Hike to Blackhawk Rock

Monday morning, after taking down the campground and hauling everything back to the house, I asked the pups what they felt like doing for the morning.

Well, they were not helpful at all so I decided we'd take a midday trip to Blackhawk Rock. The sun was bright and glaring but that makes for fun Infrared Photography.

I stop and look at this old tree along the trail every single time I hike the Blackhawk Trail. The tree is an ancient old maple that keeps losing parts.

At one time there was a plaque on it giving it a name and a number.

The trail gets steep once you head up towards the rock outcropping. One of the things I like to warn folks about is that the trail is narrow, steep, and full of poison ivy on both sides of the trail with plants that are as tall as my hip.

I always wear long pants while hiking through there and am careful not to crush any leaves as I go through.

Then you step into an opening of the forest and look up.

The feeling of just looking up at it, is a bit overwhelming. There is a legend that says that Blackhawk the chief of the Sauk tribe rode his horse to the top of the rock. 
The soldiers thought they had him captured, but he and his horse leapt from the rock and escaped.

That didn't happen, but it is a cool legend. 

I purchased a book on the Blackhawk War for my grandson as a gift. It is a pretty interesting book.

Our county has quite a few Historical Markers that a person can follow to read about the travels of the tribe and Blackhawk.

The post office of our town has a mural of Blackhawk. 

When we got to the top of the rock, Hannah slowly walked to the edge with Charlie and then backed quickly away. She didn't go near the edge again while we were there. Charlie took a nap in the sun while we simply enjoyed the view.

The edge of the rock is the same rock as seen from below. Yes, you can look down if you are brave. I usually kneel and then lay down to look.

I wanted to say that this was Hannah's reaction to the top of the rock...it wasn't, she was yawning when I took the shot. 

It was a nice day so we decided to do the whole loop which ended up being 4.99 miles according to the GPS thingy.

Hannah has made great strides in her leash work. We did run into a large group of horseback riders. Hannah was sure they were marauders of some sort. I think that the more often we encounter others on the trails, the less barking she will do. 

Once they passed, she ignored them. But she is part terrier and everything needs to be barked at when she first is surprised by it.

Both dogs were tired and slept on the drive home.

I'm pleased that Hannah and Charlie are doing well with hiking together now on leashes the double leash works but I didn't want two dogs pulling me around on the very difficult climb to the top of the rock.

We have continued our early morning 15 minute workout on a line learning to heel and sit when I stop walking. She is doing the sit now most of the time in the proper spot without me telling her and repositioning her now.

Charlie watches from the house. He believes that he is the overlord of the house and will refuse to join in our foolishness.

 

Another Hike

 Life is Movement and a dirty car.

In most sections of this trail, I was the only one making human tracks.

The weather broke with sunny skies and tufts of brilliant white clouds. As much as I hated to, I left Charlie at home for a day of rest and headed out to my favorite close to home 'haunt' at the Reserve. I thought I'd try a different combination of trails that would add up to a 7 miler.

Though towards the end I skipped one section as the snow was deeper on that trail and no human or animal had yet walked it.

I opted for the short cut and ended up with 6.33 miles [according to Garmin]. The snow was not hard and not compacted. It felt like walking in sand. Also, our snow is only about 2 to 3 inches deep in most places but in drifted spots it was knee deep.

Part of the trail did involve walking on the road for a bit. 

Bridge 14 over the
Kickapoo River

During all the summer months, this backroad is full of tourist traffic and loud motorcycles  on their way to one of the state parks or to the biker/hiker/canoer bar that is located on the edge of the Reserve [Rockton Bar]. 30 years ago it was mainly canoers and equine riders that went to the bar-restaurant. They DO serve awesome food.

On my walk through this time, I didn't see a single vehicle. Maybe that is why I like winter hiking so much.

I didn't freeze on this hike. In fact I had to stop at one point and take my sweatshirt off and tie it around my waist. I got that warm by late in the afternoon.

The only other person I saw on my wanderings was Jesse the cop/land manager who was grooming the cross country ski trail [bike trail in the summer]. We waved.

I did have a few successful 'Landscape ICM' photos.

