(LAUGHING)
>> OOH, OOH,
GOTTA STAY TO THE MIDDLE!
STAY TO THE MIDDLE,
STAY TO THE MIDDLE,
STAY TO THE MIDDLE!
STAY TO THE MIDDLE!
I'M ERICK BAKER.
YOU MAY KNOW ME
FROM "TENNESSEE UNCHARTED."
BUT NOW I'M EXPANDING
MY HORIZONS TO EXPLORE
THE ENTIRE TENNESSEE VALLEY
AND I'M BRINGING MY FRIEND
AERIAL NICOLE ALONG
FOR THE RIDE.
♪ THERE'S A PLACE ♪
♪ YOU'VE NEVER BEEN ♪
♪ IT'S RIGHT WHERE ♪
♪ YOU WANT TO BE ♪
>> WHILE SOMETIMES
WE'LL JOURNEY TOGETHER,
OTHER TIMES NOT,
WE HOPE TO TAKE YOU TO PLACES
YOU NEVER KNEW EXISTED
OR WHERE YOU'VE ALWAYS DREAMED
OF GOING.
♪ UNCHARTED  ♪
(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)
>> I LIKE TO THINK THAT
"TENNESSEE VALLEY UNCHARTED"
IS ALL ABOUT
EXPANDING HORIZONS.
NOT JUST FOR AERIAL AND ME,
BUT FOR YOU AS WELL.
IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT
NEW PLACES AND EXPERIENCES,
IT'S PERSPECTIVE.
THE UPS AND DOWNS.
A BIRD'S EYE VIEW
AND A WORM'S EYE VIEW.
AND IT'S ALL OF THIS THAT MAKES
THE ULTIMATE JOURNEY WORTHWHILE.
>> YES!
(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)
>> IN THE 1980'S,
A GROUP OF CAVING ENTHUSIASTS
GOT TOGETHER TO FIGURE OUT
HOW TO PROTECT A PRISTINE PART
OF THE LANDSCAPE
THAT MANY PEOPLE DON'T THINK
THAT MUCH ABOUT: CAVES.
SO AS THE SOUTHEASTERN
CAVE CONSERVANCY,
THE GROUP STARTED BUYING CAVES
AROUND THE REGION
AND TODAY THEY MANAGE
OVER 170 CAVES.
STEPHENS GAP IN JACKSON COUNTY,
ALABAMA IS A GREAT PLACE
FOR BEGINNER CAVERS
AND IT'S ONE OF
TOM WHITEHURST'S FAVORITES.
>> THE TRAIL IS ABOUT 3/4
OF A MILE LONG.
ALL THE ROCK AROUND HERE
IS LIMESTONE AND WHEN
IT GETS WET,
IT'S VERY SLIPPERY.
AND THERE ARE PLENTY OF
OPPORTUNITIES TO SLIP AND FALL
EVEN ON THE TRAIL.
>> OKAY.
>> CAREFUL.
>> OH, YEAH.
AH, THAT WOULD BE FUN.
IS THIS ONE YOU HAVE
TO CLIMB OUT OF?
>> RIGHT.
IT'S GOOD FOR TRAINING CLIMBERS
BECAUSE IT'S NOT THAT DEEP.
>> AH.
SO THAT WAS JUST A TASTE,
RIGHT?
>> YEAH.
>> THAT'S JUST THE APPETIZER
FOR THE DAY.
>> RIGHT.
(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)
>> WITH FIVE INCHES OF RAIN
THE LAST THREE DAYS,
THIS STREAM BED HERE
IS COMPLETELY DRY.
SO WHERE'S THE WATER?
IT'S UNDERGROUND.
ALL THE DRAINAGE HERE
IS UNDERGROUND.
AND IF YOU LISTEN
REAL CAREFULLY,
YOU CAN HEAR THE WATERFALL
IN THE PIT FROM HERE.
(AMBIENT NOISE)
>> HUH.
HOW BIG IS THE WATERFALL?
>> YOU KNOW,
AFTER THIS MUCH RAIN,
I'M NOT SURE.
>> OH WOW, OKAY.
IS THE CAVE WE'RE SEEING TODAY,
IS THAT ONE OF THE MOST
POPULAR IN THE STATE?
>> PROBABLY.
IT'S MADE AT LEAST
ONE APPEARANCE
IN "NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC."
>> ALL RIGHT.
NOW "TENNESSEE VALLEY
UNCHARTED."
>> YES.
>> NOWHERE TO GO BUT DOWN
FROM HERE.
>> EXACTLY.
>> (LAUGHS)ALL RIGHT,
HERE WE GO IN SOME MORE.
I WAS ENJOYING OUR REST.
(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)
>> AND THE PIT IS RIGHT
OVER HERE.
>> WOW, THIS IS BEAUTIFUL, MAN.
