tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17198037073142530772024-03-18T23:29:45.752-05:00Travels of a Rambling VanAll life’s a journey, but some of the best parts of that trip are when the wheels are rolling.greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15960238893013776630noreply@blogger.comBlogger761125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719803707314253077.post-12161002646532080952023-04-10T10:33:00.000-05:002023-04-10T10:33:00.207-05:00Why Fence Builders Don't Look Up!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWmG2k_mXxUspICPtR5WgYpmHFBTRqiPbO6uzupFWsrH-qRccaIKvTQh1TDM58RD1KGfnZEFMJHIT2PIbhXTYgpUamAibK2dQJsmS9gmXEjYl3Z9GsY1fXQOgM5YvU4jPtmxX6wJjmHrIYqSHaAvgNhJxF4RnZpbbtjpfhJ360uixiQFdv5MEKSL0xtQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWmG2k_mXxUspICPtR5WgYpmHFBTRqiPbO6uzupFWsrH-qRccaIKvTQh1TDM58RD1KGfnZEFMJHIT2PIbhXTYgpUamAibK2dQJsmS9gmXEjYl3Z9GsY1fXQOgM5YvU4jPtmxX6wJjmHrIYqSHaAvgNhJxF4RnZpbbtjpfhJ360uixiQFdv5MEKSL0xtQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Many of the Texas State Parks already came fenced.</p><p>They used to be ranches and ranchers need to manage their livestock. In fact in some of the parks there's a number of abandoned cross-fences that, since the livestock is gone, are no longer needed.</p><p>Of course fences are expensive so getting by with just enough to do the job made sense. </p><p>In the case above three feet of rather flimsy goat-netting topped with a couple strands of barbed wire on locally harvested cedar sticks, some pretty skinny, with an occasional metal post thrown in for extra support. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0TampArlv9LXyE_neORsNCTVwarjI3G1SSKQGxSOuLBgXZ9QCjcwFvmIA6zt9c2u9Ce2NjwM-Q8ZCMHxEhw3HWfJp5VN62vv_JWYCzaNc-oE3Q0YBby5YI6KOQR7HbiU6XP1w-aY3BdCSbU2B3BRBj_S-i8VbMykzcHvM0nedtII8_Zus2N-K9nLQkQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="1600" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0TampArlv9LXyE_neORsNCTVwarjI3G1SSKQGxSOuLBgXZ9QCjcwFvmIA6zt9c2u9Ce2NjwM-Q8ZCMHxEhw3HWfJp5VN62vv_JWYCzaNc-oE3Q0YBby5YI6KOQR7HbiU6XP1w-aY3BdCSbU2B3BRBj_S-i8VbMykzcHvM0nedtII8_Zus2N-K9nLQkQ=w640-h254" width="640" /></a></div><br />Or sometimes no metal posts at all, just utilization of what was already there.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXdyPpJJNXGMJSKL00rQNm6g3mqIqxXp3Snw2iYVPo2yOjIrJpnpeoCFjhQZ2GcB7ZzHcpB1GgsUEOTkql5n-wJGwrqxinazI7W_JZvogwC2hn8Zy8bhatDsPvs07kyEME14_QeKBeDiFDJ_TqEkklrYc5WsUOXCW1RsxrbYN-L-KXa8uuq9WvaGCGYg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="1600" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXdyPpJJNXGMJSKL00rQNm6g3mqIqxXp3Snw2iYVPo2yOjIrJpnpeoCFjhQZ2GcB7ZzHcpB1GgsUEOTkql5n-wJGwrqxinazI7W_JZvogwC2hn8Zy8bhatDsPvs07kyEME14_QeKBeDiFDJ_TqEkklrYc5WsUOXCW1RsxrbYN-L-KXa8uuq9WvaGCGYg=w640-h276" width="640" /></a></div><br />But when the Texas Parks and Wildlife people take over a property they want to be good stewards of the land and they usually put up their own fences built to their own standards.<p></p><p>That means 5 foot of high-quality goat-netting bracketed top and bottom with a single strand of barbed wire laced along the goat-netting, (A cost-effective way to stabilize the netting between posts.) with metal fence posts driven every 20 feet and 2" cedar posts every 4 feet in between.</p><p>It's there, not so much to keep people out, which makes sense considering that most of the adjoining land is pretty damn remote so where the hell would the people come from? Rather the intent is to ensure that park visitors are encouraged to respect the adjacent private property. (OK. and let's face it. Also a little placation of the surrounding landowners who are suddenly faced with a whole lot more people hanging around than they are used to.)</p><p>Another purpose of these fences is that many of the state parks are also wildlife refuges and keeping livestock out helps protect the resources of those refuges.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg71ImVds6xEoeAxxxFZcey0a8muRmaIjq-Ude-apUAtW-lJWDBiORkTOSn8YQ0g5Qf0bVnzZgBqQegJ_p14QZJrPREY6Urq0XMxT3GHVPgL2zs6lSaiylzZmGgnYEWg1qmBDBNd98uVYhe7AF1z116AYVLgLmqRo06sWWEye5huat9KyZ_Lm9M3QYdOQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2106" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg71ImVds6xEoeAxxxFZcey0a8muRmaIjq-Ude-apUAtW-lJWDBiORkTOSn8YQ0g5Qf0bVnzZgBqQegJ_p14QZJrPREY6Urq0XMxT3GHVPgL2zs6lSaiylzZmGgnYEWg1qmBDBNd98uVYhe7AF1z116AYVLgLmqRo06sWWEye5huat9KyZ_Lm9M3QYdOQ=w485-h640" width="485" /></a></div><br />But!<p></p><p>Here I'm standing somewhere along the southern boundary of South Llano State Park. The short side, which is about a mile and a half across.</p><p>That arrow out there marks the southwest corner,</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJTAV3lTbtJr-PhSeq-X3-WKG-SzcMufeaZ1r3X92eapksS8RW4tzbHOZjqqId_XqNsGh_bz-eI_dRWdqP2JIF_5Hwwsova_TLLuucldH1dkCH8yLenhQGTkjpsqUzezp8MDzjGgiPHOQXeLLx8vqCZvgz3lj7rbXvT89HvilVfCdzceftWVBhUqL_Yg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1677" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJTAV3lTbtJr-PhSeq-X3-WKG-SzcMufeaZ1r3X92eapksS8RW4tzbHOZjqqId_XqNsGh_bz-eI_dRWdqP2JIF_5Hwwsova_TLLuucldH1dkCH8yLenhQGTkjpsqUzezp8MDzjGgiPHOQXeLLx8vqCZvgz3lj7rbXvT89HvilVfCdzceftWVBhUqL_Yg=w611-h640" width="611" /></a></div><br />And when I turn around, that arrow pointing to a little spot up on that hill marks the southeast corner.<p></p><p>Between those two corners, in addition to a mile and a half of heavy-duty goat-netting and two strands of spiky barbed wire, are approximately 2000 fence-posts, nearly 400 of those being metal posts that must be driven, properly spaced, in line, and vertical, into the hard, rocky ground. Typically the fencing is wired to each post at 5 points. That's about 10,000 individual wire ties that have to be wrapped in place on both ends by hand with fencing pliers.</p><p>And, like I already mentioned, this is the short side. The east and west boundaries of this park are more than twice as long as the north and south.</p><p>That's a lot of fence to build!</p><p>I know if I was out there in the Texas sun building these things the <i>last </i>thing I'd want to do in the middle of the afternoon when lunch is nothing but a weary memory and the evening beer is still a long ways off is look up and be reminded of just how much farther I have to go!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfQa2qPTb6RBObHiNytjJLHwbgIZFYBQhTDhy9D8k6kbHDgCePVuvUeaHne4W6t5dP9adamdGixJ7Z8SGVqPbupdIrNKBt102J2WK9VXKt68Nmp1TRMVTx8jD_dfkwHL9h09wViHXHpelkajbf9wadKF9lzJd3SguoTJ3FakIZN2SpwoonDfOIl67nrA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfQa2qPTb6RBObHiNytjJLHwbgIZFYBQhTDhy9D8k6kbHDgCePVuvUeaHne4W6t5dP9adamdGixJ7Z8SGVqPbupdIrNKBt102J2WK9VXKt68Nmp1TRMVTx8jD_dfkwHL9h09wViHXHpelkajbf9wadKF9lzJd3SguoTJ3FakIZN2SpwoonDfOIl67nrA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />Here at South Llano when the TPWD took over this place they commissioned a fresh survey to make sure they put the fences up in the right place.<p></p><p>If you pay attention when you're out and about you might spot remnants of an old fence line,</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2Y5RPFzBrCg3YuTrORof6nN07BkvJ0zpYPEd4nM3gN3vs-Y4RQ5vBwBV1-VaUeTFwDQWGBk7oWGRC_vjyvdSi6coDWEk3FGJr-SSJmQC9AQsQk25bHJ_k8L0Np_LSgTfK7SIABv_rgFZ2CllYgXfVA8nXDv7Xeh2AVVFV01_zgic8yJ58CKcTgBDrDg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="759" data-original-width="1600" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2Y5RPFzBrCg3YuTrORof6nN07BkvJ0zpYPEd4nM3gN3vs-Y4RQ5vBwBV1-VaUeTFwDQWGBk7oWGRC_vjyvdSi6coDWEk3FGJr-SSJmQC9AQsQk25bHJ_k8L0Np_LSgTfK7SIABv_rgFZ2CllYgXfVA8nXDv7Xeh2AVVFV01_zgic8yJ58CKcTgBDrDg=w640-h304" width="640" /></a></div><br />20 to 30 feet to the east of the new eastern boundary fence. And this holds true along the entire eastern edge of the park.<p></p><p>Apparently an old survey, or maybe it was the original fence-builder, missed the mark. So suddenly the landowner to the east had a few more acres than they thought. Which they may not be as happy about as you might expect because, unlike the TPWD, they have to pay taxes on those extra acres.</p><p><br /></p><p>Anyway - - - time to get to the chores. And no, I'm not going to look up!</p><p><br /></p>greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15960238893013776630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719803707314253077.post-76839125981741902612023-04-03T18:18:00.018-05:002023-04-03T18:18:00.197-05:00The Violence of Courtship<p><br /></p><p>Courting can be a nasty business across all species.</p><p>This
whole evolutionary driven need to prove oneself bigger and better than the next
is not a gentle thing.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-hW4sfLcAtwUkaMLoHBcF1yAhluoEHh1-al4JWkZa1JjmFFhCSt0dZWjPtNifpVC6bTV0q4IMi8ZwgbLWkP3BlG_JRIFGTk7rODIZwr9rILEKnLBj7WdHasn0oawlcTnapk7AUIa9jUoPBe3Fbz0kan3Ds4POdBHZz1hlt8PmDVSSc_bHxuK3qEMVg/s1600/20230401_085743.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1103" data-original-width="1600" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-hW4sfLcAtwUkaMLoHBcF1yAhluoEHh1-al4JWkZa1JjmFFhCSt0dZWjPtNifpVC6bTV0q4IMi8ZwgbLWkP3BlG_JRIFGTk7rODIZwr9rILEKnLBj7WdHasn0oawlcTnapk7AUIa9jUoPBe3Fbz0kan3Ds4POdBHZz1hlt8PmDVSSc_bHxuK3qEMVg/w640-h442/20230401_085743.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">It’s that time of year and these two were at mating-driven battle right in the
middle of one of my trails. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Clearly, as the bared ground shows, the pushing and
shoving has been going on a while. In fact they were still at it 20 minutes
later when I came back around on the second pass of my laps.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Lunges that result in the clashing of
shells, biting at any soft parts within reach, and shoving matches resulting in the clawing of ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The battered veteran trying to hold his own on
the left, the young upstart struggling to carve out his place in the world on
the right.<o:p></o:p></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCoutNqXkMINBCreeppXq84O6Xw5YgQ1Y4nBzQW4JjhppwazXi0iEu-YyCtkxNj9aeGwWfMrdVvI8ncRwRT0pjpaYX0_z1HM9Nm3eanKz55l0kcK2pe2O3Be3XrmHJZ5rgWUlvSAEoO-K_sHF15t2LxQAP1NMYBD7SEPCBBgTRHtKkmHW8b0duGAD4Q/s1600/20230401_085756.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1103" data-original-width="1600" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCoutNqXkMINBCreeppXq84O6Xw5YgQ1Y4nBzQW4JjhppwazXi0iEu-YyCtkxNj9aeGwWfMrdVvI8ncRwRT0pjpaYX0_z1HM9Nm3eanKz55l0kcK2pe2O3Be3XrmHJZ5rgWUlvSAEoO-K_sHF15t2LxQAP1NMYBD7SEPCBBgTRHtKkmHW8b0duGAD4Q/w640-h442/20230401_085756.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Meanwhile, she’s just standing around a few feet away, or at
least she was standing around until my proximity made her suck everything in, (The males didn't give a crap whether I was there or not, they just kept right at it.) waiting to see which of the two is worthy of her.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn70e9YJeoY2mhIzlPBz7XXMWVMu1TxrZcGTtQxF_melxuci37_Tdoh3vjzDLLPSy33extYUzhMMb06JnqsmdA8U0keY7bMHFOwdRpwdPr_JXvf_eezWU2QngJMdFWdPt2z9wee9PApQGAMqoCPpXElT0JKHEldd9ysCyjbEO1al9q8G0JPYX0X_VD8g/s1600/20230402_085142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn70e9YJeoY2mhIzlPBz7XXMWVMu1TxrZcGTtQxF_melxuci37_Tdoh3vjzDLLPSy33extYUzhMMb06JnqsmdA8U0keY7bMHFOwdRpwdPr_JXvf_eezWU2QngJMdFWdPt2z9wee9PApQGAMqoCPpXElT0JKHEldd9ysCyjbEO1al9q8G0JPYX0X_VD8g/w640-h480/20230402_085142.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The next morning the evidence of this struggle was just a puff of breeze away from disappearing altogether. At least until the resulting clutch does it's thing and the hatchlings grow up, then the whole cycle starts all over again.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGVkJJJUHgMjnlYgDdcgIp-GUn5qRRGHStR5NXd59NAnHqfudwdC8mLEsFbdkJDpAHHUZp5cFFvYtxTxTZw03hsWISGNFCr_cr_faRxpg9Mdd1v15ThH3oxmDz8piJC_o6XgxFGe7Jh1LQLwUAwAw_UfeTddDCJlSm66_bVFPGRQNR_b9em4-6jZVdA/s1600/20230401_141347.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGVkJJJUHgMjnlYgDdcgIp-GUn5qRRGHStR5NXd59NAnHqfudwdC8mLEsFbdkJDpAHHUZp5cFFvYtxTxTZw03hsWISGNFCr_cr_faRxpg9Mdd1v15ThH3oxmDz8piJC_o6XgxFGe7Jh1LQLwUAwAw_UfeTddDCJlSm66_bVFPGRQNR_b9em4-6jZVdA/w640-h480/20230401_141347.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Speaking of cycles! All of this means spring is about to morph into summer so
it’s time to set up the summer house for the season!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p></div>greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15960238893013776630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719803707314253077.post-91741980102991795212023-03-27T12:28:00.024-05:002023-03-27T12:28:00.192-05:00I May Not Be Smart But I'm Consistent<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHnAcfafUoxCVw8dDbh9Tg6ebJQ332u74BhW2I3hopSRxkwSiC5ljmZKHXMHfzWY6uFtm80G2Lm7wQYiRjuC228Dr_h7PX029-wqvCdkjP60SqrKXl_V_OlPea8-BUS8aI6insgdzGmIjoL2PKZk5uD6HQW_qeFwmsW60CpjI2AfIgWezZ7hYFhOsWfg/s500/Capture%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="315" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHnAcfafUoxCVw8dDbh9Tg6ebJQ332u74BhW2I3hopSRxkwSiC5ljmZKHXMHfzWY6uFtm80G2Lm7wQYiRjuC228Dr_h7PX029-wqvCdkjP60SqrKXl_V_OlPea8-BUS8aI6insgdzGmIjoL2PKZk5uD6HQW_qeFwmsW60CpjI2AfIgWezZ7hYFhOsWfg/w404-h640/Capture%201.JPG" width="404" /></a></div><br />OK. After an easy 6 mile day yesterday I decided enough with pandering to a bum foot and knocked off an 8+ mile hike today.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6PzYHklSUN7mfVdHuoOCQh6itHuG8bxKH66F9jFl4WtnvR7hd4dBQoQ9aHaDCBamqUdH8MOdymNwqOKMKkhxsJbHh00_uyR12-Aoc4ujVnJohITC4Qio2PQwOk4xKaj7BXUtj_wEU9PYmHlu3Ne64MhP9MwIphvL8PTfSmAMtVpQJSpaXdJjOYWUwQ/s1600/IMG_6755.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6PzYHklSUN7mfVdHuoOCQh6itHuG8bxKH66F9jFl4WtnvR7hd4dBQoQ9aHaDCBamqUdH8MOdymNwqOKMKkhxsJbHh00_uyR12-Aoc4ujVnJohITC4Qio2PQwOk4xKaj7BXUtj_wEU9PYmHlu3Ne64MhP9MwIphvL8PTfSmAMtVpQJSpaXdJjOYWUwQ/w640-h480/IMG_6755.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Actually this was the hike where I discovered that I was heel-walking again on that bum foot that suddenly didn't seem quite so bum anymore.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguLyYYFmCqjPBOr87hgbGp8GBGZRG6GJ516Ui9PMxGPhwnpt2URQ36vHUhjLsS_oUrOvLcPnVxe1qNyhRA5RMTLtMzcf_Jjc25JW6EN0qN4i6jlgOLZhP4nLMWxpip-s5KuF7wipcncpCHGlmbF3ghui9z7A49iZZOup3I2ruksFg966_NTbJGvwVTxA/s951/Capture%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="951" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguLyYYFmCqjPBOr87hgbGp8GBGZRG6GJ516Ui9PMxGPhwnpt2URQ36vHUhjLsS_oUrOvLcPnVxe1qNyhRA5RMTLtMzcf_Jjc25JW6EN0qN4i6jlgOLZhP4nLMWxpip-s5KuF7wipcncpCHGlmbF3ghui9z7A49iZZOup3I2ruksFg966_NTbJGvwVTxA/w640-h188/Capture%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>So to celebrate I decided to finish off the hike by climbing the old road up to the overlook.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZ4l_22C7vU6VGDoVgimpKhRheAHFmwpwv0g2RvL_2jswwrr7wFeGx9lf9iRmY0J5k8AcpDB7U9AsPmeRJRf3vvfSdQqng33ZFNWsJgrgERwDp1lOjIlDVe8dPjbQGzBvBaLPnKPRQoJcKdDnRrY7Vd5hlfRLenOweMNGLt-j2BWxYG8WtwbPGK6ojA/s1600/IMG_6781.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZ4l_22C7vU6VGDoVgimpKhRheAHFmwpwv0g2RvL_2jswwrr7wFeGx9lf9iRmY0J5k8AcpDB7U9AsPmeRJRf3vvfSdQqng33ZFNWsJgrgERwDp1lOjIlDVe8dPjbQGzBvBaLPnKPRQoJcKdDnRrY7Vd5hlfRLenOweMNGLt-j2BWxYG8WtwbPGK6ojA/w640-h480/IMG_6781.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>This little bit of abandoned road is steep enough that they eventually got tired of cleaning up bloody smears along the way and banned bicycles.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGD4gvatXMXxfQATRp6CTHqb770UO_qw-WpY2AAkwJwpOxBrT__DbXe1oIotOfZ9HY9L3ppEOQ3Cf5h6dBQ3p9x1DWCpwTkc8RCAgegYCp3rauHm0sgOzPoBMIuu9OP5RvDiuELChFb9-fl4h5IBFR1HBRA4r_AwKZB7a31V9dr64kGbp04vtK74yKBg/s2133/IMG_6778.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGD4gvatXMXxfQATRp6CTHqb770UO_qw-WpY2AAkwJwpOxBrT__DbXe1oIotOfZ9HY9L3ppEOQ3Cf5h6dBQ3p9x1DWCpwTkc8RCAgegYCp3rauHm0sgOzPoBMIuu9OP5RvDiuELChFb9-fl4h5IBFR1HBRA4r_AwKZB7a31V9dr64kGbp04vtK74yKBg/w480-h640/IMG_6778.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>And it just keeps going up.</p><p>And up.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJGUSJiCshyQFVkgtan5zkrfVX7ldhGDoJ4E0wE9EosdsFbJ3p37FWQZ2X8FphLwUp1G3kCZ4nJKKVRCQSXQXLw1YJxIvxK5f3Pvntdb9lVoF_kEU4LfFbhRVWGEMpbJUZaGw7OiUCrHSEAF84HFPf231pNsM7kbtJkABihdFzNfbBYu1RP7aFcS6KQ/s2133/IMG_6780.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJGUSJiCshyQFVkgtan5zkrfVX7ldhGDoJ4E0wE9EosdsFbJ3p37FWQZ2X8FphLwUp1G3kCZ4nJKKVRCQSXQXLw1YJxIvxK5f3Pvntdb9lVoF_kEU4LfFbhRVWGEMpbJUZaGw7OiUCrHSEAF84HFPf231pNsM7kbtJkABihdFzNfbBYu1RP7aFcS6KQ/w480-h640/IMG_6780.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>And when you figure you must be just about there you come around a curve and - - -</p><p>Yeah, it just keeps going up.</p><p>In fact it goes up for about 140 feet, a 100 story building, without a break.</p><p>And if you <strike>are a masochistic fool</strike> like an adventure, at the base, where you've already hiked almost 7 miles, you challenge yourself to put your head down and make the climb without taking any breaks and even though there's no one there to see you cheat - - you don't.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyWpCDL9XOFDjTkfa2j9RgYPYNsVmlt5BxTGTwsTCL9HWXZW5pv9WswiRoXAH-FdU2G1cHRkcUz9B_5if2d3A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div>And on top of that, as far as viewpoints go it's not a particularly spectacular one.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmKpeTCt200VUie4t3NtPBNjea5rVGXY67eb--2_ydYpWf9EnfBbx7a3FOWPhTlvM8xvOyshGV5vFUuGJ3p7tISUJ0jPfZQqFPGKqmiXjua5RBCmtW5DqAR55VtpU8lyRObX3NRzZsL_nfjkM6S29ucqYuBqqbfRDNbiCA4JKhoDyFaLbbItv-_T9aw/s1600/IMG_6772.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmKpeTCt200VUie4t3NtPBNjea5rVGXY67eb--2_ydYpWf9EnfBbx7a3FOWPhTlvM8xvOyshGV5vFUuGJ3p7tISUJ0jPfZQqFPGKqmiXjua5RBCmtW5DqAR55VtpU8lyRObX3NRzZsL_nfjkM6S29ucqYuBqqbfRDNbiCA4JKhoDyFaLbbItv-_T9aw/w640-h480/IMG_6772.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Of course, once you get up there you have to get down again, via the switchback trail this time.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm09Tqe5HIFhmdvRLnCzAKhpWmRURnVycM0W-Fayj5W-SpnSs-dJkp_b5jGYw3V-9ek64qlKjhJ-26h5YeLrMElPnbZv4TAIR0dbs-gOo2buguRQkb_4zNDOFFQUJetJ4R-FEABP_o_nmwekzIYuJ2YK7rTbhD1S39dPjl6pO9kw5fOpJtmRYZ0BPVlA/s566/Capture%203.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="394" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm09Tqe5HIFhmdvRLnCzAKhpWmRURnVycM0W-Fayj5W-SpnSs-dJkp_b5jGYw3V-9ek64qlKjhJ-26h5YeLrMElPnbZv4TAIR0dbs-gOo2buguRQkb_4zNDOFFQUJetJ4R-FEABP_o_nmwekzIYuJ2YK7rTbhD1S39dPjl6pO9kw5fOpJtmRYZ0BPVlA/w446-h640/Capture%203.JPG" width="446" /></a></div><p>And just to prove - well, I'm not sure what the hell I was proving - I followed that up the next day with another 8 mile hike.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqFd3ZObbg6jmHQEN6ikw8JNy0Vwic4buqLOcshEcF0HFvy27sgU5OdJLIeweV0RaDuYq41b0CWIPHY7JQtt2_f_1-zFt7lLvLqaYO5M8Zgz5XHoYirHyiFjd0kLoRZqTuvbxU02W0seWDgKcmvZ6NaaITMWfZ6hEyGLLtjBWqGhluLohQMf_bJu5LA/s962/Capture%206.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="242" data-original-width="962" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqFd3ZObbg6jmHQEN6ikw8JNy0Vwic4buqLOcshEcF0HFvy27sgU5OdJLIeweV0RaDuYq41b0CWIPHY7JQtt2_f_1-zFt7lLvLqaYO5M8Zgz5XHoYirHyiFjd0kLoRZqTuvbxU02W0seWDgKcmvZ6NaaITMWfZ6hEyGLLtjBWqGhluLohQMf_bJu5LA/w640-h160/Capture%206.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>This time tackling the viewpoint first by heading up the switchback trail and back down the road this time - you know - for variety.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxtMoOk3A_6pCTqvnonx6aaSRkxQdmcxZD46cW7sJRAwa2xbUVB1aI9H7ya7Po5DJ1tZtN254tR4hAq6F5mWw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>Then climbing the west ridge of the West Canyon before heading back down through the canyon itself.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykK5VONInO-euKTVFBNVS8GcMnc3kXsDxrqRAi6QQXqaF2vqzY8tBuoFeOkwwuefY-1eZnWllDybf43ADYkdFGXa7VplVt7JkDaOy4-aUgj_c3HB_FnlWqMlMIWxCT4GrYTOPWgzZr6u6h72xSdGKo8cWhSTVq03oO_uHs7Pv5jWwMDBn5QmLLiSKUw/s1600/IMG_6801.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykK5VONInO-euKTVFBNVS8GcMnc3kXsDxrqRAi6QQXqaF2vqzY8tBuoFeOkwwuefY-1eZnWllDybf43ADYkdFGXa7VplVt7JkDaOy4-aUgj_c3HB_FnlWqMlMIWxCT4GrYTOPWgzZr6u6h72xSdGKo8cWhSTVq03oO_uHs7Pv5jWwMDBn5QmLLiSKUw/w640-h480/IMG_6801.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>And finishing up with one last pass</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3EjJekyysHk9026K3QXxXaDrSJ8UMEs8dZq3wzVadfPAz5TkCc0mc_sVMDCwjsiULXxOv7u1tHImsm6eQD0AjtUea9ep80Q2-NQF3o2khtkPviih8kaaIWE7M6gz7ThYROCxyWkPshoHv-3GWqh3SNZxPbBWn2osWBG-2voJtsioPRnXKm6SZte5ZQ/s1600/IMG_6800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3EjJekyysHk9026K3QXxXaDrSJ8UMEs8dZq3wzVadfPAz5TkCc0mc_sVMDCwjsiULXxOv7u1tHImsm6eQD0AjtUea9ep80Q2-NQF3o2khtkPviih8kaaIWE7M6gz7ThYROCxyWkPshoHv-3GWqh3SNZxPbBWn2osWBG-2voJtsioPRnXKm6SZte5ZQ/w640-h480/IMG_6800.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>by Buck Lake.</p><p>I say last pass, because this was my last full day at South Llano.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw95gspzxDkcYwBd2Om33VsqUCvphXR_rPm7ozDWyS_4ZjhvyCobdLezGrgUIT_Pugve0bfvAOVdmRjoUwc0A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>And I managed to almost miss this sunset on that last day!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCFPVebhRyIm8QP6DrVfEnD56nxsZ4SAZchOchlMYB51_gI5Ziz0twu2Hvew19mOPLGHdtb0wVGv6RwQ1kMIk-7_32Lt4cTnJifXN_3-VIbb2BT4SwffFwEvqodz4gpqK_wJdl2M0lwxWlxzVHJennfb1_GpXByYE_tA7fhjNyC-fSvqXuyZjzCVzyA/s723/Capture%205.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="332" data-original-width="723" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCFPVebhRyIm8QP6DrVfEnD56nxsZ4SAZchOchlMYB51_gI5Ziz0twu2Hvew19mOPLGHdtb0wVGv6RwQ1kMIk-7_32Lt4cTnJifXN_3-VIbb2BT4SwffFwEvqodz4gpqK_wJdl2M0lwxWlxzVHJennfb1_GpXByYE_tA7fhjNyC-fSvqXuyZjzCVzyA/w640-h294/Capture%205.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I ended my stay the next morning with one final trip up the trail to the viewpoint, and of course back down again, before breaking camp and heading back home on a 4 hour trip through Saturday traffic on a rear tire that had just started to go out-of-round the last 50 miles before I got to the campground at the beginning of the week.</p><p>Yep, a white-knuckle drive and though Lincoln still sunk into the tread up to his nose, I replaced both rear tires the following week. Not bad though. I got over 53,000 miles out of tires with a very aggressive offroad tread and grippy rubber so soft there's only a 40,000 mile rating on them.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /><br /></p></div>greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15960238893013776630noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719803707314253077.post-77489786394005755102023-03-20T14:30:00.153-05:002023-03-21T20:33:18.923-05:00Not That I Would Ever Do That!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_u14ujKbLWxHrKls20U9y2Lxm6ESYduzL5mzOaFpQ9LcRyaznGpp2lUubuRCJO352PDSJVcge2BZ6KDnNwXmUwCxl-thVarfOTfvfj9gaouUBd16QyQvZuYGoG2bT_wtow575fraGbhiImsLWD7i6oS14UfSE1dM060Pzq_YLDKgOlk8pvpQyCk954w/s1600/IMG_6729.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_u14ujKbLWxHrKls20U9y2Lxm6ESYduzL5mzOaFpQ9LcRyaznGpp2lUubuRCJO352PDSJVcge2BZ6KDnNwXmUwCxl-thVarfOTfvfj9gaouUBd16QyQvZuYGoG2bT_wtow575fraGbhiImsLWD7i6oS14UfSE1dM060Pzq_YLDKgOlk8pvpQyCk954w/w640-h480/IMG_6729.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Technically this cuddly little guy is called <i>Echinocactus Texensis</i>. But since trying to say that is a pain in the ass, most normal people, and some abnormals like maybe me, call it the Horse Crippler.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOAzLTvpjH48zZRVIBr9zIXudXsvg1jvaBHKOqiZTARi9n_SSMTy3wprkZ5sMtcBFqsE84L_fbyTOglDjkWL449bi-Ur1ZIReI9rJWjM3ph1OXqAcvL5v6T9aHFqLqgNvw6GhdFPIXJXPSdoH_fXRY0Sjzt2aY7700Ap29TrSfbq2I6i3auZo3iDKyA/s1600/IMG_6729%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="1600" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOAzLTvpjH48zZRVIBr9zIXudXsvg1jvaBHKOqiZTARi9n_SSMTy3wprkZ5sMtcBFqsE84L_fbyTOglDjkWL449bi-Ur1ZIReI9rJWjM3ph1OXqAcvL5v6T9aHFqLqgNvw6GhdFPIXJXPSdoH_fXRY0Sjzt2aY7700Ap29TrSfbq2I6i3auZo3iDKyA/w640-h282/IMG_6729%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>But this is an equal-opportunity kinda guy, so if you are going to go off-trail, on horse or on foot, here in South Llano, or anywhere else this lovable little gem hangs out, it might be a good idea to <b>watch out</b>!<br /><br /></p><p>Not that I would ever do that! Go off trail. Nooo. Not me - - -</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibg0jL0RxWg5qRoAt8WxRqBkNC8vclxNoTCzimMrUfZSFaVMtMM0wVZsbAhtc0li3rdNGtcEgZHlw1ezezGORL_3FY6mN0FaCSncv7-U--H8Ono7WtEMJQd65jUijWqd8zva_8YXYZgFO5EOq9xXc07zaPX92e1_9fDWKgFgkLmiP8o_j6YoiSZm7WpA/s528/Capture%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="325" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibg0jL0RxWg5qRoAt8WxRqBkNC8vclxNoTCzimMrUfZSFaVMtMM0wVZsbAhtc0li3rdNGtcEgZHlw1ezezGORL_3FY6mN0FaCSncv7-U--H8Ono7WtEMJQd65jUijWqd8zva_8YXYZgFO5EOq9xXc07zaPX92e1_9fDWKgFgkLmiP8o_j6YoiSZm7WpA/w394-h640/Capture%201.JPG" width="394" /></a></div><br /><p>Speaking of trails, because I'm such a sensible, intelligent sort of guy, after hobbling around on a bum foot for 6.5 miles the first day here, my second day's hike at South Llano was a masochistic followup of 8 miles, because</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYUwCI_JSTmzxtaTb_6wzrX_PoXsBGXjb9HHtGQMl6Xtk5Z0qC_jfe54t92PsZ98hCXaSoo4PQuqoYI5Nq0pTqhOPGcTiRQGmkhaAQiUdcpLoXuAMFdwXcTDaciYhsoYosKvLsm3Q9F2sXh-E9_a66iT-0y54VHkBtEi_LAsZgn8tFXkSh_Ng2cCjvw/s1600/IMG_6731.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYUwCI_JSTmzxtaTb_6wzrX_PoXsBGXjb9HHtGQMl6Xtk5Z0qC_jfe54t92PsZ98hCXaSoo4PQuqoYI5Nq0pTqhOPGcTiRQGmkhaAQiUdcpLoXuAMFdwXcTDaciYhsoYosKvLsm3Q9F2sXh-E9_a66iT-0y54VHkBtEi_LAsZgn8tFXkSh_Ng2cCjvw/w640-h480/IMG_6731.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p> - well you know - </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZh07QZ1x0DyMq9ubdTxGVQ54jZ8WsSwQ3II4Y3O9WbutRHA4KHBMXn8q4NzEV4xtc22OeyXtrj50k_6ytIxjVh66t_ZJbv2CeOVsZlUx2Vr0SEgDMV1ANjNgOut7pNyBpcXi9F526FaX1HUhkOOefRHtoP5Qpb4vFwD3EC-R6P_q2YLK0OjTNUk2ZA/s1600/IMG_6732.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZh07QZ1x0DyMq9ubdTxGVQ54jZ8WsSwQ3II4Y3O9WbutRHA4KHBMXn8q4NzEV4xtc22OeyXtrj50k_6ytIxjVh66t_ZJbv2CeOVsZlUx2Vr0SEgDMV1ANjNgOut7pNyBpcXi9F526FaX1HUhkOOefRHtoP5Qpb4vFwD3EC-R6P_q2YLK0OjTNUk2ZA/w640-h480/IMG_6732.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>it seemed like a sensible thing to do at the time.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYUDYYUsYYc6ihhcdb0-ui8iyfiBKwVLUIHz1btFnkmpy0p8xOh4px_X0nnTzdQz7XAoLOCAuzUL3IIbHQ8ezAReVMiBDtsGqU16Fc_5E_fC0XhbvjNAzLLB32gB6H9Po7fiKt6sW9kTqtfYsSX7sSiDQ8exBJwUHigb0yQ6JMRTJFWXYsCSSIEL8vg/s1600/IMG_6723.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYUDYYUsYYc6ihhcdb0-ui8iyfiBKwVLUIHz1btFnkmpy0p8xOh4px_X0nnTzdQz7XAoLOCAuzUL3IIbHQ8ezAReVMiBDtsGqU16Fc_5E_fC0XhbvjNAzLLB32gB6H9Po7fiKt6sW9kTqtfYsSX7sSiDQ8exBJwUHigb0yQ6JMRTJFWXYsCSSIEL8vg/w640-h480/IMG_6723.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Right up until those last three miles that is - - -</p><p>But by that point my only viable option was to live with my stupidity and finish hiking on out to The Van.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKuYzx5VMKXK0FZfs09E3Jrw0N082WzhduOF4o_CbVi5yl0C_h9Lzb6Ckji7SfMOdJ1fBnNfdmqTylFTSDOXnHCyWk5GHPc0zpFmBDFG5zGCA4epw1aYzdxaFrD8_j8f_QkvXQX9CZENZl8F9JWflGzCvcxjl4K11pXU8S3QJOFFqqwWviRakAy-JKg/s1600/IMG_6734.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKuYzx5VMKXK0FZfs09E3Jrw0N082WzhduOF4o_CbVi5yl0C_h9Lzb6Ckji7SfMOdJ1fBnNfdmqTylFTSDOXnHCyWk5GHPc0zpFmBDFG5zGCA4epw1aYzdxaFrD8_j8f_QkvXQX9CZENZl8F9JWflGzCvcxjl4K11pXU8S3QJOFFqqwWviRakAy-JKg/w640-h480/IMG_6734.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The high point of that hike, in literal terms, as well as pastoral, was the line-shack and windmill on the imaginatively named Windmill Hill.</p><p>Here, in addition to the re-tinned line-shack, there's a large concrete tank below the windmill, a piece of which is just barely visible there beyond the shack, and a series of old livestock handling pens behind and to the right, and for some reason I always feel comfortably at home every time I come up here.</p><p>I can only peer in through the windows at the now empty space inside the shack, but I can't help but feel that I would find the rustic abode with its old door so dried out with time and weather that you can see light though the gaps, a very accommodating place.</p><p>A view across the canyon, a cot. a chair, a rustic table with a lamp on it, some shelves for essentials and a book or two, a couple of hooks for the few necessary bits of clothing, <i>(In my opinion there is nothing more useless and socially harmful as the fashion industry. I'm not talking about the clothing industry. After all, of the three essentials of survival lack of shelter is the one that will kill you fastest and clothing is the first line of shelter. I'm talking about the fashion industry that preys upon and feeds people's insecurities, that fans the flames of "ooh, ooh! look at me! I'm special because some random person with a sewing machine yet no socially redeeming qualities says so".) </i>a stove to stoke for heat and cooking, a fire-ring and a three-legged stool for when it's too hot for the stove, a bucket for filling from the tap at the well-head, and just generally living within the proper circadian ans seasonal rhythm of nature.</p><p>What more could a person ask for?!</p><p>Here's a place where a person could not only shelter but feel right with the world while doing so. Judiciously using resources while actively managing them rather than reverting to mindless conspicuous consumption and believing that an endless supply of water is only a tap-twist away, that flicking a switch is all it takes to negate the day-night cycle of the natural world, that cooking is done by pushing a button until the beep, that seasonal comfort is all about twisting a dial and sucking enormous amounts of resources, that - - - aaannnnd with that I've stomped my soapbox to the point of breaking once again - - - so let's move on.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwsGxXcaBJqLG547vf8lYyln5fi2JqMvUrlQqjHhUT507yxsauJDql78teif--EAsf4R8GLrygHMC07eoq7eDq5s8pii5sb4dQh2RzT5q-yksiNw3GIisIOE6qisdZ1s7Fmc6trfpWVkqN-SnfBNse64353SWVHmgWxRZnVI3ZTz6XiAPevrq8IoAdQ/s612/Capture%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="612" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwsGxXcaBJqLG547vf8lYyln5fi2JqMvUrlQqjHhUT507yxsauJDql78teif--EAsf4R8GLrygHMC07eoq7eDq5s8pii5sb4dQh2RzT5q-yksiNw3GIisIOE6qisdZ1s7Fmc6trfpWVkqN-SnfBNse64353SWVHmgWxRZnVI3ZTz6XiAPevrq8IoAdQ/w640-h550/Capture%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>The third day I recovered some of my common sense and limited myself to another 6.5 mile hike.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Z8SsuowiOdjOf6hitVGu1tTRYBR2mpTWAIZPA6CwgMzNZ-K94IamasiimaFlREb7hgMsvtmAY1kXL_wJ_Nd3xUKMpBJ8Go7o4356dNocQOgZiA1NaQecuqR7mhruNLvpCLdvR8ct-4u5un6rXdRwugtCakKV-R5k7YbSQhD043ZLZ2xBSQT2qABKrw/s1600/IMG_6738.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Z8SsuowiOdjOf6hitVGu1tTRYBR2mpTWAIZPA6CwgMzNZ-K94IamasiimaFlREb7hgMsvtmAY1kXL_wJ_Nd3xUKMpBJ8Go7o4356dNocQOgZiA1NaQecuqR7mhruNLvpCLdvR8ct-4u5un6rXdRwugtCakKV-R5k7YbSQhD043ZLZ2xBSQT2qABKrw/w640-h480/IMG_6738.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>But not wanting to take this common-sense nonsense too far, I immediately jumped off with a climb</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvKNEwqFWbTkFQKhI-_RaJJQ_Ij8GnMfMDF2l7V9e5az-3XqtrEJOJQkd2ntugXM7wGuDea-9h9tQGC6Hk20UNt3i28zWpEGiODgyk-6nCgCf_vBtMcQ8oSTMbjFEVJjOSBoRPLnBdtgrnXBQaWn_J1FD5CNTOq5Kjb63toOhLazKG42bbUcC4nOwUw/s1600/IMG_6770.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvKNEwqFWbTkFQKhI-_RaJJQ_Ij8GnMfMDF2l7V9e5az-3XqtrEJOJQkd2ntugXM7wGuDea-9h9tQGC6Hk20UNt3i28zWpEGiODgyk-6nCgCf_vBtMcQ8oSTMbjFEVJjOSBoRPLnBdtgrnXBQaWn_J1FD5CNTOq5Kjb63toOhLazKG42bbUcC4nOwUw/w640-h480/IMG_6770.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>up the switch-backing Overlook Trail.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx6ocTyJFDEMU73bURuh33WLzvG_Nn23nfU2Og43d_axmGkCoRkkq5MRME2Q8i6OaUsMoeK0xCqmF_0-GaCaw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div>Being pretty crap at this videoing stuff I managed to cut myself off mid-sentence at the end of this one. As I was <i>trying</i> to say before I so rudely interrupted myself - as with most climbs you can't really see the top until you get there, and it's always farther than you expect.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkZbDDteN3xBz9sfNjq_cOen_W0I8mCYmBSIjUZLuehZbkXMCNNG0HZwB3xPeumfnG91kZ4QfIvYB0X7vpkNvXpPoHOvtTqlGmr3EIUhRuifNAiUEk6S8rrObA8sGbpT-sWXsVTRLn80l4Vx-m-XoRkFlKAQ81IhQECvTsiZ5Th3CcyCuXihBMko27w/s1600/IMG_6743.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkZbDDteN3xBz9sfNjq_cOen_W0I8mCYmBSIjUZLuehZbkXMCNNG0HZwB3xPeumfnG91kZ4QfIvYB0X7vpkNvXpPoHOvtTqlGmr3EIUhRuifNAiUEk6S8rrObA8sGbpT-sWXsVTRLn80l4Vx-m-XoRkFlKAQ81IhQECvTsiZ5Th3CcyCuXihBMko27w/w640-h480/IMG_6743.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>They are doing some serious work here at South Llano.</div><div><br /></div><div>Used to be, and still is today but not for much longer, just after turning off the highway into the park you cross the South Llano River on a low-water crossing. I guess because more people that don't know about these things are moving into the state, they are building an actual bridge across the river right now.</div><div><br /></div><div>They also put a swooptydoo in the middle of the entrance road and are building a new park headquarters in the space they created.</div><div><br /></div><div>There will certainly be plenty of parking, and I suppose it will be more efficient and all,</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0jufobuLcz7dMC4Humrz1hJh0AEs8TMm8RWghFNv285XGADfh3EVixlzBDjQh8GBxVe_ctadqYGfOy9ezS6QruHTngp5LhZzyscIjaCwIBdleiQsbJurU8EU95XHsNSbuQ7S_0stfE8DOq9eyRAmKzJrgw2qtHtc5REI00Fh3zT2e1B2xF3OamK0YA/s1600/IMG_6746.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0jufobuLcz7dMC4Humrz1hJh0AEs8TMm8RWghFNv285XGADfh3EVixlzBDjQh8GBxVe_ctadqYGfOy9ezS6QruHTngp5LhZzyscIjaCwIBdleiQsbJurU8EU95XHsNSbuQ7S_0stfE8DOq9eyRAmKzJrgw2qtHtc5REI00Fh3zT2e1B2xF3OamK0YA/w640-h480/IMG_6746.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>but it will be kinda sad to see the current headquarters with its space for a half-dozen cars and two RV's abandoned.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3ckd-hvCtMSVMpX6ZrT4N-vrvbUHCgQaOSvEjuXuK7lYe5hW3Z0x0q3gz-ufFONL7T_SWtpJ8TKAcwDOG6g7lpu5dkpOCe06vRgu49pX5u9DjgSVUxwEZdp47JAT7V8sWv0jqZ0Mp1ryinCKvT25fI70GKH_yuXJ8GTmDAxk3xjxZjjuswdDKn0aiw/s1600/IMG_6747.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3ckd-hvCtMSVMpX6ZrT4N-vrvbUHCgQaOSvEjuXuK7lYe5hW3Z0x0q3gz-ufFONL7T_SWtpJ8TKAcwDOG6g7lpu5dkpOCe06vRgu49pX5u9DjgSVUxwEZdp47JAT7V8sWv0jqZ0Mp1ryinCKvT25fI70GKH_yuXJ8GTmDAxk3xjxZjjuswdDKn0aiw/w640-h480/IMG_6747.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Right now headquarters in one of the original ranch-houses.</div><div><br /></div><div>In fact the check-in area is in the old living-room and entered from the front porch, which has a certain elegant symmetry to it since this is exactly were visitors have been received for close to two hundred years.</div><div><br /></div><div>But I guess they'd rather spend money on "modernizing" facilities than rehabbing and protecting land.</div><div><br /></div><div>Just this month the state lost yet another state park. It was on leased land and the new owners wish to turn the lake and shoreline currently occupied by the public park into an exclusive gated community for a few rich <strike>asswipes</strike> people with more money than sense of social responsibility.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh well. one of the purposes of an upcoming project of mine is to keep on hiking, even if I have to go into evermore remote places to do so.</div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div></div>greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15960238893013776630noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719803707314253077.post-63097938308419112292023-03-13T09:34:00.019-05:002023-03-13T09:34:00.211-05:00Squeezing the Last Out of My State Park Pass<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqVBK12oiuL3y17nJthAMZs9MWmh-XPxkn3s_TgZNDJQ-U1GS8UObSQlsgBhHwIMyKWQ9euCrYdrjL_iGmhHSHJXLsIWRpl2h9zB_oYdgnJPz9ttY8MZUDZXZR1CeABx6fFzeVblinn7x2wJEDdN8Y7ZXN-8O5tg4gjx0LBtmdZeD-pB105Mmfq3BS3w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqVBK12oiuL3y17nJthAMZs9MWmh-XPxkn3s_TgZNDJQ-U1GS8UObSQlsgBhHwIMyKWQ9euCrYdrjL_iGmhHSHJXLsIWRpl2h9zB_oYdgnJPz9ttY8MZUDZXZR1CeABx6fFzeVblinn7x2wJEDdN8Y7ZXN-8O5tg4gjx0LBtmdZeD-pB105Mmfq3BS3w=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>My Annual Texas State Park pass was set to expire at the end of January.</p><p>Yes, it's easy enough to renew the thing on-line, but I have stuff coming up that may limit my camping opportunities for a few months. That would be long enough to get us into summer and I don't usually camp around here during the summer what with the heat and too many free-range rug-rats running around!</p><p>Since the pass is an annual thing that expires 13 months after the purchase date (they round the expiration date up to the last day of the following month so plan on buying it early in the month to get the most days out of it. Buy it early in February and it will expire at the end of March next year.) I can't see spending money on it during times I'm not going to be using it. But at the same time I have a few weeks left on my current pass and I can't see wasting that either.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxZyuFn43DtQSkCIfrGxt6WSw_MBiyGC4ufbQkpX7e7QvDvgopSGAxgl9xb-7mvoVsWGhEXcP8lpoQl8KgeSD-Rs-Bz-yChWMDqbLXp4zxxYr_mgz7q8zgsmaRgR3kzn9IZXz01yLW4Gl6HPVduXuPv9gBJwhCkPqgWAzjxZtIBOE32nTrYL2d9E20uQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1907" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxZyuFn43DtQSkCIfrGxt6WSw_MBiyGC4ufbQkpX7e7QvDvgopSGAxgl9xb-7mvoVsWGhEXcP8lpoQl8KgeSD-Rs-Bz-yChWMDqbLXp4zxxYr_mgz7q8zgsmaRgR3kzn9IZXz01yLW4Gl6HPVduXuPv9gBJwhCkPqgWAzjxZtIBOE32nTrYL2d9E20uQ=w536-h640" width="536" /></a></div><br />So it was time for a trip and South Llano State Park won the coin-toss.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqn4djlSklPAnmNClnQNV_GRYLgz760Tua4Rg9WLg6-KUh4QeOouUoCDYyiB1Ywi4uL4wEo9nrGs4_XidvL3q4bnfYncC1LMWyNgx1-WnRAWeWHurQR76o6AED40v97Kqt8eba26ABuLZ75CyYpjo2S1JgkYQS3SPj1QE1qHmIUP83fe_Js0q55XoQLg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="838" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqn4djlSklPAnmNClnQNV_GRYLgz760Tua4Rg9WLg6-KUh4QeOouUoCDYyiB1Ywi4uL4wEo9nrGs4_XidvL3q4bnfYncC1LMWyNgx1-WnRAWeWHurQR76o6AED40v97Kqt8eba26ABuLZ75CyYpjo2S1JgkYQS3SPj1QE1qHmIUP83fe_Js0q55XoQLg=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />I've been here before and would have liked to get campsite 21 because it is somewhat off on its own, but it was already booked. In fact I checked out as far as the reservation system would let me, some 9 months or so, and it was booked solid all the way out, which seems a little fishy.<p></p><p>As a fall-back I decided to try site 19 because it is only flanked by another site on the one side, and has quick and easy access out the back of the site to the trail-system.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSwIJGZc_ozDviWHXlyTocw7pL4NE1-qYES0v00KeJ9N0xsuHvzgNgOPj_jcZHBxQiG-GUim-50AvuHSkjMs0Nb5Eh0_QysXlSabilVDk1cPWmc6YkbQvR2DeVvfCreavgoyxAD80WMiOOWm2pbD_z0UGdBOmzpur-5rQbfPSsEluj7dlUOUn3SznvgA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSwIJGZc_ozDviWHXlyTocw7pL4NE1-qYES0v00KeJ9N0xsuHvzgNgOPj_jcZHBxQiG-GUim-50AvuHSkjMs0Nb5Eh0_QysXlSabilVDk1cPWmc6YkbQvR2DeVvfCreavgoyxAD80WMiOOWm2pbD_z0UGdBOmzpur-5rQbfPSsEluj7dlUOUn3SznvgA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />It worked out pretty well and I'd book it again.<p></p><p>The adjoining site 17 is mostly out of sight behind the tangled vegetation to the left in this photo and the overflow/walk-in camping parking lot to the right was also out of sight yet reachable by slipping out the back corner of my campsite (kinda off there behind my right shoulder) and from there the park's trail system was waiting for me.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh81qLL9UfYRA2p3DgqjK2-agBCDfMC1b7nQuMljd4Th-kYAQYQ6KjlRlONWufiPS1Fx5OXBkVY2KydMCC-Ha-zVJl12gZf5wQrQXFJSXyzn3sYHB8QEyDs-8xBIFL5EYWu1Bg2gohjVHbYLuCq15YhXP63_RY6UOg4A_w_-KFqXMpPL6TPp8BDDphXpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh81qLL9UfYRA2p3DgqjK2-agBCDfMC1b7nQuMljd4Th-kYAQYQ6KjlRlONWufiPS1Fx5OXBkVY2KydMCC-Ha-zVJl12gZf5wQrQXFJSXyzn3sYHB8QEyDs-8xBIFL5EYWu1Bg2gohjVHbYLuCq15YhXP63_RY6UOg4A_w_-KFqXMpPL6TPp8BDDphXpg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />While I was sitting there in my chair chilling that first evening I glanced over and for a brief moment thought I was seeing the ribs of a tiny little skeleton laying nearby.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_0Y_LTNxo2MK4e2ABb5EkGS2w5_zdof4_vOUxtiOE4vZY-iDryNz2L5pQXaU8JiWK__6fEoVYVcE29s8hmWVHFRpZfS34-5gytLYlu_LfWas_PzRo0QqOAx1dw2ohSDS45EsPU_E00L-76LqqnEmJTbXf4MQyuC3fW1yDP8OPLRD8_pWHATI3Fkhq7Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_0Y_LTNxo2MK4e2ABb5EkGS2w5_zdof4_vOUxtiOE4vZY-iDryNz2L5pQXaU8JiWK__6fEoVYVcE29s8hmWVHFRpZfS34-5gytLYlu_LfWas_PzRo0QqOAx1dw2ohSDS45EsPU_E00L-76LqqnEmJTbXf4MQyuC3fW1yDP8OPLRD8_pWHATI3Fkhq7Q=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />I found it mildly amusing that A) I was fooled by the trickery of my eye and a handful of dead leaves still attached to their stem and B) technically it <i>was</i> a skeleton, just of a plant and not an animal.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sDrut_M_VSS1WXJBVagEwyrrO2otOO3zey1QIqWYv3WX04FyhKVPrwxMmSBLqU3F-AyZ0bEuqL7xogrKQhbMoZmxzrncAMQHdmFDz9sEeaSga8RmXRGeT6_77PiW_PVhyYL2TDT-YCS5_lX_iEXjRmjjegHendNxJk9Exbyix_H59tSfaywcDyYBag/s1600/IMG_6719.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sDrut_M_VSS1WXJBVagEwyrrO2otOO3zey1QIqWYv3WX04FyhKVPrwxMmSBLqU3F-AyZ0bEuqL7xogrKQhbMoZmxzrncAMQHdmFDz9sEeaSga8RmXRGeT6_77PiW_PVhyYL2TDT-YCS5_lX_iEXjRmjjegHendNxJk9Exbyix_H59tSfaywcDyYBag/w640-h480/IMG_6719.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Unlike my December trip to Garner State Park, mid January here at South Llano was more sun than wet clouds.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzngVgGrjq1xTwvk7bJocfIXrMHIfwlcir3r0FkMM0FeMNqgQRRDvrzOmkKS2AC-AjYQ9KkYErm0wBMsN9ZtGenqgSuuJsJuhRO2fgWZ7i2eTZzRE80cL-1neVQnqtBIYpEEOFsdlCx3vk3ONlcJwdiNaTUGpLwVnyXjezjjghP7TRfYtYqS4FzGu6Q/s595/Capture%204.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="422" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzngVgGrjq1xTwvk7bJocfIXrMHIfwlcir3r0FkMM0FeMNqgQRRDvrzOmkKS2AC-AjYQ9KkYErm0wBMsN9ZtGenqgSuuJsJuhRO2fgWZ7i2eTZzRE80cL-1neVQnqtBIYpEEOFsdlCx3vk3ONlcJwdiNaTUGpLwVnyXjezjjghP7TRfYtYqS4FzGu6Q/w454-h640/Capture%204.JPG" width="454" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>And bum foot or not, in my usual "what the hell was he thinking?" fashion,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaiKggiBth7WknizxRaGoGBDLzHaFJD3v9Wr8DqQgbQ5LTrZvZWg1W-KbJCE9iGnDwpiqXZzzn-dwM1Ar3LwrLPcGfX1SCVOXfw0dHcrNAF4eoVvhodrkuEVhQxMuKA7-T3pfWDBp4Xrld1g6B8jwF39_lNxzCGfsTI9lTzZn8ypLZUQzNSnn5OaRhA/s950/Capture%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="235" data-original-width="950" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaiKggiBth7WknizxRaGoGBDLzHaFJD3v9Wr8DqQgbQ5LTrZvZWg1W-KbJCE9iGnDwpiqXZzzn-dwM1Ar3LwrLPcGfX1SCVOXfw0dHcrNAF4eoVvhodrkuEVhQxMuKA7-T3pfWDBp4Xrld1g6B8jwF39_lNxzCGfsTI9lTzZn8ypLZUQzNSnn5OaRhA/w640-h158/Capture%202.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div>my first hike of the trip attacked the climb up into the hills flanking the river head-on.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nOr-_RxqfNgXMiawuSm67HCoxge8Ypjv1K7WnEmeDYzj9Jsdi29mz0BDgVMAENkqvHxLKjCo8ItLbv8sU-CqeGIwEm85lIVhntHGoVCbevpU-ohcFmtgCDJez1WUhICdTxDfS857VYEi738VhtlA0LHbuwRjZg4G9uHoVtXWx-viOUIFGx91iP8kpQ/s1600/IMG_6722.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nOr-_RxqfNgXMiawuSm67HCoxge8Ypjv1K7WnEmeDYzj9Jsdi29mz0BDgVMAENkqvHxLKjCo8ItLbv8sU-CqeGIwEm85lIVhntHGoVCbevpU-ohcFmtgCDJez1WUhICdTxDfS857VYEi738VhtlA0LHbuwRjZg4G9uHoVtXWx-viOUIFGx91iP8kpQ/w640-h480/IMG_6722.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Despite being winter and chilly enough that I was juggling layers, there was plenty of color and interest for those willing to slow down enough to notice.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sId8eMeh_cFw_R5SZ2JOIncQsleqmSUe44B83K6dvjHhrdUkhhrPZs0-FCi3MkIhg74Feppdu_-1LpaAGHZlWuYpIY_rCoFkmT-fRO4UN0X1JVE_5DItK8V_txyz44ioxUXa0Y3Jp20sxtqEd0ecvIxufniEhzyfB9gMrRdvNkEwFdZof1TIjr2b8g/s1600/IMG_6725.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sId8eMeh_cFw_R5SZ2JOIncQsleqmSUe44B83K6dvjHhrdUkhhrPZs0-FCi3MkIhg74Feppdu_-1LpaAGHZlWuYpIY_rCoFkmT-fRO4UN0X1JVE_5DItK8V_txyz44ioxUXa0Y3Jp20sxtqEd0ecvIxufniEhzyfB9gMrRdvNkEwFdZof1TIjr2b8g/w640-h480/IMG_6725.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Last time I was here the hike-in camping area had been all but abandoned and didn't even show up on the reservation system,</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVx7uJJ7mBc7GzlNcz9Kiy2h_UxAWxEYfYSV76GB5XHooEVaBAvdg1sXRPgMnibc0xoX8X0K6p_cAl2et7l7EI0ciefq8Igv_qoOG4eyN56UfnpZX6W17dPtoRbzvKNXXq71UNPW16acpOsgV7qdHOCUjnkkVAhjhUokGtsLbhJo-yx3_uDTR69wiYQ/s1600/IMG_6727.