www.johnsoncitypress.com Where you can still read Thursday your newspaper, even when the cat July 28, 2011 gets to it first. Section D UTDOORS O ( Pfau Iimlxiwcring Pcoplc Through the Press Johnny Molloy ADVENTURES Donkeys’ tale Rock Creek ■ Prize-winning Mediterranean Miniatures more will keep than a hobby for Mountain States CEO Vonderfecht. keys look their best when they go into the show you cool By AMANDA MARSH arena.” Press Staff Writer That includes a lot of preparation, like making [email protected] ummer heat bringing sure the donkeys are completely clipped 10 days you down? I’ve got the before the show and loading up all the supplies to Affection from a four-legged animal has the bathe them and blacken their hooves before the big Sperfect antidote. Its power to soothe nerves and heighten spirits. When moment. nearby and it doesn’t cost Dennis Vonderfecht comes home to his prize-win- much. Rock Creek “They are very independent minded,” he said. ning Mediterranean Miniature Donkeys, the “Sometimes they want to cooperate in the show Campground will cool you off, stressful hours spent as the president and CEO of get your head right and arena, sometimes not. We happened to have a good Mountain States Health Alliance seem far away. On day of cooperation.” maybe bring back memories the Appalachian Farmstead, handshakes come in of your childhood. Back in the Donkeys at the Appalachian Farmstead travel to the form of nudges from warm noses and instead of three or four shows each summer and are primarily 1930s, the Civilian coffee breaks, salty rod pretzels are distributed Conservation Corps developed shown in halter classes where judges score them among the 29 small donkeys and two mammoth based on how they measure up against the breed the area as a showcase of the donkeys. standard for miniature donkeys. Each donkey has Cherokee National Forest. “No matter how bad of a day you have, you can the chance to place in the individual divisions split What a fine area they had to have that all disappear when you come home and up by age and gender, or he or she can be awarded start with. The national forest get down on your knees and rub those cute little is fraught with tall timberland faces,” Vonderfecht said of his herd, each with a one of the highest honors— a reserve or national and clear mountain streams name unique to its home state. “The foals that we championship prize. that nestle against the back- have now are a lot of fun, but the big donkeys are Vonderfecht came home with two national and bone of the Unaka Mountains. too. They all like attention, they’re just like dogs three reserve championship awards from five of his Of course, the Forest Service really.” most gorgeous donkeys. In the spotted donkey cat- has improved and maintained There are three folds, or baby donkeys, on the egory, Tin Roof Sunday won National Champion the area since the days of the farm right now, with another one set to arrive in Jack, or male. Antonia was named National CCC. But the old-time feel December. The little ones do resemble dogs in both Champion Jennette, or female, while Willa Cather Lee Talbert/Johnson City Press remains, as well as most of size and amount of fur, plus they’re pretty curious took the reserve spotted title. Dennis Vonderfecht holds Lily May Ledford, a new the original infrastructure. and aren’t a bit afraid to nudge a knee or nibble at In the miniature donkey category, Red Dynamo member at the farm. Today, as then, we can camp an ankle for some attention. The foals and the adult received the Reserve Champion Gelding honor and in the cool, shady cove of donkeys, up to 36 inches in height, follow their fear- Rusty Weir placed as a Reserve Champion Jack. Rock Creek. less leader wherever he walks along their 4.5 acre To reward the donkeys for a job well done, or Mother Nature landscaped farm in Jonesborough. maybe just because they’re so cute, Vonderfecht the campground well, with tall Vonderfecht’s been raising miniature donkeys for passes out rod pretzels for the animals to devour. hardwoods looming over a the past eight years and has been showing them They know when it’s time for a treat as they crowd thick understory of moss, professionally for about seven years. Earlier this around him, eagerly awaiting a salty snack. He ferns, rhododendron and month, he loaded his horse trailer with clean-cut describes them as intelligent and comforting, and small trees amid gray boul- donkeys and headed for the Great Celebration Mule as a person who spends a lot of time making deci- ders. Rock Creek and