IT'S AWESOME AND TERRIFYING
AT THE SAME TIME.
THAT'S A LONG DROP.
>> IF YOU SLIP NOW,
YOU'LL HAVE A HARD TIME
STOPPING.
(WATER FALLING)
>> THE PIT ENTRANCE
IS 143 FOOT FREE-FALL.
AND IT'S,
IN THE KAYAKING WORLD,
IT WOULD BE CALLED A KEEPER.
>> OKAY, ALL RIGHT.
WHY A KEEPER?
>> BECAUSE ONCE YOU GET
STARTED GOING DOWN THE PIT,
THERE'S NO STOPPING.
>> OKAY, ALL RIGHT.
INTO THE DARK WE GO.
>> THERE ARE JUST TWO WAYS
TO GET IN AND OUT
OF STEPHENS GAP.
BEGINNERS SHOULD TAKE
THE WALK IN ENTRANCE.
BUT IF YOU'RE AN EXPERIENCED
CAVER AND CLIMBER,
YOU CAN RAPPEL IN
FROM THE PIT ENTRANCE.
>> LOOKING AROUND AT ALL THIS,
IT'S JUST MIND-BLOWING
WHAT TIME AND WATER CAN DO.
THIS IS JUST A NATURAL CREATION.
IT'S AMAZING.
OH, HERE COME SOMEBODY DOWN.
>> YOU'RE LOOKING AT
THE PIT ENTRANCE HERE.
IT'S 143 FEET DOWN
TO THE BOTTOM THERE.
WHERE WE'RE STANDING HERE
IS PROBABLY ABOUT 50 OR 60 FEET
ABOVE THE FLOOR.
SO WE'RE A LITTLE MORE
THAN HALFWAY DOWN.
>> THIS IS A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME
KIND OF THING TO SEE.
CAN ANYONE COME HERE?
>> YES, IT'S OPEN
TO THE PUBLIC.
IT'S VERY POPULAR WITH PEOPLE
WHO AREN'T REALLY CAVERS
BECAUSE NOT A LOT A LOT
OF ROPE WORK INVOLVED
SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO CARRY
A LOT OF ROPE
AND IT'S RELATIVELY EASY.
>> BUT NO MATTER
WHAT YOUR LEVEL,
THERE'S SOME BASIC
SAFETY GUIDELINES.
>> ANYBODY GOING CAVING
SHOULD BE WEARING A HARDHAT
AND IDEALLY A HELMET-MOUNTED
LIGHT SO YOU CAN USE YOUR HANDS
FOR BALANCE AND HANDHOLD.
AND YOU PROBABLY WANT TO BRING
A COUPLE BACKUP LIGHTS,
JUST IN CASE,
BECAUSE YOU CAN SURVIVE
FOR A LONG TIME WITHOUT WATER,
BUT YOU WON'T FIND YOUR WAY
OUT WITHOUT LIGHT.
>> OKAY, ALL RIGHT.
>> THAT'S ONE OF THE MOST
IMPORTANT THINGS.
(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)
>> THIS IS BEAUTIFUL, MAN.
YEAH!
WHAT ELSE IS UNIQUE JUST
TO STEPHENS GAP CAVE?
>> MOST OF THESE PITS
YOU HAVE TO RAPPEL IN
AND CLIMB THE ROPE OUT
USING SPECIALIZED GEAR.
THIS ONE YOU CAN RAPPEL IN
AND WALK OUT.
>> AND THEN WALK OUT, RIGHT.
>> VERY, VERY NICE.
BUT WATCH WHERE YOU STEP.
THERE'S SALAMANDERS.
IN SOME OF OUR CAVES
THERE'S BLIND CRAYFISH,
BLIND FISH THAT ACTUALLY LIVE
IN THE WATER.
AND THIS PARTICULAR CAVE IS NOT
A HOME FOR BATS,
BUT THEY HIBERNATE IN CAVES
IN THE WINTER.
AND WE CLOSE SOME OF OUR CAVES
THAT SERVE AS BAT HIBERNACULUM
SO YOU DON'T DISTURB THEM...
>> WAKE 'EM UP TOO EARLY.
>> WAKE THEM UP TOO EARLY
AND THEN THEY EXPECT
TO FIND INSECTS.
IT'S THE MIDDLE OF THE WINTER
AND THEY CAN'T FIND FOOD
AND THEY DIE.
SO BATS ARE A VERY IMPORTANT
PART OF OUR FOOD CHAIN,
ACTUALLY, BECAUSE THEY PROVIDE
POLLINATION SERVICES FOR US.
>> SO Y'ALL ARE DOING
A LOT OF GOOD.
>> WELL, WE TRY TO.
WHEN YOU THINK OF
NORTH ALABAMA, YOU THINK
OF HUNTING AND FISHING.
>> YEAH.
