Paddling Big Darby Creek - November 2010

Big Darby Creek within Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
Southwest Franklin County, Ohio (just outside Columbus)

Temp:  41 degrees and sunny
Flow:  ~250 cfs
Depth:  3 feet
Put-in:  Alkire Road ODNR Canoe Access (river left)
Take-out:  Osprey Lake (river right, just past Trapper Johns & Harrisburg-Georgesville Road Bridge)
Mileage:  6 miles 
Time:  1430 - 1600
Boat:  Dagger Approach 9


Some may say I'm crazy, but if the sun is shining I'd rather be outside.  Since it is hard to paddle through ice, I thought I'd better get out today before the snow falls.  My attire:  sliding shorts, rash guard shirt, neoprene socks, keens, shorty wet suit, long sleeve running shirt, running pants, rain pants, paddling jacket, neoprene gloves, hat, ear band, sunglasses, and a life jacket.  I was warm the entire trip except for my hands were a little chilly most of the trip and my right foot got cold at the take out since I had to step into the water to exit the boat.  I think I need liner gloves in conjunction with the neoprene gloves.  That or stuff hand warmers in them. 


It's no secret to my friends that the Big Darby Creek is my favorite river.  Perhaps it is because its the first river I paddled with my very own kayak over 5 years ago.  Or perhaps its because it is so close.  Or maybe it is because I see something interesting and different every time I paddle it.  Many friends have tagged along with me on this river.  I love sharing this river and seeing their excitement.  I love to paddle it fast, paddle it slow, paddle in the cold weather, paddle with a cold beer.  As my license plate cover says, "I'd Rather Be Kayaking".

Beautiful River

So peaceful....funny no one was out paddling today

5 mile bridge...otherwise known to my friends as "we're almost there bridge"

A few relatively small rapids near the end of the trip

Trapper John's Canoe Livery (river left)...almost to the take out point



Take out point, river right, just past the Harrisburg-Georgesville Bridge



Although there are a few put-in and take-out points on the Big Darby Creek, I do tend to paddle the 6 miles from the Alkire Road ODNR Canoe Access Point to Osprey Lake.  If I'm flying solo, I will drop my yak off at the put-in, drive to the take-out, and jog/walk/bike back to the put-in spot.  It's about 3.5-4 miles to jog/walk as I cut through the Metro Park trails.  Biking is about a 9 mile road trip as you cannot cut through the Metro Park (unless you want to carry your bike about 1-1.5 miles).  I hold my breath hoping no one messes with my gear (life jacket, paddle, etc).  I do lock my yak up to the sign, but I cannot lock up the gear really.  If I bike I have to return to get my bike that is locked to the sign.  Total time from garage and return is 4-5 hours with about 1.5 hours paddling on the river depending on the flow.

Generally before I leave the house, I check the USGS Real Time Water Data to see the river level and the flow (speed) of the river.  Today it was about 250 cubic feet per second (cfs), which is above the normal for this time of year.  I wouldn't recommend paddling if the flow is less than 100 cfs and the height is less than 1 foot.  I've paddled the Big Darby when it was around 3,000 cfs....THAT WAS FUN!  Perhaps on the verge of being a little too intense even for adrenaline junkies like me.  I feel like I own this river.  That or the Big Darby Creek owns me yet takes care of me too...brings me peace even at its wildest and even at my craziest. 

I scouted the river levels online debating which boat to bring, the sleek but somewhat tippy 14 foot red WS Capehorn, the stable and steady 11.5 foot orange Dagger Blackwater, or the exciting and adventurous 9 foot lime green Dagger Approach.  So this trip I took my new 9 foot Dagger Approach yak out as I thought there would be a lot of rapids. When I got to the put-in I momentarily wished I would have brought my Cape Horn as the river just wasn't flowing like I thought it would be.  Excitement won out though and the need to break in my newest boat.  And she didn't let me down.  It was her 2nd river trip and I think she's ready for the next adventure.  Perhaps the Rocky Fork/Paint Creek or the Spring rapids of the Sandusky River.  We'll see...Spring seems so far off. 

John Bryan State Park - September 2010

I had heard about John Bryan State Park not too far from Columbus but hadn't visited there until this summer.  Hiked the North Rim trail and John L. Rich trail (~3+ miles roundtrip from the Wingo Picnic area parking lot).  There were tons of people out on this sunny weekend afternoon.  I'd like return to hike the South Gorge Trail and mountain bike the 8.5 miles of mountain biking trail.  Just a few pictures below. 

View from ground level!

Typical uneven path along the North Rim Trail

Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtle

Little Miami River (I paddle this river but
further below where there is much more water!)

Hocking State Forest Rappelling - November 2010

Located off Big Pine Road near Conkles Hollow

What could be more fun than hanging from a rope about a 100 feet in the air with little more than a tiny but sturdy carabiner, belay device, and a harness?  Had I known rappelling would be sooo much fun I would have surely gone air assault while in the Army.   Thanks to Chris, our amazing instructor, for volunteering his own time on a gorgeous 70 degree November day to teach us "the ropes". 

