The day would be one
filled with emotion, laughter, sadness and joy. After what appeared to be a
loss of interest in the Bi-annual GoSmokies event, it was decided to give it
another go and see what happened. Let’s face it, burn out seems to be just
another part of life. It happens to people so why not events. Perhaps a break
was needed. I know that I need a break now and then. Thus, it was on a recent
hike with Marlene Denton and Jim Rigsby that the subject of reviving the GoSmokies
event came up. To be fair, the idea was more Jim’s than mine. I have been burnt
out for most of the last year so far as social media was concerned. After
working on a couple books, my desire to write seemed to vanish and leave me
with little to say. Any attempt at writing a blog seemed painful and fruitless.
So to be honest, I was not as enthusiastic about doing another GoSmokies event
as Mr. Rigsby was. But in hindsight, it might just have been what I needed to
renew my interest in the site and perhaps future writing. Only time will tell.
Also, since the event was billed as a memorial to my good buddy Mike Maples, it
was hard to say no.
Perhaps it was self
preservation that prompted me to keep my expectations low; thus, I pulled up to
the Greenbrier Pavilion expecting only to see a few folks standing around. I
expected perhaps 10 or 12 people might show up – 20 at best. Instead, I arrived
to find more than 30 folks already scattered about the parking lot and it was
not even 9:30 yet! I stepped out of my vehicle with a stunned look on my face
as I scanned the huddled masses of hikers in deep conversations about such
worldly matters as hiking boots, good trails and world domination by people
with trekking poles! I saw new folks and close friends with whom I have not had
the pleasure of seeing in over a year.
Everyone was smiling
and with good cheer appeared ready for a great day in the Smokies.
There are times in my
life when I have been elated to be wrong and this was one of those times.
The man in the black
hat had done good and deserves a well earned round of applause for his efforts
at reviving the event!
And just like she had
in years past, we can thank Bonnie for making sure we had shelter from the
storm, sun or any other elements that might crop up. She also had more faith
than I that we could revive what appeared to have been an event gone sour. So
glad was I to be wrong, that I soon came out of my state of shock and returned
to my usual state of “seriousness” that I am well known for.
Soon, however, I was
restrained and with my knee glued to the ground, we proceeded with the group
photo.
The air was filled
with so much good vibes and love was everywhere!
Incidentally, we have
formed a new team known as the SLOTH HIKING TEAM. Our motto is, “We will get
there when we get there.”
Alas, it was time to
hit the road. Note David Sands in the photo below. He disappeared at some point
during the hike and his whereabouts are unknown. He has been known to show up
several days later at some unsuspecting hiker’s house typically around supper
time. So be on the look out for him at your door. As long as you feed him, he
is harmless and will go away after dinner. In the meantime, be on the lookout
along cliff hangs as you may see him dangling from a rock fifty feet above you.
We followed the
gravel road to the Old Settlers Trail where the tall Jedi tales began. I was
honored that Jim wanted me to lead this special hike honoring Mike Maples. Our
hike today was the very first hike at the first GoSmokies event which was, of
course, lead by Mike Maples. Our destination was the Christopher Parton
Cemetery
Of course, I shared
my story of how I came to know the Jedi. It was through his blogs on GoSmokies
that I came to contact him and eventually hike with him. Our first hike was in
early 2011 and was the first of numerous hikes. It was also an introduction to
Ben Bacot who became, like Maples, a brother to me. Mike Maples loved an
audience. But when he came across someone who shared the same enthusiasm for
the Smokies that he had, it became more of a bond than just someone to share
his knowledge with. We never really talked about it, but I think he liked the
challenge that I presented him with. He was challenged to come up with more and
go a bit deeper with me than some other folks. He could see my thirst for
knowledge and the challenge of seeking out the mysteries of the mountains. Furthermore,
he presented a challenge to me to come up with places that he had not been to.
He was giving a lot of himself to me and I greatly wanted to give something in
return. I had been visiting cemeteries for a couple years before meeting the
Jedi and my interest had only deepened in that time. I was researching and
looking for the lesser known and seldom visited cemeteries. Some of these were
ones the Jedi had knowledge of; however, my good fortune was that I found two
that he had not known of. Together, we went and found both of these cemeteries.
If you have had the pleasure of being with Maples in an area that he has not
been to before than you have an idea of what I am talking about. The “Oh so
serious Jedi” transformed into “The Kid in the Candy Store!” Thus, we formed a
great hiking team together as we went in search of Smokies treasure. Those are
some great memories and are times that I will cherish always.
