Since we were sort of in the area, and since we were spending the night in Princeton, we decided to swing by Twin Falls State Park after Camp Creek State Park. I wasn’t up for a long hike, and I was famished and ready for dinner, but we wanted to see the falls, so it was a very brief hike.

Location: Twin Falls State Park
Trail: Falls Trail (partial)
Distance: 1.62 miles

Mountain Laurel

Marsh Fork Falls

Black Fork Falls

My plan for this hike (made while Michael was driving) was to take part of the Farley Branch Trail and then switch over to the Mash Fork trail, so come out down by the falls, and then drive up to see the other falls.

When we reached the Mash Fork Trail, Michael pulled out the map and said, “let’s continue along this trail!”

Eight miles later, after crossing the Mash Fork several times (and I did NOT fall in once!) we came out at the Mash Fork Falls.

Location: Camp Creek State Park
Trails: Farley Branch, Turkey Loop
Distance: 8.0 miles
Elevation: 1650 feet

Because those were really horse riding trails more than hiking trails, I wouldn’t recommend this hike, since much of it is along roads, and passes an extremely loud gas compressor.

One exciting thing is we saw what I think is a bobcat. Because I only had a regular zoom lens, and I was NOT going to get closer to get a better shot, the pictures are extremely blurry. Will this change my mind about using a backpack and carrying a longer lens?

Probably not.

Mash Fork was very pretty, but I would have enjoyed crossing it more if I’d had water shoes for the crossing.

The Mash Fork falls were very pretty. But I wouldn’t have minded the shorter hike to reach them.

Today, in addition to putting out the flag and thinking about the sacrifices made by the men and women throughout history to safeguard our freedoms, we took a hike at Coopers Rock.

Location: Coopers Rock State Forest
Trails: Eagle, Underlook, Rattlesnake, Rock City, Ridge, Rhododendron Trails
Distance: 2.7 miles
Elevation: 709 feet

We made a sort of a figure eight, if the top part of the eight was really really small and the bottom part was huge.

We also saw two black snakes, one of which I pointed out to a mother so she could show it to her kids, the second of which was pointed out to us by a small boy and his grandmother. :)

Snakes are very interesting!

Looking up to the Overlook, from the Underlook trail.

Going up?

Rattlesnake Trail

Above the Rattlesnake Trail

And speaking of snakes…

I got a new pair (set?) of Chums for my sunglasses, and was amused when I read the care directions.

(Yes, the picture does show a head with a fork.)

I showed them to Michael, who was also amused.

Later, when I was taking off my sunglasses and hanging them up…

Michael: How did they taste?
Michelle: ?
Michael: We know you don’t follow directions, so how did they taste?

~August 1999 to 14 May 2015

Everyone knew you were Grandmom’s favorite.

Of course we went to Coopers Rock this weekend. We managed another route with no back-tracking, AND went along my favorite trail, the Mont Chateau trail. AND I got to splash around in the stream, since I took along my water shoes. At some point I am going to see if I can make it up the stream all the way to the start of the trail. It might not be possible, but it seems like a lot of fun to try.

Location: Coopers Rock State Forest
Trails: Rhododendron Trail, Mont Chateau Trail, Ridge Trail
Distance: 4.2 miles
Elevation: 919 feet

Saturday we hiked at Holly River State Park. We went there last year, but unforeseen events shortened our time there, so I’d wanted to go back and actually hike.

If you are planning on Hiking at Holly River, GO TO THE PARK OFFICE and get a “Good Map.” They have large and small maps there that are very nice, and have trail lengths and descriptions.

Location: Holly River State Park
Trails: Reverie Trail, Wilderness Trail, Salt Lick Trail
Distance: 5.0 miles
Elevation: 1384 feet

The Reverie Trail is very steep in multiple places, and since there were still leaves on the ground, I was a little nervous going down in places.

Hello!

We giggled. :)

Tecumseh Falls

Guess when Michelle was driving!

For bonus points: Guess the speed limits!

It was Sunday, and the weather was beautiful, so of course we were at Coopers Rock.

Location: Coopers Rock State Forest
Trails: Climbing Area trail, Raven Rock trail, McCollum trail, Roadside trail
Distance: 5.6 miles
Elevation: 1091 feet

First, the views from Raven Rock.

I think you can see to Maryland there.

You can definitely see Pennsylvania here.

Despite the view, I can’t say Raven Rock trail is a favorite. It’s extremely rocky, which just isn’t particularly comfortable to hike. (At least not with my ankle.)

Amusements along the hike:

The root structure being left behind as the stump disintegrates.

We stumbled upon the mating of the picnic tables. I was embarrassed.

This happy tree!