Notice the people which puts the height
of the rock formation in perspective



Rappeller



Beautiful rock outcroppings of the rappelling area

More beautiful rock outcroppings

Bottom of the 100+ foot vertical descent



Buckeye Trail (blue blazes) goes right past rappelling area



The Buckeye Trail passes right by the rappelling area, which is less than 3 miles north of Old Man's Cave (part of Hocking Hills State Park).  Most people start at Old Man's Cave and hike south through Old Man's Cave to Cedar Falls for a 6 mile loop (and sometimes on to Ash Cave to form a 10 mile loop).  But if you're looking to avoid the crowds you could hike North/West toward the rappelling area or even start from the rappelling area and hike towards Old Man's Cave for a more secluded hike.  Athough I have not hiked this other than a few hundred feet in from the rappelling area to snap a few photos, I'll be back to explore this portion of the blue blazes Buckeye Trail.

Amish Sawmill in operation - Wellington, Ohio

Yeah, this is not an outdoor activity that I partake in, but it was pretty interesting to see an Amish Sawmill in operation.  So I wanted to share.  My parent's neighbors hired the Amish to clear some trees on their property.  Dad and I rode the golf cart out back to the edge of the property line to view the setup.  They're up working around 6am, lunch at 10:30, quitting time at 2.  The work horses stay on the property for the 3 month duration of the project.   They kind of remind me of the Budweiser Clydesdale horses, but hauling logs instead of beer.

Per request, the pic of the horse (on left) sticking tongue out



Hiking Conkle's Hollow State Nature Preserve - October 2010

3.5 miles total
*2.5 mile rim trail loop
*1 mile out-and-back gorge trip
*Maximum Elevation:  970 feet
*Vertical Rise:  230 feet
Sunny, 80's

Conkle's Hollow State Nature Preserve is within the Hocking Hills region of southeast Ohio.  While the rim trail is a great hike, you really must also travel the easy 1/2 mile along the gorge trail to the end.  Continue on the non-paved portion of the trail towards the end to truly experience the beautiful gorge area.  There really were no waterfalls this time, but I'm sure I'll be back, though, to explore this area with the Spring rains.  I recommend starting your hike on the east rim trail as the steep climb up does not have nearly as many steps as the west rim trail.  Then end with the gorge trail as this part was truly a treat.  The entire 3.5 mile hike including stopping for a picnic lunch and picture taking took about 2 hours but I do hike fast even with a small pack and heavy camera.




Amazing views!

Directions from Columbus (although I came from a different way this time and Garmin didn't recognize Conkle's Hollow for some reason):  Take 33 southeast out of Columbus.  About 10 miles past Lancaster on Rt 33, turn right onto route 374.  After about 13 miles, turn left onto Big Pine Road (just after Cantwell Cliffs and Rock House).  Conkle's Hollow is 0.2 miles on the left with plenty of parking (on the grass if needed as about 20+ cars were overflowing the day I went).  Note that dogs are specifically prohibited on both the rim and gorge trail.  The gorge trail is paved most of the way (except for the very end) making it accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.  There are pit toilets and picnic tables at the entrance as well.  Enjoy the pictures!



Gorge Trail

Rim trail

Gorgeous area!

Once on top of the rim trail, the hike is fairly easy. 

Very end of gorge trail



Plenty of rock outcrops to park yourself and enjoy the view or have a picnic!
(Between about 1/2 mile to 3/4 miles  into the east rim trail there were plenty of these)



I love this picture!  It reminds me that winter is around the corner.



Biking Three Creeks Metro Park

My favorite place to bike in the central Ohio area is Three Creeks Metro Park.  For those of us not living in the boondocks and wanting to get somewhere quick just outside the city, Three Creeks is a great place.  Like any paved bike path, you have to watch out for the walkers, runners, rollerbladers, kiddies, puppies, and woolly bears.  Yep...woolly bears.  I almost ran over one today on my 10 mile ride.  I also had to slow down for a pack of kids.  If I was a teacher, I'd be taking my kiddies here too on a beautiful sunny and 70 degree day like today. 

My favorite part of the bike ride in Three Creeks is about a half  mile or so into the Blacklick Creek Greenway Trail where it curves around the open prairie land.  The sunlight bounces off the autumn colored prairie grasses this time of year for a beautiful sight. 

There are many entrances to the park.  For a short 10 mile ride, start at the Heron Pond entrance on the north side of Williams road leaving the parking lot and heading towards the bridge over Alum Creek.  This Alum Creek Greenway Trail will connect to the Blacklick Creek Greenway Trail about 2 miles away. Continuing to the end of Blacklick Creek Greenway Trail will create a 5 mile ride and so roundtrip is a fairly flat 10 miles.  There are no roads to cross and hence no stop signs slowing you down.  This trail is in the process of being extended with a projected open date of late 2010.  Can't wait.

If you're wondering, the three creeks include Alum, Blacklick, and Big Walnut.

Dryden Lake Golf Course - Dryden, New York (near Ithaca)

When I'm not on the water paddling, you might find me on a golf course with my buddies.  By far the most beautiful course I've ever played is Dryden Lake Golf Course  I'm sure I'll play one day in Myrtle Beach or Phoenix on other beautiful courses.  But for now I'm going to reminisce by sharing these pictures.

The golf course mascot hiding under a golf cart.  Snapper!

I'm not sure what the proper golf form is but I suspect it should not look like my softball swing as captured in this pic

I just started becoming a serious golfer this summer....new clubs have helped immensely!  Lynx Lady XMD clubs if you were wondering.