>> SATURDAY WATCHING COLLEGE
FOOTBALL IN FRONT OF THE TV.
BUT THIS ISN'T SOMETHING
MOST PEOPLE WOULD ORDINARILY
THINK OF.
>> TOTALLY.
>> AND IT'S GOOD EXERCISE
AND THE HIKES TO SOME
OF THESE PLACES CAN BE
VERY CHALLENGING,
AND THE CAVES THEMSELVES
CAN BE LIKE A JUNGLE GYM
AS FAR AS EXERCISE
THAT'S KIND OF
A NON-TRADITIONAL WAY.
YOU'LL EXERCISE NOT ONLY
YOUR LOWER BODY,
BUT YOU'LL EXERCISE MUSCLES
YOU DIDN'T KNOW YOU HAD
UNTIL THE NEXT DAY.
>> (LAUGHS)RIGHT.
WELL, AND THEN YOU
EXERCISE YOUR EYES.
AND I'M EXERCISING MY SMILE,
MAN, BECAUSE THIS IS, I MEAN,
THIS IS MAGNIFICENT.
>> IT'S IN THE TENNESSEE
VALLEY.
IF YOU LIVED IN THE AREA,
YOU COULD COME HERE EVERY DAY
AND IF YOU WANTED TO.
>> YOU CAN DRIVE HERE, HIKE IN,
ENJOY, HIKE BACK ALL
IN A DAY EASILY, MAN.
>> I'VE BEEN HERE OVER 100 TIMES
AND I NEVER GET TIRED OF IT.
>> AND THEN ALL YOU HAVE TO DO
IS GET A PERMIT
THROUGH YOU GUYS.
>> YEAH, WE DO REQUIRE PEOPLE
TO GO ONLINE AND REQUEST
A PERMIT.
WE DO THAT JUST TO REGULATE
THE FLOW SO WE KNOW
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE VISITING
OUR PRESERVE
SO WE CAN HELP MANAGE THEM.
ALSO IT GIVES US A CHANCE
TO WARN PEOPLE
ABOUT SOME OF THE HAZARDS
THEY MIGHT ENCOUNTER
AND GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY
TO SIGN A LIABILITY RELEASE.
IT PROTECTS US SO WE CAN
CONTINUE TO OFFER THESE VERY,
VERY SPECIAL PLACES.
>> IS THERE A FEE
FOR THE PERMIT?
>> NO.
WE DO ACCEPT DONATIONS.
WE'RE A 501(C)CHARITY.
TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS.
AND WE LIKE TO ACQUIRE PLACES
LIKE THIS BECAUSE THEY'RE
SO SPECIAL.
AND OF COURSE,
ACQUIRING THE PROPERTY,
MAINTAINING IT AND PROTECTING IT
COSTS A LOT OF MONEY.
>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS
THAT YOU GUYS ARE WORKING
AGAINST?
>> WELL, VANDALISM IS ONE.
WE DON'T LIKE TO SEE FORMATIONS
HAVE BEEN DESTROYED BY PEOPLE
WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND
HOW LONG IT TAKES,
HOW MANY THOUSANDS OF YEARS
IT TAKES TO MAKE A FORMATION.
THAT'S VERY DISCOURAGING.
SO WE TRY TO EDUCATE
OUR VISITORS BEFORE THEY COME
THAT THESE THINGS ARE VALUABLE
AND NEED TO BE PROTECTED.
WE HAVE THREE MISSIONS:
CONSERVATION, EDUCATION
AND RECREATION,
AND THEY'RE ALL INTER-RELATED.
THE CONSERVATION PIECE
IS OBVIOUS TO A LOT OF PEOPLE,
BUT IN ORDER TO APPRECIATE
THE RESOURCE,
YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO SEE IT.
IT'S ONE THING TO READ ABOUT IT
AND SEE IT ON TV,
BUT IT'S ANOTHER THING ENTIRELY
TO SEE IT.
SO WHAT WE TRY TO DO
IS BALANCE ACCESS
AND RECREATIONAL ACCESS
WITH THE CONSERVATION MISSION
THAT WE HAVE SO PEOPLE
CAN APPRECIATE WHAT WE HAVE
HERE AND WILL WORK HARD TO TRY
TO CONSERVE IT.
AND THOSE TWO THINGS
ARE THE EDUCATION PIECE.
>> AND THEY'RE GOING
TO FIND OUT LOTS OF INFORMATION
ABOUT THE SOUTHEASTERN
CAVING CONSERVANCY.
>> WWW.SCCI.ORG.
>> TOM, I GOTTA SAY THIS IS
ONE OF THE COOLEST PLACES
I'VE EVER DONE AN INTERVIEW.
I MEAN, THIS IS MAGNIFICENT,
MAN.