Donkey Show in Shelbyville. Out of nine entries, sions, Vonderfecht really admires the way they Campground has a deep- Vonderfecht and his donkeys took home five top handle situations. woods feel. The farther back prizes and several minor ones. “Donkeys have a reputation of being stubborn, you go in the cove, the more “This is the best year we’ve ever had there,” he but they really aren’t stubborn animals at all,” he this is evident. The white said. “Every year, like anything else you learn noise of Rock Creek is your more, about what you need to do to have your don- See DONKEYS, Page 2D constant companion here. Loop A has 10 sites, each with a parking area large enough to accommodate an RV. Loop B has 11 sites, including 3 double sites. Loops A and B both offer electrical hookups and share a modern bathhouse with flush toilets and warm showers. Loop C is located far- thest back in the cove, against a steep hill. It has a very thick understory for maximum pri- vacy. The 13 sites are ideally suited for tent campers. Farther up from Loop C are A gentle tug on the clothing is a way the donkeys show four walk-in tent sites. they want attention. ne of the most intriguing features of ORock Creek ‘No matter how bad of a day Recreation Area is the swim- ming pool. A vestige of the you have, you can have that CCC’s efforts, the pool is a all disappear when you come concrete-and-rock-lined basin home and get down on your of clear stream water lying behind a small dam. A creek knees and rub those cute runs into the head of the pool, little faces.’ which is circled by a walkway. Trout will be swimming with — Dennis Vonderfecht you. The Rock Creek Trail parallels its namesake, Vonderfecht has been raising miniature donkeys for the past eight years and has been passing small waterfalls in a showing them professionally for about seven years. classic, deeply wooded moun- tain stream. A bathhouse with changing rooms, restrooms and showers for each gender is nearby. Come for a swim during your visit; frolicking youngsters will be splashing Florida trip serves to influence mystery bird pick about and having fun. Maybe you should save your ne evening last week, swim until after a scenic hike Janeth and I turned off in the Unaka Mountain OU.S. Interstate Highway Wilderness that borders the 40 at exit 407 and followed the campground. Leave your signs to one of the nicest ball- James vehicle at the campsite and parks in the South to watch the depart directly from the Tennessee Smokies take on the Brooks campground. The Rattlesnake Ridge Trail climbs east for 3 Carolina Mudcats. They are farm teams for the miles to the Pleasant Garden THE WILD LIFE Overlook at 4,800 feet. And it Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati is a climb. Reds, respectively. I was consid- ering having the Cubs logo tat- At the base of Unaka dispersal birds that lives and Mountain is Rock Creek Falls. tooed on my chest following reconstructive surgery, but the breeds well to the south of us. I The Rock Creek Trail leads up suspect that is related to its pref- Contributed/Don Carrier way they are playing this year I a gorge. A few creek cross- erence to use Spanish moss for wanted to check out their future Last week’s mystery bird: ings later, the falls’ multiple nesting material. the Bobolink descents appear beneath the prospects before committing to Is the mystery I brought a large clump of forest canopy. Splashing something I would carry to the bird not a mys- Spanish moss back from our water sounds echo off the grave. tery to you? recent trip to Florida and have it Sister. stone cathedral surrounding As the sun set behind the left Email James hanging from a tree at Bear Run, This is the successor to Osamu the falls. This hike is 2.3 miles field bullpen, Janeth pointed to where our recent hot and muggy bin Possum, whose fate was flying creatures over the playing Brooks at Sealed by a recent midnight one way. Other short hikes jbrooks@ weather has it looking as healthy emanate from the camp- field. I said they were not birds, and happy as anything could be event. At present, Al Z. and ground. Take the 0.4-mile but big brown bats. johnsoncitypress. that is naturally gray. Sister treat each other with Hemlock Forest Trail Loop As a devoted birder I keep com with your Hopefully it will attract the mutual respect, if not affection. and learn about this important bird lists everywhere I go, answer. mystery bird so I’ll have another I captured Paul the chipmunk component of the Southern including Wrigley Field in to add to my yard list.