Rockwall

It's officially up. The rockwall has been climbable for about a month and a half. Honestly, I have not made a good decision for quite some time. I thoroughly enjoy scrambling around and setting new routes.

Any day now I will be getting my first shipment from "The Gang," the monthly climbing subscription from Detroit Rock Climbing Company. Check back soon for an overview and a review of the new rocks. Also, soon to come: a review of the rocks that I am currently using.

-J

It's hot, I have to get outdoors

Ann Arbor has been cooking. I am talking about nearing triple digits. Kill me now! As much as this kind of weather makes me want to just lay down and nap in the air-conditioning I need to stay in shape. My method of choice is currently mountain biking. Yesterday I braved the nasty weather in order to stave off a major case of the fatties.

Feelings: loving the new fork, lid is keeping my head safe and cool, my hydration pak is in shambles after a nasty run-in with a tree (will definitely need some skilled sewing) all in all it was a good ride.

-J

Go fly a kite

We made an impromptu stop to check out Silver Lake Sand Dunes last weekend. (post coming soon) After hiking for a bit we followed the shore of Silver Lake to the Little Sable Lighthouse. 

When we got there the sky was dappled with kites. Not the kind you get at the dollar store. I am talking about the kind that drag you through the water on a wakeboard! 

I have wanted to get into this sport for a while now but because school eats most of my time and money it is a sport best saved for a few years down the road. That does not mean that I can't lust over the awesomeness of this sport. Water, waves and flying through the air... I am down.

Soon friends, soon,

-J

Morning at Gallup Park

Sunday morning we took a stroll through Gallup Park on the East side of Ann Arbor. Though the Huron River is not much more than a slow-moving oligotrophic lake, the critters and the landscape offered a welcomed reprieve from being in town.

Cumberland Falls

Believe it or not, I leave The Mitten from time to time. I do so reluctantly, but I usually end up enjoying myself. Recently, we took a quick trip south of the Mason-Dixon line. I am talking about Corbin, Kentucky. What a random place hey? The focus of the trip was Cumberland Falls State Park within the Daniel Boone National Forest.

Thanks to Groupon we got a smashing deal on a few nights at the state run lodge that overlooked the Cumberland River. 

The GPS lead us through the flat farmlands of Ohio and the rolling pastures of Kentucky to Corbin Kentucky. From Corbin we followed two-lane roads with very small shoulders upward. We continued upward for miles; miles of climb and turn, climb and turn. Just when it seemed as if we could not climb higher without paying a toll to St. Peter we came upon the Lodge.

The Kentucky Parks Department apparently runs several lodges throughout the state, kind of a cool concept. This particular one is perched atop the mountain with a balcony and restaurant that offer panoramic views of the lower country.

By far the best thing about the lodge was that all of the hiking trails started right out the back door. From there you could access the network of trails that lead to Cumberland Falls and all of its subsidiary trails.

Here are some of the shots of leg one of the hike:

Perfect Section of trail.

Chelsea, acting as a reference point for the grandeur of the rocks.

This bridge leads to the network of trails on the other side of the river, the subject of my next post.