Why Flint Mill?

Other than the fact that all the other blog names I thought of were taken, I chose Flint Mill for Flint Mill Trail, which leads to Flint Mill Rock, one of my favorite places on the planet. Located at the top of Holston Mountain, overlooking South Holston Lake and the valley where my hometown of Bristol, TN-VA is located, it's a place I went for many years to ponder life ... so it seemed an appropriate name for my blog. I'm now in mid-life and in need of a place to ponder and sort out my thoughts. I'm also a writer who hasn't had a real outlet in a few years and I've been working in online publishing, so a blog seems appropriate at this point.

Flint Mill Trail is an off-shoot of the Appalachian Trail, which runs across the spine of Holston Mountain. It's about 1.2 miles straight up the side of the mountain. Flint Mill Rock is located at the top of the trail (and mountain) and juts out far enough to provide a great viewing post. It's almost directly across from South Holston Dam, but you can see up the length of the lake into Virginia and also see most of Holston Valley. It's an exquisite view any time of year.

I used to run up the side of the mountain like a billy goat, but it's been a few years since my last hike, so my goal now is to get in shape to make it up there this spring. Kind of a birthday gift to myself and a tribute to my father, who taught me to love those mountains and the lake. Sadly, he's now gone, but he's buried in a place with a wonderful view of that mountain. For him and for myself, I want to see it from the top again.

I hope to find a picture I took from Flint Mill Rock of two eagles soaring over the lake, but meanwhile here are some terrific photos of Flint Mill Rock, Holston Valley, South Holston Lake and a nearby fire tower that were posted by some hikers I've never met: http://jat.esmartweb.com/hikers/flint_mill_loop.htm
For more information on the trail and the area, see: www.maxtrails.com/trails/1007844_Flint_Mill_Trail_Tennessee.html