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVx7uJJ7mBc7GzlNcz9Kiy2h_UxAWxEYfYSV76GB5XHooEVaBAvdg1sXRPgMnibc0xoX8X0K6p_cAl2et7l7EI0ciefq8Igv_qoOG4eyN56UfnpZX6W17dPtoRbzvKNXXq71UNPW16acpOsgV7qdHOCUjnkkVAhjhUokGtsLbhJo-yx3_uDTR69wiYQ/w640-h480/IMG_6727.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>but there has clearly been some refurbishing done since and the four or five backpacking sites have been added back into the reservation system.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwx_3IVCP_Gz1o76xtbqcv9NjOyME34ONeU54XedwvXuA9aYTydkOtoFkOG0ew81vOgVePztW3k_jVHn2q7jTBokywVuCoGsQlT26G9gTolrZBVuMjRjSPAG89ccJqBfkAcY51d8ms5tyNKSgNWvzD85TIbF0buKMuzvq1MmI10Z7c-NpMX17p-CgvpQ/s1600/IMG_6751.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwx_3IVCP_Gz1o76xtbqcv9NjOyME34ONeU54XedwvXuA9aYTydkOtoFkOG0ew81vOgVePztW3k_jVHn2q7jTBokywVuCoGsQlT26G9gTolrZBVuMjRjSPAG89ccJqBfkAcY51d8ms5tyNKSgNWvzD85TIbF0buKMuzvq1MmI10Z7c-NpMX17p-CgvpQ/w640-h480/IMG_6751.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Although - the brand new, probably expensive, map-board they put up just outside the hike-in camping area</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJW7-w9rn3AYNwHej6EmPtefDUuIukFdnYgEwpo0gDF5LE30wTzzvVKv2o10eNODDoIQrshxf-g1sDScFXM-2EG781bNahQznIij7JKVgfuk6Efwi6YHf_7oLBwa1vr4Oz8pfPeAtXmRwS-acYXeDxmaLm2ZHdhC59RMHLVafCo7htOExG7_dexe2LAg/s2133/IMG_6750.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJW7-w9rn3AYNwHej6EmPtefDUuIukFdnYgEwpo0gDF5LE30wTzzvVKv2o10eNODDoIQrshxf-g1sDScFXM-2EG781bNahQznIij7JKVgfuk6Efwi6YHf_7oLBwa1vr4Oz8pfPeAtXmRwS-acYXeDxmaLm2ZHdhC59RMHLVafCo7htOExG7_dexe2LAg/w480-h640/IMG_6750.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>probably could have used a little proof-reading - - Unless they really do mean for people to shut the hell up during the day!</div><div><br /></div><div>And yes, being a detail-kinda-person I notice things like this.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalFCHl6rmOgoUYf2MWWcunHzDEt34J_QVsrVeRkKD0B3D7DeG3SqkTNQfmhi8pb7Cx7uhcHAjuWavrOsYTB2D0SahdPaa_dDU3-yJ273vrqahG1SXkGQ9PewocJdZ1r7OtHIxHGCACpbTHB1YIqVl4ILhAbl5J6cXN0U2_eKf-JOMdRnOVhQ1U47iog/s1600/IMG_6806.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalFCHl6rmOgoUYf2MWWcunHzDEt34J_QVsrVeRkKD0B3D7DeG3SqkTNQfmhi8pb7Cx7uhcHAjuWavrOsYTB2D0SahdPaa_dDU3-yJ273vrqahG1SXkGQ9PewocJdZ1r7OtHIxHGCACpbTHB1YIqVl4ILhAbl5J6cXN0U2_eKf-JOMdRnOVhQ1U47iog/w640-h480/IMG_6806.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>By the time I came back down out of the hills it was well into the allowable hours to go into the protected turkey roost area near the river. (open for people access between 1000 and 1500) In fact it was late enough that I kinda had to hustle to get back out before the 1500 deadline.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXUvIJCOpCQfVacoFt23YwOIg-7NlzZWNc-yEI29FPNs44DVU7C3xHdLgtPb8jyWg_WekjMJetmTQLmOtL5XzlGRzlzWIa60nLVrweEc0yHI1NU31kNFHodVfPACcAlcZUp3SfEaxyiFH95TtIQmYUwC6f5KsIiZyq4_pklfuw3fZ38hNBwMr0K0ReA/s2133/IMG_6797.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXUvIJCOpCQfVacoFt23YwOIg-7NlzZWNc-yEI29FPNs44DVU7C3xHdLgtPb8jyWg_WekjMJetmTQLmOtL5XzlGRzlzWIa60nLVrweEc0yHI1NU31kNFHodVfPACcAlcZUp3SfEaxyiFH95TtIQmYUwC6f5KsIiZyq4_pklfuw3fZ38hNBwMr0K0ReA/w480-h640/IMG_6797.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>Back when this was a working ranch the pecans along the river bottom provided a nice additional income. Now they have aged past their prime but still provide plenty of habitat and roosting perches.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLyC1GEVwLjoGTeOpBw_V3q0Nv11sNXGjzELVyGZhMDc9jYAqH5FbSCG-MNrlbxuG6012SDnfYjuWToeq7_MA5GWvuG_i_f9g9ywMtx-BbFDLrPB9rhiai1z2VE0pJFUib-9J-Yyr1fUOgqe6ZjTNyNaAqTYp-zE5KdDfU0k7dwRYGXkShd8Bdfj7eQ/s1600/IMG_6798.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLyC1GEVwLjoGTeOpBw_V3q0Nv11sNXGjzELVyGZhMDc9jYAqH5FbSCG-MNrlbxuG6012SDnfYjuWToeq7_MA5GWvuG_i_f9g9ywMtx-BbFDLrPB9rhiai1z2VE0pJFUib-9J-Yyr1fUOgqe6ZjTNyNaAqTYp-zE5KdDfU0k7dwRYGXkShd8Bdfj7eQ/w640-h480/IMG_6798.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>But it's the wrong time of day for turkeys which are still out and about on the prowl, but spotting this Osprey was pretty cool.<br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><p><br /><br /><br /></p></div>greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15960238893013776630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719803707314253077.post-27518489532970826842023-03-06T10:24:00.247-06:002023-03-06T10:24:00.190-06:00A Return to Heel Walking !<p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNB2c1n4Sql_tMMtwK9YNvn8B8sYsj5gLPkND8Ravt1IFWqOUmJIR2CsSWrel1Q9dAfROCEl1vi1NcDyd5J2wU0A0GFeaIpgK2lTdvyrUQrtaIxCqc_ICepp9K1deb74iaMFpcvgb2F9yQtU5N5JJL7fLh5gg0cjsUR7bdTaVKg8UsuB-gZWyCnpn5Zw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1170" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNB2c1n4Sql_tMMtwK9YNvn8B8sYsj5gLPkND8Ravt1IFWqOUmJIR2CsSWrel1Q9dAfROCEl1vi1NcDyd5J2wU0A0GFeaIpgK2lTdvyrUQrtaIxCqc_ICepp9K1deb74iaMFpcvgb2F9yQtU5N5JJL7fLh5gg0cjsUR7bdTaVKg8UsuB-gZWyCnpn5Zw=w640-h344" width="640" /></a></div><br />I haven't said much about it but for the last half-year or so I've been dealing with a case of Plantar <div>Fasciitis - which is really inconvenient when you walk as much as I do.</div><div><br /></div><div>This isn't the first time I've had this issue with my left foot but it is, by far, the most troublesome time.<br /><div><br /></div><div>By the way, as is so often the case, some yahoo got a-hold of this word - the second one - and cocked it up royally. Although there is an SC in the middle of Fasciitis there's no SCHool sound. It is pronounced as shush without the ush. Don't ask me why, talk to the pompous ass that created this word! On top of that very unusual and confusing double II just after the ridiculous SC isn't simply pronounced as eye as in pirate-talk or ee as in eek without the k, but rather as ee-ahh, as in yee-haa without the leading y or the ha in the middle. Yeah, I know. There's no A in there so where the hell did the ahh come from! But wait! The ridiculousness isn't over yet! That TIS ending isn't pronounced tis as in tisk without the k, but as a final linguistic insult is pronounced tus as in tusk without the k. So if you want to take the wind out of the sails of the jackass that came up with this spelling so he could giggle condescendingly at people mispronouncing it, the right way to pronounce the word is Fah-shee-ah-tus </div><div><p></p><p>- - Anyway - -</p><p>Apparently it's not clear why, but sometimes the plantar fascia, (Oh hey! there's the A right where it belongs!) that massive ligament that connects toes to heel, gets less elastic and this causes small little tears where it connects to the heel, and sometimes along the arch. The one real treatment, baring surgery, is stretching the plantar fascia so that where it connects to the heel is less stressed and can repair itself, which is exactly what walking on it does.</p><p>But when you look up treating Plantar Fasciitis many of the 'solutions' are focused on mitigating the symptoms with things like elevation, ice, stay off the foot, etc., none of which fit into my lifestyle, so I just kept on walking.</p><p>Yes it hurt to hike, and frankly, when I was at Garner State Park in December there were times when I would have gladly traded my hiking sticks for crutches as I hobbled along. But sometimes healing hurts! That's why we go to physical therapists. Because, and this is something knee replacement recipients are well aware of, to heal and recover range-of-motion, sometimes we need someone to force us through the necessary pain. </p><p>Based on anecdotal evidence, I have a high tolerance for pain. Things that cripple The Wife I seem to be able to basically shrug off. I buy aspirin, not the ibuprofens or acetaminophens, but just plain old-fashioned aspirin, in the smallest bottles possible because I usually end up throwing much of it away when it has aged to brown years later. But I will admit to taking a half-dozen or so full doses over the past six months.</p><p>Anyway - my tolerance for pain and the fact that I tend to avoid people whenever possible resulted in me dealing with my physical therapy on my own. But in the meantime, because banging straight down on my heel HURT, I <i>finally</i> learned to toe-walk. </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNP4YQ0-UO3BlSHrO06j61bTNxzg3cPJeZMPmrpFjYtKM1ekqNz33KGjR_HYBtqdho2PCSpEi-68smrViiq255uCe6N91zRLJPKYJpQUu0kYw0EdscMrNpa63WHVQeA229gMIH5axV544yTtduEFoig-JMt7OHAHlX77rQug8B1FI-iG9ggJI_iq3ffA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="474" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNP4YQ0-UO3BlSHrO06j61bTNxzg3cPJeZMPmrpFjYtKM1ekqNz33KGjR_HYBtqdho2PCSpEi-68smrViiq255uCe6N91zRLJPKYJpQUu0kYw0EdscMrNpa63WHVQeA229gMIH5axV544yTtduEFoig-JMt7OHAHlX77rQug8B1FI-iG9ggJI_iq3ffA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I say <i>finally</i> learned to toe-walk because when I was a kid I tried to make that my standard method of locomotion.</p><p>Why would I do that?</p><p>Well one classroom of our elementary school was set up as the library and every class had an hour or so set aside to visit the "library" once a week where you could check out two books. Some classmates walked out with no books but, as a certified (certifiable?) reading nut I always walked out with my allotted two.</p><p>Usually at least one of those would be from the large set of pale-green covered biographies of "American" figures from history.</p><p>I put American in quotes because the selection was highly sanitized, selective, and focused on white males. And, being "sanitized for our own protection", none of the books mentioned anything gritty, like Benjamin Franklin's sketchy personal fetishes or Wild Bill Hickok's role in helping to destroy the plain's ecosystem and through that his peripheral participation in genocide.</p><p>But even though Native Americans were conspicuously absent from these books unless in a supporting role, being an outdoors person, I ate up stories about frontiersmen, trappers, scouts, and the occasional Native Americans. And one of the things I tried to do was imitate my favorite wild figures by walking toe first so I could slip silently through the woods like they did. Something I was never able to master. </p><p>But now I was finally doing it! I was toe-walking - on my left foot anyway. (By the way, turns out toe-walking is no quieter than heel walking, at least in modern boots. What a disappointment that was!)</p><p>In the meantime I had pretty much resigned myself to living with the pain, chalking it up as part of this new experience of getting old-er.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwny3EIgvA-UhfHtCnsHpP0bTK-BZW5S_DxF5u6Kkrbh5hdAB1Azv3ttVY9fnGN7fJg0a2qJsbLrWDDEOVOaw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>But, as this video from mid-way through my week of hiking at South Llano State Park in January shows, suddenly things were improving.</p><p>It kinda snuck up on me when I wasn't paying attention, but all the sudden I realized I was hiking with almost no pain and even heel-walking on my left foot again!</p><p>Maybe a silly thing to get all excited about, but as a rabid hiker it was a pretty exhilarating moment. One worthy of a short video.</p><p>As I'm standing here proofreading this <i>(Over a hot-spot connection through my phone because our satellite internet modem has been down for a week now waiting on someone to show up. - All that's wrong is there's no output voltage from the power-puck but we have to jump through all the hoops anyway and it will be another week before we get the damn thing back on line. Of course, in addition to the call-out charge, there will be no reduction in this month's bill.)</i> in mid March after doing my workout and laps around the property this morning, there's a dull ache in my left heel. Some days it's not there at all, some days it's more noticeable than others, and I'm under no illusion that the issue won't ever return in full hobble-around-on-one-leg force again, but for now I'll take what I can get!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div></div>greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15960238893013776630noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719803707314253077.post-32325042185539836622023-02-27T13:58:00.017-06:002023-02-27T13:58:00.184-06:00Success ! - Summiting Old Baldy<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjHpJ_fGCkF0afCpMX_rizxRmvyJZ6x3MNlSY2wJH-er9zcjO2rIPO84oWqoQ42zKN36-kVOZRSmcRk2GHUy-VrCXaf3d5VBwIErhNIrjD8cYgyndJJ1PXnoq8HRDlGWIoxBXGcxznkG0xwWaNOA6PZUBsYUWkOvhqP9yrXKFDn9EkMRMIRRvc39fuA/s1600/IMG_6665.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjHpJ_fGCkF0afCpMX_rizxRmvyJZ6x3MNlSY2wJH-er9zcjO2rIPO84oWqoQ42zKN36-kVOZRSmcRk2GHUy-VrCXaf3d5VBwIErhNIrjD8cYgyndJJ1PXnoq8HRDlGWIoxBXGcxznkG0xwWaNOA6PZUBsYUWkOvhqP9yrXKFDn9EkMRMIRRvc39fuA/w640-h480/IMG_6665.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">OK, last chance this trip to summit Old Baldy.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Still not stellar weather and pristine visibility, but pretty much
the best I’ve had this week!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIR46yBKG29J9hB4w_k9kHjQozlujPr6_cjstd2IwO21oZ63gMnV356EXfz1EWIFpX0Kjpui9Gb2Eqe93TueiuL7BSBfi9SnJWIPnacAH1p54zDYHn2gt9xN0O8X4OpjCoXhZr8ANWadG35-vd11WzDwUI_0VZrJ_wAMG-ER_jyig9_utbX-BZh1JrA/s1600/IMG_6669.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIR46yBKG29J9hB4w_k9kHjQozlujPr6_cjstd2IwO21oZ63gMnV356EXfz1EWIFpX0Kjpui9Gb2Eqe93TueiuL7BSBfi9SnJWIPnacAH1p54zDYHn2gt9xN0O8X4OpjCoXhZr8ANWadG35-vd11WzDwUI_0VZrJ_wAMG-ER_jyig9_utbX-BZh1JrA/w640-h480/IMG_6669.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>It’s a little over a mile and a half from camp to the joint
trailheads for White Rock Cave and Old Baldy.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>As you might remember, </o:p>I’ve already done the White Rock Cave and <strike>terrifying</strike> mildly scary Bird
Trails and am not ready to repeat that experience just yet. Not when I have
other things to do, like Baldy.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yP1fo0ldMflcgXEv6M11m1OjdVxX7tnACcOlvq0ozTGwT3rE2Uip1nnSR350T7DDR2-bOZ_1_aGZrM93RZQnRJyRTjMjtRknptnG34N6HyTURLRdIVoplVyZPoF2y1UqAT0LnZ3P9s7dBCGN3BsyT9WLRisHXH85M-CgZnMliXPs8isu3het7qaq2A/s2133/IMG_6671.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yP1fo0ldMflcgXEv6M11m1OjdVxX7tnACcOlvq0ozTGwT3rE2Uip1nnSR350T7DDR2-bOZ_1_aGZrM93RZQnRJyRTjMjtRknptnG34N6HyTURLRdIVoplVyZPoF2y1UqAT0LnZ3P9s7dBCGN3BsyT9WLRisHXH85M-CgZnMliXPs8isu3het7qaq2A/w480-h640/IMG_6671.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Not that the initial climb up towards Old Baldy</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBG_3bk_fNkqwN_nnZ_DhkyG6KYsYcORhDjXbCnEwaLIp-mp4uBg1s_isHpjBirfnO49dnaR_dEQGf5BLkEUCP0EZdb5dWn1Jsfu_myLDatR0zWybO0sa2DhJJ_xOelkWXzzdAtomLIlSntWmBProhZIdpBcBi2nXnZNVnvoqdcl7JLKuV8iraXK5IYA/s1600/IMG_6676.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBG_3bk_fNkqwN_nnZ_DhkyG6KYsYcORhDjXbCnEwaLIp-mp4uBg1s_isHpjBirfnO49dnaR_dEQGf5BLkEUCP0EZdb5dWn1Jsfu_myLDatR0zWybO0sa2DhJJ_xOelkWXzzdAtomLIlSntWmBProhZIdpBcBi2nXnZNVnvoqdcl7JLKuV8iraXK5IYA/w640-h480/IMG_6676.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">is all that much easier, or less terrifying, <i>(Yep, it’s
still wet and slick out here and to reduce the risk of becoming a statistic, or
a line-item in some park report, I’m wearing my spikes.)</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5xefJlfcbn5TeGJkBiGH4rBzNiTRDra6J4v_sOXKvHV-BjTRgsOve4f1F-Zjxpu8iVL0Pq2RbdmCq0sjVKc1zzopU9I1Ur8MMGMEezyYOTraB2LTLJHtiWV8QGNhWXl5toFoihkOgh_4_ItudHJ35T66pRF8Spi5w3oYFdo89HMCPdp029WIafTAKQ/s1600/IMG_6677.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5xefJlfcbn5TeGJkBiGH4rBzNiTRDra6J4v_sOXKvHV-BjTRgsOve4f1F-Zjxpu8iVL0Pq2RbdmCq0sjVKc1zzopU9I1Ur8MMGMEezyYOTraB2LTLJHtiWV8QGNhWXl5toFoihkOgh_4_ItudHJ35T66pRF8Spi5w3oYFdo89HMCPdp029WIafTAKQ/w640-h480/IMG_6677.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">but it is new territory, and that’s always good – well,
sometimes good – once in a while – maybe.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWSckbbH_bdggrEhP2-i1NOMJZxKeC26vauz0fvJ4C8IEpx5q6OxNCoLk9J7KEkQT7yM2n4WB28-vUpFr85cQvHLHPsZhnaEn6TqP60oalXfIJaQ4z-zPUsa7NY0uNyuaHJkUOoQ0Gvv_yR1CeJc5_oGHUA_GIf3NOTHEk-S2gIqGnMWdpoBibhL5jCw/s1600/IMG_6681.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWSckbbH_bdggrEhP2-i1NOMJZxKeC26vauz0fvJ4C8IEpx5q6OxNCoLk9J7KEkQT7yM2n4WB28-vUpFr85cQvHLHPsZhnaEn6TqP60oalXfIJaQ4z-zPUsa7NY0uNyuaHJkUOoQ0Gvv_yR1CeJc5_oGHUA_GIf3NOTHEk-S2gIqGnMWdpoBibhL5jCw/w640-h480/IMG_6681.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyQnUiQLerXB_7rXWrTj3RfzPPl8OX15kJcL80MJDW0JBsRJ0P8A5dabSheoSKpWky4kqPAdQtalVEvQIypuw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><p class="MsoNormal">Are we there yet?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_9Txwt1BgZbtTa_jGh8lWRwMFkQuluacDHa9cbo1ZoRk46ZJ2U6UDdrfsZJZ6gcJgJUVDlVGGNrK8C-C5tUUSE93RocuE0t_Sf5MCODAY8zdIKbwx-SePI9yVa5nCc3dmXTLygw7KTVkRbbh_TC3D0_qfnVIdrIeCJjaM17AMSZ5iaqyC6FskSj8xQ/s1600/IMG_6682.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_9Txwt1BgZbtTa_jGh8lWRwMFkQuluacDHa9cbo1ZoRk46ZJ2U6UDdrfsZJZ6gcJgJUVDlVGGNrK8C-C5tUUSE93RocuE0t_Sf5MCODAY8zdIKbwx-SePI9yVa5nCc3dmXTLygw7KTVkRbbh_TC3D0_qfnVIdrIeCJjaM17AMSZ5iaqyC6FskSj8xQ/w640-h480/IMG_6682.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">Must be getting close – right?</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2kiOfBpSEm5wTIYu992qhymzx3C8vB-JcO12DsqEneMsWmBqk9Jy5YL6FYPuHM3tT8QyJ4eEV3DYZmO7Smijt_pglpl7v9a3zyLM6sT8jv2eJlBUorlgaf3pdELOGbKHr61yOPJEcW2snmpmCfjX5-6Lur1qcqliCyb28TltWGyggL9ou6qiPb-skg/s1600/IMG_6684.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2kiOfBpSEm5wTIYu992qhymzx3C8vB-JcO12DsqEneMsWmBqk9Jy5YL6FYPuHM3tT8QyJ4eEV3DYZmO7Smijt_pglpl7v9a3zyLM6sT8jv2eJlBUorlgaf3pdELOGbKHr61yOPJEcW2snmpmCfjX5-6Lur1qcqliCyb28TltWGyggL9ou6qiPb-skg/w640-h480/IMG_6684.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Ah yes. There it is. Somewhere under there anyway.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Seems like, for some narcissistic reason, generations of people have been willing to cart
rocks around up here, intent on making Old Baldy even taller than it really is.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikl1CljuVFyG-huM7dPm71F30d0EoNa3znpqVVivnIcqaKo-4ZoDyB8Vxu95A_fELVvCGI3pp_K_lUupBzGAooQmugYAJSuo0e2hwHrU7zWg6MBUf0eIouMRC-08kIHw0kYW5DUjcLc8WTF2TZpEYD71Rm3XdD-rv2lvddfSzrgWDeSY_WDYTfwYDlWA/s1600/IMG_6685.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikl1CljuVFyG-huM7dPm71F30d0EoNa3znpqVVivnIcqaKo-4ZoDyB8Vxu95A_fELVvCGI3pp_K_lUupBzGAooQmugYAJSuo0e2hwHrU7zWg6MBUf0eIouMRC-08kIHw0kYW5DUjcLc8WTF2TZpEYD71Rm3XdD-rv2lvddfSzrgWDeSY_WDYTfwYDlWA/w640-h480/IMG_6685.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">------------</p><p class="MsoNormal">OK, I took a lot of photos from up there, after all it took me long enough to get here! But I don't want to spoil things for the rest of you so I'm only posting three of them here.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">--------------</p><p class="MsoNormal">This looks like a good spot to sit, dangle feet, and have a snack.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">And it was, especially when</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7iRPA_nH1rOfXCTJ6DoMgMmmX5faJ7W4w9my4vNnJ5qAi76GYArI1Ue9PlKx6ARUW4oM5d0TRCzqkpfJOTPPSpJ__BHTdQ6_IUkoqImmp2Rjp1Rxzjc6Pdl2BuXv2m8xnBX2MXaMVH-v7tRNNNHkfQTIS8ptFSpeIYrh3HB9H7iRcq_BMe91XcbFmQ/s2133/IMG_6687.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7iRPA_nH1rOfXCTJ6DoMgMmmX5faJ7W4w9my4vNnJ5qAi76GYArI1Ue9PlKx6ARUW4oM5d0TRCzqkpfJOTPPSpJ__BHTdQ6_IUkoqImmp2Rjp1Rxzjc6Pdl2BuXv2m8xnBX2MXaMVH-v7tRNNNHkfQTIS8ptFSpeIYrh3HB9H7iRcq_BMe91XcbFmQ/w480-h640/IMG_6687.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">the light did something special <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for a few brief moments</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPo5CBj_66rG2_p-beMDyGKrAzDEV5cQmGR8mQAtEqZYVVaq3cfXUBYdqy1yRZED8ngnTzXy2JpAGN9Wl4hym8exJBt5gwaMz1p8zbx32GJI9EiefEdfkbX6GEJza96a564vUj1jDP_sRmGLoq0xCiWU-6ihseitfxM42OSGept9dvhgWbTn3jJ-ly0A/s1600/IMG_6670.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPo5CBj_66rG2_p-beMDyGKrAzDEV5cQmGR8mQAtEqZYVVaq3cfXUBYdqy1yRZED8ngnTzXy2JpAGN9Wl4hym8exJBt5gwaMz1p8zbx32GJI9EiefEdfkbX6GEJza96a564vUj1jDP_sRmGLoq0xCiWU-6ihseitfxM42OSGept9dvhgWbTn3jJ-ly0A/w640-h480/IMG_6670.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">and temporarily set the Cottonwoods downstream ablaze.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Where that horizontal line hits the river is Mager’s Crossing.
It’s a low-water crossing of, perhaps the appropriately named, Old Leaky Rd. It’s
very difficult to see the road right where it crosses the river because it’s covered in a few
inches of water.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEnMW1PanraEg0AzxGMVb7p24-MULoRBUEryr9_1BjbEztcqtPeVLkBpKEezXO8gcCps9r1FbiPjrEv6Mwzhzg3fA-4j81SGVutlt1Go-zZBqjv0ttQA5ksf0OGGZNjkuRZT_MdLEaIVtSU_Vpixp0zb-hWHGmp0eh9aJ8lld-Q4izo6yBfFIljEumQ/s952/Capture%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="235" data-original-width="952" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEnMW1PanraEg0AzxGMVb7p24-MULoRBUEryr9_1BjbEztcqtPeVLkBpKEezXO8gcCps9r1FbiPjrEv6Mwzhzg3fA-4j81SGVutlt1Go-zZBqjv0ttQA5ksf0OGGZNjkuRZT_MdLEaIVtSU_Vpixp0zb-hWHGmp0eh9aJ8lld-Q4izo6yBfFIljEumQ/w640-h158/Capture%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">OK, been there, done that, took the photos, had a snack, and the day is getting on, so now that I’ve made the steep assent to the summit of
Old Baldy it's time to head back down.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuq16dq18Id1fLXh0PX6DD2iKimtMG-L9fYPp71W2eKRC4xxV6rfh8O3M9E0bMzIYe_byxSvhTAzTvgQHDM0EeDPLFB4AOPMX1PRm0C74IrAV6zsFDG5w1pMTv52yA0dENLWSkTUgdiCWiINdYEqPOLYYM9CxLF6w_gfHEIJZviwdKRYs8JQFmJ1Yymw/s569/Capture%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="569" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuq16dq18Id1fLXh0PX6DD2iKimtMG-L9fYPp71W2eKRC4xxV6rfh8O3M9E0bMzIYe_byxSvhTAzTvgQHDM0EeDPLFB4AOPMX1PRm0C74IrAV6zsFDG5w1pMTv52yA0dENLWSkTUgdiCWiINdYEqPOLYYM9CxLF6w_gfHEIJZviwdKRYs8JQFmJ1Yymw/w640-h590/Capture%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I’ll spend the rest of the day traipsing across an
assortment of ridges and come back down to river level via the Old Horse Trail.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Because of the spotty trail markings I missed the lower end of the Old Horse Trail
when I came up the Old Entrance road a few days ago, but I was able to find the
upper end of the trail and today I followed it back down - well - at least partway down before it ended, in lieu of the old road.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-0QSt1O2t9niAU-Dys1T0qw7Pz5FiChJ6HSE6t9b_RbBuLe7X4VyPBMWPvRhNUpWJdzky6dM-IqjHgXfONq2rt7qtT6zW_ZzdSBNJPIbYu3lXzD4Tpirgs0AX9zgIIzjwwH3xkaiXSwK76nEi7RLA3Tm9UW2s8HSux_XCr0sFYBAvl1LTD-LSg5SUg/s556/Capture%203.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="556" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-0QSt1O2t9niAU-Dys1T0qw7Pz5FiChJ6HSE6t9b_RbBuLe7X4VyPBMWPvRhNUpWJdzky6dM-IqjHgXfONq2rt7qtT6zW_ZzdSBNJPIbYu3lXzD4Tpirgs0AX9zgIIzjwwH3xkaiXSwK76nEi7RLA3Tm9UW2s8HSux_XCr0sFYBAvl1LTD-LSg5SUg/w640-h474/Capture%203.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy-O9cggIoDevINNXRW4AkwUw0Fjdom2ixi15-THYVsAPEpR9m5MSMMPhliWpwD0jTFRnunnfivaQSpJoH_sA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">OK, I don’t know what’s gotten into me but I’ve either got
to move over to YouTube or quit with these videos which are more annoying than
informative in Blogger<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Anyway, while higher up the slope and mostly out of sight, the
Old Horse Trail parallels the Old Entrance Road and not long before they merge
together I stopped to take off the spikes I’d been wearing since the Old Baldy trailhead as a defense
against steep and water-slicked rock.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I looked up these two were casually standing there just
across the road below me. After a bit they moved farther on down the road then
turned up-slope and quickly faded into the terrain.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A nice way to end my hike, and my first trip here to Garner
State Park.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15960238893013776630noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719803707314253077.post-33739776276298755492023-02-20T14:33:00.053-06:002023-02-20T14:33:00.201-06:00A Zero Day<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxgcMCrkIKqfh_T7gPR-nTaw2uhUAGwTORjgr8jt4coirQnfdLzOTDA_Zcn0OY-q9sBYHNI77CsNQCSL-sX3HbapoAlh3tQSUjAkyctfg2ClBsxbMnumpqiO1o4Umqmab7Z99z7BJpay4h2kGRTeP7sdbuPwUddxxjFtHkPJAa6VkGwKe9GMpHG-WlA/s1600/IMG_6639.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxgcMCrkIKqfh_T7gPR-nTaw2uhUAGwTORjgr8jt4coirQnfdLzOTDA_Zcn0OY-q9sBYHNI77CsNQCSL-sX3HbapoAlh3tQSUjAkyctfg2ClBsxbMnumpqiO1o4Umqmab7Z99z7BJpay4h2kGRTeP7sdbuPwUddxxjFtHkPJAa6VkGwKe9GMpHG-WlA/w640-h480/IMG_6639.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As is the coyote-nature of these things, (The Navajo people consider the coyote a trickster, and usually not nice tricks either.) yesterday when I came down off the White Rock Cave Trail after yet another visibility-related failed attempt at Old Baldy, things had cleared up a bit. (as the following video shows) But unless I was willing to claw my way back up what I had just come down, it is what it is and coyote wins again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For now the trail threw me out right onto the Pecan Grove camping area.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwhYywiSR_c_CQD4qewTDt87aRSxsYmksMJK86hRAWVMeTcc-B1OND-WYmjjHcT2eQrNGJDOBTLzNVlio_0rA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the video I speculate that maybe the campground is empty because it's been closed for the season, but that night I checked and the reservation system said I could have any one of those campsites I wanted.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwD4_Jrd8knVHmT9K-TXzZRB3eIOU51lanYeYsXwvDpjRiUv9O07eeJdDQhqrRIAtd57yR3qMoQlkUWyz6-3kldCRFRtZqWGjmwfPOoj7OO1HOvXZK0VgwPgOdMwVpAAZS_zk7mhsLrZkfBvxjVhSpxx2Imoj82OMCEo6DNjHsOX1bEc8lkqYqoFnTA/s1600/IMG_6642.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwD4_Jrd8knVHmT9K-TXzZRB3eIOU51lanYeYsXwvDpjRiUv9O07eeJdDQhqrRIAtd57yR3qMoQlkUWyz6-3kldCRFRtZqWGjmwfPOoj7OO1HOvXZK0VgwPgOdMwVpAAZS_zk7mhsLrZkfBvxjVhSpxx2Imoj82OMCEo6DNjHsOX1bEc8lkqYqoFnTA/w640-h480/IMG_6642.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">so I don't really know why this camping area, which the park calls one of its most sought after, probably because it's adjacent to this paddle-boating pool (middle distance) on the river as well as several other family-type amenities, was empty.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Maybe it was the weather.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBIMSBTsOAgHEUacgWf5cqDlT_iynxgx8GJWGN3jKGlLc_tmzvPr8h9N_uMEiDeg98Zz2ByhXAztRT6vnPSWMG_uazFeZqmkgLxN3QXj9MMCrnGUnBR3D9g5M-KopXK_PuNp8Rg9aEkIMs_2FxD_vx9lHcAJSs9JgewFSvpClTooFse-u2YFunS2HwQ/s474/th.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="474" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBIMSBTsOAgHEUacgWf5cqDlT_iynxgx8GJWGN3jKGlLc_tmzvPr8h9N_uMEiDeg98Zz2ByhXAztRT6vnPSWMG_uazFeZqmkgLxN3QXj9MMCrnGUnBR3D9g5M-KopXK_PuNp8Rg9aEkIMs_2FxD_vx9lHcAJSs9JgewFSvpClTooFse-u2YFunS2HwQ/w640-h426/th.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nope, not me.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At any rate - through-hikers call a day off, a day spent recovering in camp with no miles hiked, a zero day. (Get it? Zero miles?)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While not exactly a zero day in that sense of the word, I'm calling the day after my second attempt at Old Baldy my kind of zero day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyfJOB6lY4lc8erkcXuQJXBIM5giieqCs6NmqsuObFxWjfX52ogK6xIvdzo9jSr24du4A7cOj6WnwFzHRne-qTqReszdTNm4cHoMXm3nHISrrcWa3kH6mtf5Or6exRXfwOyD3LABIcpQ2qUXuD_GzBXUSBiPVC29shZQBL6TrRellHQL6-96MROJKvQ/s542/Capture%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="508" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyfJOB6lY4lc8erkcXuQJXBIM5giieqCs6NmqsuObFxWjfX52ogK6xIvdzo9jSr24du4A7cOj6WnwFzHRne-qTqReszdTNm4cHoMXm3nHISrrcWa3kH6mtf5Or6exRXfwOyD3LABIcpQ2qUXuD_GzBXUSBiPVC29shZQBL6TrRellHQL6-96MROJKvQ/w600-h640/Capture%201.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I looked out at the cloud-heavy sky from under my canopy that morning shivering while cuddling my oatmeal and hot tea close, I made an executive decision to give attempting a view from up on top of Old Baldy a pass for the day and basically just hang out instead. Which for me means a little lounging around but first, maybe a bit of strolling because - well - itchy feet and all.</div><p></p><p>But in my typical, slow, easily distracted way, I managed to make a 4 mile, pretty much flat-ground stroll around the Frio Canyon Trail last a good portion of the daylight hours.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGdZshmGLZCmJFzoYTWyXVSkWKJPGqcuRqW4A67ykdNkL1sqNcmgcyt-1dwKC955iLMZhmZDlASLFRegfgyGMFhYcvC_NFBu_i8UtA0Y7C7Cn18IXTCzu1S8gGp4Hql6pSh0_jvtcNaFT3Y43T1VtGG2IB0bZQfn2O0XkLTfsPgVEN-gbszi8u_q2rQ/s1600/IMG_6649.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGdZshmGLZCmJFzoYTWyXVSkWKJPGqcuRqW4A67ykdNkL1sqNcmgcyt-1dwKC955iLMZhmZDlASLFRegfgyGMFhYcvC_NFBu_i8UtA0Y7C7Cn18IXTCzu1S8gGp4Hql6pSh0_jvtcNaFT3Y43T1VtGG2IB0bZQfn2O0XkLTfsPgVEN-gbszi8u_q2rQ/w640-h480/IMG_6649.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Of course, in typical coyote-fashion, after a less than promising start the day brightened up and I actually saw shadows for the first time in several days.</p><p>Yes, that means I missed out on a good opportunity to look around from up on top of Old Baldy, but no worries. When you live in a place where sun, rather than clouds, is the norm, finally seeing your shadow again after an extended cloudy period is a big deal! And that makes it a day to be glad to be alive.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fnhZRUhzg8xFm8z3gul9aGJa9EuRsf9YUL3BvZUFmbTyn-kR2rc59xIDVUzhtTrbFP4Vk7V_3S9dYCR9c_Y2Gg18LNKp98WdkT9kbkmB_Du4W9iIYz_EQgRKhzznjl9ae-W_7k35neaMZz8d8tyWmi3yjJXh8b9VHCO8CYIpaxzb1OiQustlmJ7OQw/s2345/Untitled-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2001" data-original-width="2345" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fnhZRUhzg8xFm8z3gul9aGJa9EuRsf9YUL3BvZUFmbTyn-kR2rc59xIDVUzhtTrbFP4Vk7V_3S9dYCR9c_Y2Gg18LNKp98WdkT9kbkmB_Du4W9iIYz_EQgRKhzznjl9ae-W_7k35neaMZz8d8tyWmi3yjJXh8b9VHCO8CYIpaxzb1OiQustlmJ7OQw/w640-h546/Untitled-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Just after traversing that dead-straight section of trail that follows the power-line easement I came to this marked nature trail.</p><p>In addition to gobbling like a turkey and flapping like a bat, I was also instructed to jump like a rabbit, yip like a coyote, and scamper like a squirrel. It was pretty embarrassing, but, well, I have been taught to follow instructions - - - </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxAV58M5rM_NXE_tvVh_nb4qvMes-RoQoIN6HPp5rOEV2XnVHUPCY-NrSZyvkeUywdRiytwsK2oefAMKxOZlNycuYiHTzll1o0FRY6aHpl8r3DrIbaBTT7WfzETQmZGLuLdFGyTsJ2QgsiBD4MvsLdb22Ww8EpMymRhWstImSeku7wSw6RV22Rylbag/s1600/IMG_6657.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxAV58M5rM_NXE_tvVh_nb4qvMes-RoQoIN6HPp5rOEV2XnVHUPCY-NrSZyvkeUywdRiytwsK2oefAMKxOZlNycuYiHTzll1o0FRY6aHpl8r3DrIbaBTT7WfzETQmZGLuLdFGyTsJ2QgsiBD4MvsLdb22Ww8EpMymRhWstImSeku7wSw6RV22Rylbag/w640-h480/IMG_6657.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Later I wandered down to the river for sunset and things are looking promising for summiting Old Baldy tomorrow.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyP2bk6g4A2irW27p0Gdblrth5gKXcngPBfv7Rh2x2S16Il8_bKrINLdWOHy5D0ArEm-Z8N_WahzWFXA-sNOA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>Which is good because that's my last chance for this trip.</p><p><br /></p>greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15960238893013776630noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719803707314253077.post-16221491009622803342023-02-13T12:56:00.166-06:002023-02-13T12:56:00.207-06:00Another Day, Another Attempt at Old Baldy<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdXVpbqibYbkNiDUK6skx6PW4p_WwaxkjGILy_qEZgR9S8zZ2aztf8GwIecmxeKF-hHJ5WxIepswQpgCMMwaT9NCEGmeXG6HAtBUoesU3wwI9HblCBzJ7a0XNm4xn-TRBs-lDUC1S3y3ktCj0N3QeUZYZhvJ1QOuuzZwi3rUv3V9IXgXXHG-Q0LlVww/s2133/IMG_6603.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjdXVpbqibYbkNiDUK6skx6PW4p_WwaxkjGILy_qEZgR9S8zZ2aztf8GwIecmxeKF-hHJ5WxIepswQpgCMMwaT9NCEGmeXG6HAtBUoesU3wwI9HblCBzJ7a0XNm4xn-TRBs-lDUC1S3y3ktCj0N3QeUZYZhvJ1QOuuzZwi3rUv3V9IXgXXHG-Q0LlVww/w480-h640/IMG_6603.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /> It's a little dryer today than it was yesterday here at Garner State Park. Although <i>little </i>is relative and I didn't say it was actually dry, because it wasn't. But I'm still going to attempt to make it up to the top of Old Baldy today.<p></p><p>This time I'll get there by taking the old entrance road out to where it hits the highway, then wind across a complex of ridges to reach Old Baldy.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HXMfI_gZXjoDzaWD-Q6f635TcT9_ZOOIisP5VweP9xVdhKMvjH810hnILcyfZigxgnozEFkfY6xMP3cAD5r59A47q4Z8ZxBDJf2PbqGSWVkiI5SRSxY5k3VudMIEReEGkQ1RxnEIi3U_Npx6Tj5QWM0NvZx9d07C4ibRVhkdh6qB-OGFquHobuAigw/s592/Capture%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="514" data-original-width="592" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HXMfI_gZXjoDzaWD-Q6f635TcT9_ZOOIisP5VweP9xVdhKMvjH810hnILcyfZigxgnozEFkfY6xMP3cAD5r59A47q4Z8ZxBDJf2PbqGSWVkiI5SRSxY5k3VudMIEReEGkQ1RxnEIi3U_Npx6Tj5QWM0NvZx9d07C4ibRVhkdh6qB-OGFquHobuAigw/w640-h556/Capture%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><b>Spoiler alert:</b> I didn't make it today either.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsm6xNOORfS-6VZyyTxXLAD1wMNPI9rOGGTXHrSpuCUiiXKMqyGGvzTwGqJrq0DHvaxoVKErGmPYLIC7z3MUsCP3xp8hzMFM04IzzOlrZRvxXrXgBJiV_0r67_lTU9VzuALS3d-xXOAGm1sqFhFbtNgFvSmV0fJtBfIsFZ9b9IsbUgpOijkWxDrNMNZQ/s1600/IMG_6604.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsm6xNOORfS-6VZyyTxXLAD1wMNPI9rOGGTXHrSpuCUiiXKMqyGGvzTwGqJrq0DHvaxoVKErGmPYLIC7z3MUsCP3xp8hzMFM04IzzOlrZRvxXrXgBJiV_0r67_lTU9VzuALS3d-xXOAGm1sqFhFbtNgFvSmV0fJtBfIsFZ9b9IsbUgpOijkWxDrNMNZQ/w640-h480/IMG_6604.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The original entrance road as built by the CCC was abandoned after the park became so popular that traffic was regularly backing up out onto the blind curves of the highway where it descends out of the hills.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidg_nFzaJ9oUdrbReH958_zPxOd3nVyICGjMyqR8r6VPivGiVkoCvP1qDTyP65Uin3pZSH4wRpn5cLb0h1qK1TwEWknqoAuduWp6k2JeSmLz680MNvbO3s8CddkTQspzD7R2qCxQ2zUsTl4n_aY3Yomke9Xw4dC-8Pv-UYCFoJwdxIabXyd8uqLmA1fg/s1600/IMG_6606.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidg_nFzaJ9oUdrbReH958_zPxOd3nVyICGjMyqR8r6VPivGiVkoCvP1qDTyP65Uin3pZSH4wRpn5cLb0h1qK1TwEWknqoAuduWp6k2JeSmLz680MNvbO3s8CddkTQspzD7R2qCxQ2zUsTl4n_aY3Yomke9Xw4dC-8Pv-UYCFoJwdxIabXyd8uqLmA1fg/w640-h480/IMG_6606.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The new entrance was moved to the north edge of the park off a less-traveled FM (Farm to Market) road and the old entrance road was repurposed as part of the trail system.</p><p>It's still plenty damp and misty out here, but still, it's an improvement. Yesterday this lay-by on the old road was muffled deep into the clouds.</p><p>The white sign is warning people to walk their bikes from here down to the river because the road is steep. Since I've just come up that way I can easily imagine the terror of hurtling down on two wheels with a T-bone intersection coming up fast.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPq7vO1Y0xWiJsWpvhyhSTNLoBJtikJ01esw0cgdo46n-YG0Y6g-9yhUquCPeWwBieQHdwwWEsFeiKa5uj80mDx5weVislj16MISBi4HjCLxBE7UdlcQkufTbHB-BpTup3jtE7YAvfPXBq8qeQEgSOr70S82s_WG-QG5AwSih2hAR6jx2Ls0bDBPpwyA/s1600/IMG_6608.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPq7vO1Y0xWiJsWpvhyhSTNLoBJtikJ01esw0cgdo46n-YG0Y6g-9yhUquCPeWwBieQHdwwWEsFeiKa5uj80mDx5weVislj16MISBi4HjCLxBE7UdlcQkufTbHB-BpTup3jtE7YAvfPXBq8qeQEgSOr70S82s_WG-QG5AwSih2hAR6jx2Ls0bDBPpwyA/w640-h480/IMG_6608.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>There's an overlook along this old road, oddly enough not back there at the lay-by with all its picnic tables,</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3OillMRFbbbaSIhS6JBxOsmgKSADJxuLiiwYEGyialbrecv_c7th5Vfc_ml-bkeZd_3i5TKOucV9XTOlU36zy2VQSkQi2hL7WDP1f-lxmSU0yAqsDfx7LuGfKl1ZzLp2jHNVXRYkWUmkO33osXPPxQIx_pOki4W05N-ZcZiyltnPDpkparN0Xm0GOw/s1600/IMG_6609.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3OillMRFbbbaSIhS6JBxOsmgKSADJxuLiiwYEGyialbrecv_c7th5Vfc_ml-bkeZd_3i5TKOucV9XTOlU36zy2VQSkQi2hL7WDP1f-lxmSU0yAqsDfx7LuGfKl1ZzLp2jHNVXRYkWUmkO33osXPPxQIx_pOki4W05N-ZcZiyltnPDpkparN0Xm0GOw/w640-h480/IMG_6609.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>that has a pretty good view of the location of the old CCC encampment. </p><p>The rectangular road that passed around the various offices, tool-rooms, mess-halls, and dormitories of the old camp is now maintained as access to over-flow parking where the buildings used to be.</p><p>It's interesting - to me anyway - that of the millions of visitors this park has attracted over 9 decades, the majority are Texans from the <b>very</b>, pretty much rabidly, red state of Texas (Today us Texans have agreed that parents of transgendered children should have their right to choose and provide the care and support they believe their child deserves taken away under threat of criminal charges) yet this park we have adopted as our own is the direct result of the socialist New Deal program, (I also despair that we are not being educated in even the most basic things like the very real and fundamental difference between communism - a form of government - and socialism - a philosophy of societal betterment. Even the politicians we elect to guide this country don't seem to know the difference.) but I shouldn't be surprised. Those same conservative, right-wingers that voted to abolish abortion, even for raped 10 year old girls in this state, see no conflict with, at the same time, being <i>very</i> protective of their Social Security and Medicare, two programs distinctly left-leaning, in fact downright socialist in nature.</p><p>By the way, those same conservative Texans just re-elected an Attorney General that has been under Federal incitement for corruption for several years of painful legal delaying tactics and who, just today (Feb 10) agreed to apologize to and pay 3.3 million to the former staff members who he fired when they collectively made that accusation. An act that has now been proven to be wrongful terminations. The corruption indictments still stand. Oh, and this wrongful termination settlement will be paid with taxpayer's money.</p><p>Good job voters!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyEbJkIcZsCIbwtoqhMlA1aIsvP-M18Db0M-h52yQD2CgMrfrMrNajbRS5KwLXDDFddvBGwxE9XLBAL2U-lSA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh! Thank goodness my soap-box just broke and I fell off! Now I can get back to hiking - - -</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBZ5F2830RRBK0SKTHRGTr36dJzHdzX8Qi2P_fARoHMVTlo7GPwwydmxjrkTO8bpxkFpgX2EfuqkvkD6fvcwDZXBVuOY6avUszVRSgsNG1VvFHndhHm34yswwMv14RBzmLvgCUS_LCiTUOYT96heDpPgLvwTi-4RSbJVMCeo2xI0KYVmcbeXOD9L-qA/s1600/IMG_6612.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBZ5F2830RRBK0SKTHRGTr36dJzHdzX8Qi2P_fARoHMVTlo7GPwwydmxjrkTO8bpxkFpgX2EfuqkvkD6fvcwDZXBVuOY6avUszVRSgsNG1VvFHndhHm34yswwMv14RBzmLvgCUS_LCiTUOYT96heDpPgLvwTi-4RSbJVMCeo2xI0KYVmcbeXOD9L-qA/w640-h480/IMG_6612.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>It's understandable, given the traffic situation, but it's still kind of a shame that the painstakingly hand-crafted rock-work and nearly 100 year old wood rails of the original entrance have now been pretty much abandoned.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMd_Cg-GJNptB12jXuiTeF8dPATIxpBji3aA6G16MnP_jLJyp12ZiWHFUgSEH3zfR1SMUIJBFEdEG6f15hIwXJZTRsalrLWI7Swo7IoiPmn2W9owWo7nzxadS_O4cHpOfRalJBkXWYOP0N6iZdwRzCntawJ9DBwrywthScgUmF1rTQhQREGKrUjivSg/s1600/IMG_6614.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMd_Cg-GJNptB12jXuiTeF8dPATIxpBji3aA6G16MnP_jLJyp12ZiWHFUgSEH3zfR1SMUIJBFEdEG6f15hIwXJZTRsalrLWI7Swo7IoiPmn2W9owWo7nzxadS_O4cHpOfRalJBkXWYOP0N6iZdwRzCntawJ9DBwrywthScgUmF1rTQhQREGKrUjivSg/w640-h480/IMG_6614.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>There's a tangle of trails near the old entrance (The 9 on the map)</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0Vcye8H4rE1BstAhGRTtWfgHIAgYkp0-GU4MBi-_r_kJ5wdY4y8HpPYT8sCvFPSf5js4HiXIxgK6k-Kg-mHrrJbLhJpEtLmT7ueBu-0gf-_T2x7r1YotsHTpoWflsMXrts_0YK9-xTF14xC8AJDLXdWx7OViSjCvxSMoA9tJtbt4HyWHxgAZx3XB4Q/s1600/IMG_6613.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0Vcye8H4rE1BstAhGRTtWfgHIAgYkp0-GU4MBi-_r_kJ5wdY4y8HpPYT8sCvFPSf5js4HiXIxgK6k-Kg-mHrrJbLhJpEtLmT7ueBu-0gf-_T2x7r1YotsHTpoWflsMXrts_0YK9-xTF14xC8AJDLXdWx7OViSjCvxSMoA9tJtbt4HyWHxgAZx3XB4Q/w640-h480/IMG_6613.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah. OK. What does that mean?</td></tr></tbody></table><p>and some of them are not clearly marked,</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzjTXMu6ljkc2Hwjl_866fMtAwA9F_wsm5vXWvJUkzMxOaIB-G5NDZ8b-KxPvcHQ-kAeAuAnBVY-Jr-Mkog8g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>but others are,</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3TB9a4wzEBrMUqhYvGQ9Turxfmq_PbptA31nyxYIpnAozXYT8IUyfE2g2bxKkp1STxmbJmx47ZR_htdfVEmz6kKrnpOGZmA2rKQIrYhhyycMI0Ayth5Fn2GrQHqq_lgFePFJINX-ef7ORXN6hxxivndb3YF6Q0dVWwSrDUUqlFMz-1-TtccKdVPg6g/s1600/IMG_6616.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3TB9a4wzEBrMUqhYvGQ9Turxfmq_PbptA31nyxYIpnAozXYT8IUyfE2g2bxKkp1STxmbJmx47ZR_htdfVEmz6kKrnpOGZmA2rKQIrYhhyycMI0Ayth5Fn2GrQHqq_lgFePFJINX-ef7ORXN6hxxivndb3YF6Q0dVWwSrDUUqlFMz-1-TtccKdVPg6g/w640-h480/IMG_6616.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>and I have my map, so it's all good</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAiHN7s9PF577ZQ1MYfCQzm6zN1HgfRw-iRwKW8f3Q0vZtawM9ArdL4aJmLnXFufAfoFbVb4Ad4CpGPbKD-vFRG1oIKhuTPDY1DzW2hkXMXFt82J3R0sVkTzne5Z0K6v9diNmTFQAqd9-xvVt3cEXGPEMsGkK5tR3S2lC45AD3jQBQnG00RG2ESddpA/s2133/IMG_6623.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAiHN7s9PF577ZQ1MYfCQzm6zN1HgfRw-iRwKW8f3Q0vZtawM9ArdL4aJmLnXFufAfoFbVb4Ad4CpGPbKD-vFRG1oIKhuTPDY1DzW2hkXMXFt82J3R0sVkTzne5Z0K6v9diNmTFQAqd9-xvVt3cEXGPEMsGkK5tR3S2lC45AD3jQBQnG00RG2ESddpA/w480-h640/IMG_6623.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>as I make my way towards the landmark of the Shady Oak.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyH1GUP8a8km6jyHtJIgLnUX5pBCgsEReeNakQmp7VaAZSIfkgT5ZHB-dsh6Btr--8V3dYTyEuGM4QWEekpfg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyIZZE5qpPaWhRvp9Un_qt-AqQqaVX_dpVMCMNDbKu1-GI5g_ey_rmBY0--xUwGz16BoYrpEQ68ALj46dvI3UxmvD2eiVzJFfs1Bqw-SOTfs7iM2Cy0JX_5KZjJZBjVkKH3dZ6_a__17Iyse4rjdRoMWZvd0YioWFWuuaM-iT6WMtZUMS91K0RgW4koA/s1600/IMG_6626.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyIZZE5qpPaWhRvp9Un_qt-AqQqaVX_dpVMCMNDbKu1-GI5g_ey_rmBY0--xUwGz16BoYrpEQ68ALj46dvI3UxmvD2eiVzJFfs1Bqw-SOTfs7iM2Cy0JX_5KZjJZBjVkKH3dZ6_a__17Iyse4rjdRoMWZvd0YioWFWuuaM-iT6WMtZUMS91K0RgW4koA/w640-h480/IMG_6626.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>I'm not sure if this is an original or a replica of one of the CCC trail markers. Either way, it's old.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic64Oo_15C1HDmP07c-gxSWTb91wSV1ycYYbA1UBwZq-bNlpqEFJ-DTvP_OZ6xaAc_zCjWz0I8WA6oPGuS5R3z-qRCBmYfjiGaW0IhAXZEsF1zgzjYiqyHisUoaxtl2CzRuu6F3j8NDNvRCyC0AqUVbwYpzM12u49PoisFHJCS_S0edCLN1U42LUkNZg/s1600/IMG_6629.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic64Oo_15C1HDmP07c-gxSWTb91wSV1ycYYbA1UBwZq-bNlpqEFJ-DTvP_OZ6xaAc_zCjWz0I8WA6oPGuS5R3z-qRCBmYfjiGaW0IhAXZEsF1zgzjYiqyHisUoaxtl2CzRuu6F3j8NDNvRCyC0AqUVbwYpzM12u49PoisFHJCS_S0edCLN1U42LUkNZg/w640-h480/IMG_6629.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dydp9skBvQuMK4676BHbF5vxxcTglV1nQnWQybuVM5VeyJCA6FdSHGi-WvsmiNMY2Ugd0B3fSxCFGg_fpGJ5Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>OK, the original plan for today was to work my way across the ridges and tackle Old Baldy.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm about 2/3rds of the way there now but, although there were moments when the visibility was better than yesterday, those were not always long-lived. So I decided the effort to get up there to the top would return more rewards if I waited another day for better visibility. (Either that or I was just getting tired. . .)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47CZTnFqS2bAjfnL6kiPMcOFj5_0Dc8mgSqGBq5sTHWRmcp9QCyS7_dC8M6IuGQn5lb9Ir7xsVsLwv9pHH986bKB4_MK4brTVyQT31lo5SiXNBLBhMJAE7JJcEHUudKm8LrIDzQUNRe6mKaXmg19T0zcIviCHq6jr4Uw0RcyZaZXVNyy106w3Y95q2A/s1600/IMG_6633.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47CZTnFqS2bAjfnL6kiPMcOFj5_0Dc8mgSqGBq5sTHWRmcp9QCyS7_dC8M6IuGQn5lb9Ir7xsVsLwv9pHH986bKB4_MK4brTVyQT31lo5SiXNBLBhMJAE7JJcEHUudKm8LrIDzQUNRe6mKaXmg19T0zcIviCHq6jr4Uw0RcyZaZXVNyy106w3Y95q2A/w640-h480/IMG_6633.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>So I decided instead to work my way back down to the river along the White Rock Cave Trail,</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsd4JBzZsi9OHxlI8zlhznXvBbTLCqE41LEwg0t7vORHrjljt0onY8_PL_VeJOGypTtr7iKbpLznTlq93npnFFzp6mnHOXThQds_XB7dtvmmYMOLxDt8G1QD-STb_961Yy6wSEnI22YRR6h8qMXHN1KfK2HphknM-mbaPQYYKgQY4AbGA76Up6DpjsHg/s1600/IMG_6638.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsd4JBzZsi9OHxlI8zlhznXvBbTLCqE41LEwg0t7vORHrjljt0onY8_PL_VeJOGypTtr7iKbpLznTlq93npnFFzp6mnHOXThQds_XB7dtvmmYMOLxDt8G1QD-STb_961Yy6wSEnI22YRR6h8qMXHN1KfK2HphknM-mbaPQYYKgQY4AbGA76Up6DpjsHg/w640-h480/IMG_6638.