This week we hiked In Kentucky and discovered quite a remarkable difference between trails in State Parks and wildlife management areas. We hiked about 5 miles in Grayson Lake State Park where we're camping and were happy to be alone on the trail; Rocket could run off leash and was delighted to learn this is the land of chipmunks. We definitely saw signs of human presence though - trash from the lake had washed ashore in places and within .5 of the trailhead there was in increase in trash...evidence of what I was told years ago by a park ranger- most park visitors never venture further than a half mile on trails. Terry and I like to be different . On this trail we didn't see much wildlife, but the park has a golf course (as quite a few parks in KY), and wildlife is abundant. We see animals as we come and go on our way to town or to get a cell signal, especially at dusk. I've seen frolicking rabbits, a fox (or a cat-it was quick glance), gaggle of turkeys and deer at the golf course edge. One night I counted 7 deer within a five minute drive - most importantly, there were 2 that had fawns with them! But the park hike was easy and pleasant enough.
The next day we drove to a wildlife management area nearby and hiked the Api Su Ahts trails -Shawnee name meaning early riser or morning star. We intended to hike loop 2 of 4 and read that while once these trails fell into disrepair they were now maintained by the Boy Scouts and some locals. What an interesting beginning it was- narrow footpath through high grass alongside a buggy creek with poison ivy and vegetation tangling and competing for trail real estate. (Thankfully Terry, who is allergic to poison ivy wore long pants). I was sure I'd step on a snake in the overgrowth- described as primitive in the literature! Terry took the lead, breaking trail - breaking spider webs. It wasn't long before the trail opened up to a wide gravel road to allow horses. We were alone on the trail and Rocket was having a blast exploring until a few miles into the trail, he cut his paw and we bandaged it with duck tape. (Terry could write the book 1001 uses for duck tape.) Somewhere along the way we overlooked the loop 2 sign and after a lunch stop we ended up bush whacking on a really small foot path along a lake where we had to step over many, many fallen trees. This trail hasn't been maintained in years. After several attempts to find loop 2 we finally circled back making our hike unmeasurable, except by our avg. hiking speed we surmise it was 9.5-10 miles. As we moved over familiar territory on the way back, about 1.5 mile from trailhead I somehow turned around and saw our sign overgrown with vines pointing to an overgrown path! In spite of this trouble, we enjoyed our hike and saw wild turkey, deer, turtles, chipmunk, and a large winged bird - maybe an owl flew across the path. By the end, Rocket was limping and we were glad to get him to the RV for first aid.
The following day we hiked at Carter Caves State Park, about 45 minutes from our campground. Here the trails were excellently marked and maintained. We saw a deer jump into the brush almost immediately and then heard a strange cat-like hiss and agitated yowl that we'd love to identify. We hiked the 4C's trail and part of the 3 bridge trail and it had varied settings from forest to caves and rock houses to a lake and dam with swinging bridges, and including wonderful stone natural bridges. We listened intently to the screech of 2 birds call and answer, watched a hummingbird flit about the Swinging bridge and marveled at the lichens and toad stools. It was a most excellent trail, well taken care of and we were alone except for a small portion near 1 of the natural bridges where we met a couple, their young son and 1 yr old puppy Herman. Rocket wasn't along for this one as we wanted his paw to heal.
We then took a couple of days off hiking and have been enjoying Rudyfest -a bluegrass festival at the Carter Co fairgrounds about 20 minute drive from our campsite that started Tues and ends Sat night. We considered camping at the festival but all the sites with electric hookups were taken (booked a year in advance), and we could have parked the RV in a primitive site without electric. But we decided not to because we were worried about the excessive rain and mud and the heat and how it would affect Shady. It was extremely muddy on Monday and we're so glad we camped at the state park because in between super hot periods we've had thunderstorms and the fairgrounds is 1 giant mud pit. Several times the music has been delayed as deluges and thunder/lightening permeates the sky . But folks just get our their 4-wheelers, hot rod golf carts, Wellies,, and s?!&t kickers and haul their coolers to hear the music. It's been a great week to end on Terry's birthday and Kentuckians are really, really welcoming and hospitable! Y'all come on down!!