Showing posts with label Adventure Dog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adventure Dog. Show all posts

Sunday, December 21, 2025

Return to Frank's Rock

Return to Frank's Rock
Somewhere in Tennessee | June 14, 2025

____________________________________________________________________________________


Blog Entry: 

This tribute video to Frank has been over a year in the making. I wanted to do the hike closer to the one-year anniversary of his passing the rainbow bridge but did not get it done for a few months after that. Between being busy at work and technical difficulties uploading the video to YouTube I had to scrape my first edit and do it again on new video editing software. Finally, I am able to share my tribute hike with you all.  

Words cannot do justice to my feelings about Frank, so this video is my attempt to do so visually. Frank was the sweetest, gentlest, and bestest dog companion a person could have so I hope it comes through. 

Thanks for watching, and as always, hike on and stay safe!  

Video’s Featuring Frank: 



Hiking the North Old Mac Trail with Frank

Frozen Head Stat Park, Wartburg, TN
January 12, 2020

YouTube Video








Hiking North Fork Citico Creek with Frank

Cherokee National Forest, TN
September 5, 2021

YouTube Video


Chiney Top / Spicewood Trail Loop

Frozen Head State Park, Wartburg, TN
September 26, 2021

YouTube Video



Mill Branch Trail – Day Hike

Cherokee National Forest, TN
February 20, 2022

YouTube Video



Hiking Bald River with Frank

Cherokee National Forest, TN
May 15, 2022

YouTube Video  |  Blog



Camping at Frozen Head State Park with the Dogs

Frozen Head State Park, Warburg, TN
July 8, 2022

YouTube Video



Fall 2022 Frozen Had Hike with Frank

Frozen Head State Park, Warburg, TN
November 14, 2022

YouTube Video  |  Blog 



Slave Falls, Twin Arches Double Loop Hike

Big South Fork, Oneida, TN
December 30, 2022

YouTube Video  |  Blog



Hiking Somewhere to Nowhere

Cherokee National Forest, TN
August 5, 2023

YouTube Video  |  Blog 



Hiking up at Norris Dam

Norris Dam State Park, Rocky Top, TN
September 3, 2023

YouTube Video  |  Blog



Took the Bird Dog to a Brid Park and Did Bird Dog Things

Seven Island State Birding Park, Kodak, TN
December 12, 2023

YouTube Video  |  Blog 



The Old Mac Loop

Frozen Head State Park, Warburg, TN
March 24, 2024

YouTube Video  |  Blog 


Video Dialog During Reflection Scene: 

There are often small events in life that create big turning points. One such event was running into a German Shepperd puppy at a camping trip over eight years ago. Whatever the reason Mary Ellen decided at that point we were getting a dog and along came Earl.  

I never wanted a dog, I was a cat guy, but Earl taught me that I was in fact a dog guy. When I saw Frank pop up on the foster’s socials it was a no brainer that we got him as Earl could use a companion. Larry was a bit more of a fight, but Mary Ellen was right, and he fit right in and our three stooges were born. 

For whatever reason Frank and I bonded, and he quickly became my ride or die pup. He would actually wake me up on the weekends if I did not get up early enough, so I could watch him run out in the yard while I drank my coffee. He was sweet, loyal, and just the bestest boy!   

Frank loved to go hiking with me and would get super excited when we went on our adventures. He would probably do double the milage as he would go from one side of the trail to the other looking for chipmunks, squirrels, birds, and such.  

When Frank crossed over the rainbow bridge, he left a huge gap in our hearts and our lives. We still had Earl and Larry, but Frank was the life and soul of our yard. He was always running, chasing birds and butterflies, so with Frank who needed TV. So, Frank now works behind the scenes and has led us to some very special dogs.  

Because we needed life in the yard again, we decided to adapt a little English Pointer Maggie, who has taken up Frank’s gusto in the yard and goes hiking with me. Frank led us to Greece, where we found Cookie who possessed that sweet setter personality and gentleness. Finally, back to Greece one more time as we await our little Turner who is Frank’s doppelganger in appearance.  

We may be a little crazy, but I am certain Frank has had a hand in all three for our new arrivals. Frank will be forever missed, but he lives on in our hearts and these three new fur babies. 

------------------------

Thursday, December 28, 2023

Doing Bird Dog Things

AlexHauck.Com

Seven Island State Birding Park / Kodak, TN  Saturday December 16, 2023 


I took the bird dog to a bird park and did bird dog things! This was a great park for Frank, with so much wildlife to see and look at. Seven Island is in a more urban setting and not as secluded and rugged as say Frozen Head but still extremely beautiful. This is the perfect place to take your pup for a long or short hike.  

- Click Here For AllTrails Hike Recording -

I missed one section I wanted to hit but still ended up with over eight miles by stringing all the trails together. On this one hike I saw three or four deer, a river otter, and many different bird species. There is one small section with some elevation to it, but most of the park is flat and easily hiked.  

Frank enjoyed this park so much that it might become one of our main places to go. He even let out a few of his bird barks and down along Seclusion Bend he got quite the echo back. He had such a fun time chasing and looking for birds and sniffing around in the large grasses and brush patches.  


They also have a boat launch to you could make an entire day out of hiking and paddling the French Broad River. Back in September we took a class on papaws at the park and paddled around for a bit. Incredibly beautiful.  

I would recommend going and checking it out. Take some binoculars, go at your own speed, and just take in the great outdoors.  

Story Links:

Pictures:




YouTube Video:



Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Hiking at Norris Dam State Park

Rocky Top, TN 
Sunday, September 3, 2023 

Took Frank and headed up to Norris Dam State Park in Rocky Top, TN to explore some new ground. Below I have the route we took to put together a loop hike. It was a very easy-going trail, the only thing I did not realize was that it is a bike trail as well. All the bikers were very considerate except for one that almost ran over Frank. Luckily, I heard him, but he gave no warning and after passing me started to come back over to the side and did not see Frank standing there.

- Click here to go to Norris Dam Trail Map -

Our Route: (Distances on Approximates) 

1. 

Christmas Fern Trail 

....................... 

0.25 Miles 

2. 

Tall Timbers Trail 

....................... 

0.35 Miles 

3. 

Lake View Trail 

....................... 

2.30 Miles 

4. 

Pawpaw Trail 

....................... 

0.70 Miles 

5. 

High Point Trail 

....................... 

2.40 Miles 

You could even extend this hike further by not taking Pawaw and continuing with Lake View around to Hight Point. I also saw a hike on AllTrails that if you go off trail a little bit you can link up with some trail in the Norris Watershed Area.  


It is a fun hike I would do it again with Frank, but it is not what I would call awe-inspiring or anything. I would like to go and kayak the area and Clinch River Brewing is close by as well.  


Story Links: 



Brushy Mountain to Mt. Le Conte

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Saturday June 13, 2026  Blog Entry: There are six routes that take you up to the summit of Mount Le Con...