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now they tell me! After I'm already down.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzrAstxHjb2LNTM3oPNpHXZxMmM1L_x27h29sH8S6SVpnHDOi_RIRa0s-madbVrR2UnWMjSTLZjC2FRMrcABw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>But first that meant confronting the Bird Trail.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not ashamed to admit there was some sidooching involved here (sitting and scooting) as I negotiated the combination wet scree and slick rock-ledge trail. Better the indignity of a wet, muddy ass than risk a fall.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYrQpDMw9tzjtYKUY-W6wgPOM3GkmcOcfnPDV9wBuiV4FTReqSHdDMkoFkfcYrkHDWmTVG9QWXB2pm7y3Y0UJKh187CM8V3zu3-kZkBANlDcLJQkRMq57Iz395vzl8VqJomXOMop4XcTgg6pgScw0AFGZ3kcqVe5D1x8nve6AxXuYBwacxmOhMBhuWw/s1600/IMG_6631.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYrQpDMw9tzjtYKUY-W6wgPOM3GkmcOcfnPDV9wBuiV4FTReqSHdDMkoFkfcYrkHDWmTVG9QWXB2pm7y3Y0UJKh187CM8V3zu3-kZkBANlDcLJQkRMq57Iz395vzl8VqJomXOMop4XcTgg6pgScw0AFGZ3kcqVe5D1x8nve6AxXuYBwacxmOhMBhuWw/w640-h480/IMG_6631.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>And by the time I got partway down the White Cave Trail my river-level goal was in sight.</div><div><br /></div><div>From there it's only a mile and a half back to The Van and maybe the weather will be even better tomorrow so I can attempt topping Old Baldy for the third time.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15960238893013776630noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719803707314253077.post-533523856084883242023-02-06T10:52:00.196-06:002023-02-06T15:55:58.658-06:00First Hike - A Sampler<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_NaqI6jhKHN-vOXIxJyf2QIT8f-DYD4nz2AdGKU0lW7O3wCrB9JT2WRWRpR8fV7UKHz3Y0Otbw5WQ5_5fY4BoweJ92nhRiWtMRvMsLFUctn51_k-aUfwgoZ3brfSxB5xi2z3r52HCZd99DYbmcg5laIhoPNEkEzTZ0dlQeUFvsBjn6qBxGhvZjySlpA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1276" data-original-width="1600" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_NaqI6jhKHN-vOXIxJyf2QIT8f-DYD4nz2AdGKU0lW7O3wCrB9JT2WRWRpR8fV7UKHz3Y0Otbw5WQ5_5fY4BoweJ92nhRiWtMRvMsLFUctn51_k-aUfwgoZ3brfSxB5xi2z3r52HCZd99DYbmcg5laIhoPNEkEzTZ0dlQeUFvsBjn6qBxGhvZjySlpA=w640-h510" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Maybe it's an artifact of my age, but when I think of a "sampler" it's along the lines of the needle-point sampler designed to teach a wide range of stitches, or a wood sampler displaying a variety of different woods from around the world, or maybe an old-fashioned jelly sampler, a quilting sampler demonstrating a diverse selection of traditional patterns, or a chocolate sampler with 4 good and 3 not-so-good-but-I'll-choke-them-down options,</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUoZrR-27720hyQsbWs32BeTXrnxkzWPRGafcEGagGN5ay_PpcRZh6m9nyZY9jnbBZXVoQAIfODN-yh-T09zNPbWaMQU9-gmXFY0fLFCR00GoVgt8_KKL5F7-cEldlyCghDSMljQzamAwrSwxM-Fy5MZ1CjTno3sNq01en-P5YiPoibzkfefIG0KVRgw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="937" data-original-width="1600" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUoZrR-27720hyQsbWs32BeTXrnxkzWPRGafcEGagGN5ay_PpcRZh6m9nyZY9jnbBZXVoQAIfODN-yh-T09zNPbWaMQU9-gmXFY0fLFCR00GoVgt8_KKL5F7-cEldlyCghDSMljQzamAwrSwxM-Fy5MZ1CjTno3sNq01en-P5YiPoibzkfefIG0KVRgw=w640-h374" width="640" /></a></div><br />but when I put "sampler" into an images search just now I got none of those. Instead I got thousands and thousands of images of electronic sound samplers instead.<p></p><p>Which is really ironic, in the coincidental definition of the word, because just a few hours ago I watched this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYJtb2YXae8" target="_blank">video</a> explaining why, in a poll of over 100,000 people, 29% of us turn closed captioning on only when we are watching something in another language, 2% of us keep captioning on all the time because we are deaf, but an astounding 57% of us keep closed captioning on all the time because we <b><span style="font-size: medium;">can't understand the damn dialog anymore!</span> </b></p><p>Spoiler alert. That un-clear, un-hearable dialog, is pretty much on purpose. - - Which, while frustrating, is actually kinda good to know - the part where it's <i>them </i>and not me.</p><p>When I first started learning Spanish many years ago I would watch Telanovelas with the (Spanish) captioning turned on because I've always been better at reading than hearing. But then we got tired of the drivel coming out of American TV and movies and started watching a lot of stuff from other countries, naturally with a variety of accents. (Europeans are confused by our American aversion to showing boobs on the screen while at the same time we think nothing of showing salacious violence and gore that they find horrific. I agree with them. What's <i>wrong</i> with us?) Because of sometimes strong accents we often found it easier to watch some of these shows, even the ones in English, with the captioning turned on. And now we never turn the captioning off, for any kind of show, because it's so difficult to understand dialog in even the "unaccented" American produced shows.</p><p>It's nice to find out that's not because we are old (which we are!) but because the industry is using its audio technology to screw with us on purpose by mixing audio for the 1% or 2% of us that watch movies in those really expensive 36 channel, 360-degree-sound theaters. As a result the soundtracks most of us listen to, or try to listen to, are dumbed down by mashing and crunching those 36 channels down to 7, 5, 2, or even one, and presented on more realistic, ie. less clear and more tinny, sound-systems</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWcZB8MMOOfOobUvbD7IQX6VtFVFwMh1Hz6fw1Q1LnyDuaEZCZG7eIAZRjUXdnwmQWtA04W7zRFPS47_J9hxPq4LvEoiW5urxz8vNYjP5a9p_FpIwXNdxUduCVP5P3tcf1DJdfBefmIojdJs_DVmhEaTHuCAkHPwI2tpiI_WEic2IDGhAdsh5maa9Q5A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWcZB8MMOOfOobUvbD7IQX6VtFVFwMh1Hz6fw1Q1LnyDuaEZCZG7eIAZRjUXdnwmQWtA04W7zRFPS47_J9hxPq4LvEoiW5urxz8vNYjP5a9p_FpIwXNdxUduCVP5P3tcf1DJdfBefmIojdJs_DVmhEaTHuCAkHPwI2tpiI_WEic2IDGhAdsh5maa9Q5A=w373-h640" width="373" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Yeah - - - Apparently I've once again run off on a tangent.<p></p><p>So back to my original point about samplers.</p><p>My first hike of Garner State Park was a sampler of the various terrains the park has to offer.</p><p>I started off (1) with a little bushwacking through spiky scrub and scattered groves of mesquite and cedar. Followed that up (2) with some gentle, mostly flat canyon-floor hiking. Spiced that up (3) with a little more challenging trail along the river. Left that behind (4) for some serious hill scrambling. And washed it all down (5) with a little road-hiking as I checked out some of the man-made facilities on my way back to The Van.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwInYV71CWj_7AW_x9UgrtSTcdkWhfZDwkrLFeKWU_JEU7JTRTI9V_xa8eDcayaAAmDjoalPJs6El4W9GV7fw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>This short encounter soon after I hit the Canyon Trail gives an idea of the moisture level I was dealing with that day.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgTx6-Fv6i3msp9rjHEPKj0rULuH7UBCwXWDNiLC7JR_6hydFSSFUSkjjbnM1crD7DPWrArypkzptvsL565lJQgJUdXxfWJNs9Ipp3CQTpuz3KY7XWciN9DJ_gtVhXmWD0_VZv2EIhPLtRs2djXKsB0PujwYlZIEFppu9T5Xa7ryE_XGGqfccz3JGIg/s1600/IMG_6579.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgTx6-Fv6i3msp9rjHEPKj0rULuH7UBCwXWDNiLC7JR_6hydFSSFUSkjjbnM1crD7DPWrArypkzptvsL565lJQgJUdXxfWJNs9Ipp3CQTpuz3KY7XWciN9DJ_gtVhXmWD0_VZv2EIhPLtRs2djXKsB0PujwYlZIEFppu9T5Xa7ryE_XGGqfccz3JGIg/w640-h480/IMG_6579.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>It wasn't any drier when I made a quick side-trip</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_ugDMe-uZsIT5PfGlCsE62hf5qSJQJu6EELHUNpK3cVgMqWa_TOXzkg3T8lMcHkczBLANpxk5qfsa0X7dxQCCQyBJd3ZgsgJMMk3dERSlz-5VZotHP6CVKrXKuZjcurVjEhrRxcJz2q8kxSfICU9-qKlOlqt3MlCzgI-TcIGmAeORbCeou1gOMABfw/s1600/IMG_6580.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_ugDMe-uZsIT5PfGlCsE62hf5qSJQJu6EELHUNpK3cVgMqWa_TOXzkg3T8lMcHkczBLANpxk5qfsa0X7dxQCCQyBJd3ZgsgJMMk3dERSlz-5VZotHP6CVKrXKuZjcurVjEhrRxcJz2q8kxSfICU9-qKlOlqt3MlCzgI-TcIGmAeORbCeou1gOMABfw/w640-h480/IMG_6580.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>down to a beachy section of the river.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NOSpiU6xEjlCsY4oHbNYirVuEbrHcd_Rlnyu4beHxKPzxPukIjZQLOsNYfV_JhulOwo3XfruCkmwMoaepnCJivXp4t9yXJu-D__hq6AV1YGjAgRGDb5JBmYuGlGSG1fBCQes8xvDgfPWz_R7R-Q1kr5CKxPADVJK0LM3OWotouS6lRcQx3ryxyQBlw/s1600/IMG_6582.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NOSpiU6xEjlCsY4oHbNYirVuEbrHcd_Rlnyu4beHxKPzxPukIjZQLOsNYfV_JhulOwo3XfruCkmwMoaepnCJivXp4t9yXJu-D__hq6AV1YGjAgRGDb5JBmYuGlGSG1fBCQes8xvDgfPWz_R7R-Q1kr5CKxPADVJK0LM3OWotouS6lRcQx3ryxyQBlw/w640-h480/IMG_6582.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I soon left the easy walking of the Canyon Trail for the Blinn River Trail</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyk5VF6bjHm1tiKkuDDOUIMLTuTiLzOOaIP_kKoP1qyK1vSCdOaiKbwTMJVLgP5E75_AO8-EjwLweFmZKvfUw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfdZ0rmwFG874Xhigfk9UATbsogosA6lVTSJcdGWzySEM9VTB1Yq7l08wDmYUVvxzDsTj2_lPdWFkId69owuoRJtNIFeYVTbXSKYdAbcAH7ZTSTMR2LUgvJ8Q1jR4F60NbbQVpkRQliv4Wjg0XFyZCV67syXCBYBKAbXc1MlBf07SySOoDObzD_FrPA/s1600/IMG_6583.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfdZ0rmwFG874Xhigfk9UATbsogosA6lVTSJcdGWzySEM9VTB1Yq7l08wDmYUVvxzDsTj2_lPdWFkId69owuoRJtNIFeYVTbXSKYdAbcAH7ZTSTMR2LUgvJ8Q1jR4F60NbbQVpkRQliv4Wjg0XFyZCV67syXCBYBKAbXc1MlBf07SySOoDObzD_FrPA/w640-h480/IMG_6583.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">which, because it's squeezed between the river and the limestoney bank, picks its jumbled way along.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Though trail markings throughout the park are a little spotty, some places marked very well, others more of a guessing game, these sporadic yellow footprints are an homage to the yellow horseshoe-carved-in-a-stump markings of the CCC days when most of these trails were established after the two original families that ranched here had to give up during the depression and donated the land to the state.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJi1IJrBu6W7DL3AX0r-Ppq7VT9lXv5hQ7ANrOizaonQaLXyg5SuQN9r0PG66-70oAwPqkX4LKf-CFttQNwwur6ZMjoTF3Q_q6-u07RLSkB2mBUCLp4gObCezYc94nlJCcTgFCFX31DTb__RyQFNF0vqymnO8lCv5kOXivqy9r2_vFR1cQm-PzsQtpw/s1600/IMG_6584.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJi1IJrBu6W7DL3AX0r-Ppq7VT9lXv5hQ7ANrOizaonQaLXyg5SuQN9r0PG66-70oAwPqkX4LKf-CFttQNwwur6ZMjoTF3Q_q6-u07RLSkB2mBUCLp4gObCezYc94nlJCcTgFCFX31DTb__RyQFNF0vqymnO8lCv5kOXivqy9r2_vFR1cQm-PzsQtpw/w640-h480/IMG_6584.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oddly enough, unlike the Blinn Trail right beside it, the river along here is actually quite placid compared to where I was a few minutes ago just upstream.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaftP60GiB7mCo7yuBuUY4il8fnFY9D72uNZBiQDDzXzbqpRJsHnqY35r4FLq3u3XzPaQv9KJlMgLBYqKMWLErXaWSWNJuXzwMHEaEVZPCpTrxPXz-xwPTkRukWYq2t-ib6qHpqJh-9gsf_c3qbT11GSxLVGagDCSqeMKcGDZmQpak0vXcaZLBUyEAw/s1600/IMG_6587.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaftP60GiB7mCo7yuBuUY4il8fnFY9D72uNZBiQDDzXzbqpRJsHnqY35r4FLq3u3XzPaQv9KJlMgLBYqKMWLErXaWSWNJuXzwMHEaEVZPCpTrxPXz-xwPTkRukWYq2t-ib6qHpqJh-9gsf_c3qbT11GSxLVGagDCSqeMKcGDZmQpak0vXcaZLBUyEAw/w640-h480/IMG_6587.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But I'm not sure here on the trail is much drier than down in the river, at least for today.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzootKy8goj1kapURUrNqRFbHIBM8asBq5ElSbLjTgkbp1Fg5YziljoJK7v9ys3RU68xFvLt_boLp-bFaI5eQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Which makes this spot, the southern end of Blinn Trail where it climbs up and away from the river, a bit of a challenge since the combination of silt, crumbled limestone, and wet weather made it as slick and sticky as fresh buggers. (I used "snot" in the last post and don't want to get too repetitive here.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had the trails all to myself today, probably because no one in their right mind would be slogging around out here in the 40 degree precipitation which was loitering around somewhere between mist and heavy drizzle all day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not only are painfully cold hands (the rest of me stays warm when I'm hiking) and questionable footing a challenge in these conditions, but I also have to deal with the hassle of keeping my camera in a drybag between uses.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But I actually find a comforting satisfaction, an affirmation of the gift of life, and a primal sense of fulfillment, in dealing face to face with mildly demanding conditions such as the cold, soggy cocoon wrapped around me out here on the trail today. (It's weeks later as I'm putting this post together and I'm wearing fingerless gloves out here in the unheated barn when outside the door behind me it has been 35 degrees or less and raining off and on for the past 72 hours, so facing the rawness of Mother Nature is not something I only do occasionally. And yes, go ahead and say it. People have considered me weird in one way or another most of my life so I'm used to hearing it.) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYab3NM7MT80_3oCbBJyg1J17xfXRsHgLLpxddbpzSh0_2E97K6kwUAQwa30uFKAUiO2LrfHCZXh8TwuFAltrl3J1b6RcxAGobuddR7VbzjSiJQJrLnTbyQFWQ9lQLboZ8cn7ydVxzO9BRguQG7iziI-866eWd1K1prgxhh80Nw3t3CihFCg1YRVCkzw/s1600/IMG_6592.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYab3NM7MT80_3oCbBJyg1J17xfXRsHgLLpxddbpzSh0_2E97K6kwUAQwa30uFKAUiO2LrfHCZXh8TwuFAltrl3J1b6RcxAGobuddR7VbzjSiJQJrLnTbyQFWQ9lQLboZ8cn7ydVxzO9BRguQG7iziI-866eWd1K1prgxhh80Nw3t3CihFCg1YRVCkzw/w640-h480/IMG_6592.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><p>Despite - or maybe because of - the footing challenge ahead, I kept clawing my way up into the hills until I got to Crystal Cave.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxL4CP_B9GI_bfHW_AqsqRF_MHtbZ4DokXOHQYFUHjzMgjp2UJCRm_FOWbQVxVpgNoZc38C0DsQ1UZ5sAknng' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>And no, I wasn't tempted in the least to climb on down there! I read Tom Sawyer as a kid and decided then and there that getting lost in a cave, pretty girl along or not, was something I would avoid from then on. (All that clacking is my dangling hiking stick, because I'm using my hand for the camera, bouncing off the boulders.)<div><br /></div><div>The Texas hill country is primarily limestone so is full of caves, and I have no problem admitting that I have never, as in ever, been tempted to strap on a headlamp and slither down inside any of them.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwiAArOjnw6kpKRxiQPllrpea-2Er71jUnxwQjPwVx7MisrioqTW-O0zq3P6G_WSndDihWmfwRzUqEJyujCvsLnU2BSS9VzdpsDaG4Ff-amPrWLpXTNejVvvcBdjwb5Rls7-oZyQGB5jp4MK1Mjpyv-IsyhANhXRaU_M8xesv2attV_6hIeI9WmUyAQ/s1600/IMG_6595.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwiAArOjnw6kpKRxiQPllrpea-2Er71jUnxwQjPwVx7MisrioqTW-O0zq3P6G_WSndDihWmfwRzUqEJyujCvsLnU2BSS9VzdpsDaG4Ff-amPrWLpXTNejVvvcBdjwb5Rls7-oZyQGB5jp4MK1Mjpyv-IsyhANhXRaU_M8xesv2attV_6hIeI9WmUyAQ/w640-h480/IMG_6595.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyuUV6quZdP_RZaEYUMo9O3F2GCROvf59aqH7zrQb4y7EkA03TUUk7b77ueQHEG8Xr0qKCspvoS1560rK10Cg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div><br /><div>So I did the sensible thing and continued on around the bowl, the head of the box canyon where Crystal Cave is, and in case I, or anyone else, wasn't paying attention, the intersection of the Crystal Cave and Bridges Trails has been well marked by generations of hikers.</div><div><br /></div><div>From here</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmly8MJPNdk2XsvZQab5pqhG4gM4DosJ8Bof4JE814aR6OypWTgwrmoG5Bnw2sXBkoobhJbw1IKXtT-HAR94Tyrwnh1WC6wa-fQNi0ZbnbBZxnBYwANPBE5xvUkzHELMZ7Eyh0R90e6KhCa_In8nZX0Tr4ZTfCzLg8VVGf0CfSnpP-Csd7GV-ydCYWeA/s1600/IMG_6598.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmly8MJPNdk2XsvZQab5pqhG4gM4DosJ8Bof4JE814aR6OypWTgwrmoG5Bnw2sXBkoobhJbw1IKXtT-HAR94Tyrwnh1WC6wa-fQNi0ZbnbBZxnBYwANPBE5xvUkzHELMZ7Eyh0R90e6KhCa_In8nZX0Tr4ZTfCzLg8VVGf0CfSnpP-Csd7GV-ydCYWeA/w640-h480/IMG_6598.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>it's not far to the Painted Rock Overlook</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKeYJCrZRvZ-n75EA9vdFQaX36VzJivPZ5dEiHFFmaVT342uZeZZ7kaVzURhsqZJblA23TdMyKnxmRlDY6P2_bKm8uV9hQRC5Ux65qDYlPseqNs1MIsIwvI1SnV1bLy2lba7TPAwdYIcBYEoccWnX9e3_psboVnZQYoFsCDFCgdRAu7nfa3OWm2UkIA/s1600/IMG_6599.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKeYJCrZRvZ-n75EA9vdFQaX36VzJivPZ5dEiHFFmaVT342uZeZZ7kaVzURhsqZJblA23TdMyKnxmRlDY6P2_bKm8uV9hQRC5Ux65qDYlPseqNs1MIsIwvI1SnV1bLy2lba7TPAwdYIcBYEoccWnX9e3_psboVnZQYoFsCDFCgdRAu7nfa3OWm2UkIA/w640-h480/IMG_6599.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Which has a great view of Old Baldy, the high point in the park and a popular destination.</div><div><br /></div><div>OK, It's <i>supposed</i> to have a great view of Old Baldy which is right out there somewhere, but somehow that isn't working out so well today.</div><div><br /></div><div>Since I can just as easily look out at a vista of fog and ghostly hints of ridges from down here as I can up there, I guess I'll try Old Baldy another day and for now just head back down out of the hills and maybe get dried out a little before dinner.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><p><br /><br /></p><p><br /><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div></div>greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15960238893013776630noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719803707314253077.post-68825627742815310412023-01-30T11:55:00.015-06:002023-01-30T15:06:39.483-06:00Garner - The Hike of Your Choice<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbEm4IqQHepkkz7Tm0M_e_y7oZFOhYMMWv2zqMUeUrz8qsNzBBpn39V5Yok67w5F9KzEN1NSu2HgNH-Yu_Q7dS3OaRn-MBW91Dt44FbLNobL81X13McdpoGRPzR7UK0CF8cQ3zgxr-tOi6WhNKedD2yhXSBDV9h6ebQLwnPr8B8RpGhVJyvpjc_F9W1Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbEm4IqQHepkkz7Tm0M_e_y7oZFOhYMMWv2zqMUeUrz8qsNzBBpn39V5Yok67w5F9KzEN1NSu2HgNH-Yu_Q7dS3OaRn-MBW91Dt44FbLNobL81X13McdpoGRPzR7UK0CF8cQ3zgxr-tOi6WhNKedD2yhXSBDV9h6ebQLwnPr8B8RpGhVJyvpjc_F9W1Q=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><p></p><p>A couple weeks ago I gave y'all a sneak-peek at my soggy stay at Garner State Park back in December with the promise of more to come, namely some of the hiking I did while there.</p><p>So OK. I'm finally getting around to it now.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxWq1V_Cwr2ovgGlot0mDaMeXrqFNGQ57IkmA7P3-2myWXWdVd-12bZHjt1mUJAvC7MUbB7M_v9oIWXjefk2w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /></div>Although the main attraction of this park, during the summer anyway, is the Frio River<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwwX7YIiB5aXpcuoqLuzoMoPrQRiVLRXomVRDOAVyKjzXcACeTLV4ch-pfTPNzzck5-cOqq1bzoAdR7_8s8Sw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>making up the park's eastern boundary, there are also nearly 20 miles of trail here as well.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">_____________</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>For some weird reason I found myself making a number of short videos on this particular trip. If I keep this nonsense up I may have to switch to YouTube! Oh, and by the way, it's really discombobulating to hear my brother's voice coming out of my mouth. That's NOT what I sound like in my head!</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">_____________</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEhIvnC3D29EBayK7A8ntU65-Fy-vj6v6aEwa6ZwsHDIZbEwM-MV7U8OWV9e1ne57QuVPMoFRoquzeruemEKjQZ9eEfiCDgWw_tT8usOTOgld1WazvMSv3WmvdmBHT9GGBVgvP-4n4547ISR7bwXLEiuNNNqihn4Q6SOpnc2xSc_67nMjg_M1-TzBF3g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="393" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEhIvnC3D29EBayK7A8ntU65-Fy-vj6v6aEwa6ZwsHDIZbEwM-MV7U8OWV9e1ne57QuVPMoFRoquzeruemEKjQZ9eEfiCDgWw_tT8usOTOgld1WazvMSv3WmvdmBHT9GGBVgvP-4n4547ISR7bwXLEiuNNNqihn4Q6SOpnc2xSc_67nMjg_M1-TzBF3g=w419-h640" width="419" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><p>I'll start by pointing out that this park has multiple personality disorder. (Although I do dislike the use of "disorder" in these classifications. Technically I show signs of having "social anxiety disorder", but to me it's not a disorder at all, it's just natural. So what if other people are different than me? Does that automatically make me a disorder?)</p><p>Anyway - - -</p><p>The north end of the park encompasses the bottom of the Frio River Canyon, which offers relatively flat and mild hiking on soft and fertile land.</p><p>While the south end of the park includes the rugged hills and limestone bluffs that make up a good portion of the central part of Texas.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbRNIpj6E8OTW6pQNx4Xf3xlz-xh0Ily5UB6GpmG8_gJcae_HWfVcGN526SKbgxg-usMj38k4EpaXRrZw45_2zbqRl9HpKFAN5FZiVJEuGb5nLlsBjPLLSBqpTxS3CvLoDSrhqtR2iP_tu_am4JIPeku-JdrL183SuuMBneBsqv77rHd1CMN8A3ubhMg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbRNIpj6E8OTW6pQNx4Xf3xlz-xh0Ily5UB6GpmG8_gJcae_HWfVcGN526SKbgxg-usMj38k4EpaXRrZw45_2zbqRl9HpKFAN5FZiVJEuGb5nLlsBjPLLSBqpTxS3CvLoDSrhqtR2iP_tu_am4JIPeku-JdrL183SuuMBneBsqv77rHd1CMN8A3ubhMg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />So when you are here there's the choice of hiking, almost strolling, the bottom-lands on the 3 mile long Frio Canyon Trail<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqakWX2ThQYsibHrZajzxmIWLWuko0-2QuJfgnsenBBZQ84fCpNsy_3aYOnVpvBxXH_k8XV1sApIMQfee3baCaLBFg2_o-UNpzXbzPKS_d2sBDLNvlKAH-z428lJRsMu1w0WFqHQX4L6MVrPNPYr6Zo0QbmpcPtWXnw9ojegoQfVHg25QVPD2bpvd8rQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqakWX2ThQYsibHrZajzxmIWLWuko0-2QuJfgnsenBBZQ84fCpNsy_3aYOnVpvBxXH_k8XV1sApIMQfee3baCaLBFg2_o-UNpzXbzPKS_d2sBDLNvlKAH-z428lJRsMu1w0WFqHQX4L6MVrPNPYr6Zo0QbmpcPtWXnw9ojegoQfVHg25QVPD2bpvd8rQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />which includes a 3/4 mile stretch marked up as an interactive wildlife trail with a number of info-plaques along the way.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZVGtXpYubIViITqIl0RhXhX6uaVv7HRI1V0eIjBQLXfagbUbKznCIL5m3o8VeeWU78wLwyesydhbzEBQp1xK3DwMlTYCHIcgY-XeyZkArvZAy6hyqYx27kQa2VWCzv48b7Yfy6A7IpbosQeJShzCKPZCRwThSWE4a7D6pETckocPqGRPz3iLUAVe-EA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZVGtXpYubIViITqIl0RhXhX6uaVv7HRI1V0eIjBQLXfagbUbKznCIL5m3o8VeeWU78wLwyesydhbzEBQp1xK3DwMlTYCHIcgY-XeyZkArvZAy6hyqYx27kQa2VWCzv48b7Yfy6A7IpbosQeJShzCKPZCRwThSWE4a7D6pETckocPqGRPz3iLUAVe-EA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />Or, if you are foolish enough to want something a little more <strike>risky</strike> challenging, especially in this slicker-than-snot damp weather,<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOTG2KOSDPg4uVjHv91YrbotvMbFj0hHQBtj7HdQr3JvpeYX7Tb3MWnAG4Zr7zJpjQqWziunFFJnNxyvk5TUcNgAH_deaHy9FUsPWvgMPxZlPZkUFSUh6K6nLVW5KkHh3TVNvPRo2Rj7tzS7cp1rlIDru_5VeOa4S7V4lNMHXa9-IwyiauqkSvZbsETA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOTG2KOSDPg4uVjHv91YrbotvMbFj0hHQBtj7HdQr3JvpeYX7Tb3MWnAG4Zr7zJpjQqWziunFFJnNxyvk5TUcNgAH_deaHy9FUsPWvgMPxZlPZkUFSUh6K6nLVW5KkHh3TVNvPRo2Rj7tzS7cp1rlIDru_5VeOa4S7V4lNMHXa9-IwyiauqkSvZbsETA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />you could head for the many trails up in the hills down in the south end of the park.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguUrZKpPporopLkL9i8J-6YAkUTbGiCLoLFs4WP5joVBHRO-pAUOEkygyr1OnI5KPjfx157MxAxLHAm2Yy8QP0Prpo_P4vqHGuMqspv0dZ6teNc9bKCj2xDc-kPEK_IuxvKdEPva9tq1VypcJES3x_tT0bDJFj2jebFJnpkY_OSvqY_ows-M376noBfg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="452" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguUrZKpPporopLkL9i8J-6YAkUTbGiCLoLFs4WP5joVBHRO-pAUOEkygyr1OnI5KPjfx157MxAxLHAm2Yy8QP0Prpo_P4vqHGuMqspv0dZ6teNc9bKCj2xDc-kPEK_IuxvKdEPva9tq1VypcJES3x_tT0bDJFj2jebFJnpkY_OSvqY_ows-M376noBfg=w501-h640" width="501" /></a></div><br />As is normal for me, I spent much of each of the days I was there hiking many of the trails on offer.<p></p><p>I did dedicate one hike to the easy canyon bottom, but, as is also normal for me, (Mom is rolling her eyes in exasperation right now) most of that hiking was in the more challenging terrain of the hills and bluffs around the south end of the park.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgu1OW-sgS3mKo00HDaWIjQ69Fa9YP6KypTerdSxc7hA6P_n8mD917_AjPoYIesMc2ZWv9wIZWwyOGO87wkfmFM_BwKG1m79sSl1u0oYfDZKTzKTkjbO4YOgrgzsQ-x1I2R909MWOBVRBeUB668sMcGs3SjVZbS1CNyi4UeddgjQqh6-KLCZbuxmx8mkg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgu1OW-sgS3mKo00HDaWIjQ69Fa9YP6KypTerdSxc7hA6P_n8mD917_AjPoYIesMc2ZWv9wIZWwyOGO87wkfmFM_BwKG1m79sSl1u0oYfDZKTzKTkjbO4YOgrgzsQ-x1I2R909MWOBVRBeUB668sMcGs3SjVZbS1CNyi4UeddgjQqh6-KLCZbuxmx8mkg=w573-h640" width="573" /></a></div><br />But first.<p></p><p>I'm camped at the end of that arrow, and in order to go hiking I have three choices.</p><p>1) Drive The Van a few miles to a trailhead and back every day.</p><p>2) Leave The Van parked and hike 3/4 of a mile of park roads to the nearest trail intersection, (that yellow path) which is not a trailhead, just some faded zebra-stripes on the road where the trail crosses it, and follow that purple trail (the Canyon trail) to where I want to start hiking.</p><p>3) Leave The Van parked, take a compass heading due west and bushwack a quarter mile (that green path) to intersect the nearest established trail, and follow that (purple again) trail to where I want to start hiking.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifTXZLHB_FNcPYwWIqS6lOyWAbSu79Jna58c31hAv3TNwoxDHPOTWAF7oePpaYuxWpliPiknxyRrS8I9afjE_GI0Dqp_DYxJ_BrBrTqIbAG_Z0vaXpKe_xZ4iKDA3Rvbz14o9GCYFRa9k3IuUo9zzTzhSG_N0_Q3dNBP1tc2E49QvtuMvLyBxFRPet6w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="1017" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifTXZLHB_FNcPYwWIqS6lOyWAbSu79Jna58c31hAv3TNwoxDHPOTWAF7oePpaYuxWpliPiknxyRrS8I9afjE_GI0Dqp_DYxJ_BrBrTqIbAG_Z0vaXpKe_xZ4iKDA3Rvbz14o9GCYFRa9k3IuUo9zzTzhSG_N0_Q3dNBP1tc2E49QvtuMvLyBxFRPet6w=w640-h350" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br />I'll let you guess at which of the three options I chose.</p><p>OK, so I guess there's not <i>THAT</i> much guessing involved - - -</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEge7LDF1VI4twfCUQLpxO1_3YEMpIxK7Ou4s70CbT04iEn6Qt6Fbs4luknZLQFHJ8n6PxXYBMdFN4a6el17UHhKfvymLzUEfhZREl0db5P4KMIkc0gc6H2qMV3nzQxMfqaDC5dlgdVvVRlYgwttnJ44-oHkKIx7OEA6atg3e5Qqv6iYPVj1LafQK3NuQA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEge7LDF1VI4twfCUQLpxO1_3YEMpIxK7Ou4s70CbT04iEn6Qt6Fbs4luknZLQFHJ8n6PxXYBMdFN4a6el17UHhKfvymLzUEfhZREl0db5P4KMIkc0gc6H2qMV3nzQxMfqaDC5dlgdVvVRlYgwttnJ44-oHkKIx7OEA6atg3e5Qqv6iYPVj1LafQK3NuQA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />In order to make my life easier, once I reached the established trail after bushwacking through the first time I laid a few found branches down at the edge of the trail.<p></p><p>They wouldn't mean anything to anybody else, but because I knew what to look for, at the end of a hike I could easily and quickly locate the point where I needed to leave the established trail and head out cross-country to return to The Van.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLDoqie05o5oDv0wUxL406FkhwXI5eyBIMLNius4Vgey-omVPwfUr9PpjE_GrTnzOMgpymgRbMfpl7XS9FyqYkoJyCgbRERKtq4d106WxAe_sZazl-6kL1WnEHh6c4la2vhMiLLKpq5ghrFVbzSQhuDrfGW6Wl2UCjWndJLEmkozVenXI2aslVlPHGdg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLDoqie05o5oDv0wUxL406FkhwXI5eyBIMLNius4Vgey-omVPwfUr9PpjE_GrTnzOMgpymgRbMfpl7XS9FyqYkoJyCgbRERKtq4d106WxAe_sZazl-6kL1WnEHh6c4la2vhMiLLKpq5ghrFVbzSQhuDrfGW6Wl2UCjWndJLEmkozVenXI2aslVlPHGdg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /> And to make it even easier, as in not needing the compass every time I left or returned to camp, I "flagged" my route with surveyors tape.<p></p><p>Here I'm standing on the established trail at my stick-marker and out there at the limits of visibility</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhW0jvGbhpZdVD2PARBJnyHrkcYx88fN_v2te4KTMgiVVSY8p9NdjjhOViAmzmoIvuygPizt32HY_L7gbqrW8FY-JMf8R89v0lJNTmjdU2cEBfDrRV6CQh5YyBzud119RBogPBNqw8NDHjg2uzT73KpMIChPV_GK6XWpsb7wFhC-WmJkE9IYWkHennYrw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="376" data-original-width="912" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhW0jvGbhpZdVD2PARBJnyHrkcYx88fN_v2te4KTMgiVVSY8p9NdjjhOViAmzmoIvuygPizt32HY_L7gbqrW8FY-JMf8R89v0lJNTmjdU2cEBfDrRV6CQh5YyBzud119RBogPBNqw8NDHjg2uzT73KpMIChPV_GK6XWpsb7wFhC-WmJkE9IYWkHennYrw=w640-h264" width="640" /></a></div><br /> in this rain heavy photo is my first flag.<p></p><p>In all there were 4 or 5 of them guiding me in and out of my campsite.</p><p>On the last hike of my last day I scattered the sticks and collected my flags as I went, leaving no trace other than a few fading footprints behind.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyAmXkUn3VpyiYUAAQB1o4MT4j27VMWwYYyjMBeyQSAyC1cWQ-DBvU3FjaS1Xq1nTE6Yo5UVHU8L9O6TIHWlg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>Since I've got a whole lot more photos, and a few more videos, left over there will be more coming on my hikes in Garner State Park. - maybe -</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div></div>greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15960238893013776630noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719803707314253077.post-71918062384382557462023-01-23T08:59:00.235-06:002023-01-23T08:59:00.193-06:00Into the Now - Kicking and Screaming<p> I know that in the last post I teased about following up with some hikes from Garner State Park, and I do intend to get to those, eventually, but I've been a bit busy lately. In fact I just got back home yesterday from another week-long hiking trip, maybe the last of the season before I start a big project, so for this week I'm throwing this post out there because I already had it mostly written and could finish it up quick and dirty.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8k9uhgDyoINsB07ZgxVtp_1kQH1t5eUvwc2OgHoJVfpoQmyHs2xG4nwd3AhV04Dmk8-sEQUddjGqlz7WSPbJs4tLD9nHsMm7b3RkJjSQddaHmMcFzBch9sC_RZwQi583scxt1MV8YeHBE_5GPNhpuhyxN6EsTOd-64cBWz7bO4K6PZKxZyRFE6cEq6w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8k9uhgDyoINsB07ZgxVtp_1kQH1t5eUvwc2OgHoJVfpoQmyHs2xG4nwd3AhV04Dmk8-sEQUddjGqlz7WSPbJs4tLD9nHsMm7b3RkJjSQddaHmMcFzBch9sC_RZwQi583scxt1MV8YeHBE_5GPNhpuhyxN6EsTOd-64cBWz7bO4K6PZKxZyRFE6cEq6w=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />I have personally owned a set of jumper-cables ever since I bought my first car in 1970, a reject VW bug, off my Uncle. (Who the day before signing it over to me decided to stop at the garden center on his way home from work and stuff it full, front trunk, front passenger foot-well, front passenger seat, rear seat and even the shelf behind the rear seat, with rolls of fresh sod. - Then he opened the window at 40 MPH!<div><br /></div><div>I was cleaning dirt and dust out of the little nooks and crevasses of that car for weeks!)<p></p><p>Like most first cars, of those days anyway, especially in the north ( Where I had to keep an electric dipstick oil heater plugged in overnight all winter to make it to school in the morning.) jumper cables were required equipment if you wanted to have a fighting chance at suavely driving your current crush home from the movie and make out in his/her driveway instead of suffering the ignominy of waiting under the marque for dad to show up and fix things.</p><p>Even though those days are far, far - far - in the past, The Wife and I currently own three sets of jumper-cables. One in The Van, one in the car, and one in the barn.</p><p>Since I have The Van set up to be able to self-jump off the house batteries, and the car is only 8 years old, gets driven at least once a week, and is on a second, fairly fresh battery, it's the set in the barn the gets the most use.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqAbMiX6b4nj6FBPKcsG_4pwnAT5djSd5go9Fc3ekuyAxJ9zJi9PwFPyElT9-TY2EWpRGHZaML3SwaGYqsuLifafWYFDmHKiQBFhpNhjfSm4NL9c5crkoWRCAB4_ijqOiDTC-2kLtxBfoWT-Zd_7b1-NoJ5HxY-7ol0n7kjnZMQ9RBH05qKBe1i10JXQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1431" data-original-width="1600" height="573" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqAbMiX6b4nj6FBPKcsG_4pwnAT5djSd5go9Fc3ekuyAxJ9zJi9PwFPyElT9-TY2EWpRGHZaML3SwaGYqsuLifafWYFDmHKiQBFhpNhjfSm4NL9c5crkoWRCAB4_ijqOiDTC-2kLtxBfoWT-Zd_7b1-NoJ5HxY-7ol0n7kjnZMQ9RBH05qKBe1i10JXQ=w640-h573" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the completely ignored 6 year old battery for the gate up at the end of the drive. It was in a proper box all that time but I guess the vents offered free passage for some of the smaller critters. I have since stuffed the vents with steel wool for ventilation without infiltration, actually copper wool so it doesn't just rust out.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Especially lately since battery replacement around here has been deffered for quite some time due to a COVID-driven (Yeah, let's blame it on that.) aversion to actually shopping out in public.<p></p><p>Since the small batteries used in general yard maintenance equipment don't last all that long, having to jump one piece of equipment off another was getting to be a standard, if annoying, policy around here.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyFJTe85h8vlhxwJ2E4rFUrkb3BGh7OF3C9BCTRjgY7GOqpQVwe1XHfKbpHVXEjRmzDwrJIpCP1Gqg63fz2zCHpRNsVJWFPjE32w4kqG2XpYkqLUGS_L6KFrkxXIqwL_rITRrUEZW3jptDZXSmopYOVukW-RMfLqxkUgRcIFN06PkCbu_t02F_NBKhDQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1313" data-original-width="1600" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyFJTe85h8vlhxwJ2E4rFUrkb3BGh7OF3C9BCTRjgY7GOqpQVwe1XHfKbpHVXEjRmzDwrJIpCP1Gqg63fz2zCHpRNsVJWFPjE32w4kqG2XpYkqLUGS_L6KFrkxXIqwL_rITRrUEZW3jptDZXSmopYOVukW-RMfLqxkUgRcIFN06PkCbu_t02F_NBKhDQ=w640-h526" width="640" /></a></div><br />Except for the generator.<p></p><p>That's one piece of equipment you DON'T want to be screwing around with, so I keep a battery maintainer on that one.</p><p>- - - Welllll - - -</p><p>Only problem with that is that it masks just how ragged out the battery really is. Until the other day that is.</p><p>I had disconnected the maintainer and rolled the generator outside like I do every month to start it up and run it with a load on. But this particular day The Wife had our one meal of the day ready earlier than usual and I wasn't about to miss out on that!</p><p>But when I got back to the generator an hour and half later (Hey! we only eat the one meal a day so we have to make the most of it!) I turned the key, it let out one, short, strangled grunt, and that was it.</p><p>Flat battery. - not even the dreaded clicks.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjM9xPb0EPT6j6BGZWyvmgP4aVD9meQFL7avFwJ_NGyZQxiDlfB5acCQhIVCnubX25-905DFtkbqkPc1AP7TLQs3dfMNh5ZnUkROK7djNE9Wzzy5jX7wlehKnHNW2sd2iqFjW7j5veqcbHDsYwr3_0eRSkBicZjpRQkdb1kJDWalpptulMJl0DDo8Bl2Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjM9xPb0EPT6j6BGZWyvmgP4aVD9meQFL7avFwJ_NGyZQxiDlfB5acCQhIVCnubX25-905DFtkbqkPc1AP7TLQs3dfMNh5ZnUkROK7djNE9Wzzy5jX7wlehKnHNW2sd2iqFjW7j5veqcbHDsYwr3_0eRSkBicZjpRQkdb1kJDWalpptulMJl0DDo8Bl2Q=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /> OK. You might have already seen the connection between jumper cables and the current situation, But you might be wondering why a flat battery would result in our generator now sitting here in the barn naked,<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzH8a7yN-5mX1TDDdkkuhRC5W31YtUgq3Uo8bmEFFi7Wja7X4vx0gId0oPHKlvW8CD-WuUvEGAuxDgsWbktmUKb09-wB1VP4NV1pV-ogUWOIGb1Kt50Ll3xEe8l151oEoMljYKLfAitmSUwxX1LVnv1L-kUFXjvuRvrcmAY2_Vt7LzyL_LAf3xcVspVQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzH8a7yN-5mX1TDDdkkuhRC5W31YtUgq3Uo8bmEFFi7Wja7X4vx0gId0oPHKlvW8CD-WuUvEGAuxDgsWbktmUKb09-wB1VP4NV1pV-ogUWOIGb1Kt50Ll3xEe8l151oEoMljYKLfAitmSUwxX1LVnv1L-kUFXjvuRvrcmAY2_Vt7LzyL_LAf3xcVspVQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />with the covers tossed in a haphazard jumble nearby.</div><div><br /></div><div>And how the hell that relates to jumper-cables.<p></p><p>Well it's all because, and I didn't know this before hand though it would have been handy information to have, these generators apparently have a nasty habit when jumped, even when jumped correctly, if you, as I was always trained to do, quickly disconnect the jumpers once it starts and before the on-board battery has a chance to build any useful voltage back up.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5Q76NptV6HfVKsKnTKskvwvR3vpWIkqSbjHeNmrOoQWiTWl1o0Z1FXHzD_L5sGNoX9HU2xhNvCp24j0vv4tBVW5yTG1TvdRUhsRzSWfaAxa_KzIZdVJGZkla6vDJQ8qKPeRLlL50LlWe58CgHCfUx79X_k4yhsrkoI6z3KBjvHRpIAO3vnQWQSA6xcg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5Q76NptV6HfVKsKnTKskvwvR3vpWIkqSbjHeNmrOoQWiTWl1o0Z1FXHzD_L5sGNoX9HU2xhNvCp24j0vv4tBVW5yTG1TvdRUhsRzSWfaAxa_KzIZdVJGZkla6vDJQ8qKPeRLlL50LlWe58CgHCfUx79X_k4yhsrkoI6z3KBjvHRpIAO3vnQWQSA6xcg=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I got the generator started alright by jumping off the lawnmower, but as soon as I disconnected the jumpers it stopped again as the all-important smoke escaped out of the generator's control board.</p><p>When I went on-line to research this new, self-generated issue, the first item on the list of many things that can go wrong posted as a trouble-shooting guide by a place offering repair services was "smoking the control board when jump-starting"</p><p>I was actually looking for a replacement board at the time, but when I found out a new one (Of which there are plenty available out there, further illustrating that this is a common problem.) would cost five times more than shipping the old one off and having it repaired (they had it repaired and back on its way to me within 24 hours of receiving it) I adjusted, adapted, and revised my remediation plan!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZqF7PFPW5xeTvxMqUTNaMRNgveMl3VGUlQNzt_YJYXS_SQu6oD60VRQ6GxxrHT4xZJRSEyoCYWsQPVSnGnXinw0n_i1YBLuj9AxZ7fnACwGXTKksm8ztFyHY9-BWJbreK-oR47KzfZ-5hj3hbEoQYDyZ2FEkx1XHOsi_CvLrvV4LTU7awwxIss2M8vg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="614" height="577" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZqF7PFPW5xeTvxMqUTNaMRNgveMl3VGUlQNzt_YJYXS_SQu6oD60VRQ6GxxrHT4xZJRSEyoCYWsQPVSnGnXinw0n_i1YBLuj9AxZ7fnACwGXTKksm8ztFyHY9-BWJbreK-oR47KzfZ-5hj3hbEoQYDyZ2FEkx1XHOsi_CvLrvV4LTU7awwxIss2M8vg=w640-h577" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>So what's all that got to do with "Into the Now" as the title implies?</p><p>Well, despite being a crotchety old man set in his ways and vocally leery of all this new-fangled crap, (why the hell would I want to turn my lights off with my phone when I can just take a few steps and use the wall-switch in less time?) in order to distract myself from the shame of my latest costly f*%k up I decided focus on the hassle of using traditional jumper cables and do a little looking into some of these "miracle" jump-starters I've been hearing about.</p><p>Yes, they sound too good to be true, but after over 100 years of evolution (Since the first set of jump cables was invented) there was is bound to be <i>some </i>changes. Maybe even some of them for the better.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgRD3pEnFWGjh21CmgCNFKOsBT4QCMgfOom0yIx8O1UwlLwwvTcQRc-tNooz1wEgc8_d6uzLb0Nn7wqU8z-qqt8zrBeldfq3KHyfOQAgMrlrTpp5y243kKtD1d2LqmI9euBD-qtLP5FqxDEtzlr02bP6B8xErQ8Kqn6_3CH_Bm_3Uq5joAf8VmOd5ekA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgRD3pEnFWGjh21CmgCNFKOsBT4QCMgfOom0yIx8O1UwlLwwvTcQRc-tNooz1wEgc8_d6uzLb0Nn7wqU8z-qqt8zrBeldfq3KHyfOQAgMrlrTpp5y243kKtD1d2LqmI9euBD-qtLP5FqxDEtzlr02bP6B8xErQ8Kqn6_3CH_Bm_3Uq5joAf8VmOd5ekA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />So don't tell the guys drinking their morning coffee at the McDonald's geezer table lest they label me a rabble-rouser and ban me to the worst seat, but now, for $100, I am the proud(?) owner of one of these. - I'm talking about the Norco boost on the left, although technically I do also own the $70 jumper cables on the right.<p></p><p>Although I could have spent more money and gotten more power, I bought the 1000 Amp version which they claim, and reviewers seem to verify, can jump up to a 6 liter gas engine and a 3 liter diesel.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhl_Y9pSjxdxkabKQEmwBSkrxrZMZuCrfQcIqsRjhj_s1Iz7DBxjSXpDmtnW81GGUYSns9gwX5jVH_ZzVx9x6Qx6WeWKWO1OXL-dSVTool1ZQH7oJjiQYByV2PiHY9VOjSRfFIoMo1JEmA1MhZz-OYiY_gJarXl596AtJJ8hZZBXMp71BLmS52Lr9fNmg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhl_Y9pSjxdxkabKQEmwBSkrxrZMZuCrfQcIqsRjhj_s1Iz7DBxjSXpDmtnW81GGUYSns9gwX5jVH_ZzVx9x6Qx6WeWKWO1OXL-dSVTool1ZQH7oJjiQYByV2PiHY9VOjSRfFIoMo1JEmA1MhZz-OYiY_gJarXl596AtJJ8hZZBXMp71BLmS52Lr9fNmg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /> Not only does it pack away in about half the space taken by my heavy-duty set of traditional jumper cables, with the Norco I don't have to<div><br /></div><div>(a) wait for hours in the dark and cold with card in hand for the AAA guy to show up</div><div>(b) maneuver the jump vehicle through snow-drifts and crowded parking lots to get it nose-to-nose with my dead one.</div><div>(c) drag some other 80 pound, non-self-propelled but functioning bit of yard-equipment across the meadow and up the ridge to jump-start the damn lawnmower. (Which needs jumping because I ran it out of gas but didn't discover that until I had flattened the battery and also had to drag a 40 pound gas-can up there.)<br /><p></p><p>With this self-contained 2 pound little gadget I can simply reach behind the seat, or wherever I store it, pop the hood, and do the deed all on my own.</p><p>The one I bought even tells me if I hook it to the battery the wrong way around and won't let bad things happen until I do it right. (Not that I, with all my experience, would ever hook it up the wrong way around but - well - we don't talk about the regulator I once had to replace in the old lawnmower after I hooked the jumpers up wro - OK said I don't want to talk about it!) But let's just say it's kinda comforting knowing that the Norco will let me know.</p><p>Like many of them do, this particular model charges off of a USB port, or the charging cable can be plugged into a standard 12V outlet with the included adapter.</p><p>They warn you in the instructions that it is shipped only partially charged. Out of the box mine showed somewhere between 25% and 50% charge. The Norco marketing staff, and reviewers, note that this is still enough for one or two jump-starts, (The claim is up to 5 jumps on a full charge but I don't plan to test that one out!) but I still plugged the charging cable in and it was fully charged within 6 hours.</p><p>I saw some reviewers complaining about the device not having a full charge when they needed it after months of laying around in the dirt, fuzzballs, condoms, both used and new-but-dusty, and cheeseburger wrappers under the seat, but the internal charger of this particular unit has a maintenance mode, which means the unit's lithium ion batteries can't be "overcharged", so I don't understand why those whiners don't just find a switched outlet in their vehicle and leave the thing plugged in. That way whenever the vehicle is running the jump-starter's charge is being topped up.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYIz_6ZidYsl06Jcq4PKaulh4g3h3OFeZtdxXdvBqPZzQBIS9xhP4kue5JFRYBgwd06Jm-UUO1GF5Hl2PRTIrc9COSEgmBxCeMY24qY0lJncrXf-oSsLvqDnjC7wQux_ionas311TCuuBu59ytWTHbcQ__oWKwv_61isvh3MuTQA1SH4gzk_EwDBB_Kg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="474" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYIz_6ZidYsl06Jcq4PKaulh4g3h3OFeZtdxXdvBqPZzQBIS9xhP4kue5JFRYBgwd06Jm-UUO1GF5Hl2PRTIrc9COSEgmBxCeMY24qY0lJncrXf-oSsLvqDnjC7wQux_ionas311TCuuBu59ytWTHbcQ__oWKwv_61isvh3MuTQA1SH4gzk_EwDBB_Kg=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Now the sharp-eyed among you may have noted that The Van's diesel engine is a 3 liter which is pushing the boundaries of this device's capabilities, so why didn't I spend a few more bucks and get a larger one? (a 1500 amp version rated for up to a 4.5 liter diesel is $150) Especially since I'm always pretty skeptical of "up to" claims.</p><p>Well first, I can already self-jump The Van off the house batteries.</p><p>Second, the primary use of this thing, as I envision it, will be for all the small engines lurking around in the barn. I very rarely have to jump start a vehicle but am frequently having to do so with those small engines.</p><p>And thirdly, there are some changes in the works that will make that 3 liter diesel engine a non-factor in the future - but that's all the hint you get on that for now.</p><p>Next time, back to hiking Garner State Park.</p><p>At least that's the plan.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p><br /></p></div></div>greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15960238893013776630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719803707314253077.post-3196962251304654172023-01-16T08:59:00.016-06:002023-01-16T08:59:00.191-06:00Experimenting with a New Place<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSbMZ9wElW34x1rNWDKwFJ5U0qnHKZT0NCMki4vhHlTj7XL5SssYBfpc3OU1I9zL6KG1UtuEeTRRWtV0T2DpqjKzE4-IgNJHTN0FJEvalW6W6Zx-tMr0p0O6lV2N2K97ZzAIgxGxOoBDLB_NpeMfriT6ebSYSqcxAPwlLk4WMOitXp-BjFnPjwWS30yg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="130" data-original-width="182" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSbMZ9wElW34x1rNWDKwFJ5U0qnHKZT0NCMki4vhHlTj7XL5SssYBfpc3OU1I9zL6KG1UtuEeTRRWtV0T2DpqjKzE4-IgNJHTN0FJEvalW6W6Zx-tMr0p0O6lV2N2K97ZzAIgxGxOoBDLB_NpeMfriT6ebSYSqcxAPwlLk4WMOitXp-BjFnPjwWS30yg" width="320" /></a></div><p>When I first moved to Texas and family back in Michigan saw some photos I'd taken the reaction was along the lines of "I didn't know there were trees in Texas!".