🧭 Hundred-Mile Happenings: Hear the Blues Under the Stars in Scottsboro, Fill a Bag at a Half-Price Book Sale, Take Two Free Guided Hikes, Cheer Runners Across Fall Creek Falls and Rock for a Good Cause in McMinnville

Or: Six Fresh Outings From Tomorrow Night Through Nov. 21, Most of Them Cheap, Close and Easy on the Wallet

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Wednesday, November 11, 2026

Evening, neighbor. Here are six outings we haven’t told you about before, and a couple of them are right around the corner. Tomorrow night, Thursday, Nov. 12, the James Roberts Trio plays “Two Sides of the Blues,” from Robert Johnson to Jimi Hendrix, on the outdoor stage at Two Sisters Square in Scottsboro. On Friday, Nov. 13, the Friends of the Guntersville Public Library hold a half-price book sale. Outdoor Chattanooga leads two free or low-key guided hikes: a 4-mile walk on Little Cedar Mountain above Nickajack Lake on Sunday, Nov. 15, and a family-friendly loop at Walden’s Ridge Park for National Take a Hike Day on Tuesday, Nov. 17. Then on Saturday, Nov. 21, trail runners come to our back yard when the Fall Creek 100 winds past the waterfalls at Fall Creek Falls, and that night the Park Theater in McMinnville hosts Rockin for a Reason, a benefit for McMinnville Special Games. What it means for you: most of these are an hour or so away, several are free or nearly free, and there’s something for music lovers, readers, walkers and anyone who likes to cheer on a neighbor.

⏱️ Your 30-second trip list

• Thu., Nov. 12, 6–9 p.m. Central: Two Sides of the Blues with the James Roberts Trio, Two Sisters Square, Scottsboro, Ala. Bring a lawn chair.
• Fri., Nov. 13, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Central: Half-Price Book Sale, Friends of the Library bookstore, Guntersville Public Library. Cash and checks only.
• Sun., Nov. 15, 1–4 p.m.: Guided Hike at Little Cedar Mountain near Nickajack Lake. Free; register ahead; ages 8 and up. Time zone: check before you go.
• Tue., Nov. 17, 9:30 a.m.–noon Eastern (8:30–11 a.m. our time): National Take a Hike Day guided hike, Walden’s Ridge Park near Red Bank. Register ahead.
• Sat., Nov. 21, starts 6:30 a.m. Central: Fall Creek 100 trail race (50K, 100K, 100 miles), Fall Creek Falls State Park. Runner sign-up closes Thu., Nov. 19, 11:59 p.m.
• Sat., Nov. 21, evening (time: check before you go): Rockin for a Reason benefit concert, The Park Theater, McMinnville.

📝 The one thing to remember: watch the clock on the two hikes. The Walden’s Ridge hike is listed on Eastern time, so 9:30 there is 8:30 a.m. in Dunlap. The Little Cedar Mountain hike is in Marion County on our Central time, but it’s run by a Chattanooga office, so confirm which clock they mean when you register. Everything else here is on Central, same as your kitchen clock.

🎸 Hear Two Sides of the Blues on an Outdoor Stage in Downtown Scottsboro

If you’ve got a free Thursday night, here’s a good one. Southern Torch’s Sound & Scene concert series at Two Sisters Square wraps up its outdoor season with the James Roberts Trio, taking listeners from the Delta blues of Robert Johnson to the electric sound of Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. The local paper calls James Roberts Jr. one of the most talented guitar players in the Southeast. Alabama Janis opens with a Janis Joplin tribute set.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Thursday, Nov. 12, 6–9 p.m. Central, our time.
• Where: Two Sisters Square, 116 E. Peachtree St., Scottsboro, Ala.
• How far: About 75 miles, roughly 1 hour 25 minutes by way of Jasper and U.S. 72. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Not listed in the announcements we found. Check before you go.
• Who’ll love it: Blues and classic-rock fans, guitar players and anyone who’d enjoy a picnic supper with live music.
• Good to know: Bring your own lawn chair, and a picnic is welcome. It’s outdoors on a November night, so bundle up. Plan a rested driver for the trip home.

