We currently enjoy envisioning ourselves gallivanting up and down Andean mountains during our Inca Trail hike with no shortness of breath (or blisters, muscle spasms, or heart attacks).
But we have in truth no realisitic basis for that vision. So Rehana (preparing for her own African trekking adventure) suggested we spend a day in Kentucky undertaking a "real" hike, meaning one of at least several miles over mildly rocky terrain.
The drive to Red River Gorge was more than adequately picturesque - rolling hills of farms and stands of trees, old wood-slat barns with peeling paint and grazing horses, country cemeteries at the end of country roads (meaning two parallel wheel ruts). And the park itself, strewn over mountain foothills, was all bird songs, promising trail heads, and thick leafy foliage filtering the sunlight.
But when we got to the ranger station deep within the forest, the kindly (male) rangers looked us up and down as we queried what the best trails were, and suggested we take the driving tour instead. I'd like to think this is the suggestion they give all visitors with just a few hours in the park, but I fear it might have more to do with my giant purse and sunglasses and Jeff's query about where to get a good lunch.
We tried a couple of the driving-tour vistas and had lunch at the only realistic option "around those parts": a full-service gas station that served subs, sandwiches, fried chicken, pizza, and - most importantly - corn dogs. Finally ready to start a "real" hike, we promptly picked the wrong trail head and ran out of path after about 10 minutes.
So after 30 minutes of scrambling down the limestone outcroppings and knobbly roots of the right trail (total distance: approx. 0.3 miles), we took some pictures and headed back to Berea.
It was a windy day, however, so at least we got some fresh air.
But we have in truth no realisitic basis for that vision. So Rehana (preparing for her own African trekking adventure) suggested we spend a day in Kentucky undertaking a "real" hike, meaning one of at least several miles over mildly rocky terrain.
The drive to Red River Gorge was more than adequately picturesque - rolling hills of farms and stands of trees, old wood-slat barns with peeling paint and grazing horses, country cemeteries at the end of country roads (meaning two parallel wheel ruts). And the park itself, strewn over mountain foothills, was all bird songs, promising trail heads, and thick leafy foliage filtering the sunlight.
But when we got to the ranger station deep within the forest, the kindly (male) rangers looked us up and down as we queried what the best trails were, and suggested we take the driving tour instead. I'd like to think this is the suggestion they give all visitors with just a few hours in the park, but I fear it might have more to do with my giant purse and sunglasses and Jeff's query about where to get a good lunch.
We tried a couple of the driving-tour vistas and had lunch at the only realistic option "around those parts": a full-service gas station that served subs, sandwiches, fried chicken, pizza, and - most importantly - corn dogs. Finally ready to start a "real" hike, we promptly picked the wrong trail head and ran out of path after about 10 minutes.
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| Pretending to scramble over limestone outcroppings. |
It was a windy day, however, so at least we got some fresh air.
I was simply wondering if there were any good mezze restaurants along the trail. It's a perfectly normal question.
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