Colemans Pass at Pachinko Alley.

The story of Colemans Pass at Pachinko Alley:  The State of Georgia is rich in areas for camping and hiking.  Georgia is at the base of the Smokey Mountains and lead into the mountain ranges of The Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina.  Because there are such a large number of areas for us to camp, we have devised a method of remembering our spots by naming them in accordance to the story connected to each spot.  Today we camp at Colemans pass at Pachinko alley, and here is its story.

Years ago on a cold and snowy weekend, we set fourth on our camping expedition with a full arsenal of camping gear in preparation for this cold weather.  Our good friend Rick Schroder (pictured above), is consummately anal retentive with his camping gear, and is proud of the condition and age of everything he owns.  On this particular camping trip he decided to bring his beloved Coleman stove.

Georgia was in the middle of a wet and snowy season so the rivers were running on a full tilt.  At the river crossing (now labeled Pachinko Alley), I crossed first, turned to Rick who was behind me, and shouted that it would be best if he tossed me his stove, thus allowing him two free hands to balance his way across the rushing water safely.  He agreed, so I widened my stance and braced myself for the reception of his good stove toss.  Rick did the ol one and two and three while swinging the stove back and fourth, then on three released.  The stove flew upwards on an angle slightly less than 90 degrees and at a height of approximately one mile.  As the stove made its journey downwards it bounced on branches and limbs, each time changing direction until finally plunging into the deep frozen stream thus naming that pass, Pachinko Alley.  Just past this river crossing is the camping spot, now appropriately named Colemans Pass.

We don't skimp on anything and our good friend Kerry proves this by carrying in some ice and pisco, making a pisco sour drink for everyone.  Anyone care to guess what the green leafs are?

A nice healthy pour.

The crew in order: Rick Schroder, Kerry Kennimer, Jim Badonsky, Scott Gill, Jon Dilling, Grover Sterling