Here are some recent trip reports submitted by our members.
Cumberland Island National Seashore, March 5-13, 2010
Participants including leaders: 8
Our Cumberland Island adventure began Friday, March 5 arriving at the home of Patti around 2:30pm. This was our designated meeting spot with the club van. After loading all our gear in the van, one last bathroom break and positioning the car in the drive, we were off.
Of the eight members on the trip, four would share the driving duties for the two day 15 hour drive time on the way down and back. After a short stop around 9pm that evening in Murphysboro, TN, we arrived after driving 7 hours at Lookout Mountain, TN for the night in a motel. A short nights sleep, shower, and breakfast, it was back on the road again.
At Stone Mountain we would take the Sky ride to the top of this 1686 foot granite dome for some breathtaking views of Atlanta and surrounding areas. Hiking back down on the west side of the Mountain was a steep and longer trip than we thought it would be as we all made our way back to the club van.
It was now time to head to the KOA Kingsland for our last night on the mainland before going to the Island. It was a very cold night down around freezing but the sendoff we gave our selves with a warm campfire and a few brews, which kept us all in good spirits that night. We even took a few photos of this event but dont know if they will ever be published.
The next morning after awaking, we had a very good breakfast of burritos before splitting up all the camp food and gear. We loaded he remaining food and gear in the van that would stay behind before heading to the Cumberland Island Seashore Visitors Center. Here we would get our ferry tickets for the 45 minute trip to the island. After stowing all our gear in a big pile at the bow, we found seats outside on the starboard side to be in the sun during the trip. It was still a chilly ride over as the seagulls chased the little vessel in hopes of some food.
When we docked at the island, it was a mad dash for our gear and the Ranger Station for instructions on our sea campsite. We got a very nice size site, which was under the cover of the maritime forest shelter of trees and moss.
The first day we were on the island we hiked to the south where the Dungeness ruins were and saw some turkeys, wild horses, armadillos and a cemetery. It was just enough to wet our appetites for what would come in the backcountry.
This would be the last night that we would have a campfire on the island due to restrictions in the backcountry. We made the best of it though with the wood brought from the ferry. We sat and talked for a while as the fire kept us warm before hitting the sack.
The next morning we made the discovery that we had left the cooking oil in the van. Oops, well we would just have to improvise, which we did by scouting for hikers who were leaving that day. We did manage to pick up a few things but not much of what we needed.
We also started out on the 10 mile hike up the beach to our next campsite, Brickhill Bluff, in the backcountry. After hours of hiking, we reached our destination around mid afternoon and staked out our spots. We were close by to the water pump but this water needed to be treated, even though you felt like taking a cool sip just like the old days at grandmas house.
The sunsets at our campsite were something that post cards are made of, and the wildlife around us kept us all at awe of the beauty of this island. Here we would see dolphins, migratory waterfowl, and raccoons, just to name a few, that kept us searching for more.
Our next day, we hiked south from the campsite to the Plum Orchard Mansion. Only seven of the group would make this down and back 8-mile trek. Paul decided to stay behind and rest his sore heel so he could continue with us the following day.
The Mansion was beautiful though we could only peek through the windows at some of the huge rooms. We also took in the sights of many different types of birds in the area along with a few sunning gators. Upon our return to camp, we had the pleasure of a couple of wild horses who passed through close by on the way down to the beach.
Our next jaunt would take us to the north end of the island where there is an old African Baptist Village and church. As we approached the village trying to catch a glimpse of the church where JFK Jr. was married, we almost forgot where we were. However, it didnt take long for the eastern diamondback rattler to make us all take a few steps back in reality as we stirred him from his sunning in the middle of the path. I do think it was an experience that none of us will soon forget for years to come, right Anthony?
The next would be the last day for us on this beautiful island as the clouds opened and the rain began to pour down. By all weather reports at the ranger station it looked like it had set in for a few days. We had accomplished all we wanted to do and see, and there was just no sense in sitting in wet tents for the next day so we decided to catch the next ferry off the island.
We arrived back at the visitors center in St. Marys and promptly searched for some food and drink nearby . Having had nothing to eat that day we all wanted to get our bellies full of some warm food and cold drink.
