Meanwhile... a hike with Aurora!

 There it was, our annual date for our fall walk at KVR! Last year we did our fall hike at Wildcat Mtn State Park. 

Last year, our hike was in mid November. 

This year we were back at the Reserve. I was hoping to find brilliant and beautiful fall scenery, but depending on the type of trees, the colors were mostly gone. However that doesn't take away from the beauty of hiking with a friend and just having a nice conversation as we went.

A few shots of the trail on Big Valley. 

A section of Maples....

Poplars and birch, I think. 

Looking down on Big Valley from a high point
on the trail. The colors are muted but
still there.

Looking back through the trees...
I used an Orton Effect on this shot.
In my head I wanted this to have a warm fuzzy Autumn
feeling...

And...of course, I had to play a bit on the trail...

Mini-me and Charlie spot Big Foot!!!! How exciting!

After we finished off Big Valley, we headed over to the 9-10 trail which runs along the Kickapoo River. I wished that the trail to the little out of the way lookout had an easier access, I wanted to get Aurora up on the bluff by the pine tree I like so much.

But the thorny Prickly Ash barred the way. If you don't know Prickly Ash, it will tear at clothes if you are not wearing tough clothing like Carhartt.

I get to this spot each spring if possible because of all the bluebell flowers along with the hepatica...not to mention the skunk cabbage and rock formations. [ 9-10 trail in the spring ]

Last spring the same view...sort of... the spot I go to is on top of that bluff pictured there. The view down on the river is beyond stunning. Alas...not this day!

I sure had a whirlwind-ish week. 

But our hike was such so fun!

Forest Bathing

Well I've been back at the hiking trails with great enthusiasm. Of course my buddy Bill asked if we could hike together after he has taken a year off from hiking.
He needed to get some health issues taken care of that he had been trying to ignore. But one needs to breath in order to continue to exercise like he wishes to do. 

We hiked a nice easy trail called Big Valley. It goes from Highway 131 to Big Valley Road and is 2.5 miles long. The trail is pretty well maintained and has very gentle hills. It was warm and muggy when we started out with misty wet stuff coming down, but we went anyway.

We walked and talked. It was nice to catch up on things with Bill. We didn't solve the world's problems, but we just enjoyed the trail and the conversation.

The skies stayed gloomy and overcast and we actually hoped for some rainfall that didn't happen other than a light mist. The colors are changing and the grasses are drying up quickly in this drought.

We talked about the predictions for winter. Would we get a lot of snow and cold? I'd be okay with that.

At the end of the Big Valley Trail, we walked across the road to the trail head for Hoot Owl Trail and admired the rocks and amazing trees.

We stood for a bit and just admired the wonders of the area we live in.

This is the kind of activity that refreshes me and keeps me sane. 

Forest Bathing [National Geographic Article on it]or Shinrin-Yoku is a thing. Did you know that? I didn't. You can even book a session with someone to experience Forest Bathing or Forest Immersion Therapy.
A person can become a certified Forest Therapy Guide. Did you know that? Nope. I didn't either. 

Um.
Thank you, I'll just hike with a pal or Charlie.

I always feel calm and relaxed after a walk in the woods. 

Bite-y dogs and KVR Trail Challenge

 Charlie and I at the Trail marker for Big Valley Trail head on Big Valley Road.

Courtesy of Bill L.

My hiking pal...Mr. Bill texted me with a weather report for this coming week. He asked if we could find a time on Monday for our weekly hike since the rest of the week would definitely not be good for adventures.

So I made arrangements to grocery-get at 7AM, handled hubby's virtual doctor appointment, set up his lunch and off we went.

It was a point to point hike. I parked at the Bridge 10 lot and he parked his truck on the gravel road access to Big Valley. We saw two ladies with a little dog on a leash ahead of us. From April 15th through July 15th all dogs have to be leashed otherwise there is no leash requirement. Charlie was wearing his electric collar as usual and I carried his leash.

Here's Bill inspecting some of the clean up on the trail after this winter's straight winds.

In the summer, this trail is heavily shaded by oaks, maples, and pines. We were able to see some incredible rock formations along the way. I didn't get photos of them. 

Remember the little dog? Well, the ladies let him off leash and when I saw them coming I reached down to hook up Charlie. Next thing I know there was a blur of the little wire haired terrier running right up to Charlie. They sniffed and immediately the other dog bit Charlie.

Charlie squealed bloody murder and the little shit tried to bite Charlie's butt as he scooted between my legs.

Mr. Bill pushed the little shit away with his boot while I scooped Charlie up. I didn't get bit, but the dog kept jumping on me trying to get at Charlie.