On a whim I did these. To me they are just interesting, I wanted them to feel like paintings.

The pines

Windblown

Lone oak

Colors & Mojo

Fall is an amazing colorful time to be out and about if the weather is good. Through the fall, the sunrise decorates my eating area with unbelievable colors. I can't help but look at it in wonder.

Charlie and I took a drive to the Kickapoo Valley Reserve for a nice quiet afternoon walk. Note to self. Sunday afternoons are the busy times at the Reserve. 

However, there are enough trails that one can find a peaceful one to trek and not be bothered by others. On the main path, we encountered a lot of dog walkers, bicyclists, and a few horses. We kept to ourselves and found the trailhead to the Blackhawk Trail.

As expected, we didn't see anyone when we got on this trail.

Charlie got hot walking on the mowed path with no breeze, so I gave him a lift up and he enjoyed sniffing the air while I did the walking.

I really didn't pick the right time of day to go on this trail, but I felt the need to get out and get some fresh air after cleaning in the spare room most of the morning. I was making headway, but got stuck in a decision on how to pack things up or toss them out.

A hike would change my focus and then I could get back to the issue.

I've taken so many shots of this trail over the years I've hiked it, yet each time it seems new and refreshing to me. I didn't hike it hard as I had all the time I wanted. I could walk and pause when I saw something interesting.

With the winds we'd had a couple of weeks ago, so many trees have already lost their leaves. But deep in the forest I found a beautiful canopy of maples and other trees. The colors were just beginning to pop and glow.

Count me lucky. I found some glorious colors.

 

With the past two days being rainy and cold, I finished a purge and clean project. 

I identified the medals and ribbons on Rich's uniform and put the uniforms back in the bag so I can explain them to his grandchildren and even perhaps his daughter if she'd want to hear it. She might be impressed, though her father never talked about it.

I finished the table project and have given it a place of honor. Right away, I decided to use it for a fall Still Life.

I then couldn't help but set up another spot. This one is a planter, but I love the face on it. I use it mostly as a vase when I can.

This is the first time in ... a very long time that I've actually worked on something like Still Life or even Lego Photography. 

It felt good to goof off a bit. 

That table hosts my haunted mansion right at the moment. The Vampire Lady says, "Come on in, all are welcome!"

This is the first time in a long time that I've felt like having a bit of creative fun. I was afraid it had left me for good, but phew, there it is.

I'd like to ...

Go hiking with you sometime she said...

Generally coordinating schedules for my hiking is nearly impossible as I often just take off on a whim and don't 'schedule' a hike.

I thought I'd give it a try. Deb is recently retired and we've talked a lot at the gym all summer long. She is about my age and is a very active person. 

We settled on a date and a spot to meet. I chose the Blackhawk Rock trail as it is a good first hike to see the multitude of wonderful things at the Reserve.

We found interesting things alongside and in the trails we took. At one point we were confronted with a long part of the trail that was covered in about 4 inches of water. I assume that the creek that flowed nearby had made its way over the trail. I offered Deb the choice of going on through and getting our feet wet or turning around.

It was a warm day and she said she didn't care. I led the way splashing like a kid through 30 feet of ankle deep water. I was loving it. 

We made it to the bluff top after very careful trekking on the trail that led up to it. The dry ground that was covered in leaves made it slippery. Not to mention the tree roots and rocks that hid under the leaves.

It is fun meeting new people and taking a walk/hike with them. It is a great way to learn about their stories and their lives. 

By the time we got back to my loaner car [mine was in the shop having the concrete debacle fixed!] Deb was all smiles and said that this had made her day.

Looks like there'll be some more hiking with her in the future.

When I got to the gym and worked out the next day, my little friend Gracie asked when she could go with me! She just turned 10. Well, why not? Company is generally good and fun.

Though often, on some hikes, I prefer to go alone so I can stop and wonder at things and not have to explain anything. Just me...and the forest.

Maybe one day I'll grow up to be a Wood Elf?

[Apparently, my nick name that others call me at the gym is The Elf, how fun is that?]

[All photos taken with my cell phone. Deb said that was her goal, to hike and take beautiful photos with her cell phone and so I decided to try it myself!]