I'VE SAID MANY TIMES THAT
MOTHER NATURE IS AN AWESOME,
AWESOME BEAUTY, BUT I MEAN,
THIS IS RIGHT UP THERE WITH
SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL,
BEAUTIFUL SIGHTS
THAT I'VE EVER SEEN.
THANK YOU FOR TODAY.
WE WILL DO THE BEST THAT WE CAN
TO SPREAD THE WORD, MAN.
WITHOUT A DOUBT,
PEOPLE GOTTA COME SEE THIS.
>> COME BACK, GET SOME TRAINING
AND WE'LL PUT YOU ON A...
>> YEAH, NEXT TIME
WE'LL BE ONE OF THE ONES
DROPPING DOWN.
YOU DO THAT A LOT,
BUT THAT'S ON MY BUCKET LIST
NOW TO DROP DOWN OUT OF HERE.
>> IT'S BOTH TERRIFYING
AND FUN. (LAUGHTER)
(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)
>> WHILE I'VE BEEN DOWN UNDER,
AERIAL'S TAKING IN THE SCENERY
AT RACCOON MOUNTAIN,
A STATE-DESIGNATED
WILDLIFE OBSERVATION AREA
THAT OVERLOOKS
THE TENNESSEE RIVER
IN CHATTANOOGA.
HER GRACIOUS GUIDE
IS TVA'S THOMAS GAMBLE,
THE PLANT MANAGER
AT THE RACCOON MOUNTAIN
PUMP STORAGE PLANT.
>> THIS IS BEAUTIFUL.
YOU COULD COME UP HERE
AND JUST RELAX.
>> YOU KNOW, I DON'T GET
TO SEE THIS VERY OFTEN.
I STAY UNDERGROUND.
BUT THIS ENTIRE RESERVATION
WE'RE LOOKING AT IS JUST OPEN
TO PUBLIC AND WE MAINTAIN IT.
MOST OF OUR HYDRO FACILITIES
AND A LOT OF OUR OLDER
FACILITIES HAVE VISITOR CENTERS
THAT ARE STAFFED
BY RETIREES AND PEOPLE
THAT VOLUNTEER.
THEY CAN ANSWER QUESTIONS
AND TALK TO YOU.
SO IT'S A RESOURCE THAT'S THERE
THAT AS YOU'LL SEE
WHEN WE GET OVER,
WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF VISITORS
HERE EVERY YEAR.
BUT IT'S NOT ANYTHING THAT
WE'RE GETTING EXTRA OUT OF IT.
WE UTILIZE THE LAKE AND THINGS,
BUT THIS IS JUST
TO MAKE ELECTRICITY.
WE SUPPLY POWER TO ALMOST
A MILLION HOMES A YEAR.
>> THAT'S SO REMARKABLE TO ME.
>> WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT
SIZE-WISE.
AND TO DRIVE BY,
YOU'D MISS IT
BECAUSE WE'RE ACTUALLY DOWN
IN THE MOUNTAIN.
YOU WON'T EVER SEE IT.
>> YEAH, I TOTALLY DROVE
PAST IT.
(LAUGHTER)
>> I DID MY FIRST TIME,
BUT I WOULDN'T SAY IT. (LAUGHS)
BEAUTIFUL MORNING.
>> IT IS BEAUTIFUL.
SO GLAD IT DIDN'T RAIN TODAY.
>> SOMEBODY'S GETTING READY
TO GO BIKING.
>> I KNOW.
I LOVE THEY'RE BRINGING
THEIR DOGS OUT HERE.
THAT'S REALLY COOL.
HI, PUPPY.
>> HEY, BUD.
>> HI.
I LIKE YOUR BANDANA.
(DOG SNIFFS)
>> I'M GOING MOUNTAIN BIKING
FOR THE FIRST TIME TODAY.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE,
TIPS, WARNINGS?
(LAUGHS)ON A BEGINNER TRAIL.
>> JUST BE CAREFUL.
STAY OFF THE FRONT BRAKE.
THAT'S REAL COMMON
FOR BEGINNERS.
YOU SLAM THE FRONT BRAKE ON,
YOU'RE GOING TO GO OVER
THE HANDLEBARS.
>> OKAY.
>> SO, IF YOU'RE BRAKING,
PUT YOUR BUTT BACK
OVER THE BACK TIRE
AND KIND OF CROUCH DOWN
A LITTLE BIT AND MAKE SURE
YOU USE YOUR RIGHT HAND
MORE THAN YOUR LEFT.
>> OKAY.
>> IT'S ADDICTING.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT ONCE
YOU GET USED TO DOING IT,
YOU WANT TO DO IT ALL THE TIME.
TAKE MORE THAN TWO
OR THREE DAYS OFF,
YOU START GETTING GRUMPY
AND YOUR SPOUSE IS LIKE,
"PLEASE GO RIDE." (LAUGHTER)
CHECK.
GO DO IT.