The two ladies walked up and one said as she passed us: "He likes humans but he really dislikes other dogs." She kept walking and the dog left with them.

Mr. Bill and I looked at each other: Dumbstruck.

So quick. I never saw it coming. So much for my pepper spray idea, right?

Really? Not even a 'Sorry, is your dog alright?' 

Charlie recovered quickly, obviously not very distressed and probably none the worse for wear. We humans were much more upset.

We enjoyed the amazing scenery and the rock formations that are generally hidden by leaves and underbrush. Both of us discussed climbing up to explore the rock shelters, but we had a time frame to adhere to. Bill had to be home when his grands get off the school bus and I have my own schedule to keep.

And you know it...guess who joined us?

He enjoys Squatching along just like anyone else!

Nearing the end of the trail.

We parted our ways and I set Charlie in his crate. He turned around 3 times and then fell promptly asleep.

Trail section #49 can be marked off. Onward!
Here's to no more bite-y dogs. I'll just pick him up if I spot another dog.

Most other dog owners are super polite and ask if it is okay for their dog to approach yours. I won't let one bad dog owner ruin it for us.

Big Big Valley

It really is just called Big Valley Trail. Probably because the trail head starts out on a dead end road called Big Valley. 

[ Charlie had opted out of this hike as we'd gone walking the day before on the gravel road and I suspect that his feet were still tender. When I walked with him to the car he simply sat and stared at me. He wouldn't move even with a nudge from my hand. When I asked "House?" He ran to the porch. ]

 

The parking is just on the side of the road next to Warner Creek.

Cross the bridge and there are two choices. Big Valley or Hoot Owl Trail. Hoot Owl goes to the right or east and Big Valley heads west. I took Hoot Owl last year with Bill and decided to explore Big Valley.

Since I had no partner with a vehicle I had to hike to the end of Big Valley at 131 and then walk back on County P creating a loop. 

What to say about this trail other than the bugs again were ferocious most of the time. I was able to tolerate them by using the headnet and not stopping taking any breaks.

I wanted to see exactly how fast I could hike this trail. 

The KVR Trail Challenge paperwork says that this Segment 49 is 2.24 miles one way. 

It is the longest segment except for a newer trail called the Wiester Creek Hiking Trail (Loop), segment 32 that is 5 miles. 

I thought a 'Trail Selfie' was in order, so here it is. 

I did not take more than this shot because stopping in this area was an invitation for a Skeeter Feast.

The trail winds through old forest canopies. This portion was full of pines.

This section was full of ancient oak trees. 

I kept hearing 'things' in the woods. Not scary noises but like someone was throwing stuff around.

I had to laugh when I realized it was acorns falling from the oaks.

When I finally got to an area where the bugs weren't so bad, I actually began to enjoy my hike and my mind wandered a bit.

This was a great hiking trail for a few reasons. It wasn't so hard that the average hiker or weekend warrior couldn't do it. It wasn't rough, it had gentle ups and downs. In two areas it did cross a couple of open fields high on a ridge for nice views.

I saw some equine tracks but almost no boot/footprints. This must not be that popular with other hikers given that it isn't a 'loop'. I saw only one tire track and wondered why, this would make a decent mountain bike ride for most people. 

Perhaps this trail is more popular on the weekends. I rarely hike on the weekends and if I do, I go as early as possible.

This would be a great trail in the winter. Winter hiking allows a person to see through the forest and discover all the hidden rock formations and see the curves of the land that are hidden by underbrush in the summer.

And I repeat. No bugs. No bugs. No bugs.

I was very surprised to find that I'd only taken an hour and 4 minutes to reach the end of the trail on Highway 131. 

I stopped at Bridge 10 for a few minutes to visit Bareass Beach [no, it is not a nudist beach] and to admire the Kickapoo River while I ate a snack.

The sunlight and shadows were so harsh that I didn't even bother trying to photograph the river and bluffs with my pocket camera. 

It came out well with the pocket IR camera though.

I took a long drink of water and turned down County P to hike back to where I'd parked.

I probably did a bit more daydreaming while I walked the road because the surface was even and I didn't have to watch out for roots and rocks. 

What surprised me was how scenic the walk along the county road was. I'd walked a small part of it years ago with Morris but had never done the walk from the Highway to Big Valley.

Cool gnarly tree roots. The trees that cling to the rocks amaze me.

Warner Creek

......

And back to where I parked. 

I liked hiking Big Valley Trail mostly because I was forced to hike along the road which I wouldn't have normally done.

A big win for me. 

have you ever wandered lonely through the wood?

and everything feels as it should

you're a part of life there, part of something good

if you've ever wandered lonely through the woods

~Brandi  Carlile
Have You Ever