</p>Well yes, despite the impression given by the westerns of my childhood, although it might feel when driving from Junction to El Paso, not all of Texas is desert and scrub-lands. Texas has a whole variety of terrains and habitats to sample, but that's mainly because it's a friggin big state, and that means it's a looong ways to some of those places.<p></p><p>For crying out loud, on I-10, even with an 80 MPH speed limit on some of it, despite minimal stops to eat and shit it takes 16 hours to cross the state from border to border! </p><p>That means as a resident living somewhere near the middle of the state that the amount of area I can cover in a reasonable week-long trip where travel is the tortilla on either side of the filling is somewhat limited. Couple that with the fact that Texas actually has very little public land, (an artifact of being it's own country for a while) and my casual trip options are limited.</p><p>Over a 40 year span this has resulting in over-utilization of many of my options.</p><p>Which finally brings me to the subject of this post.</p><p>Garner State Park is one of those places within my circle of reasonable reachability (When I mentioned the upcoming trip one family member estimated it was 2.5 hours away. I know I'm not the fastest driver out there, but it's actually more like 4 hours away.) but it's also a place I have avoided because it is a wildly popular destination.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigIY7HyO9vZCC5DF-UE74jCpdUF1P3SitudxPHUyoVzM0T1e-PJjLJBQ7VO3k_FziLJGh48OEj7RwqNRglpK0AcH-FCQKjCw_FX5oBbgiSsxD5HuCdhq2n_Mkt-xFG_uKrhCLOes4sFaDJnWckwmSBajAoHcJwLGw75RIlVFF5oruwesr4bv7XFq4sLA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="882" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigIY7HyO9vZCC5DF-UE74jCpdUF1P3SitudxPHUyoVzM0T1e-PJjLJBQ7VO3k_FziLJGh48OEj7RwqNRglpK0AcH-FCQKjCw_FX5oBbgiSsxD5HuCdhq2n_Mkt-xFG_uKrhCLOes4sFaDJnWckwmSBajAoHcJwLGw75RIlVFF5oruwesr4bv7XFq4sLA=w640-h290" width="640" /></a></div><br />Between 3 miles of the perpetually cool, spring-fed Frio River to tube down,<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisFDo0LzoIx6l5PvulsgwFFpgkx7Qg0GgpFEXVUZo3iGwfVzc4yyjby2SD-ox3Az3gZVpopl7LBUbbCgb-yMU5LA4orKUtkOCf1vUbQSZMgOZBi4SAHnneYDQrlvmABO96jpubm1ruR0MQarD2fR0pgs2RWlqq_lR7kkX5i_MMfXvBDNX1t66CKqnfZQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="883" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisFDo0LzoIx6l5PvulsgwFFpgkx7Qg0GgpFEXVUZo3iGwfVzc4yyjby2SD-ox3Az3gZVpopl7LBUbbCgb-yMU5LA4orKUtkOCf1vUbQSZMgOZBi4SAHnneYDQrlvmABO96jpubm1ruR0MQarD2fR0pgs2RWlqq_lR7kkX5i_MMfXvBDNX1t66CKqnfZQ=w640-h288" width="640" /></a></div><br />the landmark of Mount Baldy to climb,<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj00JK5KMsVHT8xcD4PyUea3NylkZPGGuj8o3LxzBkVtUz-pEh3WdP2nMtpYO4f6UhabO7E3FoUuxI2kn_th39TGphqIILVLY-dUWsYGKaF-qbVMPn0d8tZdGqjjSCI41b13RSiHK_Y9kh8XEKPxd4o03wymywDzbZmjePwefZeWZP1PX-9XG5wJPbVdg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="879" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj00JK5KMsVHT8xcD4PyUea3NylkZPGGuj8o3LxzBkVtUz-pEh3WdP2nMtpYO4f6UhabO7E3FoUuxI2kn_th39TGphqIILVLY-dUWsYGKaF-qbVMPn0d8tZdGqjjSCI41b13RSiHK_Y9kh8XEKPxd4o03wymywDzbZmjePwefZeWZP1PX-9XG5wJPbVdg=w640-h290" width="640" /></a></div><br />and the resort-like atmosphere of paddle-boat rental, miniature golf, basket and volley ball courts, and even weekend dance-nights in the old CCC Pavilion, this is the kind of place people flock to.<p></p><p>In scary-large numbers.</p><p>(By the way, the last three photos were not mine but rather publicity shots from the web site.)</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKJ7FzMt8sO74hfECCGFBxMvs41tfssq_yZ9PFR-ibcWCcdIOS-XPL2rL4qcQjNNg1Xyj7waoxpOlvkLoKFgY-8_N_z2yHZm2aszjXtBpAXzJI17MVWT_NwCPScJ8pkfNLuJyCyIML-eGqOYR9dwpijZg6HVfplN4EBjtGZ2Bf8beNs-6z4TjjPAnF2g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="1017" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKJ7FzMt8sO74hfECCGFBxMvs41tfssq_yZ9PFR-ibcWCcdIOS-XPL2rL4qcQjNNg1Xyj7waoxpOlvkLoKFgY-8_N_z2yHZm2aszjXtBpAXzJI17MVWT_NwCPScJ8pkfNLuJyCyIML-eGqOYR9dwpijZg6HVfplN4EBjtGZ2Bf8beNs-6z4TjjPAnF2g=w640-h366" width="640" /></a></div><br />I mean Holy Crap!<p></p><p>This place has 513 campsites and 10 bathhouses spread over 7 campgrounds!</p><p>Not exactly my kinda place.</p><p>But it boasts 16 miles of trails on a variety of terrain and I was desperate to hike a spot within reach that I didn't already know like my own back yard,</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNIBFZHSBfzpV5daWRjw8q484C3Dm70MuB0trxWYsqsF1C9c_0EbhZLhcRW2eyBEtMLdOawwHMbAhbFlWs-_XVUjab8Q0-55PsPVuo51k8w64yTdspmKKfH7zLLHgzHXvFBpVuKTk1TJr-XqwuLF6TjefnnYr5hmFW_yctaasHIABBOg-euKGtHLn6eg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="549" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNIBFZHSBfzpV5daWRjw8q484C3Dm70MuB0trxWYsqsF1C9c_0EbhZLhcRW2eyBEtMLdOawwHMbAhbFlWs-_XVUjab8Q0-55PsPVuo51k8w64yTdspmKKfH7zLLHgzHXvFBpVuKTk1TJr-XqwuLF6TjefnnYr5hmFW_yctaasHIABBOg-euKGtHLn6eg=w608-h640" width="608" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>so I ignored my personal cacophony of crowd-contrariety and started carefully inspecting the maps to find a campsite that had the potential to not suck.</p><p>The Rio Frio campground wasn't my first choice, but in December the Percimmon Hill and Live Oak campgrounds are shut down for the season, the River Crossing campground is mostly cabins, Shady Meadows is just too damn close to the main road, (Trucks are either gearing down to attack the climb or leaning on their jake-brakes to make the turn at the bottom.) and even their own web site warns that the Oakmont and Pecan Grove campgrounds are popular because of their proximity to most of the amenities and can get pretty boisterous.</p><p>So Rio Frio it was. </p><p>But I kinda screwed up.</p><p>Notice that the Rio Frio campground is a mix of water/electric and dry campsites. Except they don't make much effort to distinguish the boundaries between them. I was looking for a dry campsite but in the process of cross-checking availability of nearby campsites (Hoping to have empty sites around me to keep from feeling crowded) I lost sight of the boundary between dry and serviced campsites and booked into 432 instead of 434. In my defense, because it's never my fault!, 436 was scheduled to be occupied and 425, 427, 428, and 430 were not.</p><p>Yep, ended up paying a few extra bucks a night for services I didn't really need, but it was what it was.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQVrPTZlulRlgKmOktp2j2w_zzrJq_RxPl3hQIM-HAYQbdCLQpQdYpwUO3Gjp531EMk6XlooWk3z-tYL512XeA02LMupU3VPgdCfx-Z16-nIsTaBx59jRdxl9epMBHUEmTqXcIavHMZv4PcbOZqAcQh2bJ-mtt_MrVtOWCXUKsk2pX5QqSRVkexSV-ig" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQVrPTZlulRlgKmOktp2j2w_zzrJq_RxPl3hQIM-HAYQbdCLQpQdYpwUO3Gjp531EMk6XlooWk3z-tYL512XeA02LMupU3VPgdCfx-Z16-nIsTaBx59jRdxl9epMBHUEmTqXcIavHMZv4PcbOZqAcQh2bJ-mtt_MrVtOWCXUKsk2pX5QqSRVkexSV-ig=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />What it also was was grey and damp - all week.<p></p><p>That happens sometimes when slow systems sweep in across Mexico from the Pacific.</p><p>Hard to predict the weather when you're making reservations a month out.</p><p>Though it wasn't very conducive to good photography, and I had to keep my chair inside The Van when I wasn't sitting in it so the mist and fog didn't sweep in under my canopy and set the seat up to give me swamp-ass, it kept enough people away that, with a few brief exceptions, I had the trails to myself all week.</p><p>Although that could have been the timing too. Who the hell goes camping in mid December?</p><p>Anyway, more on the trail opportunities later.</p><p>For now I need to get ready for my next trip.</p><p> </p>greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15960238893013776630noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719803707314253077.post-47991354797143991872023-01-09T13:39:00.118-06:002023-01-09T13:39:00.226-06:00We're Finally Somebody!!!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgM-Nb1_UIUpWH1KpQeTfCmwShi-VqzGgtvBYVNdIfyoSGKa6BwSIcjAnLYxesEQzubYNtQmZa6PKFsxh58DTIiAzT_sRaKR9CU1AaMAU_f3ajEsmev8BZOTn9QhXayAd0NmAxB1O6Y5a4q7BvXi8kAAP-sv2N9H8ThQJohCCeLh5jGdojAiBYTb7rcvw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgM-Nb1_UIUpWH1KpQeTfCmwShi-VqzGgtvBYVNdIfyoSGKa6BwSIcjAnLYxesEQzubYNtQmZa6PKFsxh58DTIiAzT_sRaKR9CU1AaMAU_f3ajEsmev8BZOTn9QhXayAd0NmAxB1O6Y5a4q7BvXi8kAAP-sv2N9H8ThQJohCCeLh5jGdojAiBYTb7rcvw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I imagine that most of us in North America take a mailbox for granted.</p><p>It's just something that's there. Important only when a special treasure is expected. Begrudged when the bills roll in. Cussed at when stuffed full of sales crap, (Thank you very much AARP and medical insurance shills!) or you're trying to mow around it.</p><p>But The Wife and I have been living without a proper mailbox for so long we had forgotten just how special having one of these tin boxes out on the street at the end of the driveway really is!</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">OK, I was going to post a photo of an official document here but by the time I finished redacting all the incriminating evidence that might point to just who and where we are it looked like some approved release of an accounting report from a Trump business entity.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>You see, 16 years ago we moved onto a previously unoccupied piece of land and received an official address from the county office of emergency services. A 911 address if you will. This comes with an entry in the county records, an update to the emergency dispatcher's map, an officially stamped document for our records, and a reflective fiberglass address plate.</p><p>First we fastened the address plate to the fence near the gate as instructed and carefully installed an official USPS mailbox as per USPS rural mailbox regulations. (X number of inches off the road and the bottom of the door between Y and Z inches high)</p><p>Then, continuing to follow instructions, we confidently swaggered in the door of the post office that services our area with our official embossed document in hand.</p><p>Within 5 minutes, 4 of those waiting on the postmaster (it's a small office so other than the two actual letter-carriers that's the extent of the staff) to acknowledge that we were standing at the service counter in the otherwise empty building and grudgingly heave himself out of his chair with the universal long-suffering sigh of the useless, we were slinking back out the door in defeat.</p><p>Not only did he refuse to accept our new address and tell us that if we didn't remove our newly installed mailbox that very day he would sic the law on us, he also informed us that he wasn't going to let us rent a PO Box within his little domain.</p><p>The former might have been because the address assigned to us by the county entity that does these things was out of sequence, but that's not unusual in this county. It could be that the county where we live is not the same county where his post office resides, again, not unique. Or maybe he was just a mean son of a bitch. I don't know. I also don't know why he refused to let us rent a PO Box. (Our old address was about to go away because we were selling that house so coming up with an official address was kinda urgent!)</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijmGySBOi7wM_bv6R3SXawdvAaQAlS4ipxDiTJzix_nUWPPb3VDCj7F2j4L426IOV0PNC6PppajXADRKaFnlJs6cfkJF__44Re73ZuEjwDcqYW9Z6DTJzObJXeI2Xw7bQ5XbHL1SOuiczeCFI9nVR0EyMxTjdlX7X2Kt__RJmVx_0t-AeRZR_mSQvKcA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="296" data-original-width="474" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijmGySBOi7wM_bv6R3SXawdvAaQAlS4ipxDiTJzix_nUWPPb3VDCj7F2j4L426IOV0PNC6PppajXADRKaFnlJs6cfkJF__44Re73ZuEjwDcqYW9Z6DTJzObJXeI2Xw7bQ5XbHL1SOuiczeCFI9nVR0EyMxTjdlX7X2Kt__RJmVx_0t-AeRZR_mSQvKcA=w640-h400" width="640" /></a></div><br />So we went to the next nearest town, more than 3 times farther away, and had no trouble renting a PO Box, which has been our increasingly more expensive mailing address ever since. <p></p><p>In other news, UPS had no trouble finding our new street address and delivering our Omaha Steaks orders once every year or two, nor did The Mattress Store when we had to replace our old one and figured it would be a lot easier on us for them to haul the old one away, and two different lumber yards found us just fine with the supplies for a couple of the larger projects. But since FedEx is pretty much in bed with the USPS, since the address wasn't officially recognized by the USPS they couldn't find it either.</p><p>It took Mapquest and Google maps a while, but about 7 or 8 years ago they started showing us in the right place as well, (Google's pin even lands right on our barn some 600 feet in from the road.) but that's still not good enough for the USPS and FedEx.</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYB6PBXaLgHM0enjAXUUWjb_HxqBpwLM-zckf6h78o2PkMWapMn8mNHwenkzHniqMfQ5SwMWFZmmK2JrZZ6aBM8XtCEMKoj_BX0TssizloUeTzqfguyAy8U-W21xHS0KBUUbA4b_Pjrzr7g-Z-mb9ou09vlD3D78vLvH91NU0kG8_mGYjEBq270R1ZRw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="474" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYB6PBXaLgHM0enjAXUUWjb_HxqBpwLM-zckf6h78o2PkMWapMn8mNHwenkzHniqMfQ5SwMWFZmmK2JrZZ6aBM8XtCEMKoj_BX0TssizloUeTzqfguyAy8U-W21xHS0KBUUbA4b_Pjrzr7g-Z-mb9ou09vlD3D78vLvH91NU0kG8_mGYjEBq270R1ZRw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>For 16 years we have made the 34 mile round trip to our mailbox about once a week.</p><p>For 16 years we have struggled to get anything with an installed battery, or sometimes just because you <i>could</i> install a battery in it, delivered to us since the post office marks stuff like that as hazardous. (They can put it in their trucks along with all the "benign" letters and packages, they can receive it at the local post office sorting room to be divi'ed up and handed off to a letter-carrier to be crammed into the confines of their overstuffed vehicle along with all the rest of the mail for delivery along their route, but it "can't" be shelved for pickup at the service counter.)</p><p>To add just a little more spice to the situation, drivers licenses and credit cards have to have a street address associated with them, even if it "doesn't exist", which is a pain since we have to make sure they don't send renewals and credit card documents to the "address of record".</p><p>I've even had stuff delivered to my brother's place some 1300 miles away because it was too big for the USPS to handle and the only other option was FedEx who would always just return our shit to the sender rather than admit we existed.</p><p>We did try once again many years ago when we heard the original postmaster got moved to a new location, but the new postmaster wasn't any more willing to accept our official document.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3M-qzFVeZNNSUjp_IcjJay5_GSG82OOLHZLQ1uGQgdiCHlOvmjYvlodFxRrloZOpuOrkAdIVJXNpziEm7RGw2qqfepsXbSnKGJlQrRl9aHax9Thz5vdpFsNo4_kgg-o29LevyKdynNBB6ElNfz-vMAvT18vR0uMf16Axv21uiLJsyHsJwkbMASJVdfg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1023" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3M-qzFVeZNNSUjp_IcjJay5_GSG82OOLHZLQ1uGQgdiCHlOvmjYvlodFxRrloZOpuOrkAdIVJXNpziEm7RGw2qqfepsXbSnKGJlQrRl9aHax9Thz5vdpFsNo4_kgg-o29LevyKdynNBB6ElNfz-vMAvT18vR0uMf16Axv21uiLJsyHsJwkbMASJVdfg=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Then one recent day as I was coming back from a post office run along the winding county roads, (In addition to the usual wild-life, I've had to stop at various times and herd a gaggle of domestic turkeys, a goat, a grumpy bull, and two small herds of cows off the road.) I saw a Prime truck trundling down the rutted lane of a ranch not more than two miles from our place.<p></p><p>Hot Damn! The Amazon fleet has made it out to our area!</p><p>The next Prime eligible thing I ordered off Amazon I had shipped, with some excitement, to our official/un-official street address.</p><p>Because we normally keep the gate closed, and this was, at best an experiment, I watched the tracking info carefully so I could make sure the gate was open when the driver came along.</p><p>I watched that package leave some east-coast distribution point, show up at a centralized air hub and be sent on out again, turn up at a regional hub and then go back out the door on a truck. I kept checking, expecting to see an "out for delivery" update, but what I saw instead was that at 0632 Prime handed it off to the "local post office" for final delivery.</p><p>Oh Crap!</p><p>The USPS letter carrier comes past our place about mid-day but I didn't have to wait that long to see what was going to happen because by 0900 tracking showed my package listed as "undeliverable"</p><p>Not expecting to be successful but willing to try anyway, I made sure I had my ID in pocket, the tracking info in hand, and on a whim, I also opened the safe and grabbed a couple copies of our official address document, before heading on over to where my package was languishing in the limbo of the unaddressed.</p><p>Well it turns out the local post office is now on its third postmaster and when I explained to her about my package she remembered seeing it in the back and handed it over with no problem. I then explained why our address doesn't show up on their books and she said "no problem, just let me get you to fill out a form". I pulled out my official document and she put the form back down, took mine and said "this is all I need. When you get your mailbox put up just fill out this postcard, put it in the box with the flag up and you are good to go."</p><p>And we were! A decade and a half of being nobodies and it was that easy!</p><p>It could be that, unlike the previous two, middle-aged male postmasters, the current postmaster couldn't resist my good looks and charm, but, given that I don't have either - looks or charm - I think it's far more likely that men, especially petty men with Napoleon complexes, just suck.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMPtAV_hgB6RzE33lWgpKX1LBVzufSmjYfCbu88GO-DAerJXy8HxUN8EZ7_YUGhCtVoFlCuk0RFkp0zqvJj0Coqyz_0ths-FNm87g-uRZZ-MDyaFFYpOiZwW0LxA8eIEuIHVRppbiOi78U9rh3jMbYBvEY_Gdnx47Gl5rWJgnvsikINPAsLoMj6NF_ng" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMPtAV_hgB6RzE33lWgpKX1LBVzufSmjYfCbu88GO-DAerJXy8HxUN8EZ7_YUGhCtVoFlCuk0RFkp0zqvJj0Coqyz_0ths-FNm87g-uRZZ-MDyaFFYpOiZwW0LxA8eIEuIHVRppbiOi78U9rh3jMbYBvEY_Gdnx47Gl5rWJgnvsikINPAsLoMj6NF_ng=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />When I got home with my wayward package I pulled the old mailbox off the high shelf where it has wasted away for the past 16 years, dusted it off, tracked down some fresh stainless steel screws and, since we had never removed the post, just the box, had our mailbox installed within the hour.<p></p><p>I know it probably sounds silly to the properly mailed,</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiz1L8PKpFSL-Plf0gpb7cb8MAx5oPqtVDYDIVCrQn9Aw0u-_l-RLNzkAFXnDpRcdwy7k_JppWmGuEmmk8JPici5OKYOVAFDd_92iNyc8b0zRXWGxbxgcjPUN3e_st6cle86Qf5UVYRHDd4CO0dHcWhAKH8lTQ6Mzfz1wMfqnK43RlqVFi_lHuI11yPsw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiz1L8PKpFSL-Plf0gpb7cb8MAx5oPqtVDYDIVCrQn9Aw0u-_l-RLNzkAFXnDpRcdwy7k_JppWmGuEmmk8JPici5OKYOVAFDd_92iNyc8b0zRXWGxbxgcjPUN3e_st6cle86Qf5UVYRHDd4CO0dHcWhAKH8lTQ6Mzfz1wMfqnK43RlqVFi_lHuI11yPsw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />but there's something very satisfying, and exiting, about actually getting mail up at the end of the driveway! About going into our Amazon account and making our street address the default ship-to address. (Amazon continues to hand packages off to the post office even though I just saw another Prime truck turn down yet another nearby ranch entrance the other day.) About gradually changing our address over with various entities and seeing stuff show up at the end of the driveway instead of 17 miles away in a small box with a sticky lock. (Since it's paid for for quite some time yet we'll keep the PO Box for a while so there's no rush to get it all done right away.)<p></p><p>It's hard to explain, but there's such a feeling of lightness and well-being associated with being able to walk up to the end of the drive (OK, it's a bit of an uphill hike so The Wife actually drives) and collect our mail like normal people.</p><p>On top of that, now we can send mail out by simply walking up to the end of the driveway and flipping the flag up.</p><p>¡!How cool is that?¡!</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjAGHuVHDfBiwqB0nHqdTApbeDH1n_L9HqNi7qNOUU-FDGMFCMdm5KJ9IBGft75-F_mvBEXEJbT7xAgWmX-xiGWj70KOeY9QufcK1JayW4jTMn5ZrI6MBSmLKlMRdJw0ybYAd-ly7dqPOvS-nSYUMHS8VdBkUWqbL0YWaij0e1p2lYq7XwCAIKoaWZQA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjAGHuVHDfBiwqB0nHqdTApbeDH1n_L9HqNi7qNOUU-FDGMFCMdm5KJ9IBGft75-F_mvBEXEJbT7xAgWmX-xiGWj70KOeY9QufcK1JayW4jTMn5ZrI6MBSmLKlMRdJw0ybYAd-ly7dqPOvS-nSYUMHS8VdBkUWqbL0YWaij0e1p2lYq7XwCAIKoaWZQA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />Using some concrete blocks I had laying around, a wood stand left over from other projects, a sawed off fence rail, a little bit of paint, and a new deck box, <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmogEEosMHiWoafd2dBm6kIBWnMAxUqB_z1bfpbvDLSuihYK4pFopNWF39uPPQNrpoL-c1H3AkOEiEyj7dWZfaotXhiwyO9QgWQdf3gb7enSWulThBTl-koIoI3WaZGb-NhFnSLWlgpWDwnDbj7qgx6qyN0aRMsEuFpJ2Zph_wSX_wiuF0atxLMEcIKg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmogEEosMHiWoafd2dBm6kIBWnMAxUqB_z1bfpbvDLSuihYK4pFopNWF39uPPQNrpoL-c1H3AkOEiEyj7dWZfaotXhiwyO9QgWQdf3gb7enSWulThBTl-koIoI3WaZGb-NhFnSLWlgpWDwnDbj7qgx6qyN0aRMsEuFpJ2Zph_wSX_wiuF0atxLMEcIKg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />we have also installed a package-drop box near the gate.<p></p><p>We are officially somebody now!!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15960238893013776630noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719803707314253077.post-27747986398071460912023-01-02T09:19:00.018-06:002023-01-02T09:19:00.190-06:00Update on the Pike Trail Gaiters<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHWKoaJ0J7bUiguaO5ZFeOK_WG-6s2MiDpFLHhnFyb_MpN83cslKdZdB2Yld2CS9YgLixK7us2EVdXVN8tJQMBPE7cOjZH7z5RaxnJMJXSvKA-ZnJGSgvfhl8nIc73O2v4aPUnKMA6IMxY6rrheWe-DtgECkrGK7QIJmT5v5XVO0xhPottFppZtFkH3w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHWKoaJ0J7bUiguaO5ZFeOK_WG-6s2MiDpFLHhnFyb_MpN83cslKdZdB2Yld2CS9YgLixK7us2EVdXVN8tJQMBPE7cOjZH7z5RaxnJMJXSvKA-ZnJGSgvfhl8nIc73O2v4aPUnKMA6IMxY6rrheWe-DtgECkrGK7QIJmT5v5XVO0xhPottFppZtFkH3w=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>A while back <a href="https://travelsofaramblingvan.blogspot.com/2022/03/pike-trail-gaiters-save-my-legs.html" target="_blank">I wrote a post reviewing</a> the Pike Trail Gaiters<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMzxLUkMsEp3mBquFobIoff2gx99Ecm6-l0W69HYjzaKUJ4jSCpovTu8gUo50tLHD-uj3MxONg__5d_d6diaJGjNNXa8BYm6QRspChyGPda0dEcfAnwI5ClZFr5wnSBh3feR-gqgdS0nuxy0SEIbzusNe-5q1MPCNyb90rUZ_SgdrLNIZaJOWmmNmKA/s640/IMG_5470.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMzxLUkMsEp3mBquFobIoff2gx99Ecm6-l0W69HYjzaKUJ4jSCpovTu8gUo50tLHD-uj3MxONg__5d_d6diaJGjNNXa8BYm6QRspChyGPda0dEcfAnwI5ClZFr5wnSBh3feR-gqgdS0nuxy0SEIbzusNe-5q1MPCNyb90rUZ_SgdrLNIZaJOWmmNmKA/w640-h480/IMG_5470.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I had been using for about 8 months while hiking the property to protect my legs from all the pokey things that had been tearing them up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1GoYuHsXDIpLkUWM85lj5Dc-athAf8UYZJW492P6FHrU8wkuYV-gMeXOahRIyH3_5He3-bTdAUm7Njbem4-5rBQvbW74w1BnguIunrg1aKE3_k7tGhkavP5ZYkSXZzrISSK6fozgyqy0AfAanYJOV8A5cPWm6ibmaJIcr2mvyO-7IlpZO61oyAfpAA/s1600/IMG_6559.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1GoYuHsXDIpLkUWM85lj5Dc-athAf8UYZJW492P6FHrU8wkuYV-gMeXOahRIyH3_5He3-bTdAUm7Njbem4-5rBQvbW74w1BnguIunrg1aKE3_k7tGhkavP5ZYkSXZzrISSK6fozgyqy0AfAanYJOV8A5cPWm6ibmaJIcr2mvyO-7IlpZO61oyAfpAA/w640-h480/IMG_6559.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well it's been about 10 more months and the gaiters are a little bit funkier now, but they still serve, almost daily, to keep my legs looking pristine and youthful.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">OK, that youthful bit might have been going too far - - - In fact, pristine might be a bit of an exaggeration too - - - Oh well such is the hubris of vanity.</div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hsRniNai1UsibHsdRB5CRT48qWGt_RCXqS_q9bRh02JMojlGnrRZXrxbngQJuhpM1TH-i3lACvVRNZNm0rIU59uSxcn07ISbWEjEp4LE38VX415qcsEVeoOlrReOTqrBHmSTcHDGZzKkKdpoz0StsejedgLU3emlP3Q6bTarTxx1ahG8xmAwKqGQpg/s1600/IMG_6543.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hsRniNai1UsibHsdRB5CRT48qWGt_RCXqS_q9bRh02JMojlGnrRZXrxbngQJuhpM1TH-i3lACvVRNZNm0rIU59uSxcn07ISbWEjEp4LE38VX415qcsEVeoOlrReOTqrBHmSTcHDGZzKkKdpoz0StsejedgLU3emlP3Q6bTarTxx1ahG8xmAwKqGQpg/w640-h480/IMG_6543.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>But yesterday morning, as I was putting them on, (to get back to the point)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3zpJHFb76TgCx1OzxghaqIhOwt4bjCDeP69zX_0BiL-oThRdXl1G3Io60hJM4Q7nSOBMA56gu9FHx5AuVc0frqElcIP3MCZymq8L1SmB4YYfA6LbxrEXD6Y6RTjpd5LyAXVPJPlzbxakyY_XyizXni4-ns05mEDNPFbgBFO2pRe1A8WCLRxTWZuzxw/s1600/IMG_6542.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3zpJHFb76TgCx1OzxghaqIhOwt4bjCDeP69zX_0BiL-oThRdXl1G3Io60hJM4Q7nSOBMA56gu9FHx5AuVc0frqElcIP3MCZymq8L1SmB4YYfA6LbxrEXD6Y6RTjpd5LyAXVPJPlzbxakyY_XyizXni4-ns05mEDNPFbgBFO2pRe1A8WCLRxTWZuzxw/w640-h480/IMG_6542.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>I noticed an issue with one of the foot-straps.</p><p>In my original review I remarked on how my biggest concern, durability wise, was the foot-straps that, as I pointed out at the time, "<span face=""Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-size: 13.2px;">are down there getting ground between my boot and the trail with every step"</span></p><p>Back then I estimated I had put about 300 miles on the gaiters and still couldn't find a nick or even a scuff mark on the straps.</p><p>Well now I've easily got 600 or more miles on the gaiters and the straps are not quite nick free anymore and one of them had failed, or almost failed, at the stitch-line.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLMe9gXzcwpB0f4b25NdKAcgWh4fbNIDDAakyOJrBe5YqiKwniqs3ITwUCf4HrkTvPtIbPltcKextJA3DOWKXlxiG8LIKB71bd7qeED-xY5TozKsfbI9qya7N96SeAmICZN-7BiRtqH5Eze9aXLgW-LjM-eMqhdtmwLpuf8RNz8yDFsYzYD_mDR3kBnQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1002" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLMe9gXzcwpB0f4b25NdKAcgWh4fbNIDDAakyOJrBe5YqiKwniqs3ITwUCf4HrkTvPtIbPltcKextJA3DOWKXlxiG8LIKB71bd7qeED-xY5TozKsfbI9qya7N96SeAmICZN-7BiRtqH5Eze9aXLgW-LjM-eMqhdtmwLpuf8RNz8yDFsYzYD_mDR3kBnQ=w640-h400" width="640" /></a></div><br />But we're not the kind of household to give up on possessions that easily. I mean, it's a little worse for wear now, but I'm still wearing one of my old office-shirts every evening after I get out of the shower (It's been 10 years since I retired) and when my sister saw the battered and taped-together folder I keep my Sumoko puzzles in while we were at the family reunion last summer she handed me a brand new folder - which I tucked away in a safe place for when I <i>really</i> need to replace the current one. <p></p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmeMOaF1KuRMyUQSpdC0heEovPBZQ2UUsOPfKmNAjFD_Z7V5PLwo77PlReGAeBOwupwuCWXYXXurVoM1T6olNkVO_34KAwdx7ZFmf6ctQ3jXRjpGkGEaGB9YeRvFq04yD75ZwXivBPG5kJcYVrXDuQ5XATzdNQFBKYtHeM1jOPONWaD4172xDWLjjaaw/s1600/IMG_6546.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmeMOaF1KuRMyUQSpdC0heEovPBZQ2UUsOPfKmNAjFD_Z7V5PLwo77PlReGAeBOwupwuCWXYXXurVoM1T6olNkVO_34KAwdx7ZFmf6ctQ3jXRjpGkGEaGB9YeRvFq04yD75ZwXivBPG5kJcYVrXDuQ5XATzdNQFBKYtHeM1jOPONWaD4172xDWLjjaaw/w640-h480/IMG_6546.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>So instead of panicking and hitting the "add to cart" button I dug the first-aid kit out of my backpack.<p></p><p>No, not because I'm going to fix it with a band-aid</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGNFYcpgNlkUhyLXVLbeSIOOFUBrEU5jb02u8Z5OxQ-0W4dtYbfBKErcPbsYDsYMeiZRwzQTk5dYbjygb_jwI5DlODCbk5iRm6jBs9-U8cNGvoNymhUlbBxJeYuo8eWUG44wRPuhdmLtPFsgL4Mnm2VuBxQBYCJ_DaVxYicW5_wOiJirCfQaQv06XTw/s1600/IMG_6548.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGNFYcpgNlkUhyLXVLbeSIOOFUBrEU5jb02u8Z5OxQ-0W4dtYbfBKErcPbsYDsYMeiZRwzQTk5dYbjygb_jwI5DlODCbk5iRm6jBs9-U8cNGvoNymhUlbBxJeYuo8eWUG44wRPuhdmLtPFsgL4Mnm2VuBxQBYCJ_DaVxYicW5_wOiJirCfQaQv06XTw/w640-h480/IMG_6548.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>but because that's where I keep my big-ass needle!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESo1T2NlSx_Ah1T12v6m92FGvChHPyutPZX0DVhS0spnTau2IVKGnQJqTU5qwTAQMXTza_p55vsn70Onb379DHmvRF8qQbyJ_asf1EcSXGj0MskFdRX6EDAKYIWOx69fW3tnTXFes2sU10DXgGB4teEtBr0K4CPrY2efox-cHEFBsUfeOzyoJkGUE3w/s1600/IMG_6551.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESo1T2NlSx_Ah1T12v6m92FGvChHPyutPZX0DVhS0spnTau2IVKGnQJqTU5qwTAQMXTza_p55vsn70Onb379DHmvRF8qQbyJ_asf1EcSXGj0MskFdRX6EDAKYIWOx69fW3tnTXFes2sU10DXgGB4teEtBr0K4CPrY2efox-cHEFBsUfeOzyoJkGUE3w/w640-h480/IMG_6551.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Which I threaded with some dental floss. - From my bathroom drawer. No sense in using up what I keep in my first-aid kit after all.</p><p>Strong stuff dental floss. Far stronger than any of the "normal" threads we have for the sewing machine.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAX6eP_UhwP939hG33AWzbULEDDihYpV1XGVUC7D6UzPhh3-BjnhyRMex9avbhvHDF_5fuz9uIqsJF2O-XUbwEDswQNcWEFzT_QMthUCJTeJ3o-u5DdVBmaySoJxiNn4-8zdW50upISmLxSGNu85iA2TFQ7cLKOXm7Kh1AI7mjg1k0auKSIC6vT2smXg/s1600/IMG_6550.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAX6eP_UhwP939hG33AWzbULEDDihYpV1XGVUC7D6UzPhh3-BjnhyRMex9avbhvHDF_5fuz9uIqsJF2O-XUbwEDswQNcWEFzT_QMthUCJTeJ3o-u5DdVBmaySoJxiNn4-8zdW50upISmLxSGNu85iA2TFQ7cLKOXm7Kh1AI7mjg1k0auKSIC6vT2smXg/w640-h480/IMG_6550.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>With supplies ready I cut the strap the rest of the way loose, but not before marking where on the gaiter the strap went and which side of the strap faced up with a bit of chalk.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWfxtbIJf85K2Z2DvyU4kSWCWNa3A1JB8cHwx8LvRRwIIpuHHeAsnyAWiscj7kIoDIvwfOW9KB42VSoU9_RrK3LgtGhgo1w_tPVGAw2XLtG-dTHaumaiPC_SxQNjbCcJKLTUo_PIyq3ZHxAhSExuDVS-DWnJD9g2E8uzTqirz9fohwqsQAhVarOjKrQ/s1600/IMG_6553.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWfxtbIJf85K2Z2DvyU4kSWCWNa3A1JB8cHwx8LvRRwIIpuHHeAsnyAWiscj7kIoDIvwfOW9KB42VSoU9_RrK3LgtGhgo1w_tPVGAw2XLtG-dTHaumaiPC_SxQNjbCcJKLTUo_PIyq3ZHxAhSExuDVS-DWnJD9g2E8uzTqirz9fohwqsQAhVarOjKrQ/w640-h480/IMG_6553.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Then I began re-sewing the fresh, undamaged end of the strap back onto the gaiter.</p><p>Driving that needle through many layers of tough fabric wasn't easy</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWXcAXYstcEfpphkcqItsflw4UVuco5sPiTFylCqvZG3LFBFGEYixDW9JinDhPKLrqTzWg4RobUT820yjXM8yAFH8dwxXIEi6-N8PuIJmAnCpEcXLWkOJUVvhIHfwvEclw0IrCi7SYKQCh95MKIpPpX3_UDJCiJP8y-GGOYg6Nl0uoGlXMmNgQobiHg/s1600/IMG_6558.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWXcAXYstcEfpphkcqItsflw4UVuco5sPiTFylCqvZG3LFBFGEYixDW9JinDhPKLrqTzWg4RobUT820yjXM8yAFH8dwxXIEi6-N8PuIJmAnCpEcXLWkOJUVvhIHfwvEclw0IrCi7SYKQCh95MKIpPpX3_UDJCiJP8y-GGOYg6Nl0uoGlXMmNgQobiHg/w640-h480/IMG_6558.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>so I used the narrow slot between my bench-vise and bench to support the work while driving the needle down through the gap</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBp4g0a9GU1LQfYSEsNA4yxx3EDhjfLxov71hOseYdHMvPzO95ehr9KWcW3PRC9WEOzUhQ5kvYDcih53qqcmNScUHGrfpiPI05MXXOcsIJ8727dOFvW_O0mLbxpNz3tsSgOQZVlxrcMRNaW8N9pTImO08WQLwi3Mfi8ltY-y9pPkLMTV3mj8kbGoyFjg/s618/thimble.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="618" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBp4g0a9GU1LQfYSEsNA4yxx3EDhjfLxov71hOseYdHMvPzO95ehr9KWcW3PRC9WEOzUhQ5kvYDcih53qqcmNScUHGrfpiPI05MXXOcsIJ8727dOFvW_O0mLbxpNz3tsSgOQZVlxrcMRNaW8N9pTImO08WQLwi3Mfi8ltY-y9pPkLMTV3mj8kbGoyFjg/w640-h414/thimble.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>with the help of the little wooden block I use to protect the tip of the needle when it's stored in my kit.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1J81aOmT8dpBjEzb24FPEt9bV49YT-IZp_6B3bJf3E_FiUVWn34PhG1qfW1Q5vEocfPbQfmi3Zff7cANUgC2As3JL_q6LZRG5y34fCfZQHzzbQzf4ZJysku1fP5PVb_Vo_MhT9brad04mWgxUkiw3WsP7Z7wz9zFcer-4LCAK6hsuyJSHJkZL3D1iA/s1600/IMG_6552.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1J81aOmT8dpBjEzb24FPEt9bV49YT-IZp_6B3bJf3E_FiUVWn34PhG1qfW1Q5vEocfPbQfmi3Zff7cANUgC2As3JL_q6LZRG5y34fCfZQHzzbQzf4ZJysku1fP5PVb_Vo_MhT9brad04mWgxUkiw3WsP7Z7wz9zFcer-4LCAK6hsuyJSHJkZL3D1iA/w640-h480/IMG_6552.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>To help even more I also soaped the tip of the needle before every stitch.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuPLjufWpZHGaGWRN4GQc8AKauUFrO3wyU82Zkc1GD-1J2xheYta81e74zAvoIxYQdm1BqfwdkdJjK5Sp1RMgXyIzLAXS5CQNzhMB768p1e6o_JPIEk6GWfspikC4EhNdISzI6xt82Cn07idT2ER2-64hv-C0GBoEC5GqBXn8xxHQtpdQxKATEFYcrA/s1600/IMG_6555.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuPLjufWpZHGaGWRN4GQc8AKauUFrO3wyU82Zkc1GD-1J2xheYta81e74zAvoIxYQdm1BqfwdkdJjK5Sp1RMgXyIzLAXS5CQNzhMB768p1e6o_JPIEk6GWfspikC4EhNdISzI6xt82Cn07idT2ER2-64hv-C0GBoEC5GqBXn8xxHQtpdQxKATEFYcrA/w640-h480/IMG_6555.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>And before long I had box-stitched the strap back onto the gaiter, not only along the two original stitch-lines but down both sides as well because - well, overkill is a hard habit to break,</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MEl-D_1_ijjgpY3wMDtEDHENFnQszGMHHrbXEBIFxdHHMrDGs4qQxG52kWSBLnbS-evMfbPBp8dbfhgNgNX0sy94nukVYWVgEOdReK_W_Ti4qAO0QiOaNtalDePva_BGInvjwca8K_9vqXUZOWkxeXpgreT7Bi3zLtGQN4NnuGwH_Cg1bc2-YxkEBQ/s2133/IMG_6557.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MEl-D_1_ijjgpY3wMDtEDHENFnQszGMHHrbXEBIFxdHHMrDGs4qQxG52kWSBLnbS-evMfbPBp8dbfhgNgNX0sy94nukVYWVgEOdReK_W_Ti4qAO0QiOaNtalDePva_BGInvjwca8K_9vqXUZOWkxeXpgreT7Bi3zLtGQN4NnuGwH_Cg1bc2-YxkEBQ/w480-h640/IMG_6557.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>and the gaiters are functional again! - If this photo looks harsh around the edges it's because the sun wasn't up yet this morning when I set out on my laps so I had to use the flash.</p><p>This whole process probably took me a half hour to do. Since it would have cost me $25 to replace the gaiters with a new set I figure I earned myself the equivalent of about $50 an hour there. And I don't even have to report it to the IRS!</p><p>Not bad for a retired old fart!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15960238893013776630noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719803707314253077.post-90085059048976604282022-12-19T14:16:00.050-06:002022-12-19T14:16:00.201-06:00Henderson Depot<p> I've noticed that the posts I write about museum visits tend to be the least read, and that's saying a lot when only a handful of my 750 posts have managed to claw their way up into the lower 2-digit page-hit level. (My last museum post just barely made it halfway up the 1-digit ladder!) But then again, it's my blog so I'm going to do another museum post so you'll have to turn it off, tune it out, or just plain ignore it.</p><p>And I <i>will</i> try to keep it short. (But we'll have to see how that goes!)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbEy_SMRrkwJK5cYIBynP4awRrXHgSS5wFyg5etpPkaxhEofGef-8ZsDKX9thwninRPVc0pa2U0nQzeqSrOLKa1JjDgAy4kX3-92qFwrz7oHDgA7qFhhR3w5MJZ_vJ4eoP4r-yENwYJ0PZ_CwUwqe1htjhpFsoa2kqCrLibxrIgXDo_V0iXqesnipZg/s1234/Capture%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="1234" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbEy_SMRrkwJK5cYIBynP4awRrXHgSS5wFyg5etpPkaxhEofGef-8ZsDKX9thwninRPVc0pa2U0nQzeqSrOLKa1JjDgAy4kX3-92qFwrz7oHDgA7qFhhR3w5MJZ_vJ4eoP4r-yENwYJ0PZ_CwUwqe1htjhpFsoa2kqCrLibxrIgXDo_V0iXqesnipZg/w640-h312/Capture%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>As I was heading home after a week of making myself dizzy hiking the same 5 miles of trail in <a href="https://travelsofaramblingvan.blogspot.com/2022/11/i-spent-week-there-one-afternoon.html" target="_blank">Martin Creek State Park</a> I passed through Henderson Texas, and prominently displayed on my map was the Henderson Depot Museum. A click on the map-bubble for the museum showed that it had opened not quite 30 minutes ago. (Ain't technology great?!)</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVThEOrSG6rwlHNvSxUDswfRixhAp8sMp0j1djIKdkEMNPQtMjUR5TLjeLDQX7G7iqMZvdUSr2GhC_5-DZcFZqsZ6RtUjy4xGSAn8DWus3g1yqvs2kwUvutayY_6XmfY7AVoxCitIH30Rj62PCWFZDlcx2eO5lFitOsFSjwVy1sZphV2GFfPKfm_099g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVThEOrSG6rwlHNvSxUDswfRixhAp8sMp0j1djIKdkEMNPQtMjUR5TLjeLDQX7G7iqMZvdUSr2GhC_5-DZcFZqsZ6RtUjy4xGSAn8DWus3g1yqvs2kwUvutayY_6XmfY7AVoxCitIH30Rj62PCWFZDlcx2eO5lFitOsFSjwVy1sZphV2GFfPKfm_099g=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />Being a sucker for all things railroad - and trying to be a little less isolationist - I decided to swing by and see what the parking lot looked like, congestion-wise.<p></p><p>Turns out it was just my kinda parking lot. Mostly, but not completely, empty.</p><p>Just enough vehicles that I won't be the only one in there and on display, being judged the whole time by the staff, (one of the curses of introvertism) but not so many that I'd be mingling too closely with the other patrons. (OK, we can blame a little bit of that on introvertism but these <i>are</i> is still COVID times! No matter how many of us are trying to ignore the facts.)</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaws15zPBvGMRqrp61FaoZVcKCTJFVvMUhj90ESHsvEf6wHHTCMZUZi-75UJl3ExokwWvnhriGD3rNpx75jlXWGkSFrTlitFD_1CPGFbGqaa8XqUSaLo-XKkBLrANPWATKo6SJD4fTdZQoar1gSPDBZTpSaT7xQPP7lrPHu_FWgAMshNj5rrbCKlDcWQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="1022" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaws15zPBvGMRqrp61FaoZVcKCTJFVvMUhj90ESHsvEf6wHHTCMZUZi-75UJl3ExokwWvnhriGD3rNpx75jlXWGkSFrTlitFD_1CPGFbGqaa8XqUSaLo-XKkBLrANPWATKo6SJD4fTdZQoar1gSPDBZTpSaT7xQPP7lrPHu_FWgAMshNj5rrbCKlDcWQ=w640-h306" width="640" /></a></div><br />So I decided to check it out and tied down my train - OK Yeah, I don't really have a train (I wish!) so in reality I parked The Van.<div><br /></div><div>Speaking of trains,</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVy_kWB4uzcadWVZKiFu3EDTAyo7eeThA1KNw1jpDYKEHPnUNoM3jzM6v2br7RHiUB2UsC5BNFTWZQs7SSi4hCWRRYvyu-sa6EypUxJhzyVn3uGikyjokEKFHlzfWECslbI9XdYs-qGgAx7WNvHS9bOZdFGOIx5f5WVYfLsuiZz0WYEEd6dxxORX1h9A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVy_kWB4uzcadWVZKiFu3EDTAyo7eeThA1KNw1jpDYKEHPnUNoM3jzM6v2br7RHiUB2UsC5BNFTWZQs7SSi4hCWRRYvyu-sa6EypUxJhzyVn3uGikyjokEKFHlzfWECslbI9XdYs-qGgAx7WNvHS9bOZdFGOIx5f5WVYfLsuiZz0WYEEd6dxxORX1h9A=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />with the exception of its name, the depot, which I'll get to in a moment, and this single caboose, which was locked up and inaccessible, both doors (I tried) there wasn't much railroad to this museum. </div><div><br /></div><div>Disappointing to a train-geek, but not a disaster to a history-nerd.<br /><p></p><p>Like many of these community style museums funding and exhibits are mostly through local donations and volunteer labor. Yes, that can make things a little quirky but I've visited several of these types of museums that have turned out to be be really interesting. And since they tend to focus on local stuff, I have often learned things I'm not likely to come across otherwise. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyB4FuSdCH2XX6xLti_9ig-y3zTbG44ECxNZtp07SIo8V7St-nJQeq3ts1PVn7rIiuPNhU7awXpjhZGhD6C-tZXUBnbUt48yietOjYaQ5VVXjKLb2JeVeYVrzKQDQ9hloIY8Tgn-afzB9aloilSoO88a2mzl5aT4DaO9F6X5eslWIhxGvuaO3wk6lNDQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyB4FuSdCH2XX6xLti_9ig-y3zTbG44ECxNZtp07SIo8V7St-nJQeq3ts1PVn7rIiuPNhU7awXpjhZGhD6C-tZXUBnbUt48yietOjYaQ5VVXjKLb2JeVeYVrzKQDQ9hloIY8Tgn-afzB9aloilSoO88a2mzl5aT4DaO9F6X5eslWIhxGvuaO3wk6lNDQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>For instance, where else would I learn that the handful of houses located just outside the entrance to the State Park I had been staying at are sitting on the site of Harmony Hill?</p><p>Quite a little town in the mid 1800's that, in addition to nearly a dozen shops and a furniture factory, included a Masonic Hall, a race-track (horse) and a number of thriving taverns. (apparently even the Mercantile did a booming "adult beverage" business out the back door on race days!)</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrsz4vNJZgUpTo6CV07l6DRsZRsEhjh0BBAo9QQVU97f-Gk9YBZGXUkxl0_Y8NmQXM0ZG2oIYwSiqp3O_2AiNzlCaA1AMI9tegjOesErOi92GD_g_ZZQVFJcVIm0FydaUQ_Er4W2x-ChsZF5DVnk5fIYKn6eWI-6Uh1l1ISoxYcpqe1SZrKvlnE1z_GA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrsz4vNJZgUpTo6CV07l6DRsZRsEhjh0BBAo9QQVU97f-Gk9YBZGXUkxl0_Y8NmQXM0ZG2oIYwSiqp3O_2AiNzlCaA1AMI9tegjOesErOi92GD_g_ZZQVFJcVIm0FydaUQ_Er4W2x-ChsZF5DVnk5fIYKn6eWI-6Uh1l1ISoxYcpqe1SZrKvlnE1z_GA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An assortment of butter-making equipment</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>At $3 a pop, $2 for seniors, this museum certainly isn't supplementing its funding at the door. In fact, when I pulled out the single $20 bill I carry folded up between my credit cards, where it will stay for months, even years, since I pretty much always use cards for everything, the woman at the front just waved me on through saying it wasn't worth dealing with the change. (I offered my card but she didn't want to mess with that either. - I know. I know. I've got so much charm and good-looks I'm dangerous! - See! I told you I'm dangerous! At least one of you just laughed so hard you nearly choked!)</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvtbYKMxRzcmPHP8tYtyU7QdfRqM3JsZEbB5cXnQcNegX40qtWsBAp8fWhD-jBKt99o8DGrW7Ro0Cxjo96JaerCXnqw9BiISkIZ-pN-F9BVE6NlPB7id5Vm88NxtP9FkUxeeoPzyywS1p3-_J6kFtCbaJpWl0iFOn4gLaynOvUH3wj9RLck5aij2gB6Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvtbYKMxRzcmPHP8tYtyU7QdfRqM3JsZEbB5cXnQcNegX40qtWsBAp8fWhD-jBKt99o8DGrW7Ro0Cxjo96JaerCXnqw9BiISkIZ-pN-F9BVE6NlPB7id5Vm88NxtP9FkUxeeoPzyywS1p3-_J6kFtCbaJpWl0iFOn4gLaynOvUH3wj9RLck5aij2gB6Q=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />The museum is called The Depot because that's what they started with, but now they've expanded and most of the inside displays are housed in a new building while the depot itself is used mostly as a community gathering space and class room.(They actually have another classroom in the new building too which tends to suggest a lot of school field trips.)<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiA1nHvPdKemCjE0oZEd7QkQVtbM5QA7UrN1xAN2yR5i-MBD3vjE_HJTXJ81RNaxWFmpJ3-X9p2UsDP46PJ4emd_HkcV04mREovDsGq9TOAKQ3QVg3Lyr7NPa79FWJaMJXhwzl1iICaY9z4eyST_0YpIoE_jOgArvlfrcd_fWBQGz3TY7AgFquk2-0arw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiA1nHvPdKemCjE0oZEd7QkQVtbM5QA7UrN1xAN2yR5i-MBD3vjE_HJTXJ81RNaxWFmpJ3-X9p2UsDP46PJ4emd_HkcV04mREovDsGq9TOAKQ3QVg3Lyr7NPa79FWJaMJXhwzl1iICaY9z4eyST_0YpIoE_jOgArvlfrcd_fWBQGz3TY7AgFquk2-0arw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>The new building houses an eclectic array of exhibits</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipXL-SmDYgIPRIMhgN9J4P4WObW7n4zZJNdBgcPT1XA7lue7sGSk87whAa9C0VLM1Y_wf9PnGuod0pFgvl438Kb_sdUt35wQDNvbbL3rKCWrqOsS-ehfM-DeUU33-EjOek-_yDFNGFVBDebqNKcMgWa_GJr91ZlIS4hhVqIT-VNbKTl8ws55LeTYtUvw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipXL-SmDYgIPRIMhgN9J4P4WObW7n4zZJNdBgcPT1XA7lue7sGSk87whAa9C0VLM1Y_wf9PnGuod0pFgvl438Kb_sdUt35wQDNvbbL3rKCWrqOsS-ehfM-DeUU33-EjOek-_yDFNGFVBDebqNKcMgWa_GJr91ZlIS4hhVqIT-VNbKTl8ws55LeTYtUvw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-oKyXOuonDnMjNcgUHVQF_eZjy-99uNQ279odYfGppDjTJMF_1bwEqdKDAwzEfjJ7qi1q2R_v_RHQDk1nUmL76i23iwWK_b3i_xEQ7pzr29g55TUdRyUWHVoS1NB6Im01yxvVmsyHGK_M8lTWeENYJcKmATlfXX6L0aXXOMA3rRhLLMEfryVcbTgV3Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-oKyXOuonDnMjNcgUHVQF_eZjy-99uNQ279odYfGppDjTJMF_1bwEqdKDAwzEfjJ7qi1q2R_v_RHQDk1nUmL76i23iwWK_b3i_xEQ7pzr29g55TUdRyUWHVoS1NB6Im01yxvVmsyHGK_M8lTWeENYJcKmATlfXX6L0aXXOMA3rRhLLMEfryVcbTgV3Q=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>that tell and illustrate the local history</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjR37HC-504wZYVe6dWjyv7a0ZMZag7OyMFsC3FgV767cVNjpiID1I3cXAq7CX41vtcWgkqu9v2v48Rx4pty6ChscNGR8jwnspDKKAAh_k1oAHnI-6RuLlLOD00xa2GF32ttmBeVOJOhpTVMs_04X1KGresPVkCjmJd23qybXqXP3g-wma7afgWk6OV7Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjR37HC-504wZYVe6dWjyv7a0ZMZag7OyMFsC3FgV767cVNjpiID1I3cXAq7CX41vtcWgkqu9v2v48Rx4pty6ChscNGR8jwnspDKKAAh_k1oAHnI-6RuLlLOD00xa2GF32ttmBeVOJOhpTVMs_04X1KGresPVkCjmJd23qybXqXP3g-wma7afgWk6OV7Q=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></p>as well as the lifestyle<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2gNffRWUr2ftkEU9F3TWt_HnvwNqUjAMYiLqSbqxEB3E3VWQHQB25vYRF-N-VGor2oFitm0dK-amEzbC6mzrgdsAeqAfSSOC5k1qT-zUcnRfyzDTVUexQBfvApo03EMByH-NiO1_UaIn_zvOObP7XxdkjJ8tMAeVVKKFrqX98tC0qaVuRGl7XkArl2A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2gNffRWUr2ftkEU9F3TWt_HnvwNqUjAMYiLqSbqxEB3E3VWQHQB25vYRF-N-VGor2oFitm0dK-amEzbC6mzrgdsAeqAfSSOC5k1qT-zUcnRfyzDTVUexQBfvApo03EMByH-NiO1_UaIn_zvOObP7XxdkjJ8tMAeVVKKFrqX98tC0qaVuRGl7XkArl2A=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div> <p></p><p>of anywhere from a couple centuries to a couple of decades ago.</p><p>And yes, when I saw this dress, which was apparently worn by one of the early 20th century school teachers, I had to look behind it to see if they had pinned up the fabric back there.