>> IT'S LIKE THE DIFFERENCE
OF PLAYING A VIDEO GAME
OR BEING IN A VIDEO GAME.
IT'S A WORKOUT.
>> YOU HAVE SO MUCH FUN
THAT YOU FORGET YOU'RE GETTING
A WORKOUT.
>> JUST ABOUT ALL THESE TRAILS
JUST LINK TO THE NEXT TRAIL.
SO YOU CAN GO AS FAR
AS YOU WANT TO GO.
>> I NORMALLY PARK DOWN AT THE
BOTTOM AND RIDE UP LIVE-WIRE
AND THEN COME AROUND THE TOP.
>> ALL THE WAY AROUND.
>> AND THEN DROP DOWN
HIGH VOLTAGE OVER THERE.
THAT'S A SCREAMER RIGHT THERE.
>> (LAUGHS)IT'S NAMED WELL,
ISN'T IT?
>> OH YEAH.
>> HEY, Y'ALL HAVE A SAFE TRIP,
BUDDY.
>> SO LONG TO THOMAS
FOR A FEW HOURS,
BUT HELLO CLAY GUERRY.
CLAY IS A NATURAL RESOURCE
SPECIALIST WITH TVA
AND WHEN HE'S NOT WORKING,
HE'S ON TWO WHEELS
AND A MOUNTAIN.
>> I'M A FIRST-TIMER.
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M DOING,
SO I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU
TO SHOW ME HOW TO WORK
THIS THING.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
WELL, THIS IS A FAIRLY SIMPLE
SET UP.
ESSENTIALLY, YOU JUST WANT
TO BE IN A GEAR
WHERE YOU'RE PEDALING
COMFORTABLY, BUT NOT EXERTING
TOO TERRIBLY MUCH ENERGY.
WE DON'T WANT TO GET
TOO WORN OUT OUT THERE.
AND IF YOU WANT,
WE'LL RIDE AROUND
AND PRACTICE A BIT
OUT HERE IN THE PARKING LOT.
>> I'LL FOLLOW YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT.
>> I HEARD THAT YOU WANT TO USE
THE BACK BRAKE MORE THAN
THE FRONT BRAKE.
>> MM-HMM.
YOU WANT TO TRY TO USE
THE BACK TO THE FRONT
AT ABOUT A 70/30.
>> OKAY.
>> AND WHENEVER WE HIT
AN OBSTACLE, HIT IT WITH SPEED
AND KIND OF GET UP AND OVER IT
IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
A SMALL ROCK OR ROOT.
IT'S GENERALLY ADVISABLE
TO HIT THAT WITH PEDALS
IN A NEUTRAL POSITION
BECAUSE IF YOU'RE RIDING ALONG
AND YOU'RE NOT PEDALING
AND YOU STAY WITH
ONE FOOT DOWN,
THAT OPENS UP THE POSSIBILITY
TO HIT A ROCK AND KIND
OF THROW YOU OFF YOUR BIKE.
SO IF YOU'RE GOING DOWNHILL
OR ANYTIME WHEN YOU'RE
NOT PEDALING,
YOU WANNA HAVE YOUR CRANKS
FLAT TO THE GROUND LIKE THIS.
>> SO LIKE THIS?
>> MM-HMM.
AND THEN STEERING,
THERE'S A LITTLE TRICK.
THEY SAY YOUR TIRE WILL GO
WHERE YOUR EYES GO.
SO IF YOU'RE COMING UP
ON SOMETHING AND YOU KNOW
YOU DON'T WANNA HIT THAT ROCK
ON THE LEFT,
DON'T LOOK AT THE ROCK
ON THE LEFT BECAUSE YOU
WILL INVARIABLY GO INTO
THAT ROCK ON THE LEFT.
SO ALWAYS TRY TO LOOK AT
WHERE YOU WANT TO GO,
NOT WHERE YOU DON'T WANT TO GO.
>> RACCOON MOUNTAIN IS HOME
TO 28 MILES OF BIKING TRAILS.
AND WITH NAMES LIKE LIVE-WIRE,
MEGAWATT, SWITCH YARD
AND HIGH VOLTAGE,
I THINK AERIAL IS IN
FOR A BUMPY RIDE.
>> GO, BIKE, GO! (LAUGHTER)
I ALMOST MADE IT.
>> THAT'S OKAY.
IF YOU EVER FEEL LIKE
YOU'RE UNBALANCED OR SOMETHING,
SERIOUSLY, JUST STEP OFF
THE BIKE.
>> SO, HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN
MOUNTAIN BIKING?
>> A LITTLE OVER 20 YEARS.
>> 20 YEARS?
WOW, OKAY.
SOMEBODY'S AT HOME
AND THEY'RE WATCHING
AND THEY'RE KIND OF LIKE ME,
THEY'VE NEVER BEEN -
THEY'RE THINKING ABOUT IT,
BUT THEY'RE NOT SURE -
DO YOU HAVE ADVICE FOR THEM?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
START WITH YOUR LOCAL BIKE SHOP.
