The First Culvers and Natural Bridge State Park of Wisconsin

Well Thanksgiving is finally near, so it means Noelle and Eric make their annual migration to either Pennsylvania or Wisconsin. This year is a Wisconsin year and so we packed up the Family Truckster and headed northwest to the land of beer and cheese. Last night we spent the night in one of the most disgusting Motel6s I've ever been to in Bloomington, Illinois. We awoke this morning, grabbed breakfast at Burger King and headed north. We made it to our obligatory hiking stop by noon, after lunch at the world's first Culver's restaurant in Sauk City, Wisconsin.

The hike was a short one of about a mile at Natural Bridge State Park.

The bridge itself was astonishingly impressive.

After our hike we headed west to Onalaska and then north to fair Galesville, the world famous home of the Garden of Eden. It feels so good to have some time off and to be able to spend it with family.

Daniel Boone National Forest: Beaver Creek Wilderness & Moonshiner's Arch

Today we got to do two of our favorite things. We voted and we went on a little mini-adventure, a hiking trip into the Beaver Creek Wilderness of the Daniel Boone National Forest.

We woke up early this morning and walked down the street to our local polling station where we voted, then headed home to pack our packs for some hiking! We made it to the Three Forks of Beaver parking lot by 10 am, then hit the trail.

It was gorgeous weather for being outdoors and we enjoyed every bit of it.

This, despite the fact that some of the trails marked on our map (courtesy the US Forest Service) were non-existent. Since we couldn't find one of the trails we had intended hiking it meant we had time to make a side trip to Cumberland Falls. In addition, our third attempt at finding Moonshiner's Arch was a success. It was a nice, short walk with pleasant scenery. The arch was pretty impressive as well.

This will most likely be our last adventure until Thanksgiving. Looking forward to it!

Gauley River National Recreation Area: Lower Gauley Raft Trip

Today we hit the Gauley River in West Virginia, home to the best whitewater rafting in the eastern US. We rafted the lower Gauley with a few class IV and class V rapids. It was a great time. Some really fun whitewater. I had fully expected to fall out of the boat at some point, but it didn't happen. Three whitewater trips this year, zero unintentional swims. Thus concludes the "Summer of Whitewater". Already looking forward to more next summer. Oh well back to school and work. Noelle and I will not have any days off together until Thanksgiving. Man, I can't wait until Thanksgiving in Wisconsin!

New River Gorge National River: Grandview

 Yesterday evening, Noelle and I finally had the chance to spend some time exploring together. We packed up the Civic and headed east into West Virginia. We made it to Ace Adventure Center later than expected due to some road construction, made camp and went to bed. This morning we awoke to beautiful blue skies and warm temperatures. We headed to breakfast at Tudor's Biscuit World, then drove to the Grandview area of New River Gorge to do some hiking.

We hiked the interesting Tunnels Trail,

the Canyon Rim Trail, 

and the Castle Trail,

but were not able to find the Turkey Spur Trail that was marked on my map. It was a great day for a hike. After our time at Grandview, we headed southeast to Sandstone Falls

where we looked at the falls

and did some short hikes. Then it was back to our campsite for a beer, potato salad, and hotdogs.

Walking Tour of Lexington, Kentucky

I was done with class by noon today, and it being the beautiful day that it was, I decided I would take some time to pole around Lexington a little bit. I finally made it to the beautiful Lexington Cemetery which is the final resting place of Henry Clay
and Adolph Rupp amongst others. From there I headed over to the Gratz Park area where I walked around a neighborhood that faintly reminded me of parts of Old City Philadelphia. I took a look at the Paterson Cabin,
the Hunt-Morgan House and the Carnegie Library. Finally I finally visited Thoroughbred Park
which I ride past daily on my bicycle on the way to work. It's a nice little park and the sculptures there are really amazing! (It's too bad the park is an island surrounded by busy roads.)

Pickett State Park: Hidden Passage Loop

Well today I got in my first long hike in a long time. I had planned to hike the Hidden Passage Loop trail which according to my guide book is just over 8 miles long. It was a great hike past arches,

along cliffs, near waterfalls,

and with some nice views. I made two side trips: to Double Falls

and an old railroad tunnel.

It felt so good to be out on the trail again. After my Hidden Passage hike, I got in the car and drove to Cordell Hull State Historic Park near the Tennessee/Kentucky border.

There is a great, short hike to the interesting Bunkum Cave entrance there.

There are also some great artifacts associated with Cordell Hull (Secretary of State under F.D.R.) on display in the museum. A nice out-of-the-way place to visit.

Big South Fork: Hippy Cave and Pickett State Park Arch

Since school started It's been difficult finding the time for adventure (other than the bike ride to school in which I'm almost hit by inattentive motorists daily). With Friday's colloquium session cancelled, I was finally able to get out of Lexington for a little outdoors time. After my science test, I hopped on the ol' Hard Rock and headed home where I packed up and hit the road. I made it to Pickett State Park by 3:00, reserved a campsite, and headed to a spot marked on my map as "Hippy Cave".

Hippy Cave turned out to be not all that exciting,

but at least I was outside in the fresh air,

on one of the most beautiful days of the year.

After Hippy Cave I went back to the campsite. It was still relatively early so I decided I would hike one of the trails that begins near the compground. I chose to hike the Lake Trail. It was a good decision, as I got to see the rumored second natural bridge of Pickett State Park. This one was a true natural bridge with part of a lake underneath. 

After the hike, I made some dinner and did some reading before going to bed.