After dinner we headed out to find a motel in Kingsland for the night before the final leg home the next day. After everyone was showered and rested, a few of us went out searching for a store to get some refreshments. We gathered back in the motel in the breakfast area and celebrated the trip with some spirits and talk lasting late into the night before returning home the next day.
A few of the highlights written down about the trip were, cold temps, the 10 mile limp there and again back, everybody snores, hiking with new friends, majestic live oaks draped in moss, beautiful sunsets, three days of beautiful weather, Ranger Rick, armadillos, and Dougs eastern diamondback rattler, SNAKE!!
I hope this trip was as enjoyable for all of you as it was for me to co-lead. Thanks John for all the help on my first big trip showing me the ropes. I learned a lot by having your experience as my teacher.
I look forward to our next adventure and hope you do too. Now where did I put that remote?
Submitted by Joni Moore
Red River Gorge, April 29 to May 2, 2010
Participants including leaders: 7
This year we leveraged several advantages for an action-packed adventure. 1. We had an extra day; 2. Ron was extremely familiar with the area and recommended some spectacular explorations; 3. Alex and Bernie had cool maps with obscure trails marked; and 4. The group was up and on the road by 8:30am daily.
Friday we hiked out to Rock Bridge and along Swift Camp Creek to Turtleback Arch. There was a little difficulty finding the trail, so we didnt exactly see the arch, but we are pretty sure Alex made the summit up the old boys back. Then we drove over to Natural Bridge State Park and hiked up from Hemlock Lodge. Several members of the group rode the sky lift down and up to take in the views off the backside of the ridge. We descended Needles Eye Staircase to complete a loop. George proved to be the ultimate ultra-light hiker with his innovative and recyclable daypack. It was a warm sunny day and after supper the mosquitoes were out in force. Jim provided a nice campfire and we enjoyed some of Tims sore muscle tonic.
Saturday rain was eminent and the group elected to leave the tents in camp and forego the traditional campsite near Indian Staircase. We hiked out to Chimney Top Rock and around to Princess Arch. Next we hiked out to Sky Bridge Arch then drove over to the Gladie Nature Center where we enjoyed lunch on the patio.
We hiked up the Bison Way and Sheltowee trails to the ridge west of the Staircase. The ephemerals were both plentiful and beautiful. The area that was burned last year is already showing signs of recovery. We opted for an obscure trail down from the ridge that tested our physical fitness and teamwork skills; but it completed a loop, gave birth to the Alex Waiver and had everyone repeating after Melissa, I got it! I got it!
Next we hiked out to a fun little suspension bridge over Red River on the Sheltowee trail and of course had to drive through the Nada tunnel. We arrived in camp just as the daylong irritating drizzle turned into a constant gentle rain. We dined under the fly and retired early.
Sunday the rain held off long enough for us to have breakfast and break camp. We hiked through a drizzle to Grays Arch, and then elected to complete a loop by taking the Rough and Rush Ridge trails back. About the time we reached the ridge-top, the skies opened up and the trail turned into a swift moving creek. We trust the views were magnificent if we could have seen them. We wrung ourselves out, clambered into the van and headed home. We endured some traffic delays and arrived in Columbus around 5pm.
Submitted by Melissa Calahan
D.C. Urban Adventure, May 27-31, 2010
Participants including leaders: 6
After a scenic drive through the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, ad Virginia, we arrived at Falls Church, Virginia, on the outskirts of Washington, D.C. The scenery quickly falls behind us, and suddenly we find ourselves trying to navigate in big city traffic with directions that dont make sense. Luckily, Jeff's first rate city driving skills, a few white knuckle lane changes, Jim's GPS app. and a lot of good luck got us through the fast paced mass confusion that is the greater D.C. highway system. No one is quite sure how we actually got to the hotel but it doesnt matter because we are there! Exhausted, we retire to our luxury 4-star campsite (otherwise known as the Marriott Towne Place Suites).