</p><p>Nope.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbXTt7uS9GuHcxykZIX1E_-ac4mmfz91PfiE99peNI6J1JL06KogZzVC6dFOPmIOmNw4_FN4Y0GJYZLYsTXPmbUjsfjcSPrKbsadqAXRKL47Uxx_QwewZRD8HpLyBCSZL3w3xxJM5wfoPERUv8S6fKRNTr-tM0Xgtc9BRSDmtQTGVzC5_fwhxT6okTXQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbXTt7uS9GuHcxykZIX1E_-ac4mmfz91PfiE99peNI6J1JL06KogZzVC6dFOPmIOmNw4_FN4Y0GJYZLYsTXPmbUjsfjcSPrKbsadqAXRKL47Uxx_QwewZRD8HpLyBCSZL3w3xxJM5wfoPERUv8S6fKRNTr-tM0Xgtc9BRSDmtQTGVzC5_fwhxT6okTXQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />Like this outfit displayed elsewhere in the museum, what you see is what you get.<p></p><p>Those were some svelte women!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZqVv6M6Z7pJEXpOSk_E3ywg3MWtQqrLrcLMvYxnzQNlGg0LZ7ROV9SF6c4uaX_vftDJZs4p46_q9ZVlYT6Vid3fk4Z3JC9LJW_Me60_K3_2cWAo_EHKB2IA84FMmBj21AXlUy5wRQCRUdy_4Lu-mkvZa6M-EIvJMsiHAnd0Bb4EZOATaYExFB48m3sg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZqVv6M6Z7pJEXpOSk_E3ywg3MWtQqrLrcLMvYxnzQNlGg0LZ7ROV9SF6c4uaX_vftDJZs4p46_q9ZVlYT6Vid3fk4Z3JC9LJW_Me60_K3_2cWAo_EHKB2IA84FMmBj21AXlUy5wRQCRUdy_4Lu-mkvZa6M-EIvJMsiHAnd0Bb4EZOATaYExFB48m3sg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />But as this 1930 photo shows, not everybody was skinny back then! - Just more of us than today - - -<br /><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXSvkk0MU5YBusCLhtYwDHKAcvio34fegUnkcURV0PfrLrOf-eCgWn1RQZLx854Yet07zxvxhU6MhLX67UtrDhZMctEJV4-PjYHiQMp7o05PYU8yyk3W_NjOXdcED4FaqnDPit-WFpMZUlImA0sM4tVU6hXKE2mSyHMc5vmi6JaBi8SYXmwIDDACEo-Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXSvkk0MU5YBusCLhtYwDHKAcvio34fegUnkcURV0PfrLrOf-eCgWn1RQZLx854Yet07zxvxhU6MhLX67UtrDhZMctEJV4-PjYHiQMp7o05PYU8yyk3W_NjOXdcED4FaqnDPit-WFpMZUlImA0sM4tVU6hXKE2mSyHMc5vmi6JaBi8SYXmwIDDACEo-Q=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />Outside the main building some displays, such as an open-air, steam-powered saw-mill and this carousel, are fenced off waiting on the slow process of volunteer-driven restoration.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0LXFAwRB7zwk28H8_ED7KN4XGbAldfJ1Ii3VDGSV6xMe9PFlkKSb0xijPVvREH96IGOdLAbfpqu-sAycAh6trMa5ypapJ2DQYR6VHEmhCCEqU7BbwsLxUXSm9s7XHZ9dg90Guk95Yx-8qGKS6AhEN4lh-BF6mLncXpk_AEpWu4g9H8HyDvgZyFuzluQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0LXFAwRB7zwk28H8_ED7KN4XGbAldfJ1Ii3VDGSV6xMe9PFlkKSb0xijPVvREH96IGOdLAbfpqu-sAycAh6trMa5ypapJ2DQYR6VHEmhCCEqU7BbwsLxUXSm9s7XHZ9dg90Guk95Yx-8qGKS6AhEN4lh-BF6mLncXpk_AEpWu4g9H8HyDvgZyFuzluQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /> Others, like this typical 5-room dogtrot home, are open and ready for self-guided exploration.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvaMbNT_Ee8SeXbEIeDgK0ixLgyopxO3Pt3AvUVUCZAunzjCCYk1Qm4TO3X4Crt777VrOj_fU9Y4hYCJ20yLYHHVbZf5un9IbcX4N2V4b1UL4W9rU958L1gedkcYBeFN1QUQXp53TICK0kp_frnxvo3aiOXqmlyyrpkjwEJXb-0Odk7z7ivol-8ncuEg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvaMbNT_Ee8SeXbEIeDgK0ixLgyopxO3Pt3AvUVUCZAunzjCCYk1Qm4TO3X4Crt777VrOj_fU9Y4hYCJ20yLYHHVbZf5un9IbcX4N2V4b1UL4W9rU958L1gedkcYBeFN1QUQXp53TICK0kp_frnxvo3aiOXqmlyyrpkjwEJXb-0Odk7z7ivol-8ncuEg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />I'm not sure what it says about me, but when I walked into its 1900's kitchen I was struck by how comfortable I felt in there and that got me to looking around and thinking, and I decided I could manage very well, and happily, in a space like this.<p></p><p>No soft-close drawers, automatic ovens, exotic counter-tops and back-splashes. All the things that, based on the house hunting and renovation shows of today, we just can't live without!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYi8Wz53C0OFfVcFPiACMNg82YPHEEhSdRHrjIg4TIWt2-AvpjjIIogrBUGpaJhqNx9g_d9mVBPkm5XkrbwT8cmmywEMe6kTgY40xdA_NO5_lfdtQqKktQ8rJvJwhuMCJ0yWuky5x1rCOVUO3gG_DZJcn9oTUeF_KSA6hO77dG4juohlc3dlSrruehcg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYi8Wz53C0OFfVcFPiACMNg82YPHEEhSdRHrjIg4TIWt2-AvpjjIIogrBUGpaJhqNx9g_d9mVBPkm5XkrbwT8cmmywEMe6kTgY40xdA_NO5_lfdtQqKktQ8rJvJwhuMCJ0yWuky5x1rCOVUO3gG_DZJcn9oTUeF_KSA6hO77dG4juohlc3dlSrruehcg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />There's also a complete cotton gin sitting on the museum grounds and this is the two- cylinder Anderson oil engine that ran everything in the gin through a series of leather belts.<p></p><p>You can get a sense of the scale of this thing from the cut-down milk jug and the pails.</p><p>Those two tubes on the top are the cylinders,</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7z2V06DGuEtAFCCFAwcv-dJOlCGnulOs_IVO0IiZJ-zH3_x1GlHY99tMUtrISF5otFPG4r6B6Cxb6Dixf15FZIfOweVEr-alTkHbEYCgTTNQZwnuKe3U1Xpq3k8o2SNhTG_FOKKVOxbll5Yy5P-BD56ujDEsHdG0cohDJgfQHd5kN1_ircVKPcxTVLQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7z2V06DGuEtAFCCFAwcv-dJOlCGnulOs_IVO0IiZJ-zH3_x1GlHY99tMUtrISF5otFPG4r6B6Cxb6Dixf15FZIfOweVEr-alTkHbEYCgTTNQZwnuKe3U1Xpq3k8o2SNhTG_FOKKVOxbll5Yy5P-BD56ujDEsHdG0cohDJgfQHd5kN1_ircVKPcxTVLQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />each of which produces 55 hp!<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRX6IhVC4vM_jGDRqJ9UC28nlgRL_mTlS-EGBwjikGuwUyYXbNrge3-4fmwzEx46x0DyyFk3xiayKGg6zGP_OV_ZnXd3z9UQm6uc80a6ZkZE_SAvuu-YXRaEzmeQWXS5rD1AiVfaWh4nFRDO5ajcyp_RPyu8kIg0g5wFCF2-S65cVR6T31BysEOFE5KQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRX6IhVC4vM_jGDRqJ9UC28nlgRL_mTlS-EGBwjikGuwUyYXbNrge3-4fmwzEx46x0DyyFk3xiayKGg6zGP_OV_ZnXd3z9UQm6uc80a6ZkZE_SAvuu-YXRaEzmeQWXS5rD1AiVfaWh4nFRDO5ajcyp_RPyu8kIg0g5wFCF2-S65cVR6T31BysEOFE5KQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />Elsewhere on the grounds are an assortment of 'town' buildings such as the doctor's office, a general store, and a printer's, along with a covered area full of old farming tools and implements, but in a (clearly failed) attempt to keep this post short I'm going to skip all that.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqIePJEsWPFMIuqXiIamfINF9E4_nYEaYw0NdIpIZXyG2igrjxcOTgZFWh3sj51TWRRnBbWR1udM19WmXpuo-P2JnYiUHIwqx7wI_dOhFeo8rr7MCYiAXcWwHs_yPHqg2LzfGd9u7okNQf_Psq5754NyPfqk8yQ6rYv45kds6QH0l8og_Dfj3z5CJrwA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqIePJEsWPFMIuqXiIamfINF9E4_nYEaYw0NdIpIZXyG2igrjxcOTgZFWh3sj51TWRRnBbWR1udM19WmXpuo-P2JnYiUHIwqx7wI_dOhFeo8rr7MCYiAXcWwHs_yPHqg2LzfGd9u7okNQf_Psq5754NyPfqk8yQ6rYv45kds6QH0l8og_Dfj3z5CJrwA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />Except for this.<p></p><p>This is the remnants of a small broom-making shop opened in 1933 by Jesse Rogers, 20 years old at the time, after completing a course at the Austin school for the blind.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLP7uuKcE7HgU-QK7nGbEeFbJwyaHSeTkjjRcm5N_1HzXdJ6WDz6uGOQsoSBcv5zsYONKjNCqw8FiKP3tjTzv5zQppyRBj4XLrdsOUurLZvZZzoU4BXUEc6raJQgVxR64Q5G2uq2ytfw3qNfd0bBpJNOrCy2v-_Gv5qPhd6TemH17SqdndpekmreeRZA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLP7uuKcE7HgU-QK7nGbEeFbJwyaHSeTkjjRcm5N_1HzXdJ6WDz6uGOQsoSBcv5zsYONKjNCqw8FiKP3tjTzv5zQppyRBj4XLrdsOUurLZvZZzoU4BXUEc6raJQgVxR64Q5G2uq2ytfw3qNfd0bBpJNOrCy2v-_Gv5qPhd6TemH17SqdndpekmreeRZA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />Here he supported himself, and eventually his family, making brooms, whisk brooms, and mops by touch day after day right up until he died in the mid 1980's<p></p><p>Anyway, I think there's a lot of value to be found in these little community style museums and though posts about them don't seem to generate much interest, whenever I can force myself into one of them I expect I'll continue to spit into the wind - I mean post about it.</p><p><br /><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15960238893013776630noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719803707314253077.post-56005009797536071562022-12-12T10:55:00.000-06:002022-12-12T10:55:52.505-06:00Cheating or Really Intelligent Use of Resources?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ZJlnwe-rpAzsjFDW1VgtuGOQgkC0oRjJ2iRtsxaZ8s1k5ZmGcKX1cNoPIAH6KtFeDU1h_fM0ZItIG6V-mdJA0JhwWZvBsJwH_GQ84tei6mRV9MCH1Czt9W3b-kE-XPYEkTyztEOb60DyF5QLK_G_-7OWv1YOFPqhsgG43pSlB_007axQoT20wL4sig/s640/IMG_5796.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ZJlnwe-rpAzsjFDW1VgtuGOQgkC0oRjJ2iRtsxaZ8s1k5ZmGcKX1cNoPIAH6KtFeDU1h_fM0ZItIG6V-mdJA0JhwWZvBsJwH_GQ84tei6mRV9MCH1Czt9W3b-kE-XPYEkTyztEOb60DyF5QLK_G_-7OWv1YOFPqhsgG43pSlB_007axQoT20wL4sig/w640-h480/IMG_5796.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />A few months ago I included this photo in a post.<p></p><p>In <a href="https://travelsofaramblingvan.blogspot.com/2022/08/an-end-to-boring-tour-finally.html" target="_blank">that post</a> I mentioned that this tree, which is laying across one of the trails on our property, has been slowly settling and now I can't get under it without ducking. I also mentioned that for now, instead of doing something more permanent to resolve the issue, it would be just one more place where I'd have to learn to duck while doing my laps.</p><p>Well apparently I don't learn very well.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXDuCsA2LsapzBrKanT4zDXbjn6Z_G5Ks2aHkIVuk4SPVpmz5MVQ3LvN1R1FJEhtcmNybXvGhzZxcG5eyN6gKOGX7OxQkCbtI9ZPWnocZN4tGcoprHrhAVcvgRpEMTO-nXur2KJfdsskCpVptBp9ljvy9wxq-kSlx3q3ydr2rV2drqGMtczhnrqkx0Q/s1600/IMG_6563.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXDuCsA2LsapzBrKanT4zDXbjn6Z_G5Ks2aHkIVuk4SPVpmz5MVQ3LvN1R1FJEhtcmNybXvGhzZxcG5eyN6gKOGX7OxQkCbtI9ZPWnocZN4tGcoprHrhAVcvgRpEMTO-nXur2KJfdsskCpVptBp9ljvy9wxq-kSlx3q3ydr2rV2drqGMtczhnrqkx0Q/w640-h480/IMG_6563.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> A few days ago, with weighted pack on my back and head down as my little feet chugged along trying to keep up with the brisk pace, I ignored the need to duck and for my insolence promptly got knocked flat on my ass.<div><br /></div><div>There was an exceedingly loud crack as my skull was driven back into my neck. Like an encore this was followed with stars, some one-sided, less than family-friendly discussion, and a healthy dose of dumb-ass-you-deserve-it pain. But yet again, with some unfathomable stubbornness, I just carried on without doing anything about the situation other than resolving to do a better job of remembering to duck.<p>Then yesterday, after making it past the spot unscathed on my outbound trip, that damn tree reached out and dope-slapped me upside the head again on the return trip. Thankfully it was just a light, glancing blow this time, but unless I was ready to start wearing my hardhat and a neck-brace when doing laps, clearly something had to be done about this!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTBSqmzhR0dvdKEzDcIeZTVmwzsGQ78Kvx5d1LULRpEra-YjFsR5_soFUsZl2CnzChLPXafw063u1HmQ_7fnlEI251DlFPGPpkOi3HXt-SzmgONTFDY38A8gBptswkK_YTvLmGnknIQfF1EoiWhaWyf-kkER4BuuuXRmHsh36nCQdg68GoAVOp8MoiQ/s1600/IMG_6565.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTBSqmzhR0dvdKEzDcIeZTVmwzsGQ78Kvx5d1LULRpEra-YjFsR5_soFUsZl2CnzChLPXafw063u1HmQ_7fnlEI251DlFPGPpkOi3HXt-SzmgONTFDY38A8gBptswkK_YTvLmGnknIQfF1EoiWhaWyf-kkER4BuuuXRmHsh36nCQdg68GoAVOp8MoiQ/w640-h480/IMG_6565.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Soo - - - Nope, trusty pruning saw, which even though it hardly ever refuses to start when I need it to, is 10 inches.</p><p>Tree: about 14 inches.</p><p>Damn! The math, even new math, or whatever confusing crap they're experimenting on our kids with nowadays, just doesn't want to work.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKLMUz-ETzOJICcLEdLDy1uDtQipjIoXqES0mL8w4onfQSnNMoCCFTKW4dUe329B9R9V6Kkcki0KgFIg_tKsEt9V8-TA3wdSU3ACbXQr5Tqwl3ap2_Fl4-ZrFgexWUchcMOZK6yd6YUdjkhz2__kZI5XBxd4ms_866rCmdYaxkIlMEVIEcsThvGjYrQ/s1600/IMG_6564.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKLMUz-ETzOJICcLEdLDy1uDtQipjIoXqES0mL8w4onfQSnNMoCCFTKW4dUe329B9R9V6Kkcki0KgFIg_tKsEt9V8-TA3wdSU3ACbXQr5Tqwl3ap2_Fl4-ZrFgexWUchcMOZK6yd6YUdjkhz2__kZI5XBxd4ms_866rCmdYaxkIlMEVIEcsThvGjYrQ/w640-h480/IMG_6564.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>No problem.</p><p>I have two chainsaws, both of which are large enough for the job.</p><p>But neither one of them is a Stihl, (Ever notice that almost all the people on those off-grid shows that rely on their tools for survival have Stihl chainsaws?) and both of them fight me in different ways.</p><p>The small one's carb is all out of wack (I suck at carburetors!) so it is very difficult to start and then keep running.</p><p>The big one starts fine, though it idles like crap, but I can't seem to keep the chain properly adjusted. If I don't stop every couple of minutes to re-tighten the chain it throws itself off the bar creating a hell of a mess.(Yes - the chain gets all tangled up too, but mostly it scares the crap out of me every time!)</p><p>Besides, with 2-stroke fuel and bar-oil both these saws are stinky and messy and noisy and heavy.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4zem1k5GtO8Bc-m2QTVflN-A-UYeyubmfMsFDurQ1NOOqmmWDt9GuXEzNUda-eDi1dIj2TftcRsoCVZBYvqxjVFcLESKEB4rHaoKCin45G_LrPIbm0FNFACNoQO6Se4D92y1N5FI1lD3Mpvle_zUPoqY085IocCJRJnePqa1nGBGoS01HbX5-RTEdA/s1600/IMG_6566.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4zem1k5GtO8Bc-m2QTVflN-A-UYeyubmfMsFDurQ1NOOqmmWDt9GuXEzNUda-eDi1dIj2TftcRsoCVZBYvqxjVFcLESKEB4rHaoKCin45G_LrPIbm0FNFACNoQO6Se4D92y1N5FI1lD3Mpvle_zUPoqY085IocCJRJnePqa1nGBGoS01HbX5-RTEdA/w640-h480/IMG_6566.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>But hey!</p><p>I've got a 6 ounce roll of surveyors tape sitting right there on my computer desk! (Doesn't everybody?!)</p><p>So back up over the ridge with tape in my pocket</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7Joi-rEaI88BoqO8YfZ6iUSEyZ7lD-b-hU9Xv548FVhrjtZhi8LgWbleUMZDdm0u_AeNaMWp-G7gFxpdzKv6zOfui28MP0jcHLJ-UVatFbTyEQ_TI93_Dw70ARYBk816p4AjtGRvGI_oJDZJo_BTLVH6mcd-HWrkW9IlaBDLvKZS4-CUlJuI0LxyIw/s2133/20221112_114735.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7Joi-rEaI88BoqO8YfZ6iUSEyZ7lD-b-hU9Xv548FVhrjtZhi8LgWbleUMZDdm0u_AeNaMWp-G7gFxpdzKv6zOfui28MP0jcHLJ-UVatFbTyEQ_TI93_Dw70ARYBk816p4AjtGRvGI_oJDZJo_BTLVH6mcd-HWrkW9IlaBDLvKZS4-CUlJuI0LxyIw/w480-h640/20221112_114735.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>And, with a surplus of intelligence and trail-smarts, problem solved!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggH3k-ufLRQVnKzV4rvDdsGJ8waZZNz1yPc2f3jx_Spk6hp--_40w6qHeuZ_OHGVX9V98mSmeKnlab1dxUojKtHu_Wu3mq7S9P_ZcLrtjWJSQoNpVNSDIrC3tANFSMSrfAv0Nr4P2EZz3IiWzX1ONeepNznhRDm6MIYztw1R-QvmTw-FGouuk_TWAheA/s1600/20221112_114756.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggH3k-ufLRQVnKzV4rvDdsGJ8waZZNz1yPc2f3jx_Spk6hp--_40w6qHeuZ_OHGVX9V98mSmeKnlab1dxUojKtHu_Wu3mq7S9P_ZcLrtjWJSQoNpVNSDIrC3tANFSMSrfAv0Nr4P2EZz3IiWzX1ONeepNznhRDm6MIYztw1R-QvmTw-FGouuk_TWAheA/w640-h480/20221112_114756.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I left the tails long enough that even if I'm leaning wearily into my pack with head down as I crank out the steps I'll be able to see it in plenty of time to duck.</p><p>At least that's the plan - - -</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzE1p8EwQxqYLKQE7RIFxyKl6C3fZnKPeHEQZeuhdJKk7Z7FrrfJ6FDuzjyW4Olm1GlbDb5y1P0H83eTG4HKw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>This is a 34 second video, with narration, of me successfully negotiating the downed tree this morning on the outbound trip.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwtZWP7I2HscT_06uuguyeR80O1gqXLaXbAYFFL2PH08H47r7etnVhPbmrT_AGv5aHgs3KVW9LUKXYQFu272g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>If that's too long for you here's a 14 second quick-action version of the inbound trip. (Actually I hope one or both of them actually works. I haven't figured out how to test the embedded videos. Maybe after the post is published?)</div><div><br /></div><div>Now y'all might be wondering why I put up with a less than perfect trail. Why don't I just put on my big-girl panties and get out there and clear things out properly?</div><div><br /></div><div>I do go out there maybe once a year and trim some of last year's growth back, but not by too much. You see, I'm under the delusion that all the weaving and twisting and turning and ducking a less than perfectly cleared trail forces me to do is better for me. That it works a broader range of muscles, improves my flexibility, and keeps my sense of balance tuned up. (If I'm wrong please don't tell me! Just leave me with my happy delusions.) <br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKPbeMi1gHJ7do6rY52yDe3RfpvyqwBqyRrl8rs0F6ijbG5Touru8jZLULw7gBUJpo3aka7NiKtSDSowIeaEoc3xbKEYG9e6u-n1CTilLiLHBGta0iHvr8RGsJjAjfK2xLCqoxTLsxL89xOKhL_LY7Gay7J8WIbZlV-oXZYTH1_SQQcgMM8TY67Jyftw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKPbeMi1gHJ7do6rY52yDe3RfpvyqwBqyRrl8rs0F6ijbG5Touru8jZLULw7gBUJpo3aka7NiKtSDSowIeaEoc3xbKEYG9e6u-n1CTilLiLHBGta0iHvr8RGsJjAjfK2xLCqoxTLsxL89xOKhL_LY7Gay7J8WIbZlV-oXZYTH1_SQQcgMM8TY67Jyftw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p><b>Alright. Much as I'd like to ignore it and leave y'all thinking I'm a genius, here's the reality edit: </b></p>I wrote this a few weeks ago and in a perfect world I'd be able to say that was the end of it, but - - - well - - -<p></p><p>Just to remind me that I'm not quite as smart as I think I am, over the next couple of weeks I picked up a few more divots in my head.</p><p>Not on that big tree! That fix has been working great. But apparently, now that I don't have to worry about the big stuff, there are a few smaller obstacles in head's way that feel like they can make themselves bashly (brashly?) known.</p><p>Fortunately the small stuff - such as this one which, even though it's right at eye-level where it can hardly be missed has still clipped my hat off a few times - doesn't hurt quite as much, but it is still annoying.</p><p>So, if a fix works once it should work again - right?</p><p>I hope so!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiek-GHRvPRXzFKP9XwTmr_FL7uV8HP_6jF7Z0pnP-TYjKbXNVNlYzj7eXbqoxPBLTYBrDDlZ46gTEiEe9iROxMDGWd0xyPFB_ydvFkoZIuIQ6tR1yeVyWLx1ApAGISuueL8gDMOih84cnD-l1A1bnxfhRNfr4-k3u9HIpRGmtEcjWLQcDZvNf-x0umBA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiek-GHRvPRXzFKP9XwTmr_FL7uV8HP_6jF7Z0pnP-TYjKbXNVNlYzj7eXbqoxPBLTYBrDDlZ46gTEiEe9iROxMDGWd0xyPFB_ydvFkoZIuIQ6tR1yeVyWLx1ApAGISuueL8gDMOih84cnD-l1A1bnxfhRNfr4-k3u9HIpRGmtEcjWLQcDZvNf-x0umBA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />And since I'm not quite as dumb as I look, I've stashed a supply of head-knocker-tape in my GPS case where I can quickly get to it whether I'm stopping to pick up my hat, busy rubbing the pain out of a new head-divot, or laying flat on my back wondering what the hell just happened. <p></p><p><br /></p></div>greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15960238893013776630noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719803707314253077.post-40662356739760829972022-11-28T14:52:00.003-06:002022-11-29T07:46:13.482-06:00Not For The Squeamish<p> No, seriously, if you are squeamish about squishy things or the reality of survival, stop reading now, close this post without going past the first photo and just leave it alone.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTSG7HM7bOjWrSRMSDYBa82JqvsHPXipkr5rqXAUMaru3pu7fJwrz5XmAZMkZyTc6YKsJF7NQlhZIgxzNZrdrayfiE9L2_QdGjXMxUL-QlQFWFtMHbXBdvShTwjUqYGseP5LozqGHHQsjWZ4MLn_Rtci_dsTkLFxu_VvOCPo6PMtNEXLKBxLNmBX671Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTSG7HM7bOjWrSRMSDYBa82JqvsHPXipkr5rqXAUMaru3pu7fJwrz5XmAZMkZyTc6YKsJF7NQlhZIgxzNZrdrayfiE9L2_QdGjXMxUL-QlQFWFtMHbXBdvShTwjUqYGseP5LozqGHHQsjWZ4MLn_Rtci_dsTkLFxu_VvOCPo6PMtNEXLKBxLNmBX671Q=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />I have walked thousands of miles, maybe getting on up into double digits of thousands of miles, of trails, and over the past 20 years, a thousand or few more miles on the trails around the property.<p></p><p>During those miles I have stumbled across a lot of things that go on in the natural world, including a fresh, as in still warm and steamy, eviscerated moose-kill in Alaska while hiking back to the trailhead (It wasn't there on my outbound trip just a few hours earlier.) that scared the crap out of me because I didn't know where the bear (The distinctive tracks were clearly evident) it belonged to was.</p><p>But after all these years and all those miles, I still haven't seen everything.</p><p>Just the other morning as I came along the trail across the bottom of the largest ridge on the property, unable to see the barn on the other side of the pond because of the fog which made things slightly spooky anyway,</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4QxE_HgG9QLgdWJspwdPYnUguhWP6cOKnzDLD3ulzTKmzTJV0haupaXLIc3GxsHZzsDqadELP84yZhvPplUjurJgBJOnUSJBAiv-f06ORfgKJWATv-B6wBrGAYJWdb1ZmKwXIjgTWrfXIoK-RDWt5qEASWcYfAGrvQw3z6A24KN8OTvmFNAe9tHtX4g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4QxE_HgG9QLgdWJspwdPYnUguhWP6cOKnzDLD3ulzTKmzTJV0haupaXLIc3GxsHZzsDqadELP84yZhvPplUjurJgBJOnUSJBAiv-f06ORfgKJWATv-B6wBrGAYJWdb1ZmKwXIjgTWrfXIoK-RDWt5qEASWcYfAGrvQw3z6A24KN8OTvmFNAe9tHtX4g=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />I was stopped in my tracks by this.<p></p><p>No, I didn't stop quite as close as this. It's just that after I got my phone out and swiped it alive I put my foot in the frame for scale.</p><p>Based on the the size and a couple of tufts of fur scattered around the perimeter I'm guessing this was a rabbit.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVqmu6bQfLOF8240zPhMTG4A8Ii8YM4v-DvEKjPARYnz8M6Vth5poYa-xNbz6kXt-FCcS4M8MrIxKGTN_L6JOBco1qzSrkUgA_2bpJW0lZPbz8_1ad2jprvF6CaZpXXXXav6x4bMgVleioUV9_g22OqmHZA4J4iKb8ycTTwbb8ysCyE4W68HfDkqCRqQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVqmu6bQfLOF8240zPhMTG4A8Ii8YM4v-DvEKjPARYnz8M6Vth5poYa-xNbz6kXt-FCcS4M8MrIxKGTN_L6JOBco1qzSrkUgA_2bpJW0lZPbz8_1ad2jprvF6CaZpXXXXav6x4bMgVleioUV9_g22OqmHZA4J4iKb8ycTTwbb8ysCyE4W68HfDkqCRqQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />I've come across kills and carcasses on a quite a few of my treks, but never one quite like this.<p></p><p>In fact this one is the complete reverse of the norm.</p><p>Normally one of the first parts of a kill gone after by pretty much any predator is the belly because it's a soft entry-point. And usually, because of the high nutritional value-to-effort ratio, the first parts consumed are the organs. Including, actually especially, the stomach and intestines which contain highly concentrated nutritional value that is easily digested.</p><p>Why this stomach and intestines were left laying there when the rest of the animal was missing (Yes, I looked for it) I have no idea, and given that in all my years wandering unleashed in nature this is the first time I've ever seen anything like this other than at a human hunting camp I don't expect that I'll ever see it again.</p><p>Yes, perhaps a little cringe-worthy, but an intriguing mystery and a fascinating anatomy lesson. I've seen all sorts of drawings of stomachs. Everything from cartoonish Pepto adds to anatomical pictorials, but I have never seen the real thing laid out so clearly before!</p><p>OK, so I'm actually a little squeemish myself, but I love learning new stuff! </p>greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15960238893013776630noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719803707314253077.post-20227397071866915582022-11-14T18:40:00.044-06:002022-11-14T18:40:00.202-06:00I Spent a Week There One Afternoon!<p> I'm not opposed to hiking the same trail over again - and again - and again. After all, the light is rarely the same from hike to hike and I always seems to find something new to see along the way.</p><p>In fact, to illustrate my point, when doing my laps around the property just this morning, (Nov 9) laps I have done literally thousands of times over the past 20 years, I came across something in the middle of one of the trails that I have never seen before, anywhere! (I'll probably get around to posting about it sometime, but it won't be for the squeamish!)</p><p>Besides, a bad day out in the open on a trail is way better than a good day on the couch, </p><p>But I have been in a bit of a rut lately where I'm feeling a little burned out on my usual camping and hiking haunts.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhs26HotoyiVnQO9WGjdWSPiXGBgNa893nMS0rEgwHn1HISjRLwpnVN36UxK4FkBTwROr7Gtp2AFzZkSHmwX69RbciBCCF_hrDpZWzIVy82dtWIzdwpRFgdh3vBiGt6faxyphF2iUxEfr6APvmuN8E0HiPzaIkF8xJVKxXkHtEQyzL1wjV2s232tnzJEA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="554" data-original-width="987" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhs26HotoyiVnQO9WGjdWSPiXGBgNa893nMS0rEgwHn1HISjRLwpnVN36UxK4FkBTwROr7Gtp2AFzZkSHmwX69RbciBCCF_hrDpZWzIVy82dtWIzdwpRFgdh3vBiGt6faxyphF2iUxEfr6APvmuN8E0HiPzaIkF8xJVKxXkHtEQyzL1wjV2s232tnzJEA=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>So I went poking around in the wrinkles of my maps and found this new-to-me place.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeaIJUg1CIn5FoCS6cR1XaTcQwJvO_78buWeaChsfRE60eaZOanu3zLIg85COu4qpGYatS7LJmw-i4q6uo-ZRPq0ZhXLOg6I7yhcLArUCZ3qytjekXu69iiMpJFX0IooYt0KG_UDiaUEPMMiR_x2tCCt9JrnpWQTQPkx_3HEfxD3jIPNTfmH6U_JDWqg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="806" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeaIJUg1CIn5FoCS6cR1XaTcQwJvO_78buWeaChsfRE60eaZOanu3zLIg85COu4qpGYatS7LJmw-i4q6uo-ZRPq0ZhXLOg6I7yhcLArUCZ3qytjekXu69iiMpJFX0IooYt0KG_UDiaUEPMMiR_x2tCCt9JrnpWQTQPkx_3HEfxD3jIPNTfmH6U_JDWqg=w640-h352" width="640" /></a></p><p>Martin Creek Lake State Park over in the East Texas Piney Woods</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3LgVc66WjhyXvwsIeKRacwGW30rDMkz33_BQDkDSmHcOo-YCBmStygpi_H__X6Y0ofkWkZdEimVssHO6LtQl2SHObQAqIjVRkGPN9yqFIQGR5yLr4U-LB45Ip41DPFyTiBM2wg4xu9yiCQzciUn__hXAzN4q4bSlZjWbLvqmX4es35m-_YKXa3ZloDw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="968" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3LgVc66WjhyXvwsIeKRacwGW30rDMkz33_BQDkDSmHcOo-YCBmStygpi_H__X6Y0ofkWkZdEimVssHO6LtQl2SHObQAqIjVRkGPN9yqFIQGR5yLr4U-LB45Ip41DPFyTiBM2wg4xu9yiCQzciUn__hXAzN4q4bSlZjWbLvqmX4es35m-_YKXa3ZloDw=w640-h376" width="640" /></a></p><p>At 286 acres not an especially large State Park, but it does have some trails, so I figured what the hell, let's give it a shot.</p><p>All I've got to lose is a couple mortgage payments worth of fuel, which we can spare since we put mortgages behind us long ago, and a week's worth of time.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgl0PL1Kncb9tqJR5TzzcLqB-M9o62fdtBDL3_xJnLGxUdJSKROZqszPSwV1hCrSaFVb0T3j4qaydnJ8sP4PpX3LU4SmaOOglkm4-g9eJcWf_6syK2EO8UOdXGzGG6dvzmqJsyU_Uu6TpMTZ9-iSYMMxjSIXhUGebXnGEWaHsSrnMOvq0yMMnc7N8EBNA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgl0PL1Kncb9tqJR5TzzcLqB-M9o62fdtBDL3_xJnLGxUdJSKROZqszPSwV1hCrSaFVb0T3j4qaydnJ8sP4PpX3LU4SmaOOglkm4-g9eJcWf_6syK2EO8UOdXGzGG6dvzmqJsyU_Uu6TpMTZ9-iSYMMxjSIXhUGebXnGEWaHsSrnMOvq0yMMnc7N8EBNA=w613-h640" width="613" /></a></div><br />Having never been there I hadn't had a chance to compile my usual list of best-OK-bad campsites, so when it came time to reserve my site I sat down with the campground map and rolled the dice, hoping I didn't come up craps!<p></p><p>People seem to find lakeside sites attractive, but to me they are often exposed, busy, and noisy (Boy wasn't that the truth in this case! - something I'll get to in a moment) inside-loop sites back up to other inside loop sites and also tend to be a little closer to the neighbors on either side than outside sites, if there's a choice I give 50 amp sites (the green ones in this case) a wide berth because the 50's attract larger rigs which tend to have multiple air-conditioners, outdoor entertainment systems droning and flickering on well into the evening, hugely annoying fairy lights blazing brightly all night long, roaring water-heaters trying to keep up with long showers or loads of laundry, and yappy lap-dogs, and those sites close to bath-houses and dump stations - well, need I say more through the din of idling engines and overly tired kids screaming around the feet of parents desperately trying to avoid getting tangled in the dump-hose and splashing used bathwater and shit all over themselves, or the constant slamming of the bath house door?</p><p>So based on the fact that it is an outside-loop site away from the lake shore and 50 amp-ers, a long ways from the dump station, just about as far from the bath-house as I could get, seemed to have just a little extra gap between it and the adjacent sites, - and it was available - I blindly picked site 44.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEheV3UbR4Q2MYKWUd35se58iE1Gchl5P-ArGKfO1nqOoUXtiZNv01ILOi_djMgWZcZ0cx_o_o1DwRx09MOnbgozoGJiP31AwtX-W8CW_9ObjqDXnxO1rqA5pfJMJ56RqNBUclzhqliqNh8x6ZJBgXzGp0JMymjHeF4EV88_Jm6Uo3whTP-6h46CocQohQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEheV3UbR4Q2MYKWUd35se58iE1Gchl5P-ArGKfO1nqOoUXtiZNv01ILOi_djMgWZcZ0cx_o_o1DwRx09MOnbgozoGJiP31AwtX-W8CW_9ObjqDXnxO1rqA5pfJMJ56RqNBUclzhqliqNh8x6ZJBgXzGp0JMymjHeF4EV88_Jm6Uo3whTP-6h46CocQohQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /> Which turned out to be a damn good toss of the dice.<p></p><p>As advertised, it is set a little apart from the sites on either side, in fact separated from one by a steep gully and both by untamed brush and woods, backed up to thick woods behind that shielded the site from the lake, and with a nice light and sound damping woods buffer in the center of the loop between me and the 50 amp-ers on the far side.</p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibzfb_jCtDzuKp31wlnSME7hdK8KVh8dMSu6G269LiCwIq5BvvriXgyrR89uqGIi6KFgpfgp-rt5hyeeiEHu6K5_JY7U4jA51c9VFfh3v6KqZqLicGL-TQxpTqpj6TCVBnJ653Ws2b4lVLrU7XQohlZLNcBJwlNOedC5RaEnJV3wgn5iB687wFHghnQA"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibzfb_jCtDzuKp31wlnSME7hdK8KVh8dMSu6G269LiCwIq5BvvriXgyrR89uqGIi6KFgpfgp-rt5hyeeiEHu6K5_JY7U4jA51c9VFfh3v6KqZqLicGL-TQxpTqpj6TCVBnJ653Ws2b4lVLrU7XQohlZLNcBJwlNOedC5RaEnJV3wgn5iB687wFHghnQA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>My own little private corner for the week, albeit one with little solar potential!</p><p>Yep, still loving my 200 AH's of BattleBorn lithium ion batteries.</p><p>Being September in Texas it wasn't exactly cool, (That doesn't happen until well into October and then for only a few tantalizing days at a time.) which makes my compressor-fridge, my largest battery consumer by far, work hard at sucking electrons, but I arrived on a Sunday afternoon with a full charge from about 6 hours of driving the nice open, sunny roads, never plugged in, and my batteries still had enough charge left to carry me for one and a half to two more days as I rolled back out onto the sun-drenched roadways the following Friday.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIEKzqFxg0oUvJZnUKY-bC4oytZvvMqkl-nBGHpLl9AqztQPZa8XfDcLdMG4JqGe4qq-nGUiU9G4lYhbsWE_OKJ3vejLLzC9M_pFGnyR3YPnToBR60ZiRVY16ZlIGB8zhMaRFNS_ggB_sQWzHRao-zWhoeFgSr-GqomXlijxm-aPXXzNyFc0-frWqk4g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIEKzqFxg0oUvJZnUKY-bC4oytZvvMqkl-nBGHpLl9AqztQPZa8XfDcLdMG4JqGe4qq-nGUiU9G4lYhbsWE_OKJ3vejLLzC9M_pFGnyR3YPnToBR60ZiRVY16ZlIGB8zhMaRFNS_ggB_sQWzHRao-zWhoeFgSr-GqomXlijxm-aPXXzNyFc0-frWqk4g=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />In addition to campsites, including primitives over on the island, which is reachable by a foot-bridge,<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhz9fAPPH3td2qvcQ6TK9DuTXdyv2QW_4--LDVHbYOTHj86pQXUOIexvqjCgNuQdaZWkpZf3jvxq6bZlqkwCPYOTAIk_zh0ueH4fJeyF49PmV7H4xz1MncvSer4Fdlsk3GUTqtGdvMj3JQFOb3y-7cayk5hcg1gfu7FV_SMKyRuJH2LiFtwsaDOsE60-A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhz9fAPPH3td2qvcQ6TK9DuTXdyv2QW_4--LDVHbYOTHj86pQXUOIexvqjCgNuQdaZWkpZf3jvxq6bZlqkwCPYOTAIk_zh0ueH4fJeyF49PmV7H4xz1MncvSer4Fdlsk3GUTqtGdvMj3JQFOb3y-7cayk5hcg1gfu7FV_SMKyRuJH2LiFtwsaDOsE60-A=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />this park also has screened in shelters with bare concrete floors for camping without the flapping fabric and snarl of tent poles,<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIIEdH8Ure1qwJgS7HuNNiQLAgf9tH545X9Z65WMZQTdthUFjDNA4F796dlBF5Q3mFQVgnhaPJn5ntOmAHSiDQiogBaEgudaNHOIsMiLwoKEMVKeGAz_r1DivOUXXO7e3dbsXfw6xX3R4UaZ07MQN0m072KfnnZShhCbC_Mf_yquAdEjacFVM2o85wjA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIIEdH8Ure1qwJgS7HuNNiQLAgf9tH545X9Z65WMZQTdthUFjDNA4F796dlBF5Q3mFQVgnhaPJn5ntOmAHSiDQiogBaEgudaNHOIsMiLwoKEMVKeGAz_r1DivOUXXO7e3dbsXfw6xX3R4UaZ07MQN0m072KfnnZShhCbC_Mf_yquAdEjacFVM2o85wjA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />"cottages" with adjacent water-points, a couple of iron beds, and even air-conditioning,<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsLms3d_Xfb2Q5G4dXLF4lvqWZVNUrsiATcy_C2-Hzgso5hPj37Jvusgk6eoG6pODFkStBB39BJheKUE9iT9bMSo0v1RJIQKLGQTygNlycObw77uStHbLY56msK0ELkotTouLk0_PCzq4c84o_aO5b-Qx97AFxWUryCfCfpmPn77sHoa1KGTiCNzqdTA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsLms3d_Xfb2Q5G4dXLF4lvqWZVNUrsiATcy_C2-Hzgso5hPj37Jvusgk6eoG6pODFkStBB39BJheKUE9iT9bMSo0v1RJIQKLGQTygNlycObw77uStHbLY56msK0ELkotTouLk0_PCzq4c84o_aO5b-Qx97AFxWUryCfCfpmPn77sHoa1KGTiCNzqdTA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />and if that's still a little too much like roughing it for you, there's a couple of ADA accessible, two bedroom, kitchen and bath with running water, cabins.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVt57JtP5cy7ECegZAP8swiAKiO32A_roIOqqlU-qKwE96Q6n2Uc_5_n8QIv6cDqQVymzA1ejNvKsnQYuw5B_R8jInBkwS9Vbd9VZ6G0FJMDGXnw20MKreP_a-qD7622qvp4Y06oxLAyBPjqCtwLYOISSFB7ybEqWN2luQJ7IRKeDUc3d0Mf1fc_t13Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVt57JtP5cy7ECegZAP8swiAKiO32A_roIOqqlU-qKwE96Q6n2Uc_5_n8QIv6cDqQVymzA1ejNvKsnQYuw5B_R8jInBkwS9Vbd9VZ6G0FJMDGXnw20MKreP_a-qD7622qvp4Y06oxLAyBPjqCtwLYOISSFB7ybEqWN2luQJ7IRKeDUc3d0Mf1fc_t13Q=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>But I'm only interested in the camping.</p><p>So once I got set up, which consists of parking, popping the canopy up, and unfolding the camp-chair, I used the remainder of the afternoon to go on my ritual first-time-here campground-stroll intending to compile my best-OK-bad list of campsites for future reference, (If I take a horizontal photo of a campsite number post it's a best, if I don't take a photo it's an OK, if I take a vertical photo it's a bad) but I ended up putting the camera away because in the context of this campground I was already in the best site and (other than the caveat coming up in a moment) there were no particularly bad sites. For instance, site 73 here is an inside loop site, but as you can see there is a solid buffer of trees and brush between it and site 80, another inside loop site on the opposite side.</p><p>So what's this "issue" I've hinted at a couple times?</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwng605s5P9zmsR_nG9b8498CRWtxNifQxdb3NruzcsJ2UVuk3jql7Hp5wUV8QkqZYhcQPnGWcMkZW3Vtf8EMS8tL4f5sdHoQPkGMrmLfe3v3dRN_wTFqKF7wOfPOEn5c0m1BMbXCWtPnPDGiAYr1s2ylEvwz5bn5TXL8HZ94rc_qJL-Ch9lLuO1bOKA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="1600" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwng605s5P9zmsR_nG9b8498CRWtxNifQxdb3NruzcsJ2UVuk3jql7Hp5wUV8QkqZYhcQPnGWcMkZW3Vtf8EMS8tL4f5sdHoQPkGMrmLfe3v3dRN_wTFqKF7wOfPOEn5c0m1BMbXCWtPnPDGiAYr1s2ylEvwz5bn5TXL8HZ94rc_qJL-Ch9lLuO1bOKA=w640-h316" width="640" /></a></div><br />Yeah - well - I suppose the line between hum and roar is subjective.<p></p><p>For the most part the trees around my site did a pretty good job of knocking the noise down to a persistent but acceptable level,</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVc3PdOGq0ugSzS4XPdASj-jEL2PAY6r7fniSnSckmDv-SkImSNc-CIqbTdQW2sAv9cPJr5NUyuUdZzujTJ1g3-xsX42c-V8ccrl0hz466yMzGbRTwH2zOiZilUTjUBIt8q12QxSOQrL2eVynfP_FezwGuXN9wdPmoYVDxu7Gs_mK8M8DHPtcdH00N_A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="1600" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVc3PdOGq0ugSzS4XPdASj-jEL2PAY6r7fniSnSckmDv-SkImSNc-CIqbTdQW2sAv9cPJr5NUyuUdZzujTJ1g3-xsX42c-V8ccrl0hz466yMzGbRTwH2zOiZilUTjUBIt8q12QxSOQrL2eVynfP_FezwGuXN9wdPmoYVDxu7Gs_mK8M8DHPtcdH00N_A=w640-h222" width="640" /></a></div><br />but there were a few times after the sun went down that it sounded like a convoy of heavy trucks, with maybe a tank or two thrown in for good measure, was easing up the loop-road towards me.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtky5XZ0TMJlZHRVMt9NnO0EsJx5NcShWOPr6zrQfslbZ5lG7H1JeWneJuexUuM7A0lk7CzkmPScrS-Fped7p0gZcxg74mHMBqviILKIMiYmU45UYUxMGwXmjOmJA8GCc7tvYBd0m2prxVyfjlyd2YWQoi9NGnAKIKKKfNQ4tG5WPx2HpndylDYw7whw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtky5XZ0TMJlZHRVMt9NnO0EsJx5NcShWOPr6zrQfslbZ5lG7H1JeWneJuexUuM7A0lk7CzkmPScrS-Fped7p0gZcxg74mHMBqviILKIMiYmU45UYUxMGwXmjOmJA8GCc7tvYBd0m2prxVyfjlyd2YWQoi9NGnAKIKKKfNQ4tG5WPx2HpndylDYw7whw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />with their lights on!<p></p><p>I don't know why power plant managers feel the need to burn up a fair portion of their output, a portion that we as consumers have to pay for, (Even if you live completely off-grid, the cost of electricity is embedded in the goods you buy) but every power plant I've ever seen at night is lit up this way.</p><p>And you see that bright light in the center of the photo? (Well that was a dumb question! How could you not?) It seems to be a big-ass spotlight aimed across the lake directly at the State Park, Unless it's purely for the annoyance factor I have no idea what it's purpose is, but when I turned away from taking this photo from the lake-shore</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitxKEvC_6eMIX-UovCnrVTWZqCWzrKoL86GWNSJCAEMx5G6uaOiWiQcL1TR8G0muo93fpPjruJLQlpDL-v2SZBk_1WiRHFGjry5-nQjEFuiwZ0scu-hDyhjIOnpoZO09cIowbufsFii27tVl0qXOH4MVoj5hXBgeGbo2waGmBeiQUdh6BFYgBzyjWGxg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1208" data-original-width="1600" height="483" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitxKEvC_6eMIX-UovCnrVTWZqCWzrKoL86GWNSJCAEMx5G6uaOiWiQcL1TR8G0muo93fpPjruJLQlpDL-v2SZBk_1WiRHFGjry5-nQjEFuiwZ0scu-hDyhjIOnpoZO09cIowbufsFii27tVl0qXOH4MVoj5hXBgeGbo2waGmBeiQUdh6BFYgBzyjWGxg=w640-h483" width="640" /></a></div><br /> I could actually see the spotlight casting a shadow of my shoulders and hatted head on the tree behind me.<p></p><p>Now what in the blue-balled hell is the sense in that?! (No, not that kind of blue-balls. With all the stuff that's been going on in the world the past few years I'm just assuming hell has frozen over so it must be damned cold there!)</p><p>A question I'm sure the unenlightened who chose a lakeside campsite and are now trying to sleep with the undampened noise and that light shining in the bedroom window all night would like an answer to.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgA99-OerNV438Gyd5ifTmALsd47PuTRvKPGY2nILvA9wASkbEbpfmzHRKDJkRXerk7sz-wLbKahXD6JCshyZ1VPjKSoOi7lRFO4rBxaqqnJps9nqPMkKw-8hxg_TVNV_IVAMpNVxoFqlWAOQtoIJJGUkr4Mgwb_PJOm8AqJm3WPBisVk-9n_cbp3v5Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgA99-OerNV438Gyd5ifTmALsd47PuTRvKPGY2nILvA9wASkbEbpfmzHRKDJkRXerk7sz-wLbKahXD6JCshyZ1VPjKSoOi7lRFO4rBxaqqnJps9nqPMkKw-8hxg_TVNV_IVAMpNVxoFqlWAOQtoIJJGUkr4Mgwb_PJOm8AqJm3WPBisVk-9n_cbp3v5Q=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />But it, the power plant, is a complex and busy place that, every time my hiking took me to a particular vantage-point on the island, <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiNhD8bfFSQW_f5htgkzPI54WRBr1U9nsUT4YBgYhLfBMWjaxtoYs3ZI9A6M_1esyyla7-SRIXnn-6bfMH1lVh9flmvnM0f0qMpfiC79pnNwU6l-LuCbLoDEs5WVAVi3T5ZO9Pl_0uX27NZxiy_8inzOkOKRa9GVzOEu1_PLWZ-XOXHCpY54b24i8OGA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhiNhD8bfFSQW_f5htgkzPI54WRBr1U9nsUT4YBgYhLfBMWjaxtoYs3ZI9A6M_1esyyla7-SRIXnn-6bfMH1lVh9flmvnM0f0qMpfiC79pnNwU6l-LuCbLoDEs5WVAVi3T5ZO9Pl_0uX27NZxiy_8inzOkOKRa9GVzOEu1_PLWZ-XOXHCpY54b24i8OGA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />provided an hour or so of voyeuristic entertainment.<p></p><p>But I was kinda surprised at the somewhat primitive coal-handling processes.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQKeuZk9InhCap500OPVcte87HxnHqrD5Yy58X-gkJRpwIjJW9-StMUVCtaN3uW6YuJWjWtFgy0q6t1__Q-CAvBHPnmNqkz9-sbf8_IOqhOL0J8xI-GaS3kF5IC-ze7wgSsaO1Gelpllp7XqpUQb44CBx6_bjXBiYsX9lFN4xKk4GRZIVFTD-IHQK5LQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQKeuZk9InhCap500OPVcte87HxnHqrD5Yy58X-gkJRpwIjJW9-StMUVCtaN3uW6YuJWjWtFgy0q6t1__Q-CAvBHPnmNqkz9-sbf8_IOqhOL0J8xI-GaS3kF5IC-ze7wgSsaO1Gelpllp7XqpUQb44CBx6_bjXBiYsX9lFN4xKk4GRZIVFTD-IHQK5LQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />I guess I was expecting something more like a grain-bin type operation.<p></p><p>Dump the coal into a pit under the tracks, use augers, legs, and conveyors to move the coal to a storage area and more augers and conveyors to move it from there to the boilers.</p><p>Instead there are dozens of bulldozers, water-trucks and these heavy tractors, each pulling two earth scrapers, making endless loops following each other up, around, and down the pile as they constantly reshape and shift the stash of coal.</p><p>But enough of the industrial revolution. What about the hiking?</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhf-BUpqXA5CcLN42TNl9UtjMG0fh4Nabb-8B06zpGcdIFdUtJVDn61ZEFVZKDR8GDGCJJSnoTLsgfzuGvRqSZXVWoTYE2N5KDNbDR3tn-3abXPSeXv2VGQtYPqViJnI6u0mnhcibUv1wiiUuN1FuBmAyFwpHLKCMGBzJxC2mAA9VEAUk6tICp9ezHt0Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="1137" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhf-BUpqXA5CcLN42TNl9UtjMG0fh4Nabb-8B06zpGcdIFdUtJVDn61ZEFVZKDR8GDGCJJSnoTLsgfzuGvRqSZXVWoTYE2N5KDNbDR3tn-3abXPSeXv2VGQtYPqViJnI6u0mnhcibUv1wiiUuN1FuBmAyFwpHLKCMGBzJxC2mAA9VEAUk6tICp9ezHt0Q=w640-h328" width="640" /></a></div><br />Well, as I stated before, though it has three different loop trails this park isn't all that big.<div><br /></div><div>The longest loop is 1.5 miles and the shortest is 1.1 miles. AND, with the exception of a couple very short ups or downs, the terrain is as close as you can get to flat.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAkFPhLZ0Q-R96g4D-F3EbFOUnwQOPx8-zYmb0UJwedNSpqPAzRG-ShsTcQ_Bs6D3UkZW4RDlHBpIS2QI98xq8NR05hMKwIAw8KIUYT8u6zAB3Z7MPXOPQqKC8Fp7CHXZGJYXJwHnjb_YWj2yiCatzlNjleKbcdLzW6-y9CehOUpFp9DAu9PEYcvu5_g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAkFPhLZ0Q-R96g4D-F3EbFOUnwQOPx8-zYmb0UJwedNSpqPAzRG-ShsTcQ_Bs6D3UkZW4RDlHBpIS2QI98xq8NR05hMKwIAw8KIUYT8u6zAB3Z7MPXOPQqKC8Fp7CHXZGJYXJwHnjb_YWj2yiCatzlNjleKbcdLzW6-y9CehOUpFp9DAu9PEYcvu5_g=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>If I linked all three loops together into one hike and added in crossing the large day-use parking lot (I counted 87 vehicle&boat-trailer parking slots and at least that many car slots, thankfully mostly empty during the week I was there)</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDTXHUGZmUlNx_D2AKgGedx3nm_r1mveGvMV6AZDGUFlMVM8Q4ntZ8hoND17n0iKFZGDK6aRaQEZE9ipoWbfh5ITONoMHfXXC39XkI6wmsbRQBWritgvhucNDaaB_sOrF83vdfrk-zKdVzv1OtYf_kBTLCavqPzi5X23dbvptR7yODwxnw0rMrqTjfzw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDTXHUGZmUlNx_D2AKgGedx3nm_r1mveGvMV6AZDGUFlMVM8Q4ntZ8hoND17n0iKFZGDK6aRaQEZE9ipoWbfh5ITONoMHfXXC39XkI6wmsbRQBWritgvhucNDaaB_sOrF83vdfrk-zKdVzv1OtYf_kBTLCavqPzi5X23dbvptR7yODwxnw0rMrqTjfzw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />to get to and from the bridge to the Island Trail, it was just over 5 miles of putting foot to ground.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAp5M4_1unl_HfTaqZ0AUHtMzh3et3WkVpi7nn0QDuOWQ5_jUyLxKUpU2Y0ylkQu81aA07j2XkWDD3c97OZEs_1LjX62BXnrUPFwcJ-r053tJkOKNxUBiv3_2-t22UT2MKfkocUFErng2VRinzy9PFfjvqoNXOzHsguBoD7B3OLrLy3Quwch0k7W-fOA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAp5M4_1unl_HfTaqZ0AUHtMzh3et3WkVpi7nn0QDuOWQ5_jUyLxKUpU2Y0ylkQu81aA07j2XkWDD3c97OZEs_1LjX62BXnrUPFwcJ-r053tJkOKNxUBiv3_2-t22UT2MKfkocUFErng2VRinzy9PFfjvqoNXOzHsguBoD7B3OLrLy3Quwch0k7W-fOA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />I'm close enough to 70 now that I can reach out and push the gate to that septuagenarian decade open so it's ready for my entry, and it's likely that at some point in my future, which is charging at me with the speed of a toddler towards an untended cookie jar, 1 to 2 mile loops will be my physical limit, but for now I'm still going strong,<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipeBZPWXt49tjaCvL7FoRY7HtBLDemysyK1gHVXoO-64G51HnsRr_qTdu9fM_ccOJxyhCOKhhaFZ5DxIaRZqFIFjmkzjKjDMTdIKQvAv_GP_N6SYG-1ywVE9N1TpgboB6hjeKHQhEFp6jGAm89mZ5ueac2L2Y8dEUtDWN2UAXr3qRXcAFNIzekyLLpFQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipeBZPWXt49tjaCvL7FoRY7HtBLDemysyK1gHVXoO-64G51HnsRr_qTdu9fM_ccOJxyhCOKhhaFZ5DxIaRZqFIFjmkzjKjDMTdIKQvAv_GP_N6SYG-1ywVE9N1TpgboB6hjeKHQhEFp6jGAm89mZ5ueac2L2Y8dEUtDWN2UAXr3qRXcAFNIzekyLLpFQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>so what I did was link the three loops together,</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhukQNu8if9zpQmzoc_7k3uZLFbDlPUFLAGu-UiKzKif-dcCX7Rf0A-ohgBwJvL8aHAMkZGGGWzyRqofyhXsnfDQOmk5WQCiVsrQcqlR0w_9i3nDYS6WKB3A9jCoGuuScZUOESr7pmkIjMFFnKJXQy99mqMC26P1oYF3cf8UYiqanvd5uioGzFfur-c7w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhukQNu8if9zpQmzoc_7k3uZLFbDlPUFLAGu-UiKzKif-dcCX7Rf0A-ohgBwJvL8aHAMkZGGGWzyRqofyhXsnfDQOmk5WQCiVsrQcqlR0w_9i3nDYS6WKB3A9jCoGuuScZUOESr7pmkIjMFFnKJXQy99mqMC26P1oYF3cf8UYiqanvd5uioGzFfur-c7w=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>make a stop back at The Van for a civilized snack, </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4QwMtCK20Py2KAGLZ77ls0MAp4PHEmkb4lYRQ6zwGLX4BEr9CiTydQ2PWatn78m6YQR1xBq8lETlTovVeOfaFjzzmdJcKdjPPj-PG_a1-Xjx5PH1ctw3O3vEvYCrH9FcdyAWmzJWRVTzXm66vhIgGwX6-906W8nZyoimXpvvcO4atfp1cziBqjUhgqw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4QwMtCK20Py2KAGLZ77ls0MAp4PHEmkb4lYRQ6zwGLX4BEr9CiTydQ2PWatn78m6YQR1xBq8lETlTovVeOfaFjzzmdJcKdjPPj-PG_a1-Xjx5PH1ctw3O3vEvYCrH9FcdyAWmzJWRVTzXm66vhIgGwX6-906W8nZyoimXpvvcO4atfp1cziBqjUhgqw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />then turn right around and do the trails all over again in the other direction.