Sunset at the Brow

Glenn Breazeale | Jun. 20, 2017

Yesterday began a new tradition at Alpine for the 1st Year Chiefs (rising 9th graders). We have been wanting to find some new and special activity for them while the Chief 2’s are away on their trip. By the way, no news from the Appalachian Trail. And no news is good news!

So, this offseason we dreamed up some new plans for Chief 1 adventures. Yesterday we tried them. Rave reviews received all around. Ridge 1 and 3 embarked shortly after lunch for Little River Canyon. If you are unfamiliar, the Canyon is one of the Southeast’s hidden treasures. The largest canyon east of the Mississippi, it is the culmination of Little River, the joining of east and west forks, before dumping into Weiss Lake near Gadsden, AL. The Canyon is just that - a deep crevasse, tree lined, and picturesque. Most folks first response upon glimpsing the Canyon from an overlook is that they can’t believe something this beautiful and vast exists in Alabama. The Little River Canyon Preserve is run by the National Park Service. Recently, in conjunction with Jacksonville State University, they have built a Little River Canyon Center near the rim of the Canyon.

Full disclosure, I was along for the ride yesterday on this first trip to the Canyon. The hard life of a director! Lifeguards Josh Peaster and Josh Caron accompanied us, along with head counselor Tyler Proffit and the boys’ cabin counselors. We offloaded at Canyon Mouth Park, several miles below Little River Falls, off the southeast side of Lookout Mountain. Here the water is gentle with easy rapids every now and then. Each of us had a life jacket and an inner tube, plus a water bottle. Sunscreen applied, we hiked upriver from the parking lot. After a 20-25 minute hike, we put in along the bank of the river for an afternoon float back to the start.

Several boys mentioned the float as one of the most fun things they’d ever done at camp. I have to say, I think it will go down as one of my best memories of the summer. I don’t always get a lot of direct interaction with the boys for extended periods. We spent over an hour floating, talking, laughing as a group. We hopped out of tubes a few times for some rock hopping and jumping off preapproved rocks. The water felt cool and refreshing. Little River is so clear and clean. In most places you can see all the way to the bottom, even with 6-8 feet of depth.

Our next stop was Mentone Brow Park, a picnic area up above “downtown Mentone” that overlooks the western brow. I’m not sure if it was related to the summer solstice today, but the sunset we watched had to be one of the most beautiful of 2017. First the sun peeked below the cloud line. We watched the bright orange orb disappear below the horizon. Then the reflection on the clouds gave a show for the next 30 minutes, various shades of yellow, orange, pink, purple, and finally deep red. We ate BBQ sandwiches, with slaw and baked beans, as we enjoyed this show of God’s creation.

The boys from Ridge 2 and 4 will take off on this same trip this afternoon, weather pending. If we do get some rain (50% chance) we have a make up day next week. Yesterday, these guys did battle with clay pigeons, an afternoon of skeet shooting on their agenda. Mike Fielder, our target sports director (and retired federal law enforcement), safely and ably led the guys through shotgun instruction. Each camper received two rounds, 4 shots each to knock out some clay pigeons shot out into the horizon. Our golf driving stations double as a perfect skeet throwing area, lending 40 acres of land with no other campers near. Today Ridge 1 and 3 will take their turn at some target practice.

All in all, not a bad two day for a group of 14 year old boys - water and shooting adventures! I think we may have a new tradition for the Chief 1’s, a nice precursor to their pinnacle trip next summer.

Not to be outdone, the Scouts (rising 6th graders) and Braves (rising 8th) ventured out into the woods yesterday evening for cabin overnights. We have quite a few overnight camping areas on our property and the adjacent state park property. Boys roasted hot dogs and s’mores and slept out under the stars. They returned this morning a little more smelly but with tales of fun from the evening out.

The rest of camp rolled on with fun activities here in camp yesterday afternoon and evening, fueled by a Taco buffet yesterday evening. This morning’s fare was hot oatmeal, scrambled eggs, link sausage, and cinnamon toast. And of course the breakfast buffet is always available, this morning offering peach and raspberry yogurt, granola, blueberries, pineapple, and bananas.

The weather this morning was cool and cloudy. I’m guessing many of you are being flooded with rain from the effects of the tropical storm in the gulf. So far we have been dry but enjoyed the cloud cover. We may get some rain in the next few days but don’t think it will be very limiting.

Tomorrow we’re off early on chartered buses for our annual Trip Day excursions. I’ll look forward to bringing full details on those trips to you on Friday. For now, thanks for reading and enjoy your day, Glenn

Glenn Breazeale
Glenn Breazeale

Like his own father, Glenn grew up as a camper at Alpine for six summers, coming from Jackson, MS each summer. He has served on staff at Alpine since 1997, working full time as Assistant Director from 2003 to 2005 and Director since 2006. Prior to that he gained experience serving in various capacities including cabin counselor, Head Counselor, Head of Project Adventure (Ropes course), Horseback instructor, and Program Director. Glenn’s love of camping and his desire to preserve the traditions of Alpine drew him back to camp to offer young boys the same opportunities he experienced. He met and fell in love with Carter during a Square Dance with Camp DeSoto.