MOST BIKE SHOPS DO GROUP RIDES
BECAUSE IT CAN BE A LITTLE BIT
DISHEARTENING IF YOU DON'T HAVE
SOMEONE THAT CAN SHOW YOU
THE ROPES.
AND IT'S NOT EASY.
IT'S A VERY AEROBIC SPORT.
>> SO HAVE YOU RIDDEN
THIS WHOLE TRAIL OUT HERE?
>> YEAH.
THE WHOLE SYSTEM HERE
AT RACCOON MOUNTAIN IS JUST
UNDER 30 MILES AND FROM UP
HERE AT THE TOP,
WE CAN RIDE DOWNHILL
ABOUT 1200 VERTICAL FEET.
THAT'S PRETTY SPECIAL TO HAVE
A DOWNHILL THAT'S WELL OVER
A MILE LONG.
SO THAT ALLOWS YOU TO GET IN
A BETTER WORKOUT,
HAVE A LONGER
DOWNHILL EXPERIENCE.
>> I DON'T THINK
I'M QUITE READY FOR THAT YET.
(LAUGHTER)
>> WE'LL GO BACK...
>> WE'LL WORK UP TO THAT.
WE NEED TO RIDE
A FEW MORE TIMES.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
ALL RIGHT, YOU READY?
>> YEAH.
(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)
>> (GRUNTS)MADE IT.
>> NICE, NICE!
(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)
>> WHENEVER WE WERE RIDING,
I'M LIKE,
WHO MADE THESE TRAILS?
WHERE DID THEY COME FROM?
(LAUGHS)
>> THEY'RE PRETTY AMAZING.
>> YEAH, THEY'RE PRETTY COOL.
>> IN 2005, TVA
AND SORBA CHATTANOOGA,
WHICH IS THE CHATTANOOGA
CHAPTER OF THE SOUTHERN
OFF-ROAD BICYCLING ASSOCIATION,
ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT
WHERE TVA ALLOWED
THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEARLY
30 MILE TRAIL SYSTEM
ON THIS TYPE OF LANDSCAPE.
AND SO IF FOLKS ARE INTERESTED
IN THAT, THEY CAN GO TO TVA.COM
AND RIGHT THERE ON
OUR HOME PAGE,
IF YOU SCROLL DOWN
JUST A LITTLE BIT,
YOU'LL SEE A LITTLE
MOUNTAIN BIKER AND A LITTLE
LINK TO TRAILS
AND THAT'LL TAKE YOU TO
THE LIST OF ALL THE TVA TRAILS
THROUGHOUT THE VALLEY.
(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)
>> UP AND DOWN THE MOUNTAIN,
CHECK.
AND AERIAL'S CHECKING BACK IN
WITH THOMAS FOR AN EXCLUSIVE
UP AND DOWN TOUR OF
THE RACCOON MOUNTAIN
PUMP STORAGE PLANT.
>> RIGHT NOW, WE'RE STANDING
ON THE INTAKE STRUCTURE HERE
AT RACCOON.
IF YOU LOOK DOWN,
IT'S NOT VERY DEEP.
WE'RE PROBABLY 30, 40 FEET
AWAY FROM THE WATER.
BUT IN REALITY,
WE'RE 1100 FEET ABOVE
THE PLANT BELOW US.
>> YEAH, THAT IS SO CRAZY
TO ME.
>> IF IT'S UNWATERED,
YOU'RE LOOKING STRAIGHT DOWN
INTO THE FENCE TOP GOING
TO THE FACILITY.
>> AND YOU SAID THAT
WHEN IT'S DRAINED,
I CAN BE UP HERE AND HEAR THEM.
>> IF WE'RE WORKING INSIDE
THE UNIT, YOU'LL ACTUALLY HEAR
PEOPLE TALKING AND THINGS
GOING ON JUST LIKE YOU
WERE BESIDE THEM.
THIS ENTIRE LAKE THAT
WE'RE LOOKING AT,
IT'S 525 ACRES.
YOU CAN SEE THE WATERLINE
STILL ON PART OF THE DAM
FROM WHERE WE CHANGED
OVER THE DAY TO NIGHT.
THAT'S PRETTY WELL
THE HIGH POINT THAT YOU
WOULD SEE WHERE WE WOULD BE
AT A FULL LAKE POOL.
SO WE'D BE WAY UP TOWARD
THE TOP OF THIS WINDOW
SO YOU WOULD BE ALMOST
RIGHT ON TOP OF THE WATER.