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUkUF-WPMRt9zLDFtveGZ0grHLAEGWKVvY69CNIk4JTsaafeBIawZz-DXZhtSFQ5pJQlLRaNdJAtZloKRvUcEcE1O17nrYOGHyTjLQmX8ZvGimn6cu_7yIM3n3usNaUu63f-xd7tnbleraQDVbIEjKgJ08m1DuMjpZ7hqmjOZZ5hmcEuY3kGbu-epIIQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUkUF-WPMRt9zLDFtveGZ0grHLAEGWKVvY69CNIk4JTsaafeBIawZz-DXZhtSFQ5pJQlLRaNdJAtZloKRvUcEcE1O17nrYOGHyTjLQmX8ZvGimn6cu_7yIM3n3usNaUu63f-xd7tnbleraQDVbIEjKgJ08m1DuMjpZ7hqmjOZZ5hmcEuY3kGbu-epIIQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />Unlike the 3+ MPH pace when doing my workout laps on the property, my average hiking speed tends to hover slightly below the 1.5 MPH mark, so combined with a Spanish lesson or two, some reading, some sitting around staring into space while my mind free-flowed, (or just lay there in a puddle of healthy mindlessness.)<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHW2lWArgEkPgKfVH7ZPGd10X1-j4ubJky8s0SzsJp9qP-qBs8RU6RsLdNgSZD7LHJiZF9Sco-Qey4en64xSWHxWLTFzjUouWIDPdfO_WpgnYXXGPkgMna_s_C0T1H-l7AOpXPNHGOqrUg-p2N7yRSkhOQ6rWGdIKeVUTA6eRAdh9PeYgeRPnc-ut8wA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHW2lWArgEkPgKfVH7ZPGd10X1-j4ubJky8s0SzsJp9qP-qBs8RU6RsLdNgSZD7LHJiZF9Sco-Qey4en64xSWHxWLTFzjUouWIDPdfO_WpgnYXXGPkgMna_s_C0T1H-l7AOpXPNHGOqrUg-p2N7yRSkhOQ6rWGdIKeVUTA6eRAdh9PeYgeRPnc-ut8wA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />the 10 miles gently filled out the day right up to dinner time very nicely.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOfBUFd5-5rnYNBoGK7Ftn-6FDZIwc2WyeCAusPa-9P07jzSRSfaXURx9Rs9pC97VWf38I02D-cvOJt4Bvg74s4sxVorT22_r3dcgqTN9L_cTEISoUNrNsskRmw0GGSukkYyuLBEKhDtnetmtbx5e56u71amts3geGUwnLj7uDA0pS_F7dNEbWSCUDsg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOfBUFd5-5rnYNBoGK7Ftn-6FDZIwc2WyeCAusPa-9P07jzSRSfaXURx9Rs9pC97VWf38I02D-cvOJt4Bvg74s4sxVorT22_r3dcgqTN9L_cTEISoUNrNsskRmw0GGSukkYyuLBEKhDtnetmtbx5e56u71amts3geGUwnLj7uDA0pS_F7dNEbWSCUDsg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />So that was my routine there at Martin Creek Lake State Park for five consecutive days. Tracing the same three loops, the only three loops, around and around, first in one direction then the other. And to add some almost unbearable drama, I would also change up the order that I hiked the loops. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5usFuayfkGFMcDmVmaivyAL0pbDDGrSkUbt75weJtIBWQuiDwse3AENeGRuU5fe_GP953q-toG2Fa3__UL2aWkxZUijBm8Ux_WM1s5nNqotjmKg4W743PAbwf2AstaIqREb3kvWvD3IJHOVxutq-r1EIYzHxnR0g5VH4nCzcQFj0eSjPAST_S80Itcw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1600" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5usFuayfkGFMcDmVmaivyAL0pbDDGrSkUbt75weJtIBWQuiDwse3AENeGRuU5fe_GP953q-toG2Fa3__UL2aWkxZUijBm8Ux_WM1s5nNqotjmKg4W743PAbwf2AstaIqREb3kvWvD3IJHOVxutq-r1EIYzHxnR0g5VH4nCzcQFj0eSjPAST_S80Itcw=w640-h324" width="640" /></a></div><br />I'm not saying I was <i>eager</i> to leave Friday after one last familiar trail-circuit before the weekenders started packing the place like a desperate chipmunks cheeks, (There were, of course a few people in various campsites and some others fishing near the boat-launches, but I ran into absolutely nobody out on the trails all week.) but I was <i>ready</i> to leave.<p></p><p>I'm not ready however to strike this place completely off my list. It wasn't that horrible. And it could have its uses in the future. But I probably won't be coming back in what you might consider the immediate future.<br /><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15960238893013776630noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719803707314253077.post-84729185067741372662022-11-07T13:52:00.168-06:002022-11-07T13:52:00.186-06:00Time For a Change?<p> I'm a map person.</p><p> Always have been.</p><p><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKGIb0B_PVd74DkUx0BojwLTtqNTKKyLmrMNsc-TFWcIAUiDdCx0E3Kwp_kZv7i1u5LpOAgoYoEjd1YN-i3lVc499SNPY9CLYSNNh-GCSzQhHaQwS1dSsujyg8QJ2CmN3fksrQX1dqvwn4lnU6mm99g7PRk78TRshcVlkkt_E6ud-3PCS6HH95Fq-Mhg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="344" data-original-width="306" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKGIb0B_PVd74DkUx0BojwLTtqNTKKyLmrMNsc-TFWcIAUiDdCx0E3Kwp_kZv7i1u5LpOAgoYoEjd1YN-i3lVc499SNPY9CLYSNNh-GCSzQhHaQwS1dSsujyg8QJ2CmN3fksrQX1dqvwn4lnU6mm99g7PRk78TRshcVlkkt_E6ud-3PCS6HH95Fq-Mhg=w568-h640" width="568" /></a></p><br />I like maps!<div><br /></div><div><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>I grew up with them.</div><div><br /></div><div><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>The traditional folding variety<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizUc5_oqvBkWAVR4Ry_Mb4KVr5wmDuYskrHBfInW08kTm0E7zu0pfNB6Yocvhe2Snc3pLLG0ImUNsOuoWqMuyPBkPoU_-e1Jllnb-w3G3qox-0m70HNzhRzWym3JkFhNb-UT0RR0RDwgbhch5oa8onJwft3IzgxxmJ2M2_dXMOkmEkwT7VulSRhWgXXA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="702" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizUc5_oqvBkWAVR4Ry_Mb4KVr5wmDuYskrHBfInW08kTm0E7zu0pfNB6Yocvhe2Snc3pLLG0ImUNsOuoWqMuyPBkPoU_-e1Jllnb-w3G3qox-0m70HNzhRzWym3JkFhNb-UT0RR0RDwgbhch5oa8onJwft3IzgxxmJ2M2_dXMOkmEkwT7VulSRhWgXXA=w565-h640" width="565" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>as well as the more detailed book-form atlases.</p><p>They were in the car, on the kitchen table, under my bed, and even illicitly tucked into my schoolbooks. (With the right textbook, if you hold it up at an angle you can hide more interesting reading material from the teacher!)</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRm5QDSwWlIFImwWrbTNlRlEmU2rVNvVTlTRfZvcJV_oVBdj5vDxkQF4Mzlu-eK135HQZYuOM0wuoXr5mOnjDgHrj_fwJo8B65e959jM7Xb3Vu13bDSs7AsW5BUeYEba9Wf-qTANAaZE6bqmxOoBbeKoG-upsZf6YqRYPXmtOnW0PalW1B7Us0oNCzkg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1599" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRm5QDSwWlIFImwWrbTNlRlEmU2rVNvVTlTRfZvcJV_oVBdj5vDxkQF4Mzlu-eK135HQZYuOM0wuoXr5mOnjDgHrj_fwJo8B65e959jM7Xb3Vu13bDSs7AsW5BUeYEba9Wf-qTANAaZE6bqmxOoBbeKoG-upsZf6YqRYPXmtOnW0PalW1B7Us0oNCzkg=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />So I've spent many hours with maps. Sometimes finding my way - and not in the zen way - although that probably couldn't hurt.<div><br /></div><div>Sometimes just paper-exploring.</div><div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggmkaZOL_M_Iyl6koaRbEFw5UnTZTh2clJSPV3OkikaeoORqaVOBd9xH-M9PuA_2BdLyj-lVEvGXu9McGWMapw4CrZiLiSv6gRw2oUvUfVZU5IzMHAaf0_rzzi6oqV7YncvJb3epqLDQ625qn_-Si66G_HCIxg5kJ3JvJmhIoMfeyEQ0aCErZVrxNyAQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="474" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggmkaZOL_M_Iyl6koaRbEFw5UnTZTh2clJSPV3OkikaeoORqaVOBd9xH-M9PuA_2BdLyj-lVEvGXu9McGWMapw4CrZiLiSv6gRw2oUvUfVZU5IzMHAaf0_rzzi6oqV7YncvJb3epqLDQ625qn_-Si66G_HCIxg5kJ3JvJmhIoMfeyEQ0aCErZVrxNyAQ=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br />Sometimes orienteering, which is something we did a lot in my Scout Troop.</div><div><br /></div><div>And hiking, even in familiar territory, with them in my pocket just in case. A tattered old security blanket if you will.<br /><p></p><p>But I'm also a mild teckie, (As opposed to a rabid teckie. The difference is that I still turn my lights on and off with a $3 wall-switch and not with an app on my cellphone and $100 dollars of added gear.)</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3VJNnXBIOc94H_Pffa1_fqHL7COu1QxdS3n1vu1WnddLgVbN8bKWD7KHzlimOtB7ZlDYKauQ_RsP8xmzpFAWaAiIhYrsYuQNJQgSFu6JB0bqdQqzD0FcukmFyiylzbmhpL8NXkdFANv6wEGOernFd2hQ8jzhdGqIMSlOlz39gAPsk3DJDCoDs2UJY7w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="218" data-original-width="218" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3VJNnXBIOc94H_Pffa1_fqHL7COu1QxdS3n1vu1WnddLgVbN8bKWD7KHzlimOtB7ZlDYKauQ_RsP8xmzpFAWaAiIhYrsYuQNJQgSFu6JB0bqdQqzD0FcukmFyiylzbmhpL8NXkdFANv6wEGOernFd2hQ8jzhdGqIMSlOlz39gAPsk3DJDCoDs2UJY7w=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>so many years ago, long before Google Maps came about, I added electronic maps to my repertoire.</p><p>I started out using the Delorme Street Atlas for PC, and after several versions of that (The only way to get updates on Delorme's products was to buy the new version every few years, but fortunately it was surprisingly affordable,) I eventually switched </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEio9l4IV2_3V5jgk2u3WaQHTEWmz7VJOxQkkaqSYuF-SWweAHy556cq2d5SORpqSitNBW20UcRxquHnhJ5PaNhxoQsgJ4Y93dM38UKFklfROX7cmk321RGYdOI5SDnU0FFZ5IJRGJ--hPkPGfStGzdkTWYEaWiVJnsDLNRCllYdOX1BNlSsdpTFdfcBqA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1757" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEio9l4IV2_3V5jgk2u3WaQHTEWmz7VJOxQkkaqSYuF-SWweAHy556cq2d5SORpqSitNBW20UcRxquHnhJ5PaNhxoQsgJ4Y93dM38UKFklfROX7cmk321RGYdOI5SDnU0FFZ5IJRGJ--hPkPGfStGzdkTWYEaWiVJnsDLNRCllYdOX1BNlSsdpTFdfcBqA=w584-h640" width="584" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>to the Delorme Topo series.</p><p>All the useful features of Street Atlas, though still the same sort of update strategy, <i>but </i>also<i> </i>the topo feature that the hiker and off-the-beaten-pather in me could put to good use.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinw2j9OP6N4pK7tHjNrdYOCa8WU_3TjRw-1wKvL3FUgqVT9kytGVO9QD22-eDuXk5A5qLISZp7_n2htH9MKRkOjv7iNj5uNfNRa0AjwmCS5lr9axz1m5iEK8tXx5sMNAF9vMZovwa9bG2K0HVgfnm7aFNxO2R5rw_rrnZmNtbgoyy3jfeXNrWQmioENg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="726" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinw2j9OP6N4pK7tHjNrdYOCa8WU_3TjRw-1wKvL3FUgqVT9kytGVO9QD22-eDuXk5A5qLISZp7_n2htH9MKRkOjv7iNj5uNfNRa0AjwmCS5lr9axz1m5iEK8tXx5sMNAF9vMZovwa9bG2K0HVgfnm7aFNxO2R5rw_rrnZmNtbgoyy3jfeXNrWQmioENg=w640-h476" width="640" /></a></div><br />In addition to uploading the GPS tracks (recorded on a Delorme Earthmate PN-60 handheld) from my hikes into Delorme Topo<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhf2IsDPbA9x8e8LHCdXqiVPI11ZOqWOlURQg3_4LXCeai9SZo1nrNDVtyFscCi9veAGWiUNXoj0X5EO7KRePrYo680ypqJCLHuKsCZbr1eXhAkcFOgA3x-hJcn1b8cqTT0PEXdL_qq2Ks2cWAdJJQDldH2r_3OL9gPxL7PZZGtUhQP8yD40cReTy0REQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhf2IsDPbA9x8e8LHCdXqiVPI11ZOqWOlURQg3_4LXCeai9SZo1nrNDVtyFscCi9veAGWiUNXoj0X5EO7KRePrYo680ypqJCLHuKsCZbr1eXhAkcFOgA3x-hJcn1b8cqTT0PEXdL_qq2Ks2cWAdJJQDldH2r_3OL9gPxL7PZZGtUhQP8yD40cReTy0REQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />I also use this USB GPS puck for road navigation right on the PC<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQNSeBh0jPoSDEZYXdlSJBRuibMiLQ4WmknU_ltiwd2BQEy2KjFqvDzZWczQuzPydoFzKZHcjPoxNqBkgqp9xReLYwjTtT-rlN_QmS96Zl7FC7wE1TTQoyYeqRbvu-So336a7uXJzZ35dTf43L2sjmzR-bNNBs2I8Y4-4aectp0krOo4HBI6vVgwdAuw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQNSeBh0jPoSDEZYXdlSJBRuibMiLQ4WmknU_ltiwd2BQEy2KjFqvDzZWczQuzPydoFzKZHcjPoxNqBkgqp9xReLYwjTtT-rlN_QmS96Zl7FC7wE1TTQoyYeqRbvu-So336a7uXJzZ35dTf43L2sjmzR-bNNBs2I8Y4-4aectp0krOo4HBI6vVgwdAuw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />using this stand clamped between the seats, on which<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGBdSQ_Rm4YuKDyqhygt6dRpGmxSc0s39Mvlnj5kNAbslTqiIbIfbnaOhTDr-nQ1yfpEWMt1hhppDHpLlvcBHU_4lLhCtRyWjSHRDPcXMHsDqAtuNF9IyPc8UyP2feYJLLL6J5OEOwKoh1CcYX0W2e-8-ntQrivUVRMBnOQhNuUAqf7rGUKR_b-QfQEw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGBdSQ_Rm4YuKDyqhygt6dRpGmxSc0s39Mvlnj5kNAbslTqiIbIfbnaOhTDr-nQ1yfpEWMt1hhppDHpLlvcBHU_4lLhCtRyWjSHRDPcXMHsDqAtuNF9IyPc8UyP2feYJLLL6J5OEOwKoh1CcYX0W2e-8-ntQrivUVRMBnOQhNuUAqf7rGUKR_b-QfQEw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />I've been setting my PC up next to the driver's seat for many years now.<div><br /></div><div>Counting back through the vehicles I've been using this stand in, for something like 18 years. (But this current laptop is only 12 years old!)<p></p><p>If I stick to one of my usual routes I don't really need the navigation help, but even then, somehow being able to glance over and verify my position in the world on the longer trips is comforting. (More of that Zen stuff I suppose.)</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBvaZKxdHpwlN9I6kfJOwJyAQoTzqyyuB9o57U0wr-cYTNxCwjypexCyauHcldOGdGsy0uPEsOI4H8tHN_JpDNIUi4ZiDwERJFA6KXqwbrdrxBUnl24HO4BVszLwpW_4hFgsSb7mRL-4BVKv2if1QvGU7tW9LfsjSNkuH5EXxP5t3xpQjYdH2P-2XBug" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBvaZKxdHpwlN9I6kfJOwJyAQoTzqyyuB9o57U0wr-cYTNxCwjypexCyauHcldOGdGsy0uPEsOI4H8tHN_JpDNIUi4ZiDwERJFA6KXqwbrdrxBUnl24HO4BVszLwpW_4hFgsSb7mRL-4BVKv2if1QvGU7tW9LfsjSNkuH5EXxP5t3xpQjYdH2P-2XBug=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />And when I've wandered off onto a new route, something I'm prone to do, the split screen of the navigation mode, the right side a closeup view for picking out turns, (I can zoom in several times closer than this if necessary.) and the left side a longer range view that allows me to figure out where I am in the larger context of the world.<div><br /></div><div>All of which is much more convenient, and safe, than the solo driver trying to use a paper map.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVUE-m_uovuk4r5ezKpPz61TVrwjaC54GtTDgaHC2NXn6RdZ90E2CWd09l3ieqXN1-IJd9P6lfJi9p1NLQK-7-8EO5vJM2aSZP6BIaZBqtYvDlR1cqVc7knHMkDRgru0fxhpLy-HjblUBS-kG4f9FYvPf8_nWuEhjhl7hFhjtkTLBFL861Zr4vH39_g/s577/Untitled-3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="186" data-original-width="577" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVUE-m_uovuk4r5ezKpPz61TVrwjaC54GtTDgaHC2NXn6RdZ90E2CWd09l3ieqXN1-IJd9P6lfJi9p1NLQK-7-8EO5vJM2aSZP6BIaZBqtYvDlR1cqVc7knHMkDRgru0fxhpLy-HjblUBS-kG4f9FYvPf8_nWuEhjhl7hFhjtkTLBFL861Zr4vH39_g/w640-h206/Untitled-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p>But - - - (Oh come on, with that title you knew there was a but coming!) - - - Garmin bought out Delorme's electronic division about 8 years ago and quickly scrapped the whole line of electronic products, all the GPS's and the whole line of digital maps - even though they had no comparable PC-based product of their own - to get rid of the competition.</p><p>So I've been stuck with my old copy of Topo 10 ever since.</p><p>There's been a whole lot of road construction since then and because updates aren't available anymore, I often find myself driving on what my outdated map thinks is empty land on roads that aren't supposed to be there. (i.e. Grand Parkway 99 around Houston, I-69 through southern Indiana, the Hooser Heartland Highway between Lafayette and Logansport in northern Indiana, US24 across northern Ohio) </p><p>Obviously this isn't going to get any better. And there's also the very real possibility that my laptop is going to crap out one day and force me onto an OS version that won't support my discontinued Delorme Topo. (I'm still running Windows 7 right now)</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKz2tYZfExEM7lU2iB1Quv-V_IxFdUFy_8EoJHBS1HnXb6eWy_bF0Yz1lEFkS7sX9jDr60NHaJ2Ki7rq2QXG1dGzy_k_nWXOF-w2T3OKNPLuiurqJ46L5kgMOKnkns5XpMBkU4aXA4GlEFeK2QHwS0pznLDIF8GeC-lzsPNEf7as7veCAoPvZbuFs0QQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKz2tYZfExEM7lU2iB1Quv-V_IxFdUFy_8EoJHBS1HnXb6eWy_bF0Yz1lEFkS7sX9jDr60NHaJ2Ki7rq2QXG1dGzy_k_nWXOF-w2T3OKNPLuiurqJ46L5kgMOKnkns5XpMBkU4aXA4GlEFeK2QHwS0pznLDIF8GeC-lzsPNEf7as7veCAoPvZbuFs0QQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />So for this year's family reunion trip I thought I might try weaning myself off my old standby, stop suckling at the teat of Delorme, and see what it's like to sit at the big-kid table with Google Maps instead.</div><div><br /></div><div>Predictably, after 2700 miles I can say there's pro's and con's to both Delorme and Google.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Delorme</div><div><br /></div><div>Pro</div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The split screen let's me do turn by turn navigation in one screen while keeping track of the bigger picture in the other</li><li>I can leave breadcrumbs along my track which makes keeping tabs of where I am and the recent turns I've made easy (Sometimes that little blue dot on Google Maps is hard to locate with half-second glances)</li><li>I can automatically double the width of roads and the font-size of place-names, and highway designations in navigation mode</li><li>I can upload my hiking GPS tracks so I can refresh my memory when going back to a previously hiked area or writing a post about a particular hike</li></ul><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"></blockquote><div><br /></div><div>Con</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The whole PC setup is bulky and intrusive</li><li>The map is not update-able with new roads</li><li>The old screen is fading with age making the map difficult to see under some lighting conditions</li><li>The USB port the GPS plugs into is old and worn and sometimes drops connection, which means I do without until next time I stop and can slap things back to life</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>Google Maps</div><div><br /></div><div>Pro</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Very compact compared to the laptop</li><li>Roads are updated frequently</li><li>Real-time (almost) traffic conditions</li><li>Displays estimated arrival time making it easier to plan my day or give The Wife a heads-up on when I'll be rolling in the driveway (She <i><b>hates </b></i>for me to arrive unannounced!)</li><li>Can easily switch on the fly to a weather app to check on conditions out ahead of me</li><li>In "directions" mode, even with the volume turned off to shut the lady up, (Just because she's there doesn't mean I have to listen to her <i>all </i>the time.) it displays how far to the next turn and which way I'll be turning.</li></ul></div><div>Con</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Can't double the font-size or displayed width of roads making information and lesser roads difficult to see at a glance.</li><li>Must "pinch" to zoom the screen out for a wider perspective then tap the "re-center" button to get auto-tracking (keeping my current location in the middle of the screen as I move along) working again, which also automatically zooms the screen back in whether that's what I want or not.</li><li>All roads, regardless of type, are displayed with the same grey line</li><li>No topo information</li></ul></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDoSxGiBGVezMOsUIGjfhGpx5CeJm7lusKZIlkqUC6rFlVR_Z0j174lsvCwk_LBWaZqwubB4VXTeCZgBlKZiC5JYp57NqC7ztJIiBRVT5bD8CcKdyVITOo8yb6KT7UzhbosladAc00yLlz1CD9LjKvCVIfHigmyIyb0rEgIWi9iRaqqXJAF9NfumjoQ/s1600/IMG_6540.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDoSxGiBGVezMOsUIGjfhGpx5CeJm7lusKZIlkqUC6rFlVR_Z0j174lsvCwk_LBWaZqwubB4VXTeCZgBlKZiC5JYp57NqC7ztJIiBRVT5bD8CcKdyVITOo8yb6KT7UzhbosladAc00yLlz1CD9LjKvCVIfHigmyIyb0rEgIWi9iRaqqXJAF9NfumjoQ/w640-h480/IMG_6540.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Notice that I didn't say much one way or the other about the relative size of the 15" laptop screen verses the phone screen.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's because even though the phone is quite a bit smaller I can negate that by mounting it closer to my eyes, something that's not practical with the laptop.</div><div><br /></div><div>So the results of my weaning experiment?</div><div><br /></div><div>Google Map worked for me - for the most part. There are bits of things I'll have to adjust to, some things I'll have to do without, other things I'll have to get used to, but it was easier to make the switch than I expected.</div><div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQ6atwAl6EgTkGxJ8O7_7DEGSuIU6ipqcLo3786dS_KBMzgbtijmqkS4rUOKA93ZZbpa_thCP7YbIA7N3B-J6NQCdGLaEA-RM7SL6OxUKajYQEh7u5_3fgxF4nNnzZAVd2d6anuabtyldzdvgOEV1UwIAXp-rNZFAKrs-sbsgmh8JL0MCdrd_f2B1fw/s1600/IMG_6390.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQ6atwAl6EgTkGxJ8O7_7DEGSuIU6ipqcLo3786dS_KBMzgbtijmqkS4rUOKA93ZZbpa_thCP7YbIA7N3B-J6NQCdGLaEA-RM7SL6OxUKajYQEh7u5_3fgxF4nNnzZAVd2d6anuabtyldzdvgOEV1UwIAXp-rNZFAKrs-sbsgmh8JL0MCdrd_f2B1fw/w640-h480/IMG_6390.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>And let's just say it has been a relief to finally take that bulky laptop stand, that for year's I've tucked awkwardly away upside-down into the passenger-seat footwell when not using it, out of The Van and store it away on a shelf in the barn!</div><div><br /></div><div>From now on I'll be navigating with Google Maps on my phone, </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgx5M5HW_uSHIGPItBsGC6AMCRULHkp9vBC1VqeVwZllfgCbnHcQfUg4zywIWp5TQ3KAEk8v7sorJ0BBKz3ikLULpSTIgHT0bdJ4uaCCJmF3vYfLJa7FYCxuyABylzunaJAp1oVW1WMVbAgkxzl69nWudwoCwajV0wSWhrrk1F1nQDh4ljayPkcXbsoeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="1137" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgx5M5HW_uSHIGPItBsGC6AMCRULHkp9vBC1VqeVwZllfgCbnHcQfUg4zywIWp5TQ3KAEk8v7sorJ0BBKz3ikLULpSTIgHT0bdJ4uaCCJmF3vYfLJa7FYCxuyABylzunaJAp1oVW1WMVbAgkxzl69nWudwoCwajV0wSWhrrk1F1nQDh4ljayPkcXbsoeg=w640-h330" width="640" /></a></div><br />though the laptop with TOPO 10 will still be coming along because it still does some things better.</div><div><br /></div><div>Such as giving me the ability to stick pins into the Delorme map.</div><div><br /></div><div>And I have a lot of pins in my map!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAw9MGSzkhGc3jJXU6BGUqKpJXxafuV8o6e1suOA-qkb8--xyPjAYnT2fvi54K9Ag1jLRPq_EPM12uVGV5s4YY_v-AYbWZH3xwR60PZcddT1nmeKxkhA3s3Vi7wbNpwZa81nHA3GRg2j3ONx2KRrFbq2zDWCxjCJ-7NBaTl9Oh4CBEB8kMWpC1EArYhA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="252" data-original-width="565" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAw9MGSzkhGc3jJXU6BGUqKpJXxafuV8o6e1suOA-qkb8--xyPjAYnT2fvi54K9Ag1jLRPq_EPM12uVGV5s4YY_v-AYbWZH3xwR60PZcddT1nmeKxkhA3s3Vi7wbNpwZa81nHA3GRg2j3ONx2KRrFbq2zDWCxjCJ-7NBaTl9Oh4CBEB8kMWpC1EArYhA=w640-h286" width="640" /></a></div><br />Some of them are places I've found and/or been to that I want to remember</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAQ51qDIKLgFQZmfAIElDCz3Q6-kaVHTwk_6W9BidSlllCeTSKVBD2Xhf-HshqphUdA0_LmlCRlh4aWoGsSRVmnT18lCuj6SHjeR6BM5GgwJPwDerJ1nsMY3Wtvw7QoEuEfQET2LxJMo_X6g9sobjNkQ2H-lmjrKltlgTQ1Og9xMDUOb6eHJEZutf93A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="193" data-original-width="381" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAQ51qDIKLgFQZmfAIElDCz3Q6-kaVHTwk_6W9BidSlllCeTSKVBD2Xhf-HshqphUdA0_LmlCRlh4aWoGsSRVmnT18lCuj6SHjeR6BM5GgwJPwDerJ1nsMY3Wtvw7QoEuEfQET2LxJMo_X6g9sobjNkQ2H-lmjrKltlgTQ1Og9xMDUOb6eHJEZutf93A=w640-h324" width="640" /></a></div><br />Others are places other people have wrote or told me about that I might want to go to one day.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hklOqbpnssVpgaGCIlYMOHJOLj1ckfaPh_YHPH-dr6Nopexblc18nYfnhBLMROqDyS8wfoto-iTkPh1bqPlMT5InFd5JP8JqX4HYruLQf90IPDfbAC4MEm3cARQHTC2UR6ItRJNx3zHPwUGC6tI7dLqbwmjab251gybXZeXcUSut5SVQGxB6TTJ31A/s875/Capture%207.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="875" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hklOqbpnssVpgaGCIlYMOHJOLj1ckfaPh_YHPH-dr6Nopexblc18nYfnhBLMROqDyS8wfoto-iTkPh1bqPlMT5InFd5JP8JqX4HYruLQf90IPDfbAC4MEm3cARQHTC2UR6ItRJNx3zHPwUGC6tI7dLqbwmjab251gybXZeXcUSut5SVQGxB6TTJ31A/w640-h412/Capture%207.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>Another key use of my laptop is photo editing, though I'm not sure what I'll do when the laptop craps out and the free copy of Photoshop that came with my very first digital camera isn't supported on the new OS.</div><div><br /></div><div>But when that time comes I'm sure I'll figure it out</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjCEJqfiG1qVkfa7ZWS891pIbBQRRcmNAB31z3LR_SdAJnUDi3iZ-fiCi_D2eStjM6J9hrAf9UXRJLyxZSHkDJN9GGguV3r6jYH2SI3VQDklxpHN40tZb_M5GUJOi4lCH_d4_HLl__EUvxErX9wLcoYswaSGaLsKwWkpjiaScXwyfFLEGMqPoU32hPRQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="249" data-original-width="474" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjCEJqfiG1qVkfa7ZWS891pIbBQRRcmNAB31z3LR_SdAJnUDi3iZ-fiCi_D2eStjM6J9hrAf9UXRJLyxZSHkDJN9GGguV3r6jYH2SI3VQDklxpHN40tZb_M5GUJOi4lCH_d4_HLl__EUvxErX9wLcoYswaSGaLsKwWkpjiaScXwyfFLEGMqPoU32hPRQ=w640-h336" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>A few more comments about the nav-tools:</div><div><br /></div><div>With the Delorme, other than briefly using it to get an estimated drive-time before setting out, I never set up routes to drive by. In part because there are often roads available that Delorme didn't know about and also because the route function isn't self-healing when I go off-route to explore some new bit of road, which I'm prone to do. But with Google Maps I find the distance-to-next-turn when in "directions" mode helpful when on an unfamiliar route and Google Maps self-corrects when I wander away from the suggested route, so I've been using the routing feature.</div><div><br /></div><div>When Using Goggle Maps in "directions" mode with the volume turned up the lady-in-the-box is pleasant enough, but maybe too pleasant. When I turn away from the suggested route or don't turn when she tells me to, she gently bongs at me and calmly gives me new directions in the same, even voice. I kinda wish there were a couple of additional 'frustration' levels I could choose from. Maybe one that says 'Hey! Wake up! I told you to turn back there." and another that's more like "HEY DUMMY, WHATS THE MATTER WITH YOU!? YOU JUST MISSED THE FRIGGIN TURN! - AGAIN!)</div><div><br /></div><div>I kinda wish I could trade her out for the little girl I recently saw <a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cgWN3PDUoxE" target="_blank">in a short video</a>. She was a tiny little thing, not quite old enough to form her words very clearly, sitting on the lawn in a tiny chair as she explained that this was the ice bucket challenge and giving the names of those she was nominating. At this point she says "lookout" and an adult hand appears from the side holding a pan of water, no ice but obviously cold, and gently pours the water over the girl's head. This sweet little pig-tailed thing dressed in pink squeals, jumps out of the chair, and exclaims "FUCKING HELL!"</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll bet she could keep me on my toes!</div><div><br /></div><div>I also kinda wish I could teach Google Maps my personal driving style. (Something I can do on Delorme) When plotting routes Google Maps apparently uses the full published speed limits with no downtime, no rest stops, to estimate the time between here and there. In my case, since I drive no more than 65 even when the speed-limit is 70 or 75, or in the case of Texas, 80 and 85, and, like a <i>real</i> boy, I do make the occasional stop along the way, Goggle consistently underestimates how long it will take me to get to there.</div><div><br /></div><div>But that's just niting picks.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxOlYpPpUi6VI8nx3Rp04CLwamPwNQmtmPWNIUt_pHkEjjubSlg1W_L2DlEs_D152eHf9JtPQC0w8h-rq1VqVRHEmlSNoK4Z_c7-jay13AN0dyf-TfpdbjS7CGScFDeTSA9gSIQ9lnPCf0Qg_PAglZSnanZnrY3SrugbSGfks6Hy92X_C1vJT9z6r-zA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxOlYpPpUi6VI8nx3Rp04CLwamPwNQmtmPWNIUt_pHkEjjubSlg1W_L2DlEs_D152eHf9JtPQC0w8h-rq1VqVRHEmlSNoK4Z_c7-jay13AN0dyf-TfpdbjS7CGScFDeTSA9gSIQ9lnPCf0Qg_PAglZSnanZnrY3SrugbSGfks6Hy92X_C1vJT9z6r-zA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div>So, in addition to reading books, (Kindle app) reading magazines (Sidebooks app) streaming TV shows, (Amazon Prime) backup to my handheld GPS, (Gaia GPS app) shopping, banking, paying bills, daily Spanish lessons, working brain puzzles, keeping up with Blogger, email, and texts, researching stuff, finding overnight parking spots, making campground reservations, checking on the weather, making written notes, recording thoughts, timing how long the fish has been on the grill, reminding me when it's time to side-dress the vegetable plants with fertilizer or send a birthday card, Blue-Toothing to my solar charge controller or the dash-cams, Oh! and making phone calls, (Although my average monthly talk time is something like 23 minutes - and no, we don't have a landline.) pretty much anywhere and anytime, now my $300 phone with $50 unlimited data/text/talk plan is also my nav-system!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div></div></div></div>greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15960238893013776630noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719803707314253077.post-83272637524657902022-10-31T14:23:00.101-05:002022-10-31T14:23:00.193-05:00Lake Catherine State Park<p> Now that I'd already made a few stops along the way during the 2022 family reunion trip I was feeling kinda like a crack-whore.</p><p>I couldn't quit!</p><p>Rather than seeking help for my addiction, while still knocking the Illinois trail-dust off my hiking boots, even before leaving Little Grand Canyon, I was doing some research.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5cvLYjtSKWZ4s0cBo9YD93guqzOXLLoaC30SuXoR0fxPmPSIWl9oGd1fPqqH59V7OcV2Y9lnL-lECBXQRNnSHmD3hliUA5hreqJGIOUO0Uftcv61HJHtQO3BCMJuRDDVAVsziiu-Wxj_cS5bFWA7WmZKMo7EOUQQ2MAOfNhAqSW56ywnIVyGeTRUM5A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2295" data-original-width="2614" height="563" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5cvLYjtSKWZ4s0cBo9YD93guqzOXLLoaC30SuXoR0fxPmPSIWl9oGd1fPqqH59V7OcV2Y9lnL-lECBXQRNnSHmD3hliUA5hreqJGIOUO0Uftcv61HJHtQO3BCMJuRDDVAVsziiu-Wxj_cS5bFWA7WmZKMo7EOUQQ2MAOfNhAqSW56ywnIVyGeTRUM5A=w640-h563" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Entry to Arkansas State parks is free to all, resident and non, and there are 52 of them to choose from. BUT! The offerings lean heavily towards golf-courses and archaeological sites.</p><p>I don't golf, and while archaeological sites are interesting, as a persistent hiker the short paths around most archaeological sites fall seriously short of my definition of trail.</p><p>Fortunately the state maintains a comprehensive and easy to use, <a href="https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/map" target="_blank">map-based website</a> of its state parks.</p><p>Click on one of the parks on the map and that park's own website pops up.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADGycx8VzzxKwfbEHPyyNIRUEILbuTJ1lV6G9oVP2sqI2N79TRPXL4BJBUJcuqCjUjBwvb_ZloUUXVDxBfH1m5wB9QTW-sM_GCE8CCmg_XmqQi2t-FDEuWF6nfAslRjIBlGWIik1_cU0xunrGm2xhbij6K84axxVwtlaFGgQVKKS9Cq-3eUT3AmyPgQ/s618/Capture%205.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="618" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADGycx8VzzxKwfbEHPyyNIRUEILbuTJ1lV6G9oVP2sqI2N79TRPXL4BJBUJcuqCjUjBwvb_ZloUUXVDxBfH1m5wB9QTW-sM_GCE8CCmg_XmqQi2t-FDEuWF6nfAslRjIBlGWIik1_cU0xunrGm2xhbij6K84axxVwtlaFGgQVKKS9Cq-3eUT3AmyPgQ/w640-h518/Capture%205.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Such as this one for Parkin Archaeological - Which right there on the front page told me that this site covers all of 17 acres so hiking opportunities are probably pretty limited.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0kQRGMbG2_shEtOUCaJpl_2DXfwcmVYAqEzOfI3Aqw5o1OnsyTcXWbRiCO5N9hh7ACnumrIBoPbPiw4ws-E5YOYRzhlOVS2oM0jD2OHSckZZTpFYVYoum4Jo5jFfulD_QMUKq7wqyhO9nLOZFkZaew7xCv0tmwl8D0_Deeu44YTbyl4vKz009y6YwA/s2200/Scan%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2200" data-original-width="1700" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0kQRGMbG2_shEtOUCaJpl_2DXfwcmVYAqEzOfI3Aqw5o1OnsyTcXWbRiCO5N9hh7ACnumrIBoPbPiw4ws-E5YOYRzhlOVS2oM0jD2OHSckZZTpFYVYoum4Jo5jFfulD_QMUKq7wqyhO9nLOZFkZaew7xCv0tmwl8D0_Deeu44YTbyl4vKz009y6YwA/w494-h640/Scan%201.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>But with some diligent clicking I managed to find Lake Catherine State Park (The red arrow a few maps back) with over 10 miles of trails.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjebyx8NHqknYDQNuvEvUDTQue6Jew1lJ4V10h868mPyu_zinv5mwUgbjOB5h_htPY-bRxLxVmG-gT3OxuNeUyHrqSHXWH2eHiBQrD995fC3feVg8MgiEIQNu-FNu97LuYlZR5iNUVcWqyJK_t6bv5DqtrsUrGm6-eySAI_k-pg9HoAgiZY-TPxTGeW_A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjebyx8NHqknYDQNuvEvUDTQue6Jew1lJ4V10h868mPyu_zinv5mwUgbjOB5h_htPY-bRxLxVmG-gT3OxuNeUyHrqSHXWH2eHiBQrD995fC3feVg8MgiEIQNu-FNu97LuYlZR5iNUVcWqyJK_t6bv5DqtrsUrGm6-eySAI_k-pg9HoAgiZY-TPxTGeW_A=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />And a little after 0900 on a Friday morning I was rolling into the park.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9cKWfhMNMM3T24jq754azRQVht9KxKCkyUVD0lZzOdp7rpzwx3PtsNbBjFR1uOs0ikDCrIolKjr1HrTnwTBt-DaU5IJpGChDsgpyZIE4j8GcQ-qUJ14BuaA2n5S9bJSO3n0kPQOIKqRcMqBgKzDBFpUm2R1902UrT8SD7WXWk-44V3u05XUj7AVJIZw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9cKWfhMNMM3T24jq754azRQVht9KxKCkyUVD0lZzOdp7rpzwx3PtsNbBjFR1uOs0ikDCrIolKjr1HrTnwTBt-DaU5IJpGChDsgpyZIE4j8GcQ-qUJ14BuaA2n5S9bJSO3n0kPQOIKqRcMqBgKzDBFpUm2R1902UrT8SD7WXWk-44V3u05XUj7AVJIZw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />In addition to pavilion, boat-ramp, a variety of cabins, and a primitive tent area, there is also a 70 site campground, some full hookups, (50Amp) some water/electric. (30Amp)</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSxB-0RaOC5OCgAm-AHDwg14FliE_Wpl5kbA0TEn-BmDPB0PtZ6vpXNoPLQNz58DweiXbhNQg98K_Y4PyR33znxEuJ84PxX2ElNojoulRNh84qDDeG1tmTt4A3n3VohpyhzufHL0LU6BM9LRjWh2OpHW2YDn-PjCOAB3xTPLOXeDnuAGE5UPuaPIhAdQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSxB-0RaOC5OCgAm-AHDwg14FliE_Wpl5kbA0TEn-BmDPB0PtZ6vpXNoPLQNz58DweiXbhNQg98K_Y4PyR33znxEuJ84PxX2ElNojoulRNh84qDDeG1tmTt4A3n3VohpyhzufHL0LU6BM9LRjWh2OpHW2YDn-PjCOAB3xTPLOXeDnuAGE5UPuaPIhAdQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div>Many of the sites back right up to the water, but be aware that there is a natural-gas fired power plant across the lake.</div><div><br /></div><div>It didn't seem to be too noisy, at least during the day, but I wasn't there in the dark so I have no idea how brightly it is lit when the sun goes down.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtvr5S1qae5MqVnNhRB1VWnj9jXgW3jau_xPHW3VG7dmDBu3mK9X7mKEF511A43le2yFcmFVWLbQHepCzpsiYOH0ivTE7vKsb-6yiKXhL4DHt29eHmGFxk86RuenOODlE67u2jfPDgK4alGgoFVo0mCXVup7QOMoiXrahg0T64Ec3c5uPRg3yOZS2xPA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="326" data-original-width="1137" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtvr5S1qae5MqVnNhRB1VWnj9jXgW3jau_xPHW3VG7dmDBu3mK9X7mKEF511A43le2yFcmFVWLbQHepCzpsiYOH0ivTE7vKsb-6yiKXhL4DHt29eHmGFxk86RuenOODlE67u2jfPDgK4alGgoFVo0mCXVup7QOMoiXrahg0T64Ec3c5uPRg3yOZS2xPA=w640-h184" width="640" /></a></div><br />But for today my interest was in the hiking, not the camping.</div><div><br /></div><div>To that end I stopped by Visitor Information to pick up a trail map.</div><div><br /></div><div>- - - Yeah - that didn't go too well - - -</div><div><br /></div><div>The only printed map available is the tiny little inset down in the bottom corner of the park brochure, the same one on the park's web site.</div><div><br /></div><div>And they couldn't even get that right!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhO2Gt-pQda7tX_RUKAWL7uMMmWrGi_U1W8_jIdMRX0O4DqJqUQOSORMgnv5UB8YLDvpO3kQFL8hfOe2iTfrLsAd2dSAswG5QUnxKwPcbdikGj0Fx_84klWxWgRcMGr_Tx677kK8sAYNXiFlyHt_e8GrWuKS-Uj6WcMM1hvf8Ox1SUqPPwm6OTkfqkRWg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhO2Gt-pQda7tX_RUKAWL7uMMmWrGi_U1W8_jIdMRX0O4DqJqUQOSORMgnv5UB8YLDvpO3kQFL8hfOe2iTfrLsAd2dSAswG5QUnxKwPcbdikGj0Fx_84klWxWgRcMGr_Tx677kK8sAYNXiFlyHt_e8GrWuKS-Uj6WcMM1hvf8Ox1SUqPPwm6OTkfqkRWg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div><div>The three trails are fairly well paint-blazed, </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjS0vwvjyASMM1Tu-BmNY8FMOyY2e0NNXnsHajtziBDi2Zdum0TuZQV8abfUPIp74gu2-S9OBWPW1HdAk3KWYcRmOOCBZNBX325pUXY5Wc-kSK4IwFt0Q6njQnbn77GNUlFYivUD6oRuavNedO3NvXtFD4SLPRdyy90tK1cmKsJHMTCVnscHDaR2S61Hw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjS0vwvjyASMM1Tu-BmNY8FMOyY2e0NNXnsHajtziBDi2Zdum0TuZQV8abfUPIp74gu2-S9OBWPW1HdAk3KWYcRmOOCBZNBX325pUXY5Wc-kSK4IwFt0Q6njQnbn77GNUlFYivUD6oRuavNedO3NvXtFD4SLPRdyy90tK1cmKsJHMTCVnscHDaR2S61Hw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />but on the diminutive little bit of paper map they printed up in the brochure they obviously couldn't be bothered to use corresponding colors. In fact they actually confused things by miss-using red, which is the actual blaze for the Falls Branch trail but on the map is used to mark the Horseshoe Mountain trail.</div><div><br /></div><div>Trail<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span> Actual Blaze<span> </span><span> Map Marking</span></span></div><div><span><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span>Dam Mountain<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> White<span> </span><span> Blue</span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span>Falls Branch<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Red<span> </span><span> </span><span> Purple</span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span>Horseshoe Mountain<span> </span><span> Yellow<span> </span><span> Red</span></span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>I suppose that's indicative of today'a pride of workmanship, or rather lack there of.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh well - let's just go hiking!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmxBZz2i7sUUi0jrOk7cSDeSu1B12lokQY3S-PWNIfpJfkakpq7VytdjrR0xdf-SjCRSZ14IVgJw4z0aObl6ec7z_4QF8oqTN4cA_qeD_AncsIP1WYseJn_vcpZ7-D_t-5UggNze9NVT4URJ9BBjnJ0ph8UCFwy7zCDDqAQoFfgWtfKo2D_9-rKQ7zTA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="1032" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmxBZz2i7sUUi0jrOk7cSDeSu1B12lokQY3S-PWNIfpJfkakpq7VytdjrR0xdf-SjCRSZ14IVgJw4z0aObl6ec7z_4QF8oqTN4cA_qeD_AncsIP1WYseJn_vcpZ7-D_t-5UggNze9NVT4URJ9BBjnJ0ph8UCFwy7zCDDqAQoFfgWtfKo2D_9-rKQ7zTA=w640-h332" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div>First up, since it looked like it might be the most exposed in terms of heat later in the day, (It was still August when I was there) was Horseshoe Mountain Trail.</div><div><br /></div><div>A check of the topo clearly shows how this mountain got its name, and other than the approach and departure its namesake trail follows the horseshoe-shaped ridge-line of the mountain.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieoKx5rxWmLxAj48o9ntH-8cKLvz_zl_6oSPfTlM3BRpxttaCi-UbUddJmay2RDJtDYydlersI3iPUP8y2NSayNfuxfcv4dsn16p694SsapWpbwqhuCr4wlP7B1xenL2ITTSr2ZYRfIL9bg2upahEmytRNCPs8tVmIlOWbUMYjRj0dBTID6AApFneegA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieoKx5rxWmLxAj48o9ntH-8cKLvz_zl_6oSPfTlM3BRpxttaCi-UbUddJmay2RDJtDYydlersI3iPUP8y2NSayNfuxfcv4dsn16p694SsapWpbwqhuCr4wlP7B1xenL2ITTSr2ZYRfIL9bg2upahEmytRNCPs8tVmIlOWbUMYjRj0dBTID6AApFneegA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep. That's the trail there in the middle of this photo.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>According to my GPS track the published distances for the trails in this park are remarkably accurate, but because of the terrain up onto and down off of the mountain, as well as across the saddle at roughly the halfway mark, this trail hikes as a pretty long 3.5 miles.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6gfT1iC-hnXUxNMIuATPLdPYZZfxAm-hrk19lOtUpyVxbrLHuVYu6trChGGDtRrUMVwEzW68Ums4dZMfsPu1Jo9Lr4hw6Leg4RggXH6rIEc1Yj8wm_cJGb6RSvfS6x-jZYko8sthfljgqA8u5ctSEtN8yw-VekHix-M7MWyQSvNhOTRheTuzvtOzbGg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6gfT1iC-hnXUxNMIuATPLdPYZZfxAm-hrk19lOtUpyVxbrLHuVYu6trChGGDtRrUMVwEzW68Ums4dZMfsPu1Jo9Lr4hw6Leg4RggXH6rIEc1Yj8wm_cJGb6RSvfS6x-jZYko8sthfljgqA8u5ctSEtN8yw-VekHix-M7MWyQSvNhOTRheTuzvtOzbGg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />The micro-clime of much of this trail is fairly arid, but along the way there are views down into the lushness below.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQ18Ooyi-5yjH7V6mjZSzU_teDmM4OspuSwRpGPlueLYkuSOLG9ZmxwyjW0oKIFsI3ctltY0ESWHwEEbMZmyceG_R6djOO1vsy6IIx2VDt7UpANHXNxwv8QwYbDZZabDnDnqYXzzSOSHwT-YKgp2oCRsp-kcpRl4_SsAyrAbkvzLaB4pu6c3foCyZzlw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="640" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQ18Ooyi-5yjH7V6mjZSzU_teDmM4OspuSwRpGPlueLYkuSOLG9ZmxwyjW0oKIFsI3ctltY0ESWHwEEbMZmyceG_R6djOO1vsy6IIx2VDt7UpANHXNxwv8QwYbDZZabDnDnqYXzzSOSHwT-YKgp2oCRsp-kcpRl4_SsAyrAbkvzLaB4pu6c3foCyZzlw=w640-h528" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div>After wrapping that trail up and taking a short break at The Van, I took on the shorter Falls Branch trail.</div><div><br /></div><div>Semantics are important here.</div><div><br /></div><div>On the trailhead placard this trail is listed as the <i>easiest </i>of the three,</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMDkeQizoE36KyzDWXTGREg3bH1VnEfCt8XFO6--OG1dPHF7wqAZ3NviZSz-rmtwyv3NJgZrvfnnVV6J7Ova5_bLZzTu1Ho8qdI-YlQ52b6W5upfKQt08boeUkxZwVhIlaLUsoYe5i86uFaYwwk_UanYcpoCVNYYvaf6e5RBsZwNCtTEEaCBnjh9H9jA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMDkeQizoE36KyzDWXTGREg3bH1VnEfCt8XFO6--OG1dPHF7wqAZ3NviZSz-rmtwyv3NJgZrvfnnVV6J7Ova5_bLZzTu1Ho8qdI-YlQ52b6W5upfKQt08boeUkxZwVhIlaLUsoYe5i86uFaYwwk_UanYcpoCVNYYvaf6e5RBsZwNCtTEEaCBnjh9H9jA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /> </div><div>but they don't actually say it's <i>easy</i>. </div><div><br /></div><div>The climb up towards and then back down from the saddle that must be crossed there in the center-left of my track requires some rock-scrambling,</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiysbnVhSynfnvCaMxmbpfEhYqMDk-kFwVrmRmcMYnIopkMn-tQ8HiDd5cxvHxWnPP5crzMS33luZua37U6yGvwhuK_xBbluOaVBCyn3yzG1Z3v6_FBkYjKYd50VdeKmzy3vIEpANEnm6FhTEU9Q32_yZ7PIQgWlAXiQFd_F7oaTfe9t4lf6vNN6JLtfw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiysbnVhSynfnvCaMxmbpfEhYqMDk-kFwVrmRmcMYnIopkMn-tQ8HiDd5cxvHxWnPP5crzMS33luZua37U6yGvwhuK_xBbluOaVBCyn3yzG1Z3v6_FBkYjKYd50VdeKmzy3vIEpANEnm6FhTEU9Q32_yZ7PIQgWlAXiQFd_F7oaTfe9t4lf6vNN6JLtfw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div>switch-backs, and a few bridges and stairways. (one of the stairways is out there in the distance of this photo)</div><div><br /></div><div>Twice I had to pause and step off the trail when people out in front of me (It's Friday afternoon and the park is starting to get busy) gave up and turned around to go back. (The dog member of one of these groups looked mighty relieved as he went by headed back towards the trailhead!)</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKfQDADNvTHZja8dI_Fv_ovcEAy9LRS3gprrzbTOiUdEFcC_5Nz2-6nx0sU0B2VfjUYAWdP2lLV1LB3GN8xoNWSEUe2li3u1bZlF3njfwkHosNXHC7Ci4QkvlYo5Pmau-b4ACTnQeoG1PF49l2uPplpyEobVflHrDrIDCqt6fiOjYckeet6iA0IcCueQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKfQDADNvTHZja8dI_Fv_ovcEAy9LRS3gprrzbTOiUdEFcC_5Nz2-6nx0sU0B2VfjUYAWdP2lLV1LB3GN8xoNWSEUe2li3u1bZlF3njfwkHosNXHC7Ci4QkvlYo5Pmau-b4ACTnQeoG1PF49l2uPplpyEobVflHrDrIDCqt6fiOjYckeet6iA0IcCueQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Part of the problem here is that this sign, which sits at the end of the short spur leading in from the trailhead to the intersection of all three trails, is incomplete.</div><div><br /></div><div>Again, lack of pride in workmanship.</div><div><br /></div><div>You wouldn't know if relying on this sign, but both the Horseshoe Mountain and the Falls Branch trails also loop around off to the left at this point, and if you are only going as far as the actual falls, which seems to be the main draw here,</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYe70B4wjaSYeVdW1zIYwnsdeypTvgdT8GKxM8MEyHCsgVvV6RlF9tj4D9jvyDebqLD4OYkgWcLU3MsMCVP2yZ0Se_8V3-qysT4_2F_M4f5IcCuGePhkT1PywxVI7ZWbB_ME6Ujcsc228gcf_LDRBRh_fqjUcqtNJeOANbUQR81kjBbQllaG9dYksOsA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYe70B4wjaSYeVdW1zIYwnsdeypTvgdT8GKxM8MEyHCsgVvV6RlF9tj4D9jvyDebqLD4OYkgWcLU3MsMCVP2yZ0Se_8V3-qysT4_2F_M4f5IcCuGePhkT1PywxVI7ZWbB_ME6Ujcsc228gcf_LDRBRh_fqjUcqtNJeOANbUQR81kjBbQllaG9dYksOsA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div>going left, where no arrows point, means following a segment of easy, flat trail</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFLc_BnK4o__xJoRUvppvUVIecCMPm_7wVRhW6BWMmkpWwkyWB2JtZfIgPabkIBRQLMhYfPKvcF2HJHGPotWhff9fWXK4gzvHyVUgqwJwgxU8qHF0MHfO-KSpc8cJQd6xnCtzk8d4ga3AOdLXpf_coONl3E63lvpf4sgnaW2U0wDP5K7HAJa8ZtcLJBw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFLc_BnK4o__xJoRUvppvUVIecCMPm_7wVRhW6BWMmkpWwkyWB2JtZfIgPabkIBRQLMhYfPKvcF2HJHGPotWhff9fWXK4gzvHyVUgqwJwgxU8qHF0MHfO-KSpc8cJQd6xnCtzk8d4ga3AOdLXpf_coONl3E63lvpf4sgnaW2U0wDP5K7HAJa8ZtcLJBw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div>that sticks to the shoreline.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjduvgoSI8qkAWoGxSOwlvsVtPepoS07-6JYHlI57XWU9cdr_89ZCel1JBxCgPzqzlw9YqzTqGEoG2eCT-CR1USfmJbkjvhJ0772cPqkEPz3ZBBIL8rdhDSzeA7NrtCMGBJiTT10RDHkMzlUdQAqeoCog40ItffD5hw-z6fvXPCVRrCFQlht9smJaqp6w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="800" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjduvgoSI8qkAWoGxSOwlvsVtPepoS07-6JYHlI57XWU9cdr_89ZCel1JBxCgPzqzlw9YqzTqGEoG2eCT-CR1USfmJbkjvhJ0772cPqkEPz3ZBBIL8rdhDSzeA7NrtCMGBJiTT10RDHkMzlUdQAqeoCog40ItffD5hw-z6fvXPCVRrCFQlht9smJaqp6w=w640-h384" width="640" /></a></div><br />Oh, and the falls?</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a publicity photo of the falls. I have no idea when it was taken.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgy-bc-VaGVi-N9e0RgCHi3pqqGTOEgmBMFKAaAn3MerqFADHM0WhXECMVo_wJ3NY-8dM-LkP5srD5VhDPItPhAMsVQY9jcrldMWV_HuRaE3PE1NL2DiDNHQu-8t0qGoi4RFXxLdF4COu5lmhLMRNekCoS3O1_PO_QlEfoaSZqxrCLUJrmi_drmXi7cyg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgy-bc-VaGVi-N9e0RgCHi3pqqGTOEgmBMFKAaAn3MerqFADHM0WhXECMVo_wJ3NY-8dM-LkP5srD5VhDPItPhAMsVQY9jcrldMWV_HuRaE3PE1NL2DiDNHQu-8t0qGoi4RFXxLdF4COu5lmhLMRNekCoS3O1_PO_QlEfoaSZqxrCLUJrmi_drmXi7cyg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />This is my photo of the falls.</div><div><br /></div><div>To be fair, there was a small trickle still running over the edge. Enough to entertain those kids down there at the bottom.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQqZxd4x0EyjHPqvbVXnVJb0kkDML57AZPVzfL00CWufJLFTYXwQXAetrXFhNXmm6OzGUui-MsaxYEwcXudUJ8FY4prlrCjLmQA2aRn708mJY6dD3rqPWkcl8ypKQoArkDBaCj_4e4k1d_8ubPKx1Bg-6EcEEEDkje3bzc4jxSYNaQT_8Vn4jXNaw4uA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQqZxd4x0EyjHPqvbVXnVJb0kkDML57AZPVzfL00CWufJLFTYXwQXAetrXFhNXmm6OzGUui-MsaxYEwcXudUJ8FY4prlrCjLmQA2aRn708mJY6dD3rqPWkcl8ypKQoArkDBaCj_4e4k1d_8ubPKx1Bg-6EcEEEDkje3bzc4jxSYNaQT_8Vn4jXNaw4uA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />And over there on the other side of the falls is the beginning of the Dam Mountain trail marked by the double blaze.