Picture Gallery I’m normally verbose, so I’ll keep this report brief. I started off in the morning by leaving the house at 6am. The drive was beautiful and peaceful; the air was crisp but tolerable; the sky was infinitely blue. Traffic was light as I sped through many of the waiting green lights.  I arrived at Bandy Creek visitor center at about 9:45am. The Ranger…

Section II, Team II, REPORT Sheltowee Trace from Charit Creek Lodge to End of the Divide Rd, 30.5 miles (56.5 miles total YTD)    Every good adventure requires calamity, and this trip was no different. I recently bought a new battery. The shop had installed it, and the car was running fine. So, when I set out for my Big South Fork…

Trip Report: Section 1, Team Two, Sheltowee Trace, Hike from Burnt Mill Bridge to Charit Creek Lodge Parking Area (Approximately 26 miles total).   To start my report, I must preface with this: At the ranger station I bought a sprite from an outdoor vending machine. The soda can was WARMER to touch than the surrounding…

Getting ready to dehydrate some Granny Smith for my big hiking trip next weekend. I should have bought the small ones (they fit in the trays better). Oh well. I’ve been trying to keep dehydrated fruit on hand. I have a hard time eating apple peels in their natural state. I like the dried variety much better.  Thank God…

Big South Fork Trip Report: My awesome wife Kristina paid my way to join a Sheltowee Trace Association (STA) hike this weekend. This was an early birthday present. The price included shuttle fees and permits for camping in the Big South Fork. The hike was excellent, the club members were friendly, and the weather was…

My family and friends tell me they don’t want me to do certain things; things that are potentially dangerous; things that could even get me killed. Hiking alone in the woods certainly has a potential for danger. The most likely culprits being: I could be bitten by a snake, slip and fall from a very high place, trip on…

A fire has been rekindled in me that has been dormant for far too long. Sheltowee Trace fever strikes again! I’m ruminating on a possible week long hike in the coming months. A trail buddy would be a nice bonus. No experience necessary. You must be in reasonably good physical condition (a few extra pounds won’t hurt) and have the willingness to venture far outside of your comfort…

I made a great decision by going camping this weekend. I’m going to chalk this one up as one of the great ones. The weather was moderate and seasonal, and mostly pleasant.   A few highlights: I was able to see the Milky Way in hi-definition Friday night. I nipped on some shine with a local boy who…