We proceed on up the
OST and up above the creek. We soon dropped back down and took the side path to
the Parton Cemetery
We soon arrived at
Mike Maples favorite cemetery.
And the marker
bearing the namesake of the cemetery. Dolly’s Great Great Grandfather, Benjamin
“Christopher” Parton.
We took pictures and
shared more Maples antics before heading back to the Pavilion. I shared an
interesting story about a visit I made to the cemetery a few years back. You
might find it hard to believe that not everyone shared our enthusiasm for the
Jedi; however, on this day, I met such a man. I had been photographing markers
in the cemetery for about 20 minutes when, as I was photographing Christopher
Parton’s marker, I noticed a man in a hammock about 20 feet in the woods behind
the cemetery! We engaged in an interesting conversation where at one point I
mentioned the name Mike Maples. He proceeded to tell me that he had run into
that guy on a trail a few years back. “He told me some dang burned story about
the name of a rock,” the man exclaimed. He indicated that Maples told him a few
things that, in the mans opinion were all “Hogwash!” Apparently he wasn’t a
fan!
I have actually had a
couple other similar experiences when mentioning the name Mike Maples. Of
course, one of these fellows seemed to think everybody was full of it, except
him of course. This fellow did not seem too impressed with some of my blogs
about Pete Prince cemetery claims in Cades Cove. Of course, I never tried to
say that any of these were without a doubt verified cemeteries, nor did Maples.
I had spent a lot of time photo copying the research of Pete Prince at the UT Library.
This was another opportunity to give back to the Jedi, and I happily made
copies and presented them to MM. With typical Maples enthusiasm he went in
search of many of them in his neck of the woods. I was able to join him on a
couple of those adventures. There were one or two that I had hoped to do in the
future, but will now have to do so on my own. I can hear Maples now, telling me,
“Use the force Gourley, use the force… the force be with you.” Yes, my friend,
I will remember that when I go in search of these places.
Back at the creek
crossing, I thought that I would outwit Marlene by hiding down the creek. But
the force is strong with her as well and see quickly spotted me!
I quickly ran ahead
to avoid further scolding and was soon back at the OST trailhead.
Before Marlene could
find me, I was back at the Pavilion and ready for the traditional GoSmokies
feast. Thank you to everyone who contributed goodies for the occasion.
Soon it was time for
some folks to share their stories of Jedi escapades. But first Jim read
Marlene’s list of everyone who had been naughty on the hike. It was a short
list…only one name…wonder who that might have been…he he…
After Jim shared some
tales, he turned it over to Jack Lail. Jack has been a wonderful supporter of
our events since the beginning and recently retired as sorting out Maples fan
mail was becoming too much for him!
Rightfully so, Jack
credited Maples with being an important part of GoSmokies. Lets be honest,
except for those who met Maples when Pterodactyls flew the friendly skies, most of
us came to know Mike Maples through GoSmokies. Even some of the Facebook groups
sprung from people who had first been on GoSmokies. GoSmokies was a springboard
for other groups and groups of people to come together and hike. Do a Google
search for Mike Maples blogs and you will find GoSmokies. Do a Google search
for GoSmokies and you will find Mike Maples. Hence, they go together like peas
and carrots. I remember that mama said that Maples was like a box of
chocolates. Go on a hike with Maples and you never know what your gonna get.
That’s all I have to say about that.
Now I thought I felt
something in the air when Mitch Reagan was sharing his Maples stories, but when
I looked at the picture I was spooked and convinced that there was a presence
that I felt during that time.
Was it sunlight or
was the Jedi swooping in for a look at the proceedings going on in his honor?
Marlene was undecided
on the matter.
In fact, Marlene was
up next to do a presentation on Maples math. In this picture she explains about
how much Maples actually knew about math!
Anyone who knew
Maples or tried to do any of his blog hikes, could attest that the formula for
Maples math goes something like this: 30 feet = 300 feet. Perhaps he just liked
to drop zero’s. Most likely, he would say that he just wanted to keep you on
your toes! Either way it was a wonderful day as we shared many stories to honor
the one and only Mountain Jedi Mike Maples. As I drove the road out of Greenbrier,
it only seemed fitting to end the day with a drive down to the Huskey cemetery
to see my good buddy. I know he isn’t really there, but his memory is and that
is what is important. The setting where his newly placed marker sits is so
appropriate as you gaze up at the Greenbrier Pinnacle and think to yourself,
“Mike Maples playground.” Mike Maples, I have and will always tease you. Your
antics made me laugh. Your knowledge made me thirst. Your mumbling made me
listen harder. Your friendship I will treasure. You are and always will be my
brother.