👉 Read more (Jackson County Sentinel — Sound & Scene concert series)

📚 Fill a Bag at the Guntersville Library’s Half-Price Book Sale

Readers, this one’s for you. The Friends of the Guntersville Public Library are holding a half-price sale at their bookstore inside the library, with what they call a great selection of books. It’s a perfect excuse for a lake-country drive, and every purchase helps the library.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Friday, Nov. 13, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Central.
• Where: Friends of the Library bookstore, inside the Guntersville Public Library, 1240 O’Brig Ave., Guntersville, Ala.
• How far: About 100–105 miles, roughly 1 hour 55 minutes by way of Scottsboro. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Free to browse; books are half price. Cash and checks only.
• Who’ll love it: Bookworms, teachers, homeschool families and grandparents stocking up for Christmas stockings.
• Good to know: Bring a sturdy bag or a box. Guntersville sits right on the lake, so it’s easy to add a lunch stop with a view.

👉 Read more (What’s Up Marshall County — Half-Price Book Sale)

🌲 Walk Past Old Stone Walls to Nickajack Lake Views on Little Cedar Mountain

This free guided hike is practically in our neighborhood. Outdoor Chattanooga leads a leisurely 4-mile walk on TVA’s Little Cedar Mountain trail, winding past limestone outcroppings and historic stone walls to views of Nickajack Lake and the mountains around it. Guides talk about the plants and animals along the way, with plenty of breaks.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sunday, Nov. 15, 1–4 p.m. The listing comes from the City of Chattanooga, which runs on Eastern time, while the trail sits in Marion County on Central time. Check before you go which clock they mean.
• Where: TVA’s Little Cedar Mountain trail near Nickajack Lake, Marion County. The exact meeting spot comes with registration.
• How far: About 35 miles, roughly 45 minutes by way of Jasper. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Free. Registration required.
• Who’ll love it: Families with kids 8 and up, steady walkers and anyone who loves a lake view in late fall.
• Good to know: Rated moderate: uneven, rocky ground, with two gradual climbs and two descents (about 350 feet). Kids need a participating adult. Wear good shoes and bring water.

👉 Read more (Chattanooga.gov — Guided Hike at Little Cedar Mountain at Nickajack)

🥾 Celebrate National Take a Hike Day on Walden’s Ridge

Tuesday, Nov. 17, is National Take a Hike Day, and Outdoor Chattanooga is marking it with a beginner- and family-friendly loop at Walden’s Ridge Park, a 200-acre park on the east face of Signal Mountain near Red Bank. Trip leaders guide you on about 3.5 miles of well-kept dirt trail under a pretty, mixed woodland canopy that’s part of the Cumberland Plateau. No experience needed.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Tuesday, Nov. 17, 9:30 a.m.–noon Eastern, which is 8:30–11 a.m. Central, our time.
• Where: Walden’s Ridge Park, near Red Bank, Tenn. Meeting details come with registration.
• How far: About 40 miles, roughly 55 minutes to 1 hour over Signal Mountain. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Not listed on the city’s page. Check before you go when you register.
• Who’ll love it: Retirees with a free weekday morning, homeschool families and anyone who’s been meaning to get back on the trail.
• Good to know: About 2 hours of walking, rated moderate, with roughly 300 feet of overall climb and some rocks and roots. Leave Dunlap by about 7:30 a.m. our time to be safe.

👉 Read more (Chattanooga.gov — National Take a Hike Day: Guided Hike at Walden’s Ridge)

🏃 Cheer the Runners as the Fall Creek 100 Crosses Bridges and Waterfalls

Here’s something you don’t see every day, just up the mountain from us. The Fall Creek 100 sends trail runners on 50K, 100K and 100-mile courses through Fall Creek Falls State Park. Every distance crosses a suspension bridge over Cane Creek Falls, passes Millikan’s Overlook, crosses another bridge over Piney Creek Falls, goes by the overlook for the 256-foot namesake falls and runs about 4 miles along the lake shore. The 100-milers get up to 32 hours to finish.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Saturday, Nov. 21, starting at 6:30 a.m. Central. Runners must sign up by Thursday, Nov. 19, 11:59 p.m. Central.
• Where: Start/finish at 2009 Village Camp Road, Spencer (the park office area), Fall Creek Falls State Park.
• How far: About 35–40 miles, roughly 50 minutes by way of Pikeville. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Watching is like any park visit. Entry fees vary by distance; see the registration page.
• Who’ll love it: Runners chasing a big goal, families who want to cheer at a finish line and anyone who loves seeing the park’s waterfalls.
• Good to know: 100-mile finishers get hand-welded steel buckles, and 50K and 100K finishers get blue resin waterfalls. Expect runners on park trails all day and night, so give them room. Car camping isn’t allowed at the start/finish line.