Friday morning we head for the East Falls Church Metro station. Luckily Jim's phone app. once again helped us get there or we might still be driving in circles. We get our subway tickets and board the orange line to New Carrolton. Those of us new to D.C. are impressed by how easy the subway system is. We have no trouble figuring out which train to take. Everyone has a different agenda so we split up for the day. Most of us head for various museums, including the Natural History, Air and Space, and American History. Jeff and Judy see the Star Spangled Banner Flag, which they had seen some years ago while it was being restored. Jim and George spend time at the Air and Space and Natural History museums and a jazz concert. Mark and Nicole spend most of the day in the Natural History museum and walk by the Washington Monument and the White House. Seven hours later we regroup back at the Metro station. Its dinnertime and Mark and Nicole have a craving for Vietnamese Pho (beef noodle soup), and the rest of the group bravely takes up the challenge of trying a new cuisine. We discover a shopping center with a dozen different Vietnamese restaurants and decide the Viet Royale is our best bet since it seems to have the most local customers. Vietnamese food is a new experience for most of us so it takes a little while to figure out what we want but luckily the waitress is patient and friendly. Some of us get the Pho and others try the Viet rice bowl. We even try the dessert course, something that tastes like pea soup and coconut milt (tastes better than it soundsreally). Definitely different but a great cultural experience! After dinner, we stick with our extra-cultural theme and visit a Middle Eastern grocery store. Its a somewhat less comfortable atmosphere than the Vietnamese restaurant but we enjoy looking at the different types of foods they sell.
Saturday morning we have reservations to tour the Capitol Building. We head for the Metro (managing to get there without Jim's phone app. this time), jump on the Orange line again, and head to the Capital station. Before we can get into the Capitol, we run into the granola bar police. We grabbed some granola bars before we left the hotel but there is no getting them past the very stern looking security guard at the Capitol Visitor's Center entrance whose sole job is to make sure no outside food or drinks get in. And he does not find Jeffs attempt to squirrel them under a bush quite as amusing as we do. So, minus our granola bars, but thankfully not headed for the federal pen., we get in and pick up our passes. Our tour guide (Tom?) is fantastic (and thankfully not wearing pink flip flopsright Jim?) We tour the rotunda, statuary hall, small senate rotunda and old senate chamber, including the "whispering room." The tour guide is very charismatic and knowledgeable and is really able to bring to life the historical significance of the Capitol as well as its beautiful architecture, paintings and statues. For many of us, this is a highlight of the trip.
After the Capitol, we stop at Union Station for lunch and then take a train to the opposite end of the mall. We stop at Fords Theatre and see the box where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. The tour guides presentation is very informative, a detailed account of the events leading up to the assassination and what happened during and after. We all feel like we learned something. From there we walk to the White House and then the east end of the mall and see the World War II, Lincoln, Vietnam and Korean War Memorials. The Vietnam and Korean Memorials are particularly moving, especially on Memorial Day weekend when so many veterans are there paying tribute to their fallen comrades. We hope to see the Jefferson memorial but by the time we make it back around to the WWII Memorial our feet are giving out and it seems much farther away. We end the day with dinner at a conveniently located McDonalds and a free movie, Heart of the Sea: Kapalioka'ehukai, which "recounts the life of championship Hawaiian surfer and cancer survivor Rell Kapolioka'ehukai," at the Museum of the American Indian.
Sunday morning we drive into Alexandria (thanks to Jim's phone app. once again), rent bikes, and ride nine miles to the Mount Vernon Estate. The temperature is 88 degrees and the bikes weigh about 150 lbs. so we probably lose some weight in the process ...all in sweat. Luckily the trail is paved and has shady places to rest and even water fountains. We spend a couple of hours touring the estate and gardens as well as the two very nice museums. On the bike ride back to Alexandria, the temperature is slightly cooler and the trail mostly downhill (or at least feels that way). Its still plenty warm though and by the time we get back everyone has ice cream on their minds so we dip into the local place recommend by the bike shop employees. We rest up back at the hotel and decide to hit the Vietnamese restaurant for dinner again. One can only imagine what they are thinking when those six crazy tourists show up at the door again! All joking aside, the food and service are once again fantastic12 thumbs up.
Before we know it, its time to head back to Indy. There is still so much we did not see ...perhaps there will be another trip in the future. While not a typical type of CIWC trip, the 2010 D.C. trip was an adventure none-the-less and a lot of fun. Thanks to everyone who participated in this wonderful urban adventure!