Red River Gorge Labor Day

Double Arch

On Auxier Ridge

Jean and Jan on Auxier Ridge

Holiday Weekend, left early from work Friday and met Jean and Jan in Monterey and headed for the Red River Gorge in Kentucky. We arrived at Callie's Lake and Campground, set up camp in the tent area close to the lake and beside a small stream. Hoping for no mosquitos since it didn't look like the water was moving. We had the evening to explore a little bit so we drove to the Natural Bridge State Park and hiked to the top of the Natural Bridge, got on top in time for the sunset. Met a hiker on the way down that warned us about seeing two copperheads on the trail...then every stick, rolled up rhododendron leaf, became a snake, with the dark coming on quickly. Headlamps on, scan, scan, Lucky ladies, found no snakes. But we did find Miguels Pizza for dinner! Long line, long wait, but it was great pizza. Lots of folks around, tents everywhere, plus a cool outdoor picnic area.

Saturday we hiked to Gray's Arch and then drove the Scenic Byway and hiked to see Angel Windows, Whistling Arch, Sky Bridge, and visited the Gladie Visitor Center which is really nice. It has several interpretive exhibits and an environmental learning center. The farm is beautiful. We wanted to see the Suspension Bridge, parked in the Sheltowee Connector parking lot which was very crowded. Swimming crowd in the only pool we had seen on the Red River. Folks were jumping off a large boulder, there were kayakers, not sure how far they were paddling in the shallow river. When we got to the bridge we saw that we could have used the parking just up from the bridge....oh well. Wanted to see the lodge, which has a cool pool shaped like the river beside it. Looks like a nice place to stay. Then on to the Whittleton Arch, Chimney Top Road to Princess Arch and Chimney Top. The Chimney has wooden fence to keep you from hopping down the rocks to the top.

Saturday night entertainment at the campground, BBQ and singer/musician Tyler Halsey. They played about 3 hours which was a little late for quiet time at the campground. Then all the folks that drove there for the music were leaving. Noisy. Yawn...

Sunday was another beautiful day. We went hunting for Tower Rock. The trail map shows it is off the Osborne Bend Trail so we started there but couldn't find the junction to it.  Another hiker came by and had a GPS that showed Tower Rock one ridge over. So we hiked out and drove on, found the trail sign that said Trail #129. Our map shows it was Trail # 229. But we hiked it anyway and found Tower Rock, climbers destination. Then on down the road to find a lunch spot. The Gladie Interpretive Center Farm made a good lunch spot and we explored the barn and cabin. There is a water pump there too.
Next was the Bison Way Trail to see Indian Staircase. Jan had printed trail descriptions that said to watch for a path to the right to get to the bottom of the Staircase. We met a group on the trail that confirmed it was just a little further and they brushed off my concerns of it being dangerous. They had kids with them and were casual about taking them. I wondered how much they liked their kids....

 We found a path to the right and started climbing, we could hear the group below us so we thought they were following. We got to some rock scrambling and started up. We could tell by then the other folks were not behind us, as we got a little higher I could see the staircase; we were a good way from it. But we had awesome views from where we were at the end of the ridge. I climbed higher to see if there was a trail along the ridge to get to the Staircase. There was, so we kept hiking on, thru the huckleberry bushes and overgrown path. We made it to the staircase in time to see the other folks coming over the top of it. Kids and all. Frog rock at the top of the staircase then the largest rock shelter in the gorge, then Indian Arch.
Dinner was at the Red River Rockhouse, grass fed beef burgers, local source cheeses, veggies, wonderful food.
Campfire tonight, just as we started to bed BOOM, BOOM, fireworks!!! at 11 PM! Craziness from the neighbors next to the campground. We will go by in the morning and wake them up to go hiking.

