Dad, Skittles, Cheerio Nation and the Mountain - A Weekend to Remember

Searching for salamanders at Cheerio

Skittles (my oldest daughter) and I hit the road this past weekend for our bi-annual Father/Daughter weekend in the Mountains. We are fortunate to be a part of the YMCA Indian Guides/Indian Princesses program. The entire program is centered around the motive of kids having quality time with their father away from the daily routines we have at home.

We head up the mountain to Roaring Gap, the home of Camp Cheerio. I set up the tent that we will call home for the next two nights while she gets dragged away by her friends for some free play in the woods.

We are all part of Cheerio Nation and separated into tribes. So, our tribe, Comanche, has about 20-25 Dads with their daughter(s) ages 5 to 14. The majority of the time is spent one on one with our daughters, but we do eat meals as a group and we have a big "Fire and Water" ceremony Saturday night for all of the tribes together.

There are some really special memories made over this weekend. Through my experiences, I observed some things that really stuck out to me. They are not specific to my weekend and can be applied to any father/daughter or mother/daughter scenario. So, I thought I would share some of those important ones that really enhanced my experience with my daughter.

• Let her lead. We did everything she wanted to do. We went canoeing, we hiked, we fed the horses (she did not want to ride them), we hit he waterslide into the lake and we walked through the creek searching out salamanders and crawfish. Man that water was cold! I was completely at her command and it was awesome.

• Let her explore. This was the hardest thing for me to do at first, but during the time we were together as a group I let her go with her friends to free play. At Camp Cheerio, it is a somewhat controlled setting that allows kids to roam to a certain degree. We don't really have these types of settings on hand at home. I let her follow her friends and older kids as a group while they explored the woods, played ball games and had talent shows. I wish I could bottle the laughter and energy that this group possessed. 

• Listen to her. This was one