4-11-06
Start: Kinderhook Rd., IN
Destination: Mile 8 Knobstone Trail
Miles: 20.5
Weather: Sunny - 70s :)
Crushed up pop tarts and oatmeal was our breakfast, and it was pretty darn good! The wonderful lady whose yard we camped in came out, gave us hugs and wished us well. So we were on our way once again.
We started with a lot of road walking, and we got to see an ostrich! I said, "Mom - check out that ostrich! Up in those trees!" She said back after looking up and around, "You're full of it." "No, mom, over there!" Then she saw it. It was in someone's yard fenced in, but when I said 'up in those trees,' she looked up. I was a little "off" today.
We stopped next to a fire hydrant at one of our turns to shed a layer of clothing and have a snack. I got out a bag of jelly beans and spilled them all over the ground. But... trail dirt doesn't hurt... so I picked them up and mom and I ate them as we walked. Just now I thought of something. I dropped them next to a fire hydrant - any dogs around? Gosh, I hope there weren't - yyyechh! Oh well, I guess - they're already consumed.
We stopped along US 31 to eat our extravagant lunch - English muffins with cheese and Fritos. I made some phone calls, and then slathered on some sunscreen. I tied my sleeves up, but I wasn't sure they were even. So I stood up to ask mom. I looked at her and said, "Mom, will you email me?" Yeah - I know - where the heck did that come from? We laughed pretty good at that one.
When we arrived at the Clark State Forest Office, we were excited to jump on the Knobstone Trail for about 12 miles. We filled our water at the office, and a friendly worker gave us a ride back to the trail - we had to walk about a mile to the office. We wanted to register so someone knew we were in the area. After our last State Park visit with the wolves, we're a bit more cautious. After getting dropped off, we had probably 5 miles until we got to the trail. There was this hill... on the road, and it was big. Once we got onto the trail and crossed a state road, there was another hill, and it was big. I think they were the biggest hills in Indiana! I seriously think we saw Louisville, KY from up there! It was exhausting, but the top gave us a cool breeze and gorgeous views. We both checked our pulse after one of the biggest climbs - we were both at about 150 bpm - that's good, right?
We hiked some pretty rugged terrain the rest of the afternoon, and finally just plopped our packs down and said, "Looks good to me." We had a beef-flavored pasta side with beef slices added. It was very salty but good. And mom's almost snoring, and I'm tired, so good night!
And critters of Clark State Forest, you don't want what's inside that little yellow, glowing tent - trust me!
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