Monday we packed up camp, drove to the prettiest trail in the park. Auxier Ridge. So many awesome views on this trail. All the way to Courthouse Rock we were in awe of the beauty. We picked the outside loop to see Double Arch, but when we got to the junction it was going to add 1.5 to our hike and we didn't have time to get that one. We saw the Double Arch from the Auxier Ridge trail anyway but if I ever go back to the Red River Gorge I want to hike this one again.





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Arkansas Trip

We got the opportunity to go camping with my daughter and her boyfriend. We headed out after Lora got off work and traveled to Chickasaw State Park near Jackson Tennessee. We got there in time for dinner so we cooked out some hot dogs. After dinner we took the hike around the lake and then kicked back for the evening.

The next morning we continued on to Arkansas to Denby Point campground on Lake Ouachita. Marjorie and Niles met us there. We had dinner together, cooled off in the lake and then played some cards.

The next morning we took a canoe trip down past the Twin Creek Day Use Area and back. We got into a light rain shower which cooled us down. Zep had a hard time keeping us all together and within sight of his comfort zone. We spent the afternoon in the water and then got a hike in the evening along the nature trail.

The next morning we canoed down around Lake Ouachita Shores Marina. After lunch we said our goodbyes and then headed East to Reelfoot Lake for the night. After we set up camp, we drove down to the motor trail and checked out a view of Buzzard Slough. We stayed out as long as we could handle the mosquitoes watching for meteorites.

The next morning we hiked around the campground and then caught the three hour scenic boat ride at the State Park. We got a private tour of the lake on a pontoon boat with a couple of well educated rangers. It was a beautiful day on the lake.

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New York 2019

The family vacation for the summer of 2019 was at Letchworth State Park in New York. We started the trip from Tennessee with a caravan of Marco's trailer, Dad's camper, and our trailer. We met up where Dad blew his tire and then we went to Tree Haven Campground in Ohio for the night. We made it to Letchworth State Park on Sunday where everyone gathered together. What a beautiful park, the "Grand Canyon of the East". We stayed at the Highbanks campground.

Monday was a hiking day in the Northern half of the park along the rim on trail #20 Highbanks. It was a good hike that took us back to the campground. Then we drove down the park looking at the waterfalls and preplanning the renewal of the vows. The falls were beautiful. We decided on Inspiration Point as the location of the renewal

Tuesday was canoe trip on Canadice Lake. We used Canadice Lake Outfitters for our canoes. Great guy runs the place with clean canoes. It was a beautiful lake to paddle on with all forest around the lake, no houses. The guy also suggested a hike for us at Stony Brook State Park. After we got back to the park, we had a surprise renewal of the vows ceremony for Dad and Mom by Natalie. We ended up having it at the pavilion by the pool due to some rain in the area.  It was beautiful and powerful to celebrate the 60th anniversary of our parents. After the ceremony and dinner, we headed to Inspiration Point to see the middle falls under the lights.

Wednesday we hiked the East side of the park on trail #7 Genesee Valley which we were supposed to see six water falls. Four of them "few people ever see". We got to see the Upper falls, Middle falls, and one other fall. It was a good hike (no ticks, chiggers or poison ivy).

Thursday was our trip to Niagara Falls. We took the Maid of the Mist boat trip to the base of the falls and then hiked all around the top of the falls. We hit the Hard Rock Cafe for lunch. Beautiful!

Friday we went to Stony Brook State Park for a hike/swim. It is a beautiful park with lots of waterfalls and an actual swimming area. New York does not want you in any of there water. Everywhere are signs about do not get in the water. Even the lake we paddled. The swimming area here was at 64 degrees when we were there. Some wet their feet, but you know me. I had to swim. Back at camp we had the birthday celebration for Betty.

Saturday was getting everyone out in the morning for the trip home. Marco and us headed South to Walnut Lake campground in Ohio. We hiked around the campground and then listened to the Sean Prater Band play that night. It was a beautiful night with lots of stars and a wonderful sunset.

Sunday we followed the 127 Yard Sale to get home. Lots of shoppers still out there looking for bargains.

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