Watters Smith Memorial State Park is only 45 minutes down the road from us, and we’ve passed the sign for it countless times, but the name made me think it was more like Stonewall Jackson or Blennerhassett than a regular state park with hiking.

There is hiking, but there is also a preserved homestead–the first in that area.

The hiking was lovely, and so was the homestead.

Location: Watters Smith Memorial State Park
Trails: Dogwood Trail, White Oak Trail, Oak Ridge Trail, Pioneer Trail, Black Cherry Trail
Distance: 4.1 miles
Elevation: 906 feet

The homestead was not part of the hike, but well worth visiting.

The Homestead

Slow reading month, for the good reason of Being Outside Doing Stuff.

Historical Fiction / Mystery

Lord John Grey
Lord John and the Private Matter (2003) Diana Gabaldon (9/10)
Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade (2007) Diana Gabaldon (8/10)
Lord John and the Hand of Devils (2007) Diana Gabaldon (8.5/10)
The Custom of the Army (2012) Diana Gabaldon (8/10)

Mystery

Inspector Montalbano
Game of Mirrors (2011/2015) Andrea Camilleri translated by Stephen Sartarelli  (7.5/10)

Supernatural Fantasy

Felix Castor
Dead Men’s Boots (2007) Mike Carey  (8/10)

A Key, an Egg, an Unfortunate Remark (2014) Harry Connolly  (6/10)

Audio

The Rivers of London
Foxglove Summer, Audible Version (2015/2015) Ben Aaronovitch narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith  (10/10)

So I only read eight books, but that’s okay because I got to spent lots of time outside, hiking.

Book format was heavily ebook, with the only non-ebook being an audio book. (Audio books are going slowly right now, because I have an occasional lunchtime walking partner, which cuts into my audio book time.)

Genre was heavily mystery, with the three fantasy books also being mysteries. The single fiction book is the final Lord John book, which doesn’t have a whole lot of mystery compared to the previous books.

Fantasy: 3
Mystery: 7
Fiction: 1

Gender was evenly split, 4:4 with female authors still slightly ahead for the year (but they don’t look to stay that way, since I’m currently re-reading te Inspector Montalbano).

Some of the flowers we saw on our hike at Watters Smith Memorial Park

Bluets (Houstonia caerulea)

Star Chickweed (Stellaria pubera) ?

Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)

I love the Lifehacker bag posts. I love seeing the tools and toys people keep in their bags, and I’ve found a couple things I discovered I wanted/needed viewing those posts, so I decided it would be fun to show you my hiking bag.

We typically do day hikes, usually several hours long, eating lunch before we leave, and stopping for dinner at a local restaurant before heading home. (Unless we’re hiking at Coopers Rock.) And taking pictures is a good excuse to stop and enjoy where I am–reminding myself that I’m out for the journey rather than the destination.

What do I take hiking?

Everything (with the exception of the hiking staff) fits into the bag. Plus two smaller water bottles.

High Sierra Diplomat Lumbar Pack (I prefer hiking with a lumbar pack to a backpack. When I take a backpack, I add even MORE stuff, like wildflower guides and maybe an extra camera lens.)
Canon EOS Rebel Xsi camera
OP/TECH USA Pro Strap
FlexARMOR X dSLR Camera Case
Vaultz Mesh Bag
Garmin Oregon 550T (link is to newer version)
Eneloop AA rechargeable batteries
Tracks Compact Travel Staff
Sharpie
Sea to Summit Accessory Straps
PackTowl, medium
PackTowl, small
Seattle Sundries, Gardener’s Gold Soap
S-Biner
Dried fruit (in Ziploc bag)
Dark chocolate (in a Ziploc bag)
Vitamin C drops/throat drops (in a Ziploc bag)
Pill case with Acetaminophen
WetOnes wipes
Tissues
Lip balm (spf 15)
Hand lotion (spf15)
CeraVe SPF 50 Sunscreen (not pictured)
Bandana
Samsung Galaxy S5 cell phone
–Garmin Fit app

Just in case items:
Spare camera battery
Spare eyepiece
Extra SD card
Gallon size Ziploc bag (for if it suddenly downpours)
Kershaw pocket knife
LED flashlight
Waterproof matches
Pill case with anxiety meds (from Etsy)
Girly stuff (in Day of the Dead bag (from Etsy))
Ankle wrap (not pictured)

Also, when hiking near creeks and streams (when it’s warm), I’ll clip a pair of water shoes onto the outside of the bag so I can hike up or down the creek.

NOTE: Michael carries the first aid kit and toilet paper and two larger water bottles.

Obviously, several items are specific to me: the ankle wrap and acetaminophen are because of my ankle, and my ankle was initially why I started using a hiking stick, but it’s so nice to hike with, Michael now uses one.