and fell, but the Good Samaritans around her quickly helped her up. She wasn’t hurt, but did complain the next day about some soreness. It was a character-building experience.
Tennessee and South Carolina Football Teams squared off at 3:30 Saturday afternoon. Since we have a television and a generator, Helen and I host the watch party every year in our campsite. We had a crowd. Robin furnished bagged popcorn; others furnished cookies and assorted treats. Everyone had a good time. The only shortcoming was a three-point loss by our Volunteers…bummer.
After dark, our group returned to Pickett State Park to hear an astronomer and an astronaut lecture us on the stars. We assembled in a designated dark spot at the park. We set up large telescopes to view the stars, the moon, constellations, and nebulae. The telescopes were so powerful that we could clearly see Saturn and its moons. I hope we do this again next year.
Sunday morning arrived too soon. After a pancake breakfast, we assembled for a Sunday morning service delivered by Pastor Ben. Our principal Minister, Dr. Howell, used his guitar to accompany the hymns, and Pastor Mark assisted with communion. As always, the fall colors were brilliant and made the outdoor service especially special.
A group photo added an exclamation point to our five-day extraordinary event.