THERE'S ACTUALLY CLIFFS
AND THINGS THAT ARE OUT
HERE IN THE LAKE,
SO THERE'S SOME AREAS
THAT ARE LEFT SO THAT
WHEN WE UN-WATER,
THERE'S HOLDING BODIES OF WATER
WHERE THEY SUSTAIN THE WILDLIFE
AND THE THINGS THAT ARE LEFT.
>> THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW.
I WAS WONDERING WHAT HAPPENS
TO THEM WHEN YOU DRAIN
THE LAKE.
>> SO WE'LL DRAIN DOWN
AS FAR AS WE CAN WITH OUR UNITS
WITHOUT PUTTING THEM
IN DANGER.
>> AND THEN WHEN
YOU FILL IT BACK UP,
THEY'LL COME OUT OF
THAT LITTLE POOL OR WHATEVER?
>> YEAH, AND WE FILL THE LAKE
BACK UP.
SO IT'S WITHIN ABOUT 24 HOURS,
YOU'LL HAVE THE ENTIRE LAKE
BACK FILLED LIKE NOTHING
EVER HAPPENED.
>> SO, THIS OPERATES LIKE
A LARGE STORAGE BATTERY,
CORRECT?
>> YES.
>> SO, CAN YOU KIND OF LIKE
BREAK THAT DOWN, THOUGH,
AND EXPLAIN THAT?
>> WELL, YOU KNOW,
EVERYBODY USES BATTERIES.
WE RECHARGE BATTERIES.
THAT'S ESSENTIALLY
WHAT THIS IS,
BUT ON A BULK POWER GRID.
SO I CAN PUMP WATER TO THE TOP
OF THIS LAKE, FILL IT UP.
THAT'S CHARGING MY BATTERY.
SO THAT WHEN THE DEMAND
GOES UP,
EVERYBODY WAKES UP IN
THE MORNING COLD,
TURNS THEIR LIGHTS ON, HEAT ON,
STARTS TAKING THEIR SHOWERS,
WE'LL PUT GENERATORS ONLINE
SO WE'RE USING THAT SAME WATER
THAT WE PUMPED UP LAST NIGHT
IN THE LAKE.
THE POWER FROM BEING 1,000 FEET
OF ELEVATION CHANGE FLOWING
THROUGHOUT THE TURBINE
TURNS AROUND AND NOW YOU HAVE
400 MEGAWATTS OF POWER GOING
BACK OUT ON THE ELECTRIC GRID.
SO IT'S ONE OF THE LARGEST
PUMP STORAGE FACILITIES
IN THE U.S.
>> THIS MOUNTAIN TOP MARVEL
WAS BUILT ON TOP OF A PEAK
AND THE POWERHOUSE WAS CARVED
OUT OF SOLID ROCK 1,000 DOWN.
WHILE IT'S CERTAINLY
AN IMPRESSIVE ENGINEERING FEAT,
ONE HAS TO WONDER ABOUT
THE WILD COLORS INSIDE.
>> SO, EVERYTHING IS
REALLY COLORFUL IN HERE.
IS THAT FOR A SPECIFIC REASON,
OR IS IT JUST WHOEVER
WAS DECIDING JUST WAS LIKE,
I WANT PURPLE AND YELLOW
AND RED?
>> I'VE BEEN GIVEN A COUPLE
OF EXPLANATIONS.
I'VE NOT REALLY SETTLED.
ONE IS BECAUSE WE DON'T
SEE DAYLIGHT VERY OFTEN.
IT MAKES US FEEL BETTER
TO HAVE BRIGHT COLORS AROUND.
THE OTHER, IT WAS BUILT IN
THE '70S, SO THERE WAS A LOT
OF DIFFERENT MINDSETS
GOING AROUND.
>> (LAUGHS)YEAH.
>> THE ONE THAT'S PROBABLY
MOST FEASIBLE IS REALLY
IF YOU'VE GOT BRIGHT COLORS,
IT ALLOWS YOU
A DEPTH PERCEPTION.
BECAUSE ALL FOUR ARE IDENTICAL
AND IF YOU'RE SITTING ON ONE
END OF THE FACILITY OR OTHER,
IT HELPS YOU KIND OF
PULL APART.
(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)
>> TIME FOR ME AND AERIAL
TO GET AERIAL AT NAVITAT,
A TREE-BASED ADVENTURE PARK
AT IAMS NATURE CENTER
IN KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE.
>> STEP IN THESE HARNESSES,
BIG LOOPS RIGHT THERE.
FACE ME.
REACH DOWN AND GRAB
THAT RED HANDLE AND PULL IT UP
TO YOUR BELLY FOR ME.
>> SO WHAT AM I ABOUT
TO EXPERIENCE?
>> IT'S ABOUT GETTING IN
WITH NATURE.
YOU GET TO CLIMB TREES,
GO THROUGH SOME OBSTACLES.
WE HAVE A FEW SMALL ZIPLINES
AS WELL.
>> OKAY, I'M HARNESSED IN.
