Hiking: a great time even during a nasty winter.

One of the most exciting and yet least expensive recreational activities today is hiking. I don't want to scare anyone off by adding that it improves your health and is environmentally friendly. All you need is a good pair of shoes and a staff, which you can make yourself.  (I prefer and encourage trail poles but they are an added expense and not absolutely necessary. Just better.)

I won't take the time here to talk about shoes and poles. I sang the praises of my trail poles in a 2012 blog entitle "Me and My Lexi" (6/12/2012).  Yes, you can go hiking in any shoe but if you really want to get the greatest enjoyment from the experience you should invest in a good pair of shoes.  The subject is too extensive for a single blog. Besides, the best thing to do is to go to a good outfitter and tell them the type of hiking or backpacking you plan to do. They'll do the rest. I'm sure that you all know a hiker, backpacker or fast-packer who can direct you to someone who knows what they're doing.

I had just returned from doing the 2014 Goofy (a 39.3 mile back-to-back at Disney World) and was faced with the horrible winter weather everyone north of the Florida state line was experiencing.  So all of you, except any Florida readers, know of what I speak.  My friend and companion in adventure, Pamela Smith, suggested that we might try some nearby Kentucky state parks and a natural bridge that is located on private land.

Pamela is a full-professor at Madisonville Community College where she teaches biology, anatomy and physiology. She's also a "retired" triathalon athlete (forced to retire because of arthritis), outdoor and camping enthusiast,  who is a fellow 'tree-hugger'.  Seeing what I've been able to do despite severe arthritis we decided to explore the world of "fast-packing" together. Fast-packing is slower than trail running but moving faster than backpacking.  Fast-packers are generally "retired" trail racers or racers who have discovered trails. For example, the Eagle Rock Loop (2012 blog) was a fast-pack trail run where the average backpacker takes 40-45 hours to cover the distance I did in 15 hours. (Doesn't make us better ... just different.)

Not wanting to wait for "good weather", Pamela introduced me to some fantastic, rugged and beautiful country in western Kentucky.  Below are some pictures taken at Pennyrile State Park, the natural bridge near Apex, Kentucky and Land Between the Lakes (KY).  These pictures were taken Jan. 18th.,19th., 25th. and 26th.  The weather was sunny with temperatures in the low 40s. ,

Here is Pamela in front of one of the many ice formations. She is wearing hiking shoes.  It was cold but she was dressed in layers and quite warm. We used trail poles which don't show in either photo.

Here I am. Our hats may look at bit funny, but they are very warm and help preserve body heat loss which is greatest from the head -- especially a bald head like mine. I too am dressed in layers. The coat came off a short while after this picture was taken.  I am wearing trail running shoes.

     Below are some pictures of  the beautiful country and interesting rock formations in Pennyrile park. 

  

The picture below isn't pretty.  It is of the scum we found below a dam.  Obviously someone accidentally or purposely dumped some detergent into the lake. This is the deadly result.  If you want to enjoy a clean lake or river the next time you visit, please don't use detergents near a lake or river. Either take your grey water with you and dump it in an appropriate place like a dump-station, or use sand or other natural means of cleaning dishes, pots and pans.

Following are pictures of the natural bridge near Apex, Kentucky.  It was a good 1/2 to 3/4 mile from the main road to the site, but it was well worth the effort.

This is the Pennyrile lodge from across the lake.  If you're not campers, do check in to staying here.

The next weekend (1/25-26) we did a rails-to-trails trail in Greenville, KY.  It was in the 50s. Here you see Pamela with her poles.  She's again wearing walking shoes. I'm wearing the trail shoes.  We were both layered.  I included these pictures to show our trail poles. Pamela actually has her poles in position showing the proper angle of the arm.

That same weekend (last weekend in January) we took our "new" vintage camper trailer, 'Trailer Willie', to Nichol Creek Campground, Land Between the Lakes, KY.  We had a great campsite right on the lake and did several miles of trails

The picture below is of the island across the inlet from our campsite at sunset. We had that type of view in almost every direction.  The next picture is of 'Trailer Willy'.  This was his 'maiden voyage' with us.