Back In The Saddle

It's been quite a long time since I blogged! We've been quite busy, but I was told by a loving family member that he missed my blog, so here it goes! Much catching up to do! I will not start from where we left off. I can't remember what I did yesterday, let alone almost a year ago! So for your sake and mine, I will start with our second camping trip of the 2010 season to Clifty Falls State Park.

Don't ever let someone tell me that I'm not adventurous. We do try and stick to the rules as well as be adventurous. This trip I was adventurous, BUT the rules I did not follow, and therefor, well, I'm sorry, but I'm not. You see, I want our children to experience things, and if sometimes that means getting off the path, and stepping out of their comfort zone (and mine), then so be it. BUT, I'm still a stickler for rules and here is why.

Our second, as well as our first trip of the season was to one of our favorite parks. We love Clifty Falls because of the trail that runs through the creek. This weekend happened to be a wet one from heavy rains and melting snow. This made Clifty creek quite high and fast and not easy to hike. So we decided to make our own trail. State Park rules state that you must stay on designated trails to keep safe and also to not hurt the forest floor. Some people had already worn a path along the creek so we decided to follow it. This leads us to one of many obstacles. We came to a large downed tree that had obviously been crossed many times. This was our only way over the creek. About 5 feet below us were rapids with about a depth of 4-6 feet, lots of rocks and VERY cold water. We hesitated. Then we decided, hey what the heck! My only request was that we cross on our butts and slide over. Great! We crossed, the kids squealed with delight and I panicked, but all worked out well. We walked for a little while longer until we came to another downed tree. This one was easily crossed on foot. Well, not for me. I have no balance and was experiencing a sinus infection at the time so my sense of balance was WAY off. I scooted across on my bum. This tree was covered in moss and had bark so needless to say, I was dirty afterward!

By this time we should have come to a designated trail, but no trail was insight. At least not at eye level. As I looked up, I saw people above us walking. "look, there is the trail!" So it was either hike up the hill to the trail or back track 2 hours and risk falling in the creek again. Tony and I decided we would hike up the hill, not find a cross to the trail or back track. Okay, I said, it can't be that far up to that trail. Um, no, not okay! All those shows I watched of Surviorman, did not prepare me for this, a 40 degree slope, slippery with mud and wet leaves and nothing to grab onto! The girls had no issues, but I weigh A LOT more than they do! Now Tony usually has a back pack with ropes and carabiners and such with him, but we decided we would not need it today. HA! Now is the perfect time for this!

So up we climbed. I would slip and slide, mud all over my shoes and hands and jeans. 1 step up slide 2 steps back! As we reached a small landing, we paused, then began our second assent. This one was slightly easier with more trees and saplings to grab onto.

After all this we assessed our situation and figured we climbed over 300 feet, at a 40-45 degree angle. AND we had no idea how long this trail was back to our car! Good Times!Here is a picture, from the trail, of the first log we crossed! This log had a good 2-3 foot diameter span, so this picture do not do it justice!

Here we are afterwards! Exhausted! Tony, ever the clever one!


Here are the rest of the pictures in slide show format. On to the next adventure!