Hiking: Guys Day Out at Rodburn Park

Today I decided to take my oldest son for a light hike.  He is only 5 years old, so it was important for me to find somewhere where he could walk easily and feel a sense of accomplishment when he was done.  There aren't a lot of advertised places near us, but I remembered a light trail that is close to our home I enjoyed as a child.

Rodburn Park is nestled just off of U.S. 60 East and is a great place for a day in the woods with the kids.  There is a covered pavilion, bbq grilles, volleyball net, swing sets, and of course the hiking trails.  The Park has 2 trails, Rodburn Loop and a connector to the Sheltowee Trace.  The Rodburn Loop trail is perfect for young ones as it is only about .6 miles in length.  The trail was well maintained and has 3 bridges passing over beautiful, clear streams.  He thoroughly enjoyed this hike and I enjoyed his company, what more could you ask for.

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Hiking: Sheltowee Trace Trail #100

Our day started out with the perfect combination of environmental factors. We had a perfect weather forecast, mild temperatures, and a buzz of excitement in the air. Starting at the Northern Terminus, we were pleasantly surprised by the beauty of the trail. The trail had become a bit overgrown in some places, but at that point it was of no concern. It wasn't until later that afternoon that we had begun to regret our decision.

As the day progressed, the trail slowly became increasingly unmarked. Adding to our dismay, it also became more unkempt and eventually impassable. By the time we had reached our final point, we were completely exhausted. The miles of brush, briars, and felled logs we had negotiated along the path had taken their toll, both physically and mentally. We could hear the cars passing along Interstate 64, but the trail had completely disappeared into a tangled web of brush. We found a narrow passage and climbed nearly 150' to the top of a ridge. We could almost see our destination, but the odds were against us and so was time. Daylight was passing so quickly, and we only had a few hours left to cover another 8 miles. The condition of the trail had robbed us of our journey, and hope was lost.

Our trail to that point had covered 12.2 miles, but the unmarked path and obstacles that forced our detours had taken us over 17 miles. We had no other option but to turn around and return to the Suspended Bridge. There we could call for someone to pick us up, and that is exactly what we did.

I believe that other parts of this trail will yield more promising results, but until further official notice, I would not recommend this section of the trail to anyone. There were some beautiful moments, but the hours of time wasted climbing through downed brush and briars was unbearable.

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The Getaway

So today I decided where I would start my adventures.  Living in Kentucky, there are hundreds of bountiful trails and resources just tempting for exploration and appreciation.  I called one of my friends who I work with and laid the groundwork to start mapping and backpacking the Sheltowee Trace.  The "Trace" is a 260 mile trail that runs through much of the Daniel Boone National Forest.  We plan on starting at the North Terminus and backpacking approximately 24 miles south toward Morehead.

Collecting valuable GPS data and pictures galore, wish us luck as we work our way back into the wonderful outdoors.  I will be posting photos and GPS data soon but until then, here is a link for further information for anyone looking to traverse this wonderful area also.

http://www.sheltoweetrace.com

The Breakout

At the young age of 30, I have realized that a great portion of this one life has been devoted to building my career.  I have worked in a cube farm for the last 5 years, endlessly answering to a myriad of so-called supervisors.  Until you have had the familiar "Office" experience, you are certainly missing out on a endless supply of humor mixed with frustration.  That aside, I am searching to find a new release, a new outlook, and a rejuvenation of my psyche. 

I write this as plans and preparations are being made to return the the outdoors.  I have so missed the enjoyment of backpacking and biking through endless trails that lead to nowhere and to my destination at the same time.   I do not profess to be an aficionado of any of the activities, just a tired soul looking for an influx of life and purpose.  I hope that you will do the same.