I FEEL SAFER ALREADY.
THE TREES ARE WAITING.
THE GROUND ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH.
TODAY WE'RE GOING UP
IN THE TREES, BABY.
NAVITAT.
OOH, LOOK AT THAT.
OH, EVEN THE STAIRCASE IS HARD.
>> THIS IS THE TREEHOUSE.
THIS IS WHERE ALL
THE TRAILS START.
WE GOT THREE ON THE LOWER LEVEL
AND THREE ON THE UPPER LEVEL.
WE HAVE TWO BEGINNERS,
THREE MODERATES
AND ONE DIFFICULT.
>> LOCKED AND LOADED.
YEAH, LET'S DO THIS.
WHOA.
(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)
>> I'M NOT SUPER SURE
ABOUT MYSELF.
LIKE, THAT IS MAKING ME
A LITTLE NERVOUS.
>> WORDS REALLY CAN'T CONVEY
HOW FUN THESE TREETOP
TRAILS ARE.
>>GET OUT OF MY WAY!
WHOA. (LAUGHTER)
>> BUT I THINK YOU'LL BE
A BELIEVER AFTER WATCHING US
HAVE A BLAST.
>> YES, YES!
>> (HUMMING)I'M NOT AS FAST
AS YOU, ERICK.
(LAUGHS)
>> IT'S ABOUT MAKING BIG STEPS.
MAKE SURE YOU STRETCH
BEFORE YOU COME.
(LAUGHS)
>> (HUMMING)I SAW ERICK GO
LIKE, WILD ON THIS THING.
(LAUGHS)
>> GREAT WORKOUT.
THIS IS SO MUCH FUN.
LOVING IT!
WHOA! (LAUGHS)
I DON'T THINK IT WAS
SUPPOSED TO DO THAT.
YES!
YEAH, THAT'S WHAT
I'M TALKING ABOUT.
HUSTLE, HUSTLE.
>> I FEEL LIKE TRYING
TO FIGURE OUT WHERE TO GRAB
IS LIKE, THE CHALLENGE.
>> OH YEAH, WE'RE GOING UP,
FOLKS.
WE ARE MOVING UP HIGHER
INTO THE TREES.
THE AIR'S GETTING THICK.
>> OH NO, I'M STUCK!
(GRUNTS)OKAY.
(LAUGHING)
(GRUNTING)
>> GOTTA STAY IN THE MIDDLE,
GOTTA STAY IN THE MIDDLE!
STAY TO THE MIDDLE,
STAY TO THE MIDDLE,
STAY TO THE MIDDLE!
>> OH MAN, I DON'T KNOW
IF I'LL BE ABLE TO DO THAT.
THAT ERICK, HE DON'T HAVE
NO BALANCE.
(LAUGHTER)
>> WHOA!
YOU CAN'T RUN ON THESE.
(EXAGGERATED BREATHING)
>> YES! ALL RIGHT,
WELCOME TO THE BIRD HOUSE,
EVERYBODY.
AND WE ARE PRETTY HIGH UP.
DON'T LOOK DOWN.
>> AM I DOING THIS RIGHT?
>> YEAH, YOU'RE ROCKIN' IT.
>> OKAY.
>> (LAUGHS)WAIT A SECOND.
AM I ON THE RIGHT SIDE?
(LAUGHING)I TOOK TWO STEPS
AND I'M LIKE, WHOA.
ALL RIGHT, YOU GOTTA PUSH OUT
WITH IT.
OOH, HA!
UGH, MAN, THAT'S TOUGH
WITHOUT USING THE WIRE.
ALL RIGHT, WELL,
I'M GONNA USE THE - UGH!
(LAUGHING)DON'T FOLLOW ME!
DON'T FOLLOW ME.
>> HOW'S THAT?
(HUMMING)
>> LET'S DO SOME ZIPLINING,
BABY.
LET'S ZIP!
(ROPE WHIRRING)
>> MADE IT!
MADE IT!
YES!
ALL RIGHT, YOU READY?
(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)
>> THAT WAS AWESOME.
THE GROUND IS NO LONGER
GOOD ENOUGH.
LIFE MUST BE LIVED IN
THE TREES FROM NOW ON.
(INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)
>> LIFE IS FULL OF UPS
AND DOWNS, AND THAT GOES
FOR ADVENTURES AS WELL.
TAKE THE JOURNEY HIGH UP IN
THE TREES OR ENJOY THE SCENERY
FROM A MOUNTAIN TOP
OR WAY UNDERGROUND.
CHALLENGE YOURSELF
WITH A NEW SPORT.
VENTURE INTO THE UNKNOWN.
I PROMISE YOU,
YOU'LL LOOK AT UPS AND DOWNS
IN A TOTALLY DIFFERENT LIGHT.
>> WHOA! (LAUGHS)
(INSTRUMENTAL THEME)
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