Clark Trail: April 22, 2014

 Near the end of the trail, I came across a giant True Detective pyramid!

 Finally, a dogwood has bloomed.

 The foliage is really coming out. Last weekend, the woods were still kind of bare.

 Tree formations caused from last Spring's storm damage.

 Red bud at the bridge. You know you've almost finished the trail here.

Likewise, you've almost finished the trail here.  I did 5.3 miles in about two hours tonight. Perfect weather, between 65 and 70 degrees. Sunny and little tree cover; I was wearing my wide-brimmed straw hat. Peaceful and stress relieving.

April 19, 2014: Chubb and Lime Kiln

Didn't get on the proper highway for Lewis and Clark this morning--opted for Chubb which is only about twenty minutes away, but unfortunately for me, there was a trail runners' race.  I should have known, with all the cars, but nothing was posted, so I attempted to hike.  It would have  been a peaceful, cool morning under the trees--had I not had to step to the side every three minutes. When I got to the campground spur, I hike back down and drove to Rockwood. I realize I should probably hike Rockwood exclusively for a bit--as it is the only only hikers' trail (besides Lewis and Clark) in the vicinity. And since Blue is too old to hike anymore, and Rockwood allows no pets, it's perfect for now.

 Redbuds in bloom. Promise of things to come.Talked to Pat and Lynnie on my cell phone for awhile, climbing a hill.

 This bench looked cozy for a little journaling, but the horse flies surrounded me and prevented me from settling in, so I kept moving.

 This stream means you have almost completed the three mile trail.

The Lime Kiln from another angle. Perfect 73 degree day.

Greensfelder, Dogwood Trail, April 18, 2014

 This is the trail icon for The Dogwood Trail, just 2.8 miles long. It took me about an hour on a sunny, 73 degree Spring Day. Good Friday, actually. Not many dogwood blooms, some redbuds, a horseback rider, a few bicyclists--the park was crowded. Wore my big brimmed hat with sun screen and nary a ray touched my face.

Lewis and Clark on April Fool's, 2014

Stopped on a whim after school to hike Lewis and Clark.  Hadn't been there since last June, right after the tornadoes hit and the trail was impassable.  Noticed daffodils coming up by the pond; this must have been the site of another homestead that has all but disappeared.The temperature was around 60 degrees and I was warm in Nelson's old Ireland sweater.  The sun would come out, then it would rain and by the end the sun was kind of peaking out again.  I looked up the time of sunset--7:42--plenty of time before dark. Made me feel hopeful. I was wearing my giant brimmed straw hat-not a hiking hat--to protect my face from the sun and as it turned out, the hat kept me very dry, too, even at the end of the hike when the rain picked up and the trail started to get a little muddy.

Debris from last year's tornadoes. Cut from the path but not removed.

Coming upon the river vista, a broken tree and eerie sky. 

The last mile or two of the trail--more burned trees and limbs.  Eerie but exciting. Hiked the trail in abuot 2 hours and 15 minutes: 3:30 or so to 5:45. Talked with Pat on the phone at the end. Stepped gingerly and slowed down when the trail became muddy. (Earlier, in the school parking lot, it had actually hailed as I walked to my car in the sunshine.) There were two or three joggers; a backpacker hiking the trail backwards who'd also seen the hail, a woman walking alone, and a couple. The last two were at the trail's entrance. I panted going up the hills, but didn't feel short of breath or anything. Couldn't believe how good this hike made me feel.