👉 Read more (UltraSignup — Fall Creek 100)

🎶 Rock for a Good Cause at McMinnville’s Park Theater

Downtown McMinnville’s historic Park Theater hosts Rockin for a Reason, a benefit concert for McMinnville Special Games. On the bill: August Lows with special guest Joe Harvey, plus Bangkok Rust and Ezrabelle. It’s a night of local rock that helps local athletes.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Saturday, Nov. 21. The online listing doesn’t give a clear start time, so check before you go.
• Where: The Park Theater, 115 W. Main St., McMinnville. Theater phone: 931-506-2784.
• How far: About 55 miles, roughly 1 hour 10 minutes by way of Spencer. Approximate; check your map app.
• Cost: Not listed. Check before you go.
• Who’ll love it: Rock fans, families who support Special Games and anyone who likes a night out that does some good.
• Good to know: You could pair it with the Fall Creek 100 earlier that day, since Spencer is on the way.

👉 Read more (Main Street McMinnville — Rockin for a Reason)

✅ Your Trip-Planning Checklist

• ✅ Clock check: The Walden’s Ridge hike is on Eastern time (9:30 there = 8:30 here). Confirm the Little Cedar Mountain time when you register. Everything else is Central.
• ✅ Thu., Nov. 12, 6 p.m.: Blues in Scottsboro. Pack a lawn chair, a jacket and a picnic.
• ✅ Fri., Nov. 13: Guntersville book sale. Bring cash or a checkbook and a bag.
• ✅ Now: Register for the Little Cedar Mountain (Nov. 15) and Walden’s Ridge (Nov. 17) hikes.
• ✅ By Thu., Nov. 19, 11:59 p.m.: Runner sign-up closes for the Fall Creek 100.
• ✅ Sat., Nov. 21: Cheer runners at Fall Creek Falls, then call the Park Theater (931-506-2784) for the concert’s start time and ticket price.
• ✅ Check the forecast: we’re heading into a run of freezing nights, so dress in layers.
• ✅ Fill up before you go. Need gas, a tire check or a good breakfast spot on the way? Look on Dunlap.Directory.

— Dunlap.Today

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Which of these are free?

The Little Cedar Mountain hike is listed as free. The book sale is free to browse, with books at half price. Costs for the blues concert, the Walden’s Ridge hike and the McMinnville concert weren’t listed, so check before you go.

Which is closest to Dunlap?

Little Cedar Mountain (about 35 miles) and Fall Creek Falls (about 35–40 miles) are both under an hour away.

Can I do two in one day?

Yes. On Saturday, Nov. 21, watch the Fall Creek 100 in the morning, then drive on through Spencer to McMinnville for Rockin for a Reason that evening.

Are the hikes OK for kids?

The Little Cedar Mountain hike is for ages 8 and up with a participating adult. The Walden’s Ridge hike is billed as beginner and family friendly. Both are rated moderate, so good shoes matter.

Can I just watch the Fall Creek 100 without running?

Yes. It runs through a public state park, so you can visit the overlooks and cheer runners on. Keep to the side of the trail and give them room.

Why is the Walden’s Ridge hike an hour earlier for us?

Red Bank and Chattanooga are on Eastern time. A 9:30 a.m. Eastern start is 8:30 a.m. on our Central clocks in Dunlap.

🔗 Other Resources

• Jackson County Sentinel — Sound & Scene concert series at Two Sisters Square
• Two Sides of the Blues event listing
• What’s Up Marshall County — Half-Price Book Sale
• Chattanooga.gov — Guided Hike at Little Cedar Mountain at Nickajack
• Chattanooga.gov — National Take a Hike Day at Walden’s Ridge
• Outdoor Chattanooga — Calendar
• UltraSignup — Fall Creek 100
• Main Street McMinnville — Rockin for a Reason
• Dunlap.Directory — local businesses and services

🌅 Take It Easy, and Pick the One That Fits

You don’t need to do all six. If you love music, catch the blues in Scottsboro tomorrow night or Rockin for a Reason in McMinnville. If you love books, the Guntersville sale is your Friday. If you’d like fresh air, pick one of the two guided hikes, or go cheer the Fall Creek 100 runners just up the mountain. Jot down three things: the Walden’s Ridge hike runs on Eastern time; register ahead for both hikes; and call before you go for any time or price we couldn’t confirm. For more calm, useful news from right here at home, keep reading Dunlap.Today and find local help on Dunlap.Directory.