</div><div><br /></div><div>But by this point it was getting well on into the afternoon. Too late in the day to be tackling that, the longest and most rugged of the three trails.</div><div><br /></div><div>So I'll save that one for another day.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEha_v_HdEfwNx9Nepx4o4tHtou0qz91ojoqwB4mn4w47gid68zbb8XKJsspeMqHLPhBWHy_oimLOV1BY823W1AWKzeuoW_bToGDhLNtUIxJ5Vj4L7ATEx5p158F0YA1EY0Qc6y1FRQZKsvVFRDRXEHVZWVvLtLmrNep0dEvghwp8xuQXckSQQ9NG8ge_A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEha_v_HdEfwNx9Nepx4o4tHtou0qz91ojoqwB4mn4w47gid68zbb8XKJsspeMqHLPhBWHy_oimLOV1BY823W1AWKzeuoW_bToGDhLNtUIxJ5Vj4L7ATEx5p158F0YA1EY0Qc6y1FRQZKsvVFRDRXEHVZWVvLtLmrNep0dEvghwp8xuQXckSQQ9NG8ge_A=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />OK, I'm still 10 or so road hours from home, so where's the next stop on this trip going to be?!</div><div><br /></div><div>To be honest, I was getting pretty far south by now and any further stops would be even farther south. With a heat index of 105 it wasn't exactly chill today, (August 19) and it wouldn't be any better tomorrow, so, with one more rest-area overnighter a couple hour farther down the road, I finished up the trip home the next next day with no additional hiking in between.</div><div><br /></div><div>Quitting cold turkey is hard!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /><br /></p><p><br /></p></div></div>greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15960238893013776630noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719803707314253077.post-13700610838274526772022-10-24T09:53:00.083-05:002022-10-24T17:03:23.577-05:00Revisiting the Scene of the Ambush!<p> OK. I'm on a roll now!</p><p>After leaving Turkey Run State Park in Indiana, for the second time this trip, I made it to the I-57 Kent Lake Rest Area in Illinois in time for a leisurely dinner while watching the last of the daylight fade over the lake.</p><p>With the light gone I retreated to The Van and checked out my maps. I noticed that I was only an hour and a half from Illinois' Little Grand Canyon and since I seemed to have this theme going of stopping off along the way on this trip I thought why not!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgT0vhPpqtDmC5KNhh3mdrsCCH8eZ9ZLkRd7wl_JPGuQFsKTTwvxdAB5nHNxfhL6DuxwcTwlmB5UPYhb5eMKtQ6MH9gtlj1EyEX8QOxBTayGYeEZ2v6LZnafH9MH__5buxqfWEHxumT_4tTbIBpylwO6XrYW-cDX5atu4l4seqgx6CVoGz9CfnhUrJhxQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1455" data-original-width="1600" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgT0vhPpqtDmC5KNhh3mdrsCCH8eZ9ZLkRd7wl_JPGuQFsKTTwvxdAB5nHNxfhL6DuxwcTwlmB5UPYhb5eMKtQ6MH9gtlj1EyEX8QOxBTayGYeEZ2v6LZnafH9MH__5buxqfWEHxumT_4tTbIBpylwO6XrYW-cDX5atu4l4seqgx6CVoGz9CfnhUrJhxQ=w640-h582" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>So fairly early the next morning I found myself in this little corner of the Shawnee National Forest. But, now that I was actually here I was having a few second-thoughts.</p><p>You see, I was here before <a href="https://travelsofaramblingvan.blogspot.com/2017/11/nearly-riding-chute-in-little-grand.html" target="_blank">5 years ago</a>, and while it was a spectacular hike in its own way, it didn't go quite as well as it could have.</p><p>That time Mother Nature caught me not paying attention at a tricky spot on the trail and bitch-slapped me to the ground. - HARD!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBQZrbY0PhlYZNty20vybGPNgPfVFeUB4KlS1l-KGisqlcZVO2q_MDH9amcuhWWFsq-_h5s1xhynIPTHkCWN1Zjv1fStAcP_2G-1rW3DLRLcALzta-h-P5fowDljxODWE56sUzqC-HWxPAZkfylV8d_doSc5_UyVsqNVfFWBAzm46d7OVfT-DWEaPg0w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="437" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBQZrbY0PhlYZNty20vybGPNgPfVFeUB4KlS1l-KGisqlcZVO2q_MDH9amcuhWWFsq-_h5s1xhynIPTHkCWN1Zjv1fStAcP_2G-1rW3DLRLcALzta-h-P5fowDljxODWE56sUzqC-HWxPAZkfylV8d_doSc5_UyVsqNVfFWBAzm46d7OVfT-DWEaPg0w=w437-h640" width="437" /></a></div><br />Just like a fellow blogger I follow when his bike skidded out from under him on a turn, I landed on the right side of my hip. Unlike that other blogger, I somehow didn't need to get a new hip installed as a result. But it was still a sobering, and painful, incident.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCweoK_u37wBzVbdiKkUc6prHVskt4hrY2TLOuGUs6ZUyohOK_Xggokea2VNmBvI59zXkJJY1t5SpZBRmStNwhLKFu-QoFoNo3tS_c5nFAbBWLvaphpbCwlZ-f-VnwHjJnW8QQU51rdHUhZULjp9Ex7VDJtlGRG9YpwbhmcvolMY_CYRW2bIfFcSOzrw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="688" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCweoK_u37wBzVbdiKkUc6prHVskt4hrY2TLOuGUs6ZUyohOK_Xggokea2VNmBvI59zXkJJY1t5SpZBRmStNwhLKFu-QoFoNo3tS_c5nFAbBWLvaphpbCwlZ-f-VnwHjJnW8QQU51rdHUhZULjp9Ex7VDJtlGRG9YpwbhmcvolMY_CYRW2bIfFcSOzrw=w640-h464" width="640" /></a></div><br />But, with more macho bravado than sense, I settled my pack into place on my back this morning and set out anyway.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUJlfUzkfKeTwXy1vJ_iHUDJF7mWDAg9n9Vr3xOdwlN9nwTPP_479-lLvy2lEz1NqlkwHq22oXReLnPSk2kRTKUexNNjrxCvormM8HF3ZsubIjxBfwDxT4ECM981PgdfCL3dvxcqyFUi4mHNTfd3V3nfAPMvjSIRTEBfovRf11US-PmCj1FL2BIfLrxQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUJlfUzkfKeTwXy1vJ_iHUDJF7mWDAg9n9Vr3xOdwlN9nwTPP_479-lLvy2lEz1NqlkwHq22oXReLnPSk2kRTKUexNNjrxCvormM8HF3ZsubIjxBfwDxT4ECM981PgdfCL3dvxcqyFUi4mHNTfd3V3nfAPMvjSIRTEBfovRf11US-PmCj1FL2BIfLrxQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Clockwise around the three and a half mile trail this time. (I did it counterclockwise last time. Always good to mix things up!)</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEip_oEknE_SmmkeXzpf2g8qCSI6pTpE1iUnmDZjxDY9B7Lik1BozHxRWWcQI3KcVlv-kK5UXuzQDLcPm3YvlWscYz3xCtImy11a0fjADbh27ZzIG8vtq4L6Id_ukazvg54LBYIauML4ZrzK2S_lVgh6g6cBiNr5B4UDeEiayQaPytey_j_tHdSc0WBvOA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEip_oEknE_SmmkeXzpf2g8qCSI6pTpE1iUnmDZjxDY9B7Lik1BozHxRWWcQI3KcVlv-kK5UXuzQDLcPm3YvlWscYz3xCtImy11a0fjADbh27ZzIG8vtq4L6Id_ukazvg54LBYIauML4ZrzK2S_lVgh6g6cBiNr5B4UDeEiayQaPytey_j_tHdSc0WBvOA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />Mother Nature quickly gave me one more chance to come to my senses by throwing a tree across the trail in front of me,<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEie5poVcxF1xDqmSjDLEM2IDcymaQy_twksjZs11svu9eR7oEvVxzA7lxy8j2nj7OC1EFupAkCITldbhaw2X9xvL3jgiE41Kk8M_fr9Y1MrkKZip7LB-_esXAA09zem9W4qGsKYgavOt94xCGycrpIxB_3reMWKstCA7P3iPBGtWnMVWz0QwlyTPSpDEw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEie5poVcxF1xDqmSjDLEM2IDcymaQy_twksjZs11svu9eR7oEvVxzA7lxy8j2nj7OC1EFupAkCITldbhaw2X9xvL3jgiE41Kk8M_fr9Y1MrkKZip7LB-_esXAA09zem9W4qGsKYgavOt94xCGycrpIxB_3reMWKstCA7P3iPBGtWnMVWz0QwlyTPSpDEw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />but she also threw a symbol of nimble-footedness in my path as well. You know - the mythical Mercury and all - that fleet-footed trickster with his winged hat who was always pushing the boundaries.<p></p><p>I chose to ignore the first omen, the massive tree blocking the trail, and believe in the second. Although there was no flying over that tree! Since it's larger than it looks in the photo, I had to pick my way around the obstruction, glad that I knew enough to slather on the bug-juice in this chigger-laden part of the country as I pushed a new path through the brush.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3rOjvPjHqQFt_OImH1WixWOoJTOdaT6IcKedEKWJAOg8megtkfnBsYkJyJuxF9k6oL5163yMfLNd6KXKoLH9T0crtX7YgWhMsVSJmTUx4ewnue1s6qWBRzCxSmALYKoESuFjslLrq3Kav8Sp2VOgkBS4OzPQN8by4tBEnXuZCdiokRV5g1yb_-evYYg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3rOjvPjHqQFt_OImH1WixWOoJTOdaT6IcKedEKWJAOg8megtkfnBsYkJyJuxF9k6oL5163yMfLNd6KXKoLH9T0crtX7YgWhMsVSJmTUx4ewnue1s6qWBRzCxSmALYKoESuFjslLrq3Kav8Sp2VOgkBS4OzPQN8by4tBEnXuZCdiokRV5g1yb_-evYYg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />Last time I was at this overlook it was severely overgrown, especially out in front where vegetation blocked most the view, so there wasn't much over to look.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifeah3L25iErc08JSus0GQeCmwvGnRiOCZ2_sMiIw39xLiednIgsCalZ22hYgC4BnMtSoqh52nSNkN4nm8KV0qaPzBtQlhApnQThhLPGM-sx9C-5wKUPpaGPby_dy-ARBMhSpal_37tR9lXv4bpj1OiStUYg2-lzmqRpRBTWG83ju72_BlYX7KZnniyQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifeah3L25iErc08JSus0GQeCmwvGnRiOCZ2_sMiIw39xLiednIgsCalZ22hYgC4BnMtSoqh52nSNkN4nm8KV0qaPzBtQlhApnQThhLPGM-sx9C-5wKUPpaGPby_dy-ARBMhSpal_37tR9lXv4bpj1OiStUYg2-lzmqRpRBTWG83ju72_BlYX7KZnniyQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>This time it has been carefully trimmed back, opening up the view a little more,</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOoxS6aTb12bbC0cB2NqtM2VNesc0lkj0_CWJ71uQqmFofaJUDeNL4esQ5xOkiLv-jbb08c3rco5AJ_F5MXq37zSEdiu3wvUlC-WleW5YXJKf3BDBUUHuHkcHlt0hC6HEKW-pf2kLvcVFP0T7904_gapxIjww51bNLpua9ALxVC5DWP2nJL8_5guB5vA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOoxS6aTb12bbC0cB2NqtM2VNesc0lkj0_CWJ71uQqmFofaJUDeNL4esQ5xOkiLv-jbb08c3rco5AJ_F5MXq37zSEdiu3wvUlC-WleW5YXJKf3BDBUUHuHkcHlt0hC6HEKW-pf2kLvcVFP0T7904_gapxIjww51bNLpua9ALxVC5DWP2nJL8_5guB5vA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />and the placard renewed.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjC1kdbmwscZ-xX2UVmkf0f7LUjWin8Q_2da2VJRenFZVe_ZuNAZ6Ux4KsVdy3viGXNFdAd-Scz_BHlaTy7BiD2gRnVt2Qdwv3tz0d0glbWUyZBNGRBqrIE_NJSdH4hkMIGJGdbWiaE-jfSZuDZ-Jq_Og3K3LHdSmRuCEodAOA-GphV5DPhTHnuqGPOXQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjC1kdbmwscZ-xX2UVmkf0f7LUjWin8Q_2da2VJRenFZVe_ZuNAZ6Ux4KsVdy3viGXNFdAd-Scz_BHlaTy7BiD2gRnVt2Qdwv3tz0d0glbWUyZBNGRBqrIE_NJSdH4hkMIGJGdbWiaE-jfSZuDZ-Jq_Og3K3LHdSmRuCEodAOA-GphV5DPhTHnuqGPOXQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />Up until now the trail has been pretty civilized, but that was about to change and I was given one last chance to do the sensible thing.<p></p><p>- I didn't -</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjv59DAr-3NgCs7PzcbkW6zpJBaFjcPFYW08I3z1Y80pwdxkyxDTMaOddTYd7u7dXV4ILykDa4UPEAFR7nlwriovdq1O_sfyslFMSgEfiOv7ij2A-qf3Lsf7Q1PWehkWOCAGpgNgm1IODSSh0P05kJsAGAmPc7aFh2AEsxwEcpQ1dM3SYO6OUYtHZVY8w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjv59DAr-3NgCs7PzcbkW6zpJBaFjcPFYW08I3z1Y80pwdxkyxDTMaOddTYd7u7dXV4ILykDa4UPEAFR7nlwriovdq1O_sfyslFMSgEfiOv7ij2A-qf3Lsf7Q1PWehkWOCAGpgNgm1IODSSh0P05kJsAGAmPc7aFh2AEsxwEcpQ1dM3SYO6OUYtHZVY8w=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />At first the going wasn't too bad,<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhG_J5iZ10JW4Q5Gsba0OPwp-nW2AZbDMaC14oU0MntqE_lHnBcVMVBjbKvaq_g2NmZFFI-8A4tFWgCcFNc3bKt4OPHXwUe_Cif87nwVW3p4cZIt6wbp7Oo09Dl0KRU95HsxME093u6TeIBUGMPbZ6iKJw93ssCekg_Hlm_ttDlBA3FfZTJhPhn9WlGYA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhG_J5iZ10JW4Q5Gsba0OPwp-nW2AZbDMaC14oU0MntqE_lHnBcVMVBjbKvaq_g2NmZFFI-8A4tFWgCcFNc3bKt4OPHXwUe_Cif87nwVW3p4cZIt6wbp7Oo09Dl0KRU95HsxME093u6TeIBUGMPbZ6iKJw93ssCekg_Hlm_ttDlBA3FfZTJhPhn9WlGYA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />But it didn't get any better<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieYqMhVW2Pp9N642RHLV6agvYxTOCv1pLubVmMnhSMmg4gS8hhG1K28IP4LE9AmEaety0A9MKM5TYtMYVNbUGW9USa2WC-MQhYjgZSm4P6fk8N2tO7jPs8R29jukJ-BQzoMEQBq9FIAo4XdYWe1l7TticVRLeu7RL7segkTSaEL-TY8KJfJGoq5Xt-CA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieYqMhVW2Pp9N642RHLV6agvYxTOCv1pLubVmMnhSMmg4gS8hhG1K28IP4LE9AmEaety0A9MKM5TYtMYVNbUGW9USa2WC-MQhYjgZSm4P6fk8N2tO7jPs8R29jukJ-BQzoMEQBq9FIAo4XdYWe1l7TticVRLeu7RL7segkTSaEL-TY8KJfJGoq5Xt-CA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />and pretty soon everything was going downhill - in a hurry!<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGiYwC56iWMbzBXuFCuRXjqmjrWXQAoXj4qIuovbsiex_pG_jN4vULym31WcmdVLUBFWTjzK3h1aO2kJGQpMzrloIlcqH06fi14_5mWeI513m_fTfBrvlX1cU868gJfk3GJdKhK12rx4fHhAv_I-DwDBfQ3Reo-sB1TJqxp1ZdnR37XQG1stfKHwAIYw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGiYwC56iWMbzBXuFCuRXjqmjrWXQAoXj4qIuovbsiex_pG_jN4vULym31WcmdVLUBFWTjzK3h1aO2kJGQpMzrloIlcqH06fi14_5mWeI513m_fTfBrvlX1cU868gJfk3GJdKhK12rx4fHhAv_I-DwDBfQ3Reo-sB1TJqxp1ZdnR37XQG1stfKHwAIYw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It was time to strap the grippy-spikes onto my boots and remove the rubber covers from the titanium tips of my hiking sticks, (Actually the covers are supposed to be used just for transporting the sticks to prevent stabbing anything but I don't like the noise of the constant tick of titanium striking ground so I leave them on all the time - OK, most the time.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfp4cF0zFje9-jRC5SyEoBTu9iyj_Edu7JvVbAzM7hjLzWBVzE06rZqOTdl5im7THPszqI7KbjB-vUincCL8-HWTjjS4XorttMKSCETnx_jgok7s8k6oiTrZTBgIHSmS3yp2geUH8xI2OgpNiQGLsV97r7v_9IZnvz-U1vAi7O9JM0DQsfAiyqCMWXug" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfp4cF0zFje9-jRC5SyEoBTu9iyj_Edu7JvVbAzM7hjLzWBVzE06rZqOTdl5im7THPszqI7KbjB-vUincCL8-HWTjjS4XorttMKSCETnx_jgok7s8k6oiTrZTBgIHSmS3yp2geUH8xI2OgpNiQGLsV97r7v_9IZnvz-U1vAi7O9JM0DQsfAiyqCMWXug=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">because when faced with terrain like this I'll take all the help I can get! (Yep, I came from up there.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigW-LCptX16BikUnQOCGUlzoTI7WG0xSCSFNvVy2N34WoPNltq3Lr3nfYsSHDGGnzRE5Wo0MA2Yyxmi0F7V-1fb3WJzmmciiTvUd9GhwveCX7aADEWesG-2fiW5oBJymIG0jubtxJTrTc63mkOYs80Y41uSLCj5kjb4f-Xpw7OmbFq3RmKjwUQ0VuFvw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigW-LCptX16BikUnQOCGUlzoTI7WG0xSCSFNvVy2N34WoPNltq3Lr3nfYsSHDGGnzRE5Wo0MA2Yyxmi0F7V-1fb3WJzmmciiTvUd9GhwveCX7aADEWesG-2fiW5oBJymIG0jubtxJTrTc63mkOYs80Y41uSLCj5kjb4f-Xpw7OmbFq3RmKjwUQ0VuFvw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />The going was slow, partly because that's what the conditions demanded, partly because flashbacks of that previous fall kept getting in the way, but I managed to make it down to the floor of the canyon with no spectacular mishaps.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMV-gyDazWmYIaPSYf2G0_lPqsoOqvwieGOURK03zQzncY68xfYql4VVcqZYeL6y3DGnHs8N0MHsrJWOEOJ0Pqw93U09xHvGhmy4r2otyQ_bw8V-GTNLYn1YuJ6lsV4PeWSKwgcqRSk4aTUXntoYP-SUuX1BVm4SAPzLIGGdamWP962e-wuC7UZr5L6w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMV-gyDazWmYIaPSYf2G0_lPqsoOqvwieGOURK03zQzncY68xfYql4VVcqZYeL6y3DGnHs8N0MHsrJWOEOJ0Pqw93U09xHvGhmy4r2otyQ_bw8V-GTNLYn1YuJ6lsV4PeWSKwgcqRSk4aTUXntoYP-SUuX1BVm4SAPzLIGGdamWP962e-wuC7UZr5L6w=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The lighting down here was different this time. But I wouldn't call it worse, in fact in some ways it was perhaps better.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Last time this shot was of sunlight slashing diagonally through a drifting mist. Atmospheric and mysterious, but moments like that are, by their very nature, ephemeral at best, </div></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigcccX2VUbH4xbjA9II6hnd4FSVuVX236n_Y84Spk7eoWP8sLr7bT3p_idDZKFaK0VG2G8A8PKz7XQsgqfKHUniwAWGzj2cw6eMMmoZZXuaZkumiq9paaQuShLQihUGLeXtgfQ2H8SUjqrSm2t454qDJ2IwnkAXQFMO9XO7Nti6ZulpNALGA5aa9NuEg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigcccX2VUbH4xbjA9II6hnd4FSVuVX236n_Y84Spk7eoWP8sLr7bT3p_idDZKFaK0VG2G8A8PKz7XQsgqfKHUniwAWGzj2cw6eMMmoZZXuaZkumiq9paaQuShLQihUGLeXtgfQ2H8SUjqrSm2t454qDJ2IwnkAXQFMO9XO7Nti6ZulpNALGA5aa9NuEg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></p><p>and by keeping my eyes open and taking my time I still managed to find a few gems of nature and lighting down here in the bottom of the canyon.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCYH37mMKOdWv00C4W4FQH1gcAoOhu6i5yEi8u7nsAaLs3ORU6S2uULUCPW9dCsh9QcKpZa_7ovFji05SDIC4GFMWQMWwLTqYMquwm4or-VMuTgYhxBksTCWDtBAO866um82RHsYVot6VJAI5hqiGtbyaV4qEtNu86ailhuUMAih72TiJ-V_qQKhCBjQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCYH37mMKOdWv00C4W4FQH1gcAoOhu6i5yEi8u7nsAaLs3ORU6S2uULUCPW9dCsh9QcKpZa_7ovFji05SDIC4GFMWQMWwLTqYMquwm4or-VMuTgYhxBksTCWDtBAO866um82RHsYVot6VJAI5hqiGtbyaV4qEtNu86ailhuUMAih72TiJ-V_qQKhCBjQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />But frankly the easy-going canyon floor doesn't last long<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGqbV1m-p275Gxv1YcFDyqfYXiZ4sydcYkdvoltLRa4s6cydPmOBlDbLUFF_eRla9aT-ylDlI9YR2BmzGpZucrlD5gBiCstNDuHSBon55s6N-EhwKo3DTN0JfVC0LEDVwLFa95JmFIpFTYBAWBtzDqP416PuDJrvcpnKXVtee9F2n7D8hph_Bxe4OtNQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGqbV1m-p275Gxv1YcFDyqfYXiZ4sydcYkdvoltLRa4s6cydPmOBlDbLUFF_eRla9aT-ylDlI9YR2BmzGpZucrlD5gBiCstNDuHSBon55s6N-EhwKo3DTN0JfVC0LEDVwLFa95JmFIpFTYBAWBtzDqP416PuDJrvcpnKXVtee9F2n7D8hph_Bxe4OtNQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />and soon I was faced with climbing my way back up out of here - right past the spot where I crashed and burned last time. (OK, more like thudded and moaned, but you get the idea.)<div><br /></div><div>And I'm not sure what the deal is with the cairns. It's not like there was any other way to go.<p></p><p>Obviously I made it, and with no additional bruises or injuries. (Maybe I <i>am </i>getting smarter in my old age!)</p><p>Though interesting, this is a small spot with no camping on site, a single, relatively short 3.5 mile trail, and not much else going on, so I'm not sure it qualifies as a destination in and of itself, but if you happen to be passing by it's not a bad place to check out. </p></div>greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15960238893013776630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719803707314253077.post-75529653535700569862022-10-17T13:45:00.333-05:002022-10-17T13:45:00.180-05:00Turkey Run All Over Again - Sort Of<p> After a couple weeks of visiting family up in Michigan it was time to move on because - well honestly, kinda like green beer and arsenic, I'm best if taken in small doses. (Just ask The Wife!)</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjB5pyA6mF8Rz8fB0qTNPia1gOU6x-FK9wbEOGJOZqyHkGI1lrtdXTAe7rE22qzk3oxqgmLuA6bbk8nGeBMkxxJ5bRVl3PseGXB0tBPUFG57VgQkGN6GoLy5ciZv09JiYHLOow5cZsek9WLTG4rxB0krSXlAMP9v8YAX_8cSznMobygPyYcLpW53cwhpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="745" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjB5pyA6mF8Rz8fB0qTNPia1gOU6x-FK9wbEOGJOZqyHkGI1lrtdXTAe7rE22qzk3oxqgmLuA6bbk8nGeBMkxxJ5bRVl3PseGXB0tBPUFG57VgQkGN6GoLy5ciZv09JiYHLOow5cZsek9WLTG4rxB0krSXlAMP9v8YAX_8cSznMobygPyYcLpW53cwhpg=w640-h394" width="640" /></a></div><br />But with my adventurous nature all stirred up (Is that a side effect of arsenic? I know I haven't been drinking the green beer!) I decided another stopover, maybe a little more leisurely stopover this time, at Turkey Run State Park on the way home was in order.<p></p><p>With that in mind my target for the first day's run was the Crawfordsville Walmart.</p><p>After a leisurely morning chilling with The Sister - the retired one - I headed out and got to the Walmart shortly before sundown (RV's and trucks are encouraged to use the east side of the parking lot opposite the auto care area.) and it put me only a half-hour or so from the State Park which meant I could get an early start on my second visit to this place.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgB6NofA0GTcGyxvT-uyFEOab-QndPIEnOYQXSfdEu3zMby_BsF1nOwSMG14bZJIGAJu-t6keeR5ZP7OSOfTdb66OGDO2lSLUSGjKFzsSU4iiebE-hIPtRRaqQXpdPirnRnMKUB_AjmeFfWcrN4UlCXQvoDYo8d82XyNWlblAYgxP8UwT10v9ZtFVGhWg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="249" data-original-width="372" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgB6NofA0GTcGyxvT-uyFEOab-QndPIEnOYQXSfdEu3zMby_BsF1nOwSMG14bZJIGAJu-t6keeR5ZP7OSOfTdb66OGDO2lSLUSGjKFzsSU4iiebE-hIPtRRaqQXpdPirnRnMKUB_AjmeFfWcrN4UlCXQvoDYo8d82XyNWlblAYgxP8UwT10v9ZtFVGhWg=w640-h429" width="640" /></a></div><br />According to the web-site the park opens at 0700.<p></p><p>I rolled up to the stop-sign at the gate-house with my $9 in hand at 0710.</p><p>There was no one inside.</p><p>I thought about it for a moment, then drove on in anyway because daylight was burning and it's not my fault they can't get out of bed on time.</p><p>I tried the park office just beyond the gate-house but it was also closed - as was the Nature Center.</p><p>Oh well. I dug the previous visit's receipt out of the recycling pile, threw it haphazardly on the dash, which is pretty high up on a Sprinter so it's not easy to read the small print, such as date issued, from the ground, then went on about my day with only a slight dent in my conscience. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjL6Ovp9dGCn2C9amjb1kOjufdSzO63VgEGHZYZWPoSBJvn7_7YG33boqV7wja_skLwGgQz1a4hX18cF53KShZ7uCSl12N1ErJW2ehQKpD9nQBINZjHYKsOMi3uq5ZCE76T8dz6-W6M-NfX5ENp29wZLY86jYH6YWcbNJpMh6bPyxt76teH8RGD3E0WsQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjL6Ovp9dGCn2C9amjb1kOjufdSzO63VgEGHZYZWPoSBJvn7_7YG33boqV7wja_skLwGgQz1a4hX18cF53KShZ7uCSl12N1ErJW2ehQKpD9nQBINZjHYKsOMi3uq5ZCE76T8dz6-W6M-NfX5ENp29wZLY86jYH6YWcbNJpMh6bPyxt76teH8RGD3E0WsQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />First order was to climb back down the 70 steps to the riverbank, but instead of crossing Sugar Creek on the suspension bridge like last time<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7pfxz-CsOafKLNMkMlwUeaybVkZf65YnrXVy8xOr5WnUblxwQHiL1Qwm9ihsYItyiM3dbrhUKhRNIMkcZnHAzYIAABDTMmaSMsFQ0Sg5uJiDWb3gn6JUUAF6YaKZdY2LwPLY7PNQmmfM1yKT8x_ChTB2nAmSiIpZFp13v760ezANGirRuaW2trMQWRg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="869" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7pfxz-CsOafKLNMkMlwUeaybVkZf65YnrXVy8xOr5WnUblxwQHiL1Qwm9ihsYItyiM3dbrhUKhRNIMkcZnHAzYIAABDTMmaSMsFQ0Sg5uJiDWb3gn6JUUAF6YaKZdY2LwPLY7PNQmmfM1yKT8x_ChTB2nAmSiIpZFp13v760ezANGirRuaW2trMQWRg=w640-h314" width="640" /></a></div><br />this time I hung a right and followed Trail 1 along this side of the river, working my way east towards the rising sun and the covered bridge.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1zvjOVYcS423t58VbbYo47YkfVOmAt4lINuEqmwmbnTO82czSGJRQtRLsXM8iwWmK22t82HUpdbcVeXX-ZPrEUxraqY7_PbME1AFZlFR5rCDx9uBNtJMMBYDObos2IOBx-JtqYsz-xznuTMJ7lPhrB8MAOLGm-bVGuVOqCcFciNvPIMLXYDH3QLjV7A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1zvjOVYcS423t58VbbYo47YkfVOmAt4lINuEqmwmbnTO82czSGJRQtRLsXM8iwWmK22t82HUpdbcVeXX-ZPrEUxraqY7_PbME1AFZlFR5rCDx9uBNtJMMBYDObos2IOBx-JtqYsz-xznuTMJ7lPhrB8MAOLGm-bVGuVOqCcFciNvPIMLXYDH3QLjV7A=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />I immediately went past what I can only assume, since there was no information to be had, on map or placard, is - or was - some sort of pumping station, .<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiY7yhUnYBuMduFW0yJJjgC5ltqAdAZH152ujOdmawaBvzBVtO5sxvopywSCisypdLjxzY-BPALw8kh8dpz2V-ZWDjkc66SSbweRajaXQcMo_jblH6W9D3I3hsyR_yEd9vCvIbye7WteLTfKCaSekB6lRik1wCcWoHoevt8I-RsGxf2KHNgOr5gnra4nQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiY7yhUnYBuMduFW0yJJjgC5ltqAdAZH152ujOdmawaBvzBVtO5sxvopywSCisypdLjxzY-BPALw8kh8dpz2V-ZWDjkc66SSbweRajaXQcMo_jblH6W9D3I3hsyR_yEd9vCvIbye7WteLTfKCaSekB6lRik1wCcWoHoevt8I-RsGxf2KHNgOr5gnra4nQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />It was a very nice, refreshingly private, stroll<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgaCL4SRVF0i-SmX1mfVo25bnnjmq47qLAnbdMCEuAgpktJIO3jPiTdQkHwjjOCMF4SdjXZl6FYLZpZDInfBnfZRi8YqwzkvAZPI5dGBbzbLcoeLOhYNhslrElm0Utnoq1GaRUx4CGUC1JkZJ6ZmKujTVeMaW4WJegAKJ0lXp46LslVgpLTHtp4_Us_A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgaCL4SRVF0i-SmX1mfVo25bnnjmq47qLAnbdMCEuAgpktJIO3jPiTdQkHwjjOCMF4SdjXZl6FYLZpZDInfBnfZRi8YqwzkvAZPI5dGBbzbLcoeLOhYNhslrElm0Utnoq1GaRUx4CGUC1JkZJ6ZmKujTVeMaW4WJegAKJ0lXp46LslVgpLTHtp4_Us_A=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />along the creek (River to those of you that live further west)<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjn3EqaHmtKtPdO2sIroI0ELaiIeAZYAWIOIw0OzPfOxbPuC9Sod9Dx4cSsLQWDCPl9qy5aSFR8y8r1M-6ww1lIM5Xl6UsU75eNLSx7LFYlcXoz_GBBYBdpfMkoMOLDZbDL-I4nnGX-4zRwsDu0bmuCPCrR5nDePwFNvrajLoL2B1aWpFyeyqL7qPkJgA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="710" data-original-width="1600" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjn3EqaHmtKtPdO2sIroI0ELaiIeAZYAWIOIw0OzPfOxbPuC9Sod9Dx4cSsLQWDCPl9qy5aSFR8y8r1M-6ww1lIM5Xl6UsU75eNLSx7LFYlcXoz_GBBYBdpfMkoMOLDZbDL-I4nnGX-4zRwsDu0bmuCPCrR5nDePwFNvrajLoL2B1aWpFyeyqL7qPkJgA=w640-h284" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div>through dew-beaded vegetation,<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWFBj-eMijJhg1vm3Ga5qv8HiVyJTnuRXPwMeLxkpNn-g40Iildh1LIiu8UPTHhzBuwZ7pKFc9KWy718VOQwr1FtATLbCVv9kt75O96oIvCmF03kejqySBuVwfB8n36qLEW9a-q1aEeuWIsvR141t8QljaPFycmXGJNa_9N-DDQB-_1I_UIRy11MaeGQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWFBj-eMijJhg1vm3Ga5qv8HiVyJTnuRXPwMeLxkpNn-g40Iildh1LIiu8UPTHhzBuwZ7pKFc9KWy718VOQwr1FtATLbCVv9kt75O96oIvCmF03kejqySBuVwfB8n36qLEW9a-q1aEeuWIsvR141t8QljaPFycmXGJNa_9N-DDQB-_1I_UIRy11MaeGQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />past incredibly lit vignettes,<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiS3zMHYgN20S2Xk7AOnLw0Sru4oj8_8yqEtfLWbHYZtBqBFSgFDewn5kDELSGV6L7DedYySV1Su-AZDp1c-NbXLARJ17htYzs8nEmcaOdB0yOZOID3yhTmijixFo0bGIN1K5cQV1k1WFAD34K6QLGTRXxtbbSFzhRmfkSo3e6bXkcH6bkwOA8TIUvc0g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiS3zMHYgN20S2Xk7AOnLw0Sru4oj8_8yqEtfLWbHYZtBqBFSgFDewn5kDELSGV6L7DedYySV1Su-AZDp1c-NbXLARJ17htYzs8nEmcaOdB0yOZOID3yhTmijixFo0bGIN1K5cQV1k1WFAD34K6QLGTRXxtbbSFzhRmfkSo3e6bXkcH6bkwOA8TIUvc0g=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>and around the nose of Goose Rock - which is actually a part of the bluff overhead that has fallen off, so keep your ears open for the sound of rock cracking!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBKThZc9vRZ8-1uHkggOjkJSvgNyrODfgRgO7Aqt-nzG1sF-3Hd2PU5ORok3foltiFG1Il0uo4v8jmBSgti8D7pH3iWi_uzqpc1Gi2WanbFYoY6Ae47oO0httqY76HAtVHDKQcKWYw0lwG-EhtTxPcDHSkQZtHVnOvHkn7Ovza5d1SAwIlqtWT2cNHPw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBKThZc9vRZ8-1uHkggOjkJSvgNyrODfgRgO7Aqt-nzG1sF-3Hd2PU5ORok3foltiFG1Il0uo4v8jmBSgti8D7pH3iWi_uzqpc1Gi2WanbFYoY6Ae47oO0httqY76HAtVHDKQcKWYw0lwG-EhtTxPcDHSkQZtHVnOvHkn7Ovza5d1SAwIlqtWT2cNHPw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />Along the way there are picturesque glimpses of the first real destination of the day<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiw7lJwBgWP-N8yLgzAq1KzTHaFxH1R6wW5VwDsWvC7Vb3iAqD3d9wTG9b4sQ8rgYTspvIXe5WwTT5bQopDg1eTtCd7Piv6l9kYT5DhUCd8FvMGouzTq-IB_o4TgpB1eaPwmBIRhK97GCmG2IWd0NLXXFYqe4ek59Yc7GWk5-44ohu6CPq6-VOMZ36P4Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiw7lJwBgWP-N8yLgzAq1KzTHaFxH1R6wW5VwDsWvC7Vb3iAqD3d9wTG9b4sQ8rgYTspvIXe5WwTT5bQopDg1eTtCd7Piv6l9kYT5DhUCd8FvMGouzTq-IB_o4TgpB1eaPwmBIRhK97GCmG2IWd0NLXXFYqe4ek59Yc7GWk5-44ohu6CPq6-VOMZ36P4Q=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />and it wasn't long before I was at the covered bridge that has been supplanted by the concrete upstart that now carries the county road across Sugar Creek.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuN6PG0YViG27rtJ2kZTzEq4tXQ8j7Pc6nSE0_i0bUoLBBLGO4MMOo7LwR2jPShzjGiAdd11FhziTW9mGsED-dZBkmh5id2O_e3-w0ExyjUwIaNFpKKNowCWNGtQDSJOiLjkAkKw4eHqkHJXFYUhxXSYxaZeCqOlsQXmyG5SqFqbXkqoeGCiR1RXdNlg/s1600/IMG_6100.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuN6PG0YViG27rtJ2kZTzEq4tXQ8j7Pc6nSE0_i0bUoLBBLGO4MMOo7LwR2jPShzjGiAdd11FhziTW9mGsED-dZBkmh5id2O_e3-w0ExyjUwIaNFpKKNowCWNGtQDSJOiLjkAkKw4eHqkHJXFYUhxXSYxaZeCqOlsQXmyG5SqFqbXkqoeGCiR1RXdNlg/w640-h480/IMG_6100.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Next stop was the Lusk Landfill.<p></p><p>To get there I went south a little ways on Trail 2, which I was going to take anyway in order to make this a loop hike instead of an out and back.</p><p>Since the photo of this placard is difficult to read unless blown up, let me fill you in on what it says.</p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">In what is clearly another example of petty men who think they have power screwing over the 'little people', in 1880 </span><span style="font-family: courier;">John, the reclusive son of Salmon Lusk who originally settled the area, wanted easier access to the family home. The county agreed that if he built an earth-fill across a challenging ravine the county would build a road across the top of it. John sold two of the virgin-timber trees he dedicated his life to preserving for $25,000, that's about 3/4 of a million in today's dollars, and used the money to have the fill constructed. Only to have the slimy little county officials reroute the road around the fill anyway.</span></p><p>OK OK, So that's not exactly the way it's put in the placard but I see nothing wrong with calling a slime-ball a slime-ball.</p><p>But the joke is on those despicable little men and their power-games because the fill has created a valuable wet-land habitat that John probably would have been much happier with than a road anyway.</p><p>Today John Lusk is known and celebrated for his conservation work while the names and non-accomplishments of those government thugs have been long forgotten. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7vKRSKzwNflEb7SoohdoS1ZLQfiOpZ_cuG8LrSABZClx-z_2CKojJQSYHAoL06VCIOpbolea5JqvvlghSKECAcowRrFxmRPweUwm0zto0x0wF4ZANZvH4uUedHNXtwHuqXqaK3oOrEoObb08iEtbgiTX6jVdNb9UIZwY0SFEN2KQ3Y9rnfTpKr3fLQ/s1600/IMG_6106.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7vKRSKzwNflEb7SoohdoS1ZLQfiOpZ_cuG8LrSABZClx-z_2CKojJQSYHAoL06VCIOpbolea5JqvvlghSKECAcowRrFxmRPweUwm0zto0x0wF4ZANZvH4uUedHNXtwHuqXqaK3oOrEoObb08iEtbgiTX6jVdNb9UIZwY0SFEN2KQ3Y9rnfTpKr3fLQ/w640-h480/IMG_6106.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Just in case you might have been lured into thinking this side of the river is less rugged than the other,<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRP3ne9u8abdvk3-egru8K48jx-U3tAifVPAREm5j45RbUKw3GbFdL5WD6tnoy2pa8RbW13rrCh9RGCYAxQPl1yqfugna8nEeRGqKn-os7eSK0aUZlj8j1X70B4f_voi7kPKN7ROvtaoNTMZQ4M4m1Dy4kWCQFA9YKb_7dV1QKMhcqdguP44mzPgyJg/s1600/IMG_6108.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRP3ne9u8abdvk3-egru8K48jx-U3tAifVPAREm5j45RbUKw3GbFdL5WD6tnoy2pa8RbW13rrCh9RGCYAxQPl1yqfugna8nEeRGqKn-os7eSK0aUZlj8j1X70B4f_voi7kPKN7ROvtaoNTMZQ4M4m1Dy4kWCQFA9YKb_7dV1QKMhcqdguP44mzPgyJg/w640-h480/IMG_6108.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>this segment of Trail 2 passes through Gypsy Gulch</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhJqvmSLLJn19HeBesKAj4OOS0z6XpfEhwRGlvjFN-cXK03-rNBCdcL1c6maQChP5lQVXIHsuRjZ6wXSQ-F-U380EdD86e5K75B6ltmOqwBvAv9lhzsmi69cCeOW7p8hI0RcrdPROWK71sysdWWmo0rGoakyrdRy-zpEV7Fnit9nZ04KULSXj8o2Geg/s2133/IMG_6111.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhJqvmSLLJn19HeBesKAj4OOS0z6XpfEhwRGlvjFN-cXK03-rNBCdcL1c6maQChP5lQVXIHsuRjZ6wXSQ-F-U380EdD86e5K75B6ltmOqwBvAv9lhzsmi69cCeOW7p8hI0RcrdPROWK71sysdWWmo0rGoakyrdRy-zpEV7Fnit9nZ04KULSXj8o2Geg/w480-h640/IMG_6111.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>and Box Canyon</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Rgyal4FiowTOb_Uq32K08d0xTiIwYwWCBXeH4OlZcxnRnbfRgojzRRSVXCfyZmcxeXGGfb-Kq_2UD6AUm4_TpONohK6JWeR6St1XdCgu1_UoQYyodfqrwjLbxnZYBgfAKdkea9IAWUY8oe1ZgG_CsmSZtskKNJLWKhR39WJC6txnS8riyDSyJ-Jv_g/s1600/IMG_6113.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Rgyal4FiowTOb_Uq32K08d0xTiIwYwWCBXeH4OlZcxnRnbfRgojzRRSVXCfyZmcxeXGGfb-Kq_2UD6AUm4_TpONohK6JWeR6St1XdCgu1_UoQYyodfqrwjLbxnZYBgfAKdkea9IAWUY8oe1ZgG_CsmSZtskKNJLWKhR39WJC6txnS8riyDSyJ-Jv_g/w640-h480/IMG_6113.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />before returning to the more placid terrain of the parking lot near the Nature Center.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQeEyd7SJIz5O2Vlxi4_PGR6R7jZtS6aUvTlf7TYuW_qTD56DzxJnUq3ZXFme-31hBVgFDLw_UwfA1knFVj6gwxxE3tHx_OBiObmUFpKexMhlJmJssWQySVSTPmn8rR2_-qn-Szs1-IeHyoEag5PJV95jxyJCZ0WCzI6-of5tjL5PkV5_avIPBxJ2v_Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="834" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQeEyd7SJIz5O2Vlxi4_PGR6R7jZtS6aUvTlf7TYuW_qTD56DzxJnUq3ZXFme-31hBVgFDLw_UwfA1knFVj6gwxxE3tHx_OBiObmUFpKexMhlJmJssWQySVSTPmn8rR2_-qn-Szs1-IeHyoEag5PJV95jxyJCZ0WCzI6-of5tjL5PkV5_avIPBxJ2v_Q=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div>After a quick snack back at The Van I took off hiking again. In the other direction this time.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWx852uBMnXabwxFeNYInD3GwiKcbHG-piDuOU7fjzK0yVuTNSc2kpYdEeii-l723Vu0OGZRltoaruRdV6uAaC0Ma3T5je0dSA4b4viPiqrwSM5WgPNCPukzgb9DLsaIMaX_2b3DMlYF49Zc9HJS8fM8lWMBuV3UtrZC-LiBVND3hgraRI2G8lxJ04aQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWx852uBMnXabwxFeNYInD3GwiKcbHG-piDuOU7fjzK0yVuTNSc2kpYdEeii-l723Vu0OGZRltoaruRdV6uAaC0Ma3T5je0dSA4b4viPiqrwSM5WgPNCPukzgb9DLsaIMaX_2b3DMlYF49Zc9HJS8fM8lWMBuV3UtrZC-LiBVND3hgraRI2G8lxJ04aQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />I thought this was going to be a kinda gentrified stroll along the Lieber Tour,</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiK2XbLXyRT0oyT3BGU4q0Gf3uje47i38ZBxGNINap-79PXKeETOhahBpKE6Ou-2FLh92vOw6lg-OUzSNsP5pGEquk_IT-fv8wNnQDThTK8SFb35mervAx1CUFIwV4SgRHXDNm4EAoVHg2PQKlHmc_Pa0-QIMa1r9g0VHcfz-wInnRzx9cNFZD8ae6mFw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiK2XbLXyRT0oyT3BGU4q0Gf3uje47i38ZBxGNINap-79PXKeETOhahBpKE6Ou-2FLh92vOw6lg-OUzSNsP5pGEquk_IT-fv8wNnQDThTK8SFb35mervAx1CUFIwV4SgRHXDNm4EAoVHg2PQKlHmc_Pa0-QIMa1r9g0VHcfz-wInnRzx9cNFZD8ae6mFw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /> to check out the 1920 Turkey Run Inn which is still operated by the park system,</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGCKEt3Ef5iREWU5huyoCX-Ybidqzc-facvfFl0orfsfCRAjk8-XislgR56e57tmsRF4B44nGo5rWVVDps2bGN7wqJQWsCCu7KhIYyJkaKbDVwSXHm5rUIfkQIgAqEFd-5Do1ZJIxraojO0r530iTGiqMn_C2L4HNrZ1JxvCfIs3wYol7ELrVonRrZlw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGCKEt3Ef5iREWU5huyoCX-Ybidqzc-facvfFl0orfsfCRAjk8-XislgR56e57tmsRF4B44nGo5rWVVDps2bGN7wqJQWsCCu7KhIYyJkaKbDVwSXHm5rUIfkQIgAqEFd-5Do1ZJIxraojO0r530iTGiqMn_C2L4HNrZ1JxvCfIs3wYol7ELrVonRrZlw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />the 1850 Lieber cabin constructed out of huge slabs of old-growth Tuliptree logs</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmvZowLTfEETDv70fTNksRToAGWH0dL-CzZMmrANx1-0487r7xacHrTnEIKZXxwZiuQHwmyQqcSxXq0Nj6MWB4YReMxG9UMO1109AmTJVQSXDOujZdZp1RInA04lqcrBhp76ZHfEaewhu7B_zy0WetvOSEVK7SfdV69TwS9vT2G8eXMvugAktzsLHl_A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmvZowLTfEETDv70fTNksRToAGWH0dL-CzZMmrANx1-0487r7xacHrTnEIKZXxwZiuQHwmyQqcSxXq0Nj6MWB4YReMxG9UMO1109AmTJVQSXDOujZdZp1RInA04lqcrBhp76ZHfEaewhu7B_zy0WetvOSEVK7SfdV69TwS9vT2G8eXMvugAktzsLHl_A=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>up 32 inches wide,</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidhzB6jGHClE91t2B6Qbm8ArL_fUf3Ylz3W57Yb4ex2sbpMnHL6u-VWa5VzH2u58B3Rxs702mfsVzo60vtzqy-OO8gBdUyWuLfJESf4M8jPy_BTwBie-TWK9iQsRYkU_StP-c3LFD09DitTqERRp1nmMQF_kA8V4Lt297PREx04B6563g7BsRnlXOkiQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidhzB6jGHClE91t2B6Qbm8ArL_fUf3Ylz3W57Yb4ex2sbpMnHL6u-VWa5VzH2u58B3Rxs702mfsVzo60vtzqy-OO8gBdUyWuLfJESf4M8jPy_BTwBie-TWK9iQsRYkU_StP-c3LFD09DitTqERRp1nmMQF_kA8V4Lt297PREx04B6563g7BsRnlXOkiQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />the Juliet Strauss memorial celebrating a journalist and equal rights advocate that also championed preserving Turkey Run,</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitFB8eSc7SHzs7dI8K5zVDSKjK1DcY3WowXBRIpbo9BaCeoylfY9FSn46OiYiasQyw1KYZ8oA08upaKhbhjesV-dDs_r4XpV5pehMuQb9Z_Y3SXYRuU3NBx28Un5TifRPJwOgtBSiJfewBEMX924G2-wkTEljMZyUDn6ky7ZWHqS9A5eTKhmJ_U0BzYg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitFB8eSc7SHzs7dI8K5zVDSKjK1DcY3WowXBRIpbo9BaCeoylfY9FSn46OiYiasQyw1KYZ8oA08upaKhbhjesV-dDs_r4XpV5pehMuQb9Z_Y3SXYRuU3NBx28Un5TifRPJwOgtBSiJfewBEMX924G2-wkTEljMZyUDn6ky7ZWHqS9A5eTKhmJ_U0BzYg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />and the Lieber Memorial - Richard Lieber was a key figure in the entire Indiana park system - which, sitting in a quiet nook in the woods,</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDposwV0ojPrVpb40QTZC-45GOcyxmRD1wi64G6v7wtmK-ExyU6zZ4bgE4YcCBzVisnd4Wh29bllW3TvnZKgQIf9CuqwaGG7byzXFd3vWucBxZbn-oGds-MBJCJw0xjHLbPP0w4VuRMmw-m7msliMqxY-763BVkn9chs_V-eaD5oED02r46dZOLhpdbg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDposwV0ojPrVpb40QTZC-45GOcyxmRD1wi64G6v7wtmK-ExyU6zZ4bgE4YcCBzVisnd4Wh29bllW3TvnZKgQIf9CuqwaGG7byzXFd3vWucBxZbn-oGds-MBJCJw0xjHLbPP0w4VuRMmw-m7msliMqxY-763BVkn9chs_V-eaD5oED02r46dZOLhpdbg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div>overlooks a log church - that's the shoulder of his memorial in the bottom left - that he saved and had moved here.</div><div><br /></div><div>Descendants of the original congregation that donated time and materials to build the church in the first place still meet here once a year.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7Ib47-NoIEZdEQgQdYcDo2ikAMRaA_1Mc-nnZJKtwgskZA63FF1BSFMaywntr_k10bhFNlDYGRFRygKEy64N7QP77Zd0oV7Efouoz1akH2nFbaJdIBFYsN_GiwRpRaVN3eg3QB7kpEgJHNht3TPXNFkOUWUGD3b0JDguSSSSRY8WqROic6flTiNmHyA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="833" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7Ib47-NoIEZdEQgQdYcDo2ikAMRaA_1Mc-nnZJKtwgskZA63FF1BSFMaywntr_k10bhFNlDYGRFRygKEy64N7QP77Zd0oV7Efouoz1akH2nFbaJdIBFYsN_GiwRpRaVN3eg3QB7kpEgJHNht3TPXNFkOUWUGD3b0JDguSSSSRY8WqROic6flTiNmHyA=w640-h280" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And I was partially right - you know, about that whole gentrified stroll thing.</div><div><br /></div><div>But then I thought I might as well hike the loops of Trails 6 &7 while I was here at this end of the park</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipTg18s95WqrCmgnrX1QBb8z57j0YSbxQTXhMo5zAnCGfYiv6-3N4ba86P7_PUbWjRcWeqoUg1rEkKoFbXJ5jhc6BtEfiTG2sJ199JE1cJu6e0OeufXm4lCTxO6ieU67zhGpN5yLO8aAxXMZhlvIsOberriBG8Dqw9JT9zAP2q6rHn3d1ur40ldOQfoQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipTg18s95WqrCmgnrX1QBb8z57j0YSbxQTXhMo5zAnCGfYiv6-3N4ba86P7_PUbWjRcWeqoUg1rEkKoFbXJ5jhc6BtEfiTG2sJ199JE1cJu6e0OeufXm4lCTxO6ieU67zhGpN5yLO8aAxXMZhlvIsOberriBG8Dqw9JT9zAP2q6rHn3d1ur40ldOQfoQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />and while doing so take a detour to check out the campground.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQawFPAGjplpjlT5pJL1yHMJO-prbg3FXbHemzb5FBUqrBAG0xrQ6XE3YtarPtTYSe06h-TKLlcT6F0zFgWd7lYkeBRHGNvhxR2sb4HjXIWxSzR-Oh3c5DZI04mwEOO7SAvXUEdYPCrye_8ncbt1YE5lvKtqBW9INhS302y7q3zGkwDUCyFy_99hmdGQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1423" data-original-width="1600" height="569" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQawFPAGjplpjlT5pJL1yHMJO-prbg3FXbHemzb5FBUqrBAG0xrQ6XE3YtarPtTYSe06h-TKLlcT6F0zFgWd7lYkeBRHGNvhxR2sb4HjXIWxSzR-Oh3c5DZI04mwEOO7SAvXUEdYPCrye_8ncbt1YE5lvKtqBW9INhS302y7q3zGkwDUCyFy_99hmdGQ=w640-h569" width="640" /></a></div><br />Well things got a little less gentrified in a hurry!</div><div><br /></div><div>Here I'm standing at one end of the bridge that will take me from the Trail 6 loop onto the Trail 7 loop. </div><div><br /></div><div>See the handrail of the bridge peeking out of the foliage in the bottom center?</div><div><br /></div><div>OK, now look up. See the wooden steps and railings up there at the end of that arrow? That's part of the Trail 7 loop.</div><div><br /></div><div>That downed tree taking up the left side of the photo, in addition to partially blocking the bridge (I was able to push on through anyway) had landed on and crushed a portion of the Trail 7 loop into impassable splinters forcing me to turn left on the other side of the bridge instead of right and treat this segment as an out-and-back rather than a loop.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjEwRLGN1l0me8hmDrgiTBCsKgJ1-3DoF-beSI15Ra9ithG9Ts2b1jt5utNO0HgjBoCxqwvror2NxHMkX6HEK-buseEc7TuedNT_DHJJZ5VHrfqGj7av2b_1CkrALOwwlqENJkXflSgyWh9Srm-TQNXuw_YfnI7dV6IIyO-xKg7slhHzomMHOB8c3KRQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjEwRLGN1l0me8hmDrgiTBCsKgJ1-3DoF-beSI15Ra9ithG9Ts2b1jt5utNO0HgjBoCxqwvror2NxHMkX6HEK-buseEc7TuedNT_DHJJZ5VHrfqGj7av2b_1CkrALOwwlqENJkXflSgyWh9Srm-TQNXuw_YfnI7dV6IIyO-xKg7slhHzomMHOB8c3KRQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />Similar to other areas of the park, Trail 7 along here is more of a creek in the bottom of a very steep gully than a typical trail.</div><div><br /></div><div>And Trail 6 wasn't any different.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqqO8LFepWj99_Q6JsIHM6KNkv_NUZi5zhacIXTfvi4ObQcbTV8-zxKS17Sbxw0CzlYaGQ8FvmAHBZYOu3sUDmFVMqFGv21RoAy73IdosUfINYR3xOHi3PeqQTXp7ngWiWXPWqBjXKq1_JBRj25dTaf0VnritTyuJjHduLN__H9X4X20gCBxkJtMGhyA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqqO8LFepWj99_Q6JsIHM6KNkv_NUZi5zhacIXTfvi4ObQcbTV8-zxKS17Sbxw0CzlYaGQ8FvmAHBZYOu3sUDmFVMqFGv21RoAy73IdosUfINYR3xOHi3PeqQTXp7ngWiWXPWqBjXKq1_JBRj25dTaf0VnritTyuJjHduLN__H9X4X20gCBxkJtMGhyA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />This bridge, with a glimpse of the Turkey Run Inn at the end of it, once carried the highway across one of the steep-sided ravines around here and now leads to the Lieber Memorial and church. (Up and around a turn out of sight behind me as I took this.)</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdkNF8CZXKSFSqTDBlAjXBcRCYzLSn6vXNVkyeooBqJhniGNpsVMa4HDD-YbAPY3JJZC8NNNtNtCJbqMNs_I5CpokemCQaNYLhmldK78b3YeBc4om7rRidV4OQbVjflrwe4DfNb2sQJUZXQQy9a4GSDCFRLv2kaOcNM7-wA4xL95UbSbxKWYg0ba0RaQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdkNF8CZXKSFSqTDBlAjXBcRCYzLSn6vXNVkyeooBqJhniGNpsVMa4HDD-YbAPY3JJZC8NNNtNtCJbqMNs_I5CpokemCQaNYLhmldK78b3YeBc4om7rRidV4OQbVjflrwe4DfNb2sQJUZXQQy9a4GSDCFRLv2kaOcNM7-wA4xL95UbSbxKWYg0ba0RaQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />This photo is hard to read - which is photog-speak for difficult to figure out what you're looking at - because I'm standing on that bridge shooting straight down - the top of the concrete railing is there across the bottom of the photo.</div><div><br /></div><div>That diagonal slash in the bottom is the creek bed some 70 feet below. It's also Trail 6.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhFxbaA2k1gECUmKqXNfQniYI0X6dO1YQGwMqgipMmFYA1Yikhix8cHgwmo-sH6WkGnUIyDS9_UJyX8dlDAtjdNnKlxQQDuvjeuirvy0iDPB1tIkEfUKiGQvArj73Sg59W6zN_rOOUsk5E0ecT5hmFSf6ZrCH7RXDxBJRzIL-sH11uP6PHSJl0L_DxRw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhFxbaA2k1gECUmKqXNfQniYI0X6dO1YQGwMqgipMmFYA1Yikhix8cHgwmo-sH6WkGnUIyDS9_UJyX8dlDAtjdNnKlxQQDuvjeuirvy0iDPB1tIkEfUKiGQvArj73Sg59W6zN_rOOUsk5E0ecT5hmFSf6ZrCH7RXDxBJRzIL-sH11uP6PHSJl0L_DxRw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />Turkey Run Hollow is also along Trail 6.</div><div><br /></div><div>As I was climbing up out of here I ran into a woman from the philharmonic of Indianapolis. She was trying to find the hollow to scout it out for a potential, full-orchestra promotional video shoot. It would work great for that! But I don't envy some of the members trying to carry the larger instruments in and out of there!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhMMR2Yj71wJJK9zjfldMFt2cIalR99p3aiJlJxeKHaFYZGf4hXDKXMyjh7NWKT6VCO4g1kDfWBqGYx8pEelHKZNsAGCm27xcitXl1Q3gZzx9urwH4CzTxF6zJ7k-yzdx1SHte29y4lBu4K2bYfiqVTXnq1cbG5Y4yvXSxozQmXqvpjMlfA16KrG16Hg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhMMR2Yj71wJJK9zjfldMFt2cIalR99p3aiJlJxeKHaFYZGf4hXDKXMyjh7NWKT6VCO4g1kDfWBqGYx8pEelHKZNsAGCm27xcitXl1Q3gZzx9urwH4CzTxF6zJ7k-yzdx1SHte29y4lBu4K2bYfiqVTXnq1cbG5Y4yvXSxozQmXqvpjMlfA16KrG16Hg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />Oh. And the campground?</div><div><br /></div><div>Yeah, it's fine. Not great, but fine.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRpFu_-yxWVfEJPb1lrS-_fCW8VgpAnvbuyd4w-lvrMC-HpdETjLUPJ3oz2m_H4S28MW_hVbQrUOubjMvX5SW1ywH3aMFKt8hl2KjbpMvRtXzdrlXOxfluRn8dhWpzZgWEW9MliD8J7_UASyoywuprFZJ081CJjnotS3ykNaS49P1XoyXu14ciGI2sHg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRpFu_-yxWVfEJPb1lrS-_fCW8VgpAnvbuyd4w-lvrMC-HpdETjLUPJ3oz2m_H4S28MW_hVbQrUOubjMvX5SW1ywH3aMFKt8hl2KjbpMvRtXzdrlXOxfluRn8dhWpzZgWEW9MliD8J7_UASyoywuprFZJ081CJjnotS3ykNaS49P1XoyXu14ciGI2sHg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />And big!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7HOMg1zNfgUiBzy226chx54QRz9bPxU6FhKJLjSiWVSWO6cyYdW_H9NVgd-AIbUnl41DbiJOFE4F_DJyZERdAM9fot-XKpLol1XReE7n3x-k6xk0cIn1R28Sk8nxiI7cJH4fKyfdL8oL60El1urgYjJqGmVy_re3ToWPehCYl6ce5EBbSoYQvA84mcw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7HOMg1zNfgUiBzy226chx54QRz9bPxU6FhKJLjSiWVSWO6cyYdW_H9NVgd-AIbUnl41DbiJOFE4F_DJyZERdAM9fot-XKpLol1XReE7n3x-k6xk0cIn1R28Sk8nxiI7cJH4fKyfdL8oL60El1urgYjJqGmVy_re3ToWPehCYl6ce5EBbSoYQvA84mcw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />There are a handful of pull-through's but they are only located on corners where there wasn't enough room to squeeze in a 'regular' campsite, so may not be as big as some might hope for. The vast majority of the sites are back-in's and not all sites are suitable for giga-rigs, so if your rig is large careful selection of a site while making reservations is probably a good idea.</div><div><br /></div><div>OK, By now I've managed to tramp nearly 8 miles and burn up most of the day. My next stop is only 3.5 hours away but it's already going to be touch-and-go whether I make it there before sundown, so I'm outahere.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15960238893013776630noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719803707314253077.post-60856792629944509552022-10-10T11:16:00.081-05:002022-10-10T11:16:00.189-05:00Campground Interludes - On Foot<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifSYBhTwecBIRJTFqD7n-tl8czu2B8QfPsMvjqyI66s1LI99Oyf4pW7Hicu5xWtszLd2C70wCR17yVMAhupO-2PAVNI2ApZWHimR5S3SEHt5BFZNM5TvS9I8XsYrHDn3lzfsW6i_eOf7m6YNAk9Afd8h-dP8J4enHYo_OTtu4J7cAMmX3fvyGDHZU45w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifSYBhTwecBIRJTFqD7n-tl8czu2B8QfPsMvjqyI66s1LI99Oyf4pW7Hicu5xWtszLd2C70wCR17yVMAhupO-2PAVNI2ApZWHimR5S3SEHt5BFZNM5TvS9I8XsYrHDn3lzfsW6i_eOf7m6YNAk9Afd8h-dP8J4enHYo_OTtu4J7cAMmX3fvyGDHZU45w=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />Once a year I can tolerate- OK, I actually enjoy, visiting with family. (But don't tell anybody! I have a reputation to uphold.) Carousing, and perhaps even partying, with people I've known pretty much since birth, mine or theirs depending on where we fall on the chronologic time-scale.<div><br /></div><div>But because of the way I'm built I have to take my socializing, even with this familiar crowd, in small, measured bits or else I end up fetaled in a corner with my hands covering my head.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2nIsmetcF7FQ6EoAsJSvkkvzPu0qmqWIhrGAnmGgSL5WTtpsNeX7OZnb-47m25Xuwh_h5IPEX5ogI_3QgeK-oOpHLL0-uEAX_ZEFdOGWgeOHFaBnfVucI1tweAzKyQad5WJ9TLBskN7n3k0OeJ1jiGG4DplFUblHiFPGrP4Z2SQvoNbze02isKyueAw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="922" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2nIsmetcF7FQ6EoAsJSvkkvzPu0qmqWIhrGAnmGgSL5WTtpsNeX7OZnb-47m25Xuwh_h5IPEX5ogI_3QgeK-oOpHLL0-uEAX_ZEFdOGWgeOHFaBnfVucI1tweAzKyQad5WJ9TLBskN7n3k0OeJ1jiGG4DplFUblHiFPGrP4Z2SQvoNbze02isKyueAw=w640-h298" width="640" /></a></div><br />One of my favorite ways of decompressing between bouts of socializing is hiking.<p></p><p>In that department this particular campground where we were holding the reunion offered more of a stroll than a hike, but I'll take what I can get! In fact I got to know this stroll/hike quite well during the week I was there.</p><p>Put together the two loops of official campground trail add up to just over 1.6 miles, but their figure 8 configuration meant I could loop around twice per stroll, covering each loop in both directions with minimal overlap, so I didn't feel like I was running in circles on the high-school track.</p><p>And yes, even the most modest of trails has something to offer as long I take the time to smell the flowers, and the dew on the grass, and the dog-cra - - well, OK, you get the idea.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSh5b8Hm_eJXo_yqzoxS_M0cLUXfRCRd4Q7-aeGixw_USc4zUx6ndXyEh-j0S5v75yPjqU7qucroQN7gHfT6grQaF293_WSv5sYNa0iSQUasAm1BkBIqk9Xe048rSr_cA6JNFtEjAWY9wyAdrfoG-PQzB938B-JvKkomlw-IQPfZdjSlKSz2ngLQJwFg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSh5b8Hm_eJXo_yqzoxS_M0cLUXfRCRd4Q7-aeGixw_USc4zUx6ndXyEh-j0S5v75yPjqU7qucroQN7gHfT6grQaF293_WSv5sYNa0iSQUasAm1BkBIqk9Xe048rSr_cA6JNFtEjAWY9wyAdrfoG-PQzB938B-JvKkomlw-IQPfZdjSlKSz2ngLQJwFg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />The first loop, the southernmost one that is closest to the campground, actually passed within 30 feet or so of the backside of my campsite allowing me to bypass the official trailhead, accessed by tramping through the dump-station, with a few high steps over the intervening brush. Careful steps so as to not disturb the normal people that aren't up quite this early and sleeping in tents just a few steps away.</div><div><br /></div><div>And yes, for those of you with very good eyes, this loop of the trail <i>is </i>fully paved.<p></p><p>But there's not quite enough light for photographs yet so - </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0rupfZkfK0wKy5G4SjWAp-TDj-Opu0ZaWNFZbRrivVtkrnkOcRAAo-eEAIcjRlrHjEmzkhh2KXrmwNP_VpEVVMsVBBoiO6focMefuRCkHLdJc4mHSQK_oE4WrWD0y1fwy7iIQUASmsdtE2oQIfI3mPNunQ1yRNvy3pbCz1CMvy31UOdHOf6UGDA_g4w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0rupfZkfK0wKy5G4SjWAp-TDj-Opu0ZaWNFZbRrivVtkrnkOcRAAo-eEAIcjRlrHjEmzkhh2KXrmwNP_VpEVVMsVBBoiO6focMefuRCkHLdJc4mHSQK_oE4WrWD0y1fwy7iIQUASmsdtE2oQIfI3mPNunQ1yRNvy3pbCz1CMvy31UOdHOf6UGDA_g4w=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />let's start on the back loop. The one called Wildlife way. (The front loop is called the Nature Trail and has a few placards identifying some of the trees.)<p></p><p>Oh, and I think that claim of being one mile long is just a little optimistic. Though it probably does make us gym-avoiding office-drones feel just a little better about ourselves when we finish the loop.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinrgkOQv0YwSxnPb1RqtPaz8SKHHmPlPCslPwFbJweSJnyjI0OwvE8BErVBJjOgZaFOQmyYKQneD8yxdvs-rb7in_6RPZdGY3OJsVSuqQS3chk5QLH3NKH8Xf0u97bLc_gLMRAhh4BFiahXB9v0guuRLakfDzvTovcGe7c3fyIfaVCnsU6hA5jcPJOkQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinrgkOQv0YwSxnPb1RqtPaz8SKHHmPlPCslPwFbJweSJnyjI0OwvE8BErVBJjOgZaFOQmyYKQneD8yxdvs-rb7in_6RPZdGY3OJsVSuqQS3chk5QLH3NKH8Xf0u97bLc_gLMRAhh4BFiahXB9v0guuRLakfDzvTovcGe7c3fyIfaVCnsU6hA5jcPJOkQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>The front loop is entirely within the shadows of a wooded area, but the back loop, not paved like the front loop though the way is clearly defined with a well-mowed path, </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKKIQtop32OOTzd_dbUSLqigsbMOXGmxB6-OnQyqVeopB0YyERKReqhTJfOxCwbOnSuiGHgGbAXXUa6-tSTWZLuoKmo2Ly5argszpFR2gQLsCRTZjX-q71gZhwRhZu5U5zKU9x9d7ZN80xuBObA2YaixE8NjXcUIxic7dtYcos8riyCgjX8pLYtprweA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKKIQtop32OOTzd_dbUSLqigsbMOXGmxB6-OnQyqVeopB0YyERKReqhTJfOxCwbOnSuiGHgGbAXXUa6-tSTWZLuoKmo2Ly5argszpFR2gQLsCRTZjX-q71gZhwRhZu5U5zKU9x9d7ZN80xuBObA2YaixE8NjXcUIxic7dtYcos8riyCgjX8pLYtprweA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />is more out in the open so brightens up earlier.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXRVa6Io2mrbL1vwjB7_Naa0qAlX1F9kH5sFWsX0prwlGVtz6tmDeyZXrqg39AG29Hgizy45N_wTH1y0-PEkbs8H8Na8n-i4g-ZGB2olyKjrYV__6auuUZrHWZ6XTM_zNXazcyjap19h2duWblza_gJY5JPSnAoVlSWKmmNQqh0fJghS3isUGfBBMvyg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXRVa6Io2mrbL1vwjB7_Naa0qAlX1F9kH5sFWsX0prwlGVtz6tmDeyZXrqg39AG29Hgizy45N_wTH1y0-PEkbs8H8Na8n-i4g-ZGB2olyKjrYV__6auuUZrHWZ6XTM_zNXazcyjap19h2duWblza_gJY5JPSnAoVlSWKmmNQqh0fJghS3isUGfBBMvyg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />Of course we're not exactly out in the wilderness here<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNG-zbM7IzvegSIt-5XDBccWzUWjzIrBZmA2nI1fLn9-ztiAA_uYeVVelkGeIR0EJjQGpikP00sfSl3HbMXw7KL7_Z2JAWY8ujHWrg2mveG_2IhCNvZo1-CUmqLgXXlpfCcJ3w2wu0JYhzRkem-tIGYQdxJlQ1nflBvi4gepdirFQmvmZYAIAVXijUfQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNG-zbM7IzvegSIt-5XDBccWzUWjzIrBZmA2nI1fLn9-ztiAA_uYeVVelkGeIR0EJjQGpikP00sfSl3HbMXw7KL7_Z2JAWY8ujHWrg2mveG_2IhCNvZo1-CUmqLgXXlpfCcJ3w2wu0JYhzRkem-tIGYQdxJlQ1nflBvi4gepdirFQmvmZYAIAVXijUfQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />but in the right light - well, you know, that whole pigs and lipstick thing? That can work with just about anything.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZ50Gi59kzc4MYQkpGoRfER4-y8EX8lzX0M7TXguW-eAsvTYkLshzNMBijePUoZBXvt7taa09g8bU-J2ECyZ4998ydT7GFwahvQdfx7oezlRrcwJJWQb0gN73YmW3a6tQEIcPRQZrRYrs9RUUP2mSoo2KP4ni6lBJtiF7cjmVxaB8gA-Hw6nuFtYLJoA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZ50Gi59kzc4MYQkpGoRfER4-y8EX8lzX0M7TXguW-eAsvTYkLshzNMBijePUoZBXvt7taa09g8bU-J2ECyZ4998ydT7GFwahvQdfx7oezlRrcwJJWQb0gN73YmW3a6tQEIcPRQZrRYrs9RUUP2mSoo2KP4ni6lBJtiF7cjmVxaB8gA-Hw6nuFtYLJoA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />And as long as we're on that whole pigs and lipstick scenario, back on the trail map, second image from the top in this post, you see that arrow pointing to Mt. Holly?<p></p><p>That's actually a ski resort and, with a good bit of zoom on my trusty Cannon SX50, it's visible from the trail I'm on.</p><p>But wait! Michigan is not exactly known for it's mountainous terrain!</p><p>Yep, Mt. Holly, which has operated as a popular ski resort since shortly after I was born, is actually a pile of garbage.</p><p>Seriously! It's built on top of an old landfill. (Back in its day this landfill was out in the country - not so today by a long shot!) A big pile of the crap we didn't want anymore. Which are the only real hills to be found around here.</p><p>For a while Mom worked in the emergency room of Pontiac General, the nearest hospital, and often saw the results of Mt. Holly skiing-gone-bad. - - As kids we were <i>never </i>encouraged to take up downhill skiing!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4qw1F5M_psSCA4eVWAycZL_HV-MBEFTyAyvsplC2e1QVbDotKBUo9icBNBCp5lfvND1jmjmYUTZiFI4k-qLFlV25HWog9I-o0lhxfS5V1dLaCEKcYYqTwp1ohU9s664nthOj2YCVRyEP8gkwzdOy0lAyOmQXcLVp-f8vODttsDr9ALDWC-AF67laVng" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4qw1F5M_psSCA4eVWAycZL_HV-MBEFTyAyvsplC2e1QVbDotKBUo9icBNBCp5lfvND1jmjmYUTZiFI4k-qLFlV25HWog9I-o0lhxfS5V1dLaCEKcYYqTwp1ohU9s664nthOj2YCVRyEP8gkwzdOy0lAyOmQXcLVp-f8vODttsDr9ALDWC-AF67laVng=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />Now that the sun is getting a little bit higher this morning<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnh86OF1oNdyhKNdD6xi-DuhiptEXB8XrMd4xLl3cer_9hNOhdtDsVM9BIgbuyBXIdl2t6jdfg8IB7AW55uXLWCQbEd-EM2r35EKU7jLaB8OmSIz5Y5v7tbqjQY4PU2XbOeenFQAth9IKhYVWWkXx1bfMsuCKI9NHvicRMWXLSs_z8FTXwq-asXvzC0A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnh86OF1oNdyhKNdD6xi-DuhiptEXB8XrMd4xLl3cer_9hNOhdtDsVM9BIgbuyBXIdl2t6jdfg8IB7AW55uXLWCQbEd-EM2r35EKU7jLaB8OmSIz5Y5v7tbqjQY4PU2XbOeenFQAth9IKhYVWWkXx1bfMsuCKI9NHvicRMWXLSs_z8FTXwq-asXvzC0A=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />let's try plunging into the foliar tunnel that leads back to the front loop.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiskXXnevdFZZq-_6VZLOfJ5zssVTgqG4X9htxD97uW1ObCljRB2zJSbTFHtD3E-M8NLJ3a5toyzGgK0lGGn4q4ObNMBi9G9xt4-0-FGKg2tnE6EBCRCpR3FZWr658NemsckYI8wQsymQmXNKsNq9HJgoca8RSR5uwpA6RqPgl1lL7SBGDJKDnzRc6bQQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiskXXnevdFZZq-_6VZLOfJ5zssVTgqG4X9htxD97uW1ObCljRB2zJSbTFHtD3E-M8NLJ3a5toyzGgK0lGGn4q4ObNMBi9G9xt4-0-FGKg2tnE6EBCRCpR3FZWr658NemsckYI8wQsymQmXNKsNq9HJgoca8RSR5uwpA6RqPgl1lL7SBGDJKDnzRc6bQQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />In sharp contrast to the Wildlife Way loop, this area<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_-MPLTf9Ou8LFHmRQW6q_Tp819uz-cQwmGoKcgZwPXeRFHJaBGlNRA9Pnk3f5uvG7DztFMvDUb8jc3Xh2OCc-Jm4m37PMt6iNj2A3hmuQrVXzZmWOVKnyiLf5hypx8QOpO5ae5I6eD9cpkYWzuh-6AdgvzN7yU520mwyN2JOJQwXlDXXd66krQl-v9w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_-MPLTf9Ou8LFHmRQW6q_Tp819uz-cQwmGoKcgZwPXeRFHJaBGlNRA9Pnk3f5uvG7DztFMvDUb8jc3Xh2OCc-Jm4m37PMt6iNj2A3hmuQrVXzZmWOVKnyiLf5hypx8QOpO5ae5I6eD9cpkYWzuh-6AdgvzN7yU520mwyN2JOJQwXlDXXd66krQl-v9w=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />is heavily wooded,<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCZ6cIqki4GerMFOYrndNcXvrCpDiL4lPpb-S3Yon8wdST7jfV2RWUbLDsVpKg4smvT6-QZvwcn9CzACD2cNoAhh2nbduoMxy302GRpuCoc61hOIYP4YW07hvc7b6xIJXG8vIWT9GGFSFlaSp82g8lDDNdZmNfpTYgEzbg4IodgXSjL3guaFgU79jtzQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCZ6cIqki4GerMFOYrndNcXvrCpDiL4lPpb-S3Yon8wdST7jfV2RWUbLDsVpKg4smvT6-QZvwcn9CzACD2cNoAhh2nbduoMxy302GRpuCoc61hOIYP4YW07hvc7b6xIJXG8vIWT9GGFSFlaSp82g8lDDNdZmNfpTYgEzbg4IodgXSjL3guaFgU79jtzQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />so pay attention!<p></p><p>This tree wasn't laying there on my out-bound passage this morning - - -</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHfIB_cD97NCGDW__Tcz2mTJUym9d56xtXoA3V2os_sIHR65HcX45iFcaqQptnCyIjar88q8NQsj3jX9wP9Q2PPhuXp1wt3VXO7PMhCZBzbGpG3xkLfE4CBU847SZGRJxJLJE1kPIM5Mfg4UwwvULgejRkfeTo5ELSFGgYdZB1VKA336alFBQz5nmGaA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHfIB_cD97NCGDW__Tcz2mTJUym9d56xtXoA3V2os_sIHR65HcX45iFcaqQptnCyIjar88q8NQsj3jX9wP9Q2PPhuXp1wt3VXO7PMhCZBzbGpG3xkLfE4CBU847SZGRJxJLJE1kPIM5Mfg4UwwvULgejRkfeTo5ELSFGgYdZB1VKA336alFBQz5nmGaA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />Back at the official trailhead there's a sign warning that the max grade on the Nature Trail, this bit of paved loop, is 13%.<p></p><p>I think this is what they are talking about. But don't get your panties in a bunch! The elevation change is less than 20 feet so the climb doesn't last long.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjL7YWsyl87qv9PR6bpioXt4uLkXbRK2s5JrtlkyQVKGBw6DqGXqd8ccYf_5sFBQG_VGqIWWVYAlu4c-kv6eUQqSD4k65DaksotG5CF00fYVM98Plshd7jTP8mBkOfs7wIXJDO1t_CnxIlzZnsCnbSAsXOUEh6U9mioP3tbOZ8Jz40xL0ApM2UPp-C1Cg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjL7YWsyl87qv9PR6bpioXt4uLkXbRK2s5JrtlkyQVKGBw6DqGXqd8ccYf_5sFBQG_VGqIWWVYAlu4c-kv6eUQqSD4k65DaksotG5CF00fYVM98Plshd7jTP8mBkOfs7wIXJDO1t_CnxIlzZnsCnbSAsXOUEh6U9mioP3tbOZ8Jz40xL0ApM2UPp-C1Cg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Perhaps not the most challenging trail I've ever been on,</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgH6rrWo-wuqqgyDguhcjUGbNhVWQWoYoXzNP-Qz7yXywPbEW2KeQnKrke1E6mBGWM2zVXIpJFzaBAnPlNatFa279KdsPXp8w5XKM-YO186ECro-Pd7KgyT5Vi66fmRh2PueQzJ3hBsWkrVYLZRs2tJG-TSlEsYR97dCBrhsB-ZAZKpoZVsDuXzzwfWYg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgH6rrWo-wuqqgyDguhcjUGbNhVWQWoYoXzNP-Qz7yXywPbEW2KeQnKrke1E6mBGWM2zVXIpJFzaBAnPlNatFa279KdsPXp8w5XKM-YO186ECro-Pd7KgyT5Vi66fmRh2PueQzJ3hBsWkrVYLZRs2tJG-TSlEsYR97dCBrhsB-ZAZKpoZVsDuXzzwfWYg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />but that didn't stop me from getting out there on it often<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVCPQGQS9mRpWjQpyrfOMXA4NDraARai3RJrlc_1SEuOCGnw-NVQOsbU4_j2UV5sCbD1haPjL_lR-0Ds2gA-S2eCY24_NjBHgGRYSVkOYmlM-8OsczgfQfvSx-ca-f92NjjMgkqV1LT972fUPGu41QpJYdXXTJLyugyg7iAPOfXrT01Ne__0o7A8iZrA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVCPQGQS9mRpWjQpyrfOMXA4NDraARai3RJrlc_1SEuOCGnw-NVQOsbU4_j2UV5sCbD1haPjL_lR-0Ds2gA-S2eCY24_NjBHgGRYSVkOYmlM-8OsczgfQfvSx-ca-f92NjjMgkqV1LT972fUPGu41QpJYdXXTJLyugyg7iAPOfXrT01Ne__0o7A8iZrA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />and enjoying the great moments it had to offer.<p></p></div>greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15960238893013776630noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719803707314253077.post-72305430429789046452022-10-03T19:52:00.095-05:002022-10-03T19:52:00.210-05:00Turkey Run State Park - A Drive-by Visit<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSakWYNIU6OleWUz4Lx14WDNihpK1-I1PaaKXXzJ2npjoXLc_70dGtNCzJOFqhy2FmE5veuTt_YHPHmlnv5JxUBoU4FQ-ZMZTCjJdu7TlvNi6lFKRJyVC3q6_zSWUhzD7iZ3O8059q19ThsmofvcgCh51pg05NNAeYm93gL7obOuK-5lOriVHnF1TDsw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSakWYNIU6OleWUz4Lx14WDNihpK1-I1PaaKXXzJ2npjoXLc_70dGtNCzJOFqhy2FmE5veuTt_YHPHmlnv5JxUBoU4FQ-ZMZTCjJdu7TlvNi6lFKRJyVC3q6_zSWUhzD7iZ3O8059q19ThsmofvcgCh51pg05NNAeYm93gL7obOuK-5lOriVHnF1TDsw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>If my canopy, which normally sits over that bare spot beside the greenhouse, has been taken down</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhaLs6GCzsVjmDemP9DO3vRH1OsEmd6FDbiYA0DmyeqMrQV_ycqbuuae30y9SgDUJEb9GPj28EgIJ6YD0yn73bfxLFY1o0O_DUqJd9CElF3_8F198vTGvOZk1VaspysybbrYqWA3d5CGxmpJYDYWNhDi3QpRfc1KvrFHN-MRBrFIJg_A97DFjdbX07trw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhaLs6GCzsVjmDemP9DO3vRH1OsEmd6FDbiYA0DmyeqMrQV_ycqbuuae30y9SgDUJEb9GPj28EgIJ6YD0yn73bfxLFY1o0O_DUqJd9CElF3_8F198vTGvOZk1VaspysybbrYqWA3d5CGxmpJYDYWNhDi3QpRfc1KvrFHN-MRBrFIJg_A97DFjdbX07trw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />and strapped into The Van along with my camp-chair, (which is also my living-room chair) and it's August, that can only mean one thing.<p></p><p>It's time to head out for the family reunion up in Michigan.</p><p>At 0400 the morning of the 3rd I hit the road.</p><p>It was still dark, actual sunrise being a good three hours away. I don't usually have much need to drive in the dark anymore, but of the last 40 days, 37 of them have been 100 degrees or more, so, in an attempt to get some miles in before things heated up too much, I got a jump on the day thinking that if The Van got too heat-stressed along the way I could park through the worst of the day's heat and still keep to a reasonable schedule.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjUUUGTT9Zq4ePj3nt5gXzUmqtmtQHgbaoYsU62GVznvcJUfFi9uhTAbEycMz2MhaGj8R2BMTkTgi767z6YcnatgFpaUSoUBnOQa99frvWZftN0XMupkpmbIHCWS36DaKeszTZGIUUz9yivciuaH3IDJw76LLExLqb7Z3YqOjJHdFVhxc39aOlAp5PZw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="505" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjUUUGTT9Zq4ePj3nt5gXzUmqtmtQHgbaoYsU62GVznvcJUfFi9uhTAbEycMz2MhaGj8R2BMTkTgi767z6YcnatgFpaUSoUBnOQa99frvWZftN0XMupkpmbIHCWS36DaKeszTZGIUUz9yivciuaH3IDJw76LLExLqb7Z3YqOjJHdFVhxc39aOlAp5PZw=w640-h586" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br />When leaving home, which is somewhere in or around that fuzzy pink blob, (Oh come on! You didn't honestly think I was going to pinpoint home did you!) and heading for Michigan my usual first-night layover is at the I-40 rest area just west of Forest City Arkansas.</p><p>That's about 12 road-hours from the house.</p><p>I often read bloggers that find 4 to 6 road-hours in a day to be their limit, and I understand that. Really I do. Hell, The Wife can just barely tolerate the 2 hour trip back from the city when we make our groceries run. When we hit the gate, which takes some time to open so we have to sit and wait for it, she's stripping her seat-belt off, gathering up her stuff, and it wouldn't surprise me if one day she got out, impatiently squeezed through the opening gate, and walked the rest of the way. (Well - actually it would since it's downhill on ungraded gravel which is really pushing the limits of what she can navigate on foot without breaking something!)</p><p>But for some reason I personally don't find long days behind the wheel all that uncomfortable or tiring. At least not yet. I fully expect that as I continue to age some limitations on that will start to appear, but for now - - -</p><p>With The Van behaving despite the heat and the sun still pretty high in the sky when I got to Forest City at around 1600, I decided that it was too early to stop, especially since I knew of another place a few hours further along, so I just rolled right on by.</p><p>The Missouri Welcome Center is at mile 30 on I-55. It's not the best place I know of to overnight, what with auto-parking being on the highway side of the facilities, (since I don't need the space I'm reluctant to take up a truck spot on the more sheltered side of the facilities because there always seems to be a shortage of them, truck-sized slots, and unlike a trucker just about to run out of hours who will get penalized if he keeps on driving, no one is tracking my hours and I can squeeze in just about anywhere) but the place is well-lit, secure, the facilities are fairly modern, and kept clean by an on-site crew. And really, all I need is a place where I can park for a few hours without bothering anybody.</p><p>This time I actually stopped, but it was still only 1900.</p><p>I got out, peed, walked out a few of the kinks on the little loop around the facilities, looked up at the sun, figured it was still a couple hours above the horizon and there'd be nearly another hour of twilight after that. So, being boss and head bottle washer of this circus, I determined that I wasn't feeling particularly knackered yet, and climbed back behind the wheel.</p><p>Now I had my sights set on the Marion Walmart yet a few more hours up the road where I've also overnighted before.</p><p>I pulled into the Walmart parking lot during the last of the light and this time, after putting in 16 hours on the road, and being a little hungry, (I usually don't eat when driving in order to avoid the drowsy factor - not to mention that whole belly-flopping-over-the-belt issue) I stayed stopped this time.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCtR75hvF6hwd5G9lvQZaOt4whw15HPtz_m5Y_7YsxnRxBQu9CW_8hWVXWTlxc5e-dW4LIs7feWFWv_uBIZE4EoFoCKCL7UlP5w9h5Vv3LeXJ77L_WwasQKXHT531GJo_1arOOnpxFaW8eKhqMxzHwMBx1rIObBS_zrrGnTWV3vXKXjXKdxYYC3NVVjQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="604" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCtR75hvF6hwd5G9lvQZaOt4whw15HPtz_m5Y_7YsxnRxBQu9CW_8hWVXWTlxc5e-dW4LIs7feWFWv_uBIZE4EoFoCKCL7UlP5w9h5Vv3LeXJ77L_WwasQKXHT531GJo_1arOOnpxFaW8eKhqMxzHwMBx1rIObBS_zrrGnTWV3vXKXjXKdxYYC3NVVjQ=w640-h512" width="640" /></a></div><br />Waking up the next morning in the parking lot of the Marion Walmart I realize I'm about 6 hours ahead of my normal schedule so, in order to use those six hours productively, I set my sights on Turkey Run State Park in Indiana.<p></p><p>I can't tell you, mostly because I don't keep track, how many times I've driven right by the entrance, but so far had never stopped.</p><p>Now I know that Turkey Run may not seem like it's on the route from Central Texas to Michigan, but having a mild aversion to cities, I haven't driven through Indianapolis, the more obvious route, in many - many - years.</p><p>I used to take I-70 across Indiana to about halfway between Terre Haute and Indianapolis then turn north on 231 and start skirting my way around the city. But one year a chunk of I-70, including at least one key bridge, just east of Terre Haute went under construction and it was a friggin mess! So I started wandering north out of Terre Haute instead to avoid the backups and found I liked this even more circuitous route, which passes right by the entrance to Turkey Run State Park, even better so I kinda abandoned 231 except for a very short chunk of it in Crawfordsville.</p><p>But with an extra 6 hours in the bank I decided today was a good day to stick my nose into the usually bypassed state park and check it out.</p><p>Although one state away from where I spent the night the park is a relatively short 4 hour drive from Marion so it wasn't yet 10 when I paid my $9 at the entrance and drove on in. ($7 for state residents.)</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRd17BFl4H1Jjxosf05iy84CS4oxnSoUeEUaXtqIc6YSoC1vdSRsNgHrEeJ2ctu_MkGSSDoT2-fkxITLGWcfByZSoPa9wz4ZO8icbUkMpgdVIXEVPNdDevSmD7owlllSJHUt8f-TFAtQRPLGQ1slyVqaaUcOv1boHcM4qoKCcDcDa7Ij84A2IBkNNflw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2176" data-original-width="3338" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRd17BFl4H1Jjxosf05iy84CS4oxnSoUeEUaXtqIc6YSoC1vdSRsNgHrEeJ2ctu_MkGSSDoT2-fkxITLGWcfByZSoPa9wz4ZO8icbUkMpgdVIXEVPNdDevSmD7owlllSJHUt8f-TFAtQRPLGQ1slyVqaaUcOv1boHcM4qoKCcDcDa7Ij84A2IBkNNflw=w640-h418" width="640" /></a></div><br />At 2400 acres this is a fairly decent sized park that really has a split personality.<div><br /></div><div>In some ways it's more resort than park.</div><div><br /></div><div>In addition to the campground there's an historic hotel, cabins, large swimming pool complex, and nature center.</div><div><br /></div><div>But it also has a series of somewhat tough, decidedly un-resort-like, trails for those not so enamored with the resort lifestyle.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjadHJxTE2FarUH2okkBDzX5BMseHx2ej9yjDAgM8boI8ny4ojLW4kw2OJEVbRLTflLqPo9lJLT85cf8c_VNNOgSCUtD7tv65PX4vzO5dpYnTjMZscs2RbOdtu5M_lXNHzC4tT72P4Y36puyHtG37R_ZALmD7TBB2-CeM3XPwoL2-Yb-xYirO0vt8rpeQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2560" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjadHJxTE2FarUH2okkBDzX5BMseHx2ej9yjDAgM8boI8ny4ojLW4kw2OJEVbRLTflLqPo9lJLT85cf8c_VNNOgSCUtD7tv65PX4vzO5dpYnTjMZscs2RbOdtu5M_lXNHzC4tT72P4Y36puyHtG37R_ZALmD7TBB2-CeM3XPwoL2-Yb-xYirO0vt8rpeQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />First thing I did was poke my head into the Nature Center.<p></p><p>It's small but seemed to do a good job of getting the salient points about the area across, including several interactive displays aimed at the kid in all of us.</p><p>I say seems because, despite what it looks like in the photo, there were just a few too many people wandering around as if COVID had never happened, so I didn't stay in there very long.</p><p>OK, OK, so it's possible I'm slightly overusing COVID as an excuse to avoid people, but it fits so well into my preferred lifestyle!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-ep_47e6hMw0GGD4fl-jAFu2-78V94EvdVKBH75fyk9Sp1N-K6f_or7Yvn4NS-C3ZI4eSGuR3tnxBAS-OM0CO-0qQJP_xQzTKCpZehpHhYDiVsAvcPW3njAKV3xwPRUvKe2vtVl81jPAPfZ411Bat1mc6OSt0fwkNBoI1c-YxjfO0ALBpuWtji1M9ew" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="426" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-ep_47e6hMw0GGD4fl-jAFu2-78V94EvdVKBH75fyk9Sp1N-K6f_or7Yvn4NS-C3ZI4eSGuR3tnxBAS-OM0CO-0qQJP_xQzTKCpZehpHhYDiVsAvcPW3njAKV3xwPRUvKe2vtVl81jPAPfZ411Bat1mc6OSt0fwkNBoI1c-YxjfO0ALBpuWtji1M9ew" width="290" /></a></div><br />As I was <strike>running away</strike> leaving the Nature Center I checked out the trail-map I found just inside the door.<p></p><p>Trail 3, listed as Very Rugged looked pretty interesting but there was a also a red-lettered notice just above the map dispenser noting that a section of Trail 3 was closed due to a downed tree.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZKgg4yOe0_YMqgYYvddyn9SBwIFM3WY9rhbIsEKrN4Au5dEwRj8DTm4NpLlf8Ap4Cwq7jV1PAy7zW7fwMBGfD43pp6hjZ5v3jfj6F0YCbM9CaSVKdbI9_vUai2gvX_7_4fMk2vRKB1VKK30lQi_2y9ALLjINl0Oy68K2xZ2CYSWxugwIimYYXCalWaA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="302" data-original-width="806" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZKgg4yOe0_YMqgYYvddyn9SBwIFM3WY9rhbIsEKrN4Au5dEwRj8DTm4NpLlf8Ap4Cwq7jV1PAy7zW7fwMBGfD43pp6hjZ5v3jfj6F0YCbM9CaSVKdbI9_vUai2gvX_7_4fMk2vRKB1VKK30lQi_2y9ALLjINl0Oy68K2xZ2CYSWxugwIimYYXCalWaA=w640-h240" width="640" /></a></div><br />On top of that, there were enough people around that when I saw that a section of this trail is called Ladders (they really are ladders used to negotiate a particularly challenging series of rock walls and waterfalls) I had visions of Angel's Landing in Zion National Park or the Guadalupe Peak trail in Guadalupe National Park. These are places that are consistently jammed nuts-to-butts with sheep-like herds of people that think it's some sort of badge of honor to bag a feature like that even though thousands upon thousands do it every year. (Hell, you have to hope to win a lottery at Angel's landing just to secure one of the nuts-to-butts entry passes required to hike the trail!)<p></p><p>Not that I'm against sheep-like herds of people! By all means, flock to these "special" spots and leave the rest of the wilderness for those of us that would rather not be smelling the farts of the hiker in front of us. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibLHsAIB1ZGk8xqllta8FHDNmiKVCCEyNs_xYGcWZjP4uGl0eX7Tu-bGF4XxnB6vge0p9G8Pydt5dwtsdc3e9rPoWTrKsv19xk3kpiGexuoLkoSRwXtin-NgqfjABQAFCfe1yrzvrzDk75aDWvYzEpVDIeBCiXu8olJxNY8-5v47UjuqeKAFX3SloPNw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2200" data-original-width="1700" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibLHsAIB1ZGk8xqllta8FHDNmiKVCCEyNs_xYGcWZjP4uGl0eX7Tu-bGF4XxnB6vge0p9G8Pydt5dwtsdc3e9rPoWTrKsv19xk3kpiGexuoLkoSRwXtin-NgqfjABQAFCfe1yrzvrzDk75aDWvYzEpVDIeBCiXu8olJxNY8-5v47UjuqeKAFX3SloPNw=w493-h640" width="493" /></a></div>Trail 4, looping around there in the top right of the map, listed as moderately rugged and a few tenths longer than Trail 3, seemed like a better, less likely to be crowded, alternative. (I was right about the lack of crowds on this trail except for the stretch along Sugar Creek.)<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsgeuI8whTisId7UYHzXXIHs5f_3wUofCfIwPOWqB4sL-rW6gq1UZk8SCATBfmsJG190g3otYjyh6uWNMI6kU65nKFKsAzXTh3R0D5rzrhQc2cVhn2PWxBtKzb7uND_po3CcQwrNNYENCCF_v59wE5ouGgGOFKCnh9vdwygbTCGFK4R77YC1mIa8V6gQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="1350" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsgeuI8whTisId7UYHzXXIHs5f_3wUofCfIwPOWqB4sL-rW6gq1UZk8SCATBfmsJG190g3otYjyh6uWNMI6kU65nKFKsAzXTh3R0D5rzrhQc2cVhn2PWxBtKzb7uND_po3CcQwrNNYENCCF_v59wE5ouGgGOFKCnh9vdwygbTCGFK4R77YC1mIa8V6gQ=w640-h248" width="640" /></a></div><br />But since many of the trails here, including Trail 4, are on the other side of Sugar Creek I first had to get across the suspension bridge down there behind the Nature Center.</div><div><br /></div><div>And that wasn't quite as straightforward as you might expect.</div><div><br /></div><div>There's a whole network of pathways there behind the Nature Center and a noticeable lack of signage.</div><div><br /></div><div>But I just kept heading downhill</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidv1R7Ix2tg7uBXHNsk9iIpuNvJnDyIoVc7wdmH2IPD1I_XAadE417-LMppTbKZ0OJLY_shJPjvDZc_Svx14_sf5ovtLfkcy1vjC5MYuJ7TQjvpgs2Xshe7UidKx1Ry5fgmrVVN3EsJzXlVg_Bf1bXdAQToMZCdPnCM2lcrlWo797_RVo30f4UanESoQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidv1R7Ix2tg7uBXHNsk9iIpuNvJnDyIoVc7wdmH2IPD1I_XAadE417-LMppTbKZ0OJLY_shJPjvDZc_Svx14_sf5ovtLfkcy1vjC5MYuJ7TQjvpgs2Xshe7UidKx1Ry5fgmrVVN3EsJzXlVg_Bf1bXdAQToMZCdPnCM2lcrlWo797_RVo30f4UanESoQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div>and soon found the 70 steps shelter,</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7hFPFTY-V8OWvWmUt3w5q9fqm-tX9CzcSpEbxvcKjp9XV0L_9CXjJwaM8DVTP6yfS2uHinriGYjzkn5P-2uK8J8wPtAzS3JLlrNJKAwSRqr7RHesS5QuBcE3Xe4ItrdwCJVHrcXnhEkVllGwbgGEcrQ4LT_00u5XC05FiOaYuh2eFRetrYgBC3MbnCw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7hFPFTY-V8OWvWmUt3w5q9fqm-tX9CzcSpEbxvcKjp9XV0L_9CXjJwaM8DVTP6yfS2uHinriGYjzkn5P-2uK8J8wPtAzS3JLlrNJKAwSRqr7RHesS5QuBcE3Xe4ItrdwCJVHrcXnhEkVllGwbgGEcrQ4LT_00u5XC05FiOaYuh2eFRetrYgBC3MbnCw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><div>named for the adjacent 70 steps leading down to the riverbank (Spoiler alert! I only counted 67 steps.) and</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRfRCEp8cF-xYdfp-4o0qhYv9bw2FRE62U0TOUVesGlOimTTQdm1IwOd83iPKPpCRIYjx-wBlRY8CouDW71OkqvkbJDO1X9r4X8GKfJY8kzpn49d1GV0SKadwhKPFcDqxRV_CwQYoW2mToIRKJlC0YJ3w-HZPE_N-8hxx5HrgOjJV3ADKot6XPmbdqLg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRfRCEp8cF-xYdfp-4o0qhYv9bw2FRE62U0TOUVesGlOimTTQdm1IwOd83iPKPpCRIYjx-wBlRY8CouDW71OkqvkbJDO1X9r4X8GKfJY8kzpn49d1GV0SKadwhKPFcDqxRV_CwQYoW2mToIRKJlC0YJ3w-HZPE_N-8hxx5HrgOjJV3ADKot6XPmbdqLg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />the tower supporting the south end of the bridge.</div><div><br /></div><div>By the way, in 2013 Sugar Creek was up to just below the bottom of that sign</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsdU5-ePQ2w_lPUqHFNH12NMAAuc3TEitGKAm5I3t40cZbMtFQTa2AH3Ksi70mWID0xRoLO4Z8RuxkqsW4DGdiiqeiR4NT5Mu7V78d7N3kkF5fkk--W4r6Qk0qt_5zbR8rrIlgKR3Xi7I8Csq7bHZJxDiMpIft3iTa_1gMqxUl93pcSwJYCDRYT9VkrA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsdU5-ePQ2w_lPUqHFNH12NMAAuc3TEitGKAm5I3t40cZbMtFQTa2AH3Ksi70mWID0xRoLO4Z8RuxkqsW4DGdiiqeiR4NT5Mu7V78d7N3kkF5fkk--W4r6Qk0qt_5zbR8rrIlgKR3Xi7I8Csq7bHZJxDiMpIft3iTa_1gMqxUl93pcSwJYCDRYT9VkrA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div>which put it just over the bridge-deck. This may account for some of the trail-markings issues I just mentioned, but come on! 9 years to replace a few posts?</div><div><br /></div><div>Another spoiler alert - having just come down the 70 - or 67 - steps you now have to climb back up a couple dozen </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2kN5beHk_TPqzv3puEXU5rNFsWxqC8hrPr-zMDHzCt7SSxBtyB5DHFV6zFFc1mVRdtxkJHmuMozpsKjfUsPiWU50CSD5ZF3bYYArayzWP8OreKTQaK8_m5KOo2kcW64TBAz1H_bN2C0YZTo8gns-d1U66YJiMRDHxRwVBZHGv215UhzJUzHvgTNMMjA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2kN5beHk_TPqzv3puEXU5rNFsWxqC8hrPr-zMDHzCt7SSxBtyB5DHFV6zFFc1mVRdtxkJHmuMozpsKjfUsPiWU50CSD5ZF3bYYArayzWP8OreKTQaK8_m5KOo2kcW64TBAz1H_bN2C0YZTo8gns-d1U66YJiMRDHxRwVBZHGv215UhzJUzHvgTNMMjA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div>to get up to the bridge-deck.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKBK4qgbxmOJ4jBovSsQ_OKCEV4iWvWcjBzCspPaS1oma8KNu76nrf56hJGs4XszuH9-D0_BXVvu8oM7KJCxdF_FjsivsHJGLWKU3HoPcCgo2TyXwMXF8AY4SloOU1sjjuRvn8SmFywbKGExVdUi3-4hNNMaLMn2sRX2CozWN62S2SBxcYaryRyWT8PA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKBK4qgbxmOJ4jBovSsQ_OKCEV4iWvWcjBzCspPaS1oma8KNu76nrf56hJGs4XszuH9-D0_BXVvu8oM7KJCxdF_FjsivsHJGLWKU3HoPcCgo2TyXwMXF8AY4SloOU1sjjuRvn8SmFywbKGExVdUi3-4hNNMaLMn2sRX2CozWN62S2SBxcYaryRyWT8PA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />which carries you (well, you don't get carried, you have to walk!) across Sugar Creek.</div><div><br /></div><div>But here there was yet another issue with finding the trail.</div><div><br /></div><div>The far end of the bridge actually dead-ends into a vertical rock wall and in keeping with the theme started on the other bank, trail signage was spotty to say the least.</div><div><br /></div><div>My original intent was to turn east at the end of the bridge and follow Trail 4 around counter-clockwise.</div><div><br /></div><div>Except there is no east at the end of the bridge, only a left - west - which dumps you out onto a well trampled bit of muddy ground with not a single trail-marker around.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVpsiGN-1uMNF7Bw0ZdofNEg6e_hJ15ynwv9PW97v4pnfP3sMo-AWa3K_KBGtJOpgq7D85bOQ4OE99N5kD_yr4mAFk7Ha_L-qHsoerapZYy6dN6U8CqHD-yS-msJfYRuQXsvO9ce0c_lxKNxACRUeAP5T_ENB0gdaerbKEYOWUIqyiI5YqbagwG5MiNA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="802" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVpsiGN-1uMNF7Bw0ZdofNEg6e_hJ15ynwv9PW97v4pnfP3sMo-AWa3K_KBGtJOpgq7D85bOQ4OE99N5kD_yr4mAFk7Ha_L-qHsoerapZYy6dN6U8CqHD-yS-msJfYRuQXsvO9ce0c_lxKNxACRUeAP5T_ENB0gdaerbKEYOWUIqyiI5YqbagwG5MiNA=w640-h390" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div>At this point the only way I could see to get onto the section of Trail 4 that I intended was to cling to a ledge and inch my way across a rock-face.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well that couldn't be right!</div><div><br /></div><div>Surely they don't expect people to come over here with climbing gear just to follow one of the trails?!</div><div><br /></div><div>In fact there's a big sign on that rock wall at the end of the bridge saying that climbing the faces is prohibited.</div><div><br /></div><div>Being flexible - when I'm forced to be - I decided to follow Trail 3 north along an unnamed tributary through Rocky Hollow, to where it intersected with the north end of trail 4 near the Punch Bowl and then take Trail 4 clockwise, which would eventually, hopefully, dump me back out in the vicinity of the bridge and let me figure out where the trail actually is at that point.</div><div><br /></div><div>But there was still the issue of no trail markers and I ended up</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwH9dTYaVsX-OOVziD5mPtgs4EY1nQ0fKZX0_73eXOgMi_vl-GacAAyn2_UBTiCAlSG3QdK9Yyvtt0KJLGX1P9uprL1YAnx0C3BPbJLmJrxiuo7iuHNQLukEB6AF3b-jSTa4XDpzL2YN4SsPCyAzhHsvMtwEszkU8mS5uNVKtuj4Fz5d70I7--Pq3Glg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="672" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwH9dTYaVsX-OOVziD5mPtgs4EY1nQ0fKZX0_73eXOgMi_vl-GacAAyn2_UBTiCAlSG3QdK9Yyvtt0KJLGX1P9uprL1YAnx0C3BPbJLmJrxiuo7iuHNQLukEB6AF3b-jSTa4XDpzL2YN4SsPCyAzhHsvMtwEszkU8mS5uNVKtuj4Fz5d70I7--Pq3Glg=w640-h470" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>taking a short side-trip west towards Trail 10 before deciding I was on the wrong path. (Trail wise. Not life wise!) I backtracked through the surprisingly dense-ish weekday crowd (For me two groups of 3 spaced out 50 yards or so is dense!) and eventually figured out where the hell I was supposed to be going!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTFp52SXCZm6twJGjwe6wVdknZGGTIdCDKnP4q0L7Qn87BMJ57eEt5BABUcQiFqUsvYk-kcWjRr2sBR_6wZeSA6eXCzohf3dbUY8xhWGA0LqRnPldCQhBPWIK7Rxp6YxRThFOiZBw7vss2g7vMVgmt82SNsVZg9vUFHC8F_YvjiUY38MKLvWWzhIWVSQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTFp52SXCZm6twJGjwe6wVdknZGGTIdCDKnP4q0L7Qn87BMJ57eEt5BABUcQiFqUsvYk-kcWjRr2sBR_6wZeSA6eXCzohf3dbUY8xhWGA0LqRnPldCQhBPWIK7Rxp6YxRThFOiZBw7vss2g7vMVgmt82SNsVZg9vUFHC8F_YvjiUY38MKLvWWzhIWVSQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Despite being age-qualified myself but too dumb to admit it, this is <i>not</i> your grandfather's trail!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkqaoPFMAkGMc4cvJCz-VF1-Qu-XG85QGqPowT56BEzFO4cE0Wb1UwJwva5XHl8Gv31pQN1jLsf500fKS3WG1OCT5E4IUxL4WvSNPcAJmt2aZKKYhAsiXcf2BDlyn14EHzBf1A3jB7DCvtqW7TgAyfZWWIwvg1B4JjQqarHQp-EDp3SL87ACl_aEvLxw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkqaoPFMAkGMc4cvJCz-VF1-Qu-XG85QGqPowT56BEzFO4cE0Wb1UwJwva5XHl8Gv31pQN1jLsf500fKS3WG1OCT5E4IUxL4WvSNPcAJmt2aZKKYhAsiXcf2BDlyn14EHzBf1A3jB7DCvtqW7TgAyfZWWIwvg1B4JjQqarHQp-EDp3SL87ACl_aEvLxw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><div>In fact in parts it's not so much a trail as the bed of a stream. One with just enough water in it to make things really slick.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYCTSliFFQ1LN3m_49w1jwxwLnty6dKGA8Cioq1P6g3Eh_5I2Wg7c7kSCTwC-ky1xF_m0o_1R4JbXnTIrS0u2VVcR6yvWH199YddjvsppI7r7lGCdYFFJ0Qxm9xUYAsHSAFrK3YY-HNIwdY71Iua0p1W-idQe8-yKD-53Jyq7QnRkanVTyjrtvDNwEQw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="474" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYCTSliFFQ1LN3m_49w1jwxwLnty6dKGA8Cioq1P6g3Eh_5I2Wg7c7kSCTwC-ky1xF_m0o_1R4JbXnTIrS0u2VVcR6yvWH199YddjvsppI7r7lGCdYFFJ0Qxm9xUYAsHSAFrK3YY-HNIwdY71Iua0p1W-idQe8-yKD-53Jyq7QnRkanVTyjrtvDNwEQw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div>Prophetically it reminded me of Illinois' <a href="https://travelsofaramblingvan.blogspot.com/2017/11/nearly-riding-chute-in-little-grand.html" target="_blank">Little Grand Canyon</a> where I busted my ass in a place very much like this once. - Oh, and no, I didn't fall here - I'll get to the prophetically part in a later post.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhY8Hi_pMDCzHUcUw2HdRWK2rb4HPCViJWt0sJY0Cu8bp0oq0EsXTqN4ft7m-1OxAfG_Dxb5k9_xLX9JfLT6EtuNGlQQj3qDM8ZJjGoX9eDp922mZDv5JGTefcuoXlCrp7KrN4Kc_m8TvmXIo98UY1Wxsl8U2T1eg5JHQxTscoUdyz2BX3_gXo0vGZIYw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhY8Hi_pMDCzHUcUw2HdRWK2rb4HPCViJWt0sJY0Cu8bp0oq0EsXTqN4ft7m-1OxAfG_Dxb5k9_xLX9JfLT6EtuNGlQQj3qDM8ZJjGoX9eDp922mZDv5JGTefcuoXlCrp7KrN4Kc_m8TvmXIo98UY1Wxsl8U2T1eg5JHQxTscoUdyz2BX3_gXo0vGZIYw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />But eventually I made it far enough up that section of Trail 3 to find the beginning of Trail 4 right there at the U-turn at the north end of my hike.</div><div><br /></div><div>Where I started seeing trail-markers.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yeah right! Now that I already knew where I was!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjc7eLewAN6elGBa3r_JEJhBfF_rx4OCGF2J9ShkcZC3JC0yNdGj6e8-Xt7pjudZmijl0EMWuhSRtIQoUH7AXLLEFrPHO8ojpi1InCgVwsdzNUJxn_bCrlglu9MmBSI8Be-g6eUVDHrI9BoMbcoLBsmZ5yQdJAgUrY-ICY_yJgO1nV74wIPv7_Jcg4hAQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjc7eLewAN6elGBa3r_JEJhBfF_rx4OCGF2J9ShkcZC3JC0yNdGj6e8-Xt7pjudZmijl0EMWuhSRtIQoUH7AXLLEFrPHO8ojpi1InCgVwsdzNUJxn_bCrlglu9MmBSI8Be-g6eUVDHrI9BoMbcoLBsmZ5yQdJAgUrY-ICY_yJgO1nV74wIPv7_Jcg4hAQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Once up and away from that tributary the trail got really rather civilized and plush.</div><div><br /></div><div>Of course it helps that along here it's also used as maintenance access with a authorized-users-only connection out to a little road along the boarder of the park.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuYwc5x1PW9CqWWi2WInWQJ8VRbz-LYPKYzEpPb8Im9GUDoeg8FYCdVVx9el-XyjZ4Fuz8uAs40-4bfhER7H0eIZRzEzW4H5bfLtYxjJSj_x1xdOvAEciDzfmE8pu4aBuvBLTXLrA6XyYw2STFpXBNqSGMvY4UAb74_2M_EtyxtmS_IlTWi7inpP4-uw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuYwc5x1PW9CqWWi2WInWQJ8VRbz-LYPKYzEpPb8Im9GUDoeg8FYCdVVx9el-XyjZ4Fuz8uAs40-4bfhER7H0eIZRzEzW4H5bfLtYxjJSj_x1xdOvAEciDzfmE8pu4aBuvBLTXLrA6XyYw2STFpXBNqSGMvY4UAb74_2M_EtyxtmS_IlTWi7inpP4-uw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />After a little more than a half mile of gentle woods-hiking the trail pops out into a clearing</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYFyQBDStU-b4mEnn46HwhXZDoKZA05QQQKsIi57HLZwr-CJwqcdTJDhqZUmFMz0h-0QM_0TVMN7ox01CBuQoFtbWf2KLxEvB5_8qEVYN8FOWkDX32a67KBiMIae7LuZ4lkQYldC2FncMQnSSMLzHc7ru-hXPS_cGwpepjt2gx5mMpYVVYLdI8ts5vxg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYFyQBDStU-b4mEnn46HwhXZDoKZA05QQQKsIi57HLZwr-CJwqcdTJDhqZUmFMz0h-0QM_0TVMN7ox01CBuQoFtbWf2KLxEvB5_8qEVYN8FOWkDX32a67KBiMIae7LuZ4lkQYldC2FncMQnSSMLzHc7ru-hXPS_cGwpepjt2gx5mMpYVVYLdI8ts5vxg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />where the Lusk house sits.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Lusk's, specifically the father, who pretty much founded the community here, and later his reclusive son, were instrumental in preserving this area of virgin woods and getting it into the hands of the state to be turned into a park in the early 1900's.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmVQUPAIzEXtCcuymjssGle0bHwWohe9EOoyH5-ABhQx08Nd7htp4QMCbGfRCtgat89P1-YGtAShANATOBW4Cbd32ZSiCzfQvle_i83NAqSZG3u3STvpCf8sHNDbX0Uv3JxA-h9KYGW1T5pCFh8-3Z6E7yjuna8NmP4AGAY659wbnlVOGvNfrPgyDJRg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmVQUPAIzEXtCcuymjssGle0bHwWohe9EOoyH5-ABhQx08Nd7htp4QMCbGfRCtgat89P1-YGtAShANATOBW4Cbd32ZSiCzfQvle_i83NAqSZG3u3STvpCf8sHNDbX0Uv3JxA-h9KYGW1T5pCFh8-3Z6E7yjuna8NmP4AGAY659wbnlVOGvNfrPgyDJRg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div>Not far from the house is the well-preserved covered bridge that used to carry the county road over Sugar Creek.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1c5XuL9mvYUKxLfzCn1JCw0JCv8Km1yLZ54USGA6HYScQ4eg9H-q21wbCv9B6mZduSEu0htAtNotza3wOagxfGJ_Jl8gBR7-j3ms1fphpm662ccSCBfMaOQMoOdJovd_nykWJmul0uNdxFUVYhVW9c0Mkdk4RPi4kAp61klBnSFutDY_YQyV3uB9UOw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1c5XuL9mvYUKxLfzCn1JCw0JCv8Km1yLZ54USGA6HYScQ4eg9H-q21wbCv9B6mZduSEu0htAtNotza3wOagxfGJ_Jl8gBR7-j3ms1fphpm662ccSCBfMaOQMoOdJovd_nykWJmul0uNdxFUVYhVW9c0Mkdk4RPi4kAp61klBnSFutDY_YQyV3uB9UOw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />Its concrete replacement is just up stream, and just beyond that is the site of the Salmon Lusk Mill that was the primary driver of the development in the area.</div><div><br /></div><div>The site of the mill is marked on the map but I could see no sign of it.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5kcL1n5w4PAS_WXSgpGQYAnwWCYd5_ipm9kQOI4wh6GsCvHbM0rH19hP0bYpFWdUA0eEhixYYMdEXJLh4GecGBp3EPjfwJxPjSVusJ7HyWbrUJqGkr42zQVsLzZnY2J9K__bFuIm42lga_yACwb3utISn72zrDzTwqVq8qQwldaGOKTLpQLjBRJB5uw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5kcL1n5w4PAS_WXSgpGQYAnwWCYd5_ipm9kQOI4wh6GsCvHbM0rH19hP0bYpFWdUA0eEhixYYMdEXJLh4GecGBp3EPjfwJxPjSVusJ7HyWbrUJqGkr42zQVsLzZnY2J9K__bFuIm42lga_yACwb3utISn72zrDzTwqVq8qQwldaGOKTLpQLjBRJB5uw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div>What I could see was this clearly purposefully shaped platform on the bank opposite the mill site, just east of the new bridge.</div><div><br /></div><div>That slot is about 6 feet deep but I could find no explanation beyond personal speculation as to its origin or purpose.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5UjjZdfFponREG9VONB6voOR2vSxVwITbel4pSuBmfTjtb4sTRnQ0Q34nlLpM4Ks9KY0jGKFy8v-9AVAiFEZmk4pnZ2FyxAMbxamGJclyG4zlCcTYHoDHqSYQEzk6F1ZOHcJMZGcssRgiGhf7i9vaxZjkAiXFENAbdtnQpnDnbd94blFuUwX5-sGhoQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5UjjZdfFponREG9VONB6voOR2vSxVwITbel4pSuBmfTjtb4sTRnQ0Q34nlLpM4Ks9KY0jGKFy8v-9AVAiFEZmk4pnZ2FyxAMbxamGJclyG4zlCcTYHoDHqSYQEzk6F1ZOHcJMZGcssRgiGhf7i9vaxZjkAiXFENAbdtnQpnDnbd94blFuUwX5-sGhoQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />From here back to the suspension bridge the trail was back to following more rugged terrain alongside Sugar Creek.</div><div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLwFA77Sbpe1rLYMeEste6Xc-NYGeayUwpKofyCZHpRqB79wbhkjWNAO_cPirr83Azh6RdKmfOdjWXm-mPz4Db68wUtUEut-QBhnxUGYGMBBcrp-_igact1y807KKgvxDg4xYfiQuPDlyEDUfipkrAVJOAy7TXUVeW4mq6VY7AfvUeyp1yR1yWt-Fd6A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLwFA77Sbpe1rLYMeEste6Xc-NYGeayUwpKofyCZHpRqB79wbhkjWNAO_cPirr83Azh6RdKmfOdjWXm-mPz4Db68wUtUEut-QBhnxUGYGMBBcrp-_igact1y807KKgvxDg4xYfiQuPDlyEDUfipkrAVJOAy7TXUVeW4mq6VY7AfvUeyp1yR1yWt-Fd6A=w640-h256" width="640" /></a></div><p>and before getting back to where I started I came across</p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-1QzW8RKYQJkR1_hm1P0OQ8YqxdxS_tpeAWk07sEca0h76DLiKR24Mdjv3f5oUk_ENQMtk23FdKiKkLZU65_pz0aJcfzGUjFpcSagXz-1Yq6dpjnguEaFqM2K0DO4OGqXx_FS5exfOVgOUnu1HxRidUh2-aKsktNjfb9K_qBWFvRtLGwgZooQdQbYOQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-1QzW8RKYQJkR1_hm1P0OQ8YqxdxS_tpeAWk07sEca0h76DLiKR24Mdjv3f5oUk_ENQMtk23FdKiKkLZU65_pz0aJcfzGUjFpcSagXz-1Yq6dpjnguEaFqM2K0DO4OGqXx_FS5exfOVgOUnu1HxRidUh2-aKsktNjfb9K_qBWFvRtLGwgZooQdQbYOQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />this small coal mine perilously close to the creek's bank. (you know - flood wise.)<p></p><p>The mine was too small to be a commercial venture so was used as sort of a private energy-source to keep the Lusk household running instead.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiegoO7ucwVaGDGIjJU4x6E6cJphVc7nR5yzUHjx0ZNgQjIxJQEyhHK-8nkOcoTtmj5mJmo2-9ehIAN1LlALQyJp7pyyUE_blOfw6Qll3ba0yKwVA_dJoZTHcFIV4lXswDjzkah-b2hKuYR-YzdwqkUBDrf7Q778wpvuqzsr_7LMk8xhOD0gLR9SF4eA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiegoO7ucwVaGDGIjJU4x6E6cJphVc7nR5yzUHjx0ZNgQjIxJQEyhHK-8nkOcoTtmj5mJmo2-9ehIAN1LlALQyJp7pyyUE_blOfw6Qll3ba0yKwVA_dJoZTHcFIV4lXswDjzkah-b2hKuYR-YzdwqkUBDrf7Q778wpvuqzsr_7LMk8xhOD0gLR9SF4eA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>The trail guide lists Trail 4 as being 2 miles long. After I added in the trip down to and back up from the suspension bridge, the bit of Trail 3 you have to take to get to the northern terminus of Trail 4, and my usual additional bit of wanderings along the way, the GPS said I had hiked a quarter mile less than 4 miles.</p><p>By the time I made my way back across the suspension bridge, (Now I know how to find the southern end of Trail 4 - so easy it was embarrassing!) back to The Van, had a snack, and relaxed a little, I had just about enough time to get to my next overnight spot before dark.</p><p>But remember several posts ago when I said I made three stops along the way while getting to and from the reunion? Two old that I'd been to before and two new that I hadn't?</p><p>Well to make the math work you should know that I stopped here at Turkey creek again on my way back, making this place a twofer. Once new and once old.</p><p>So we'll be back here again in a couple posts exploring other areas of the park.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div></div>greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15960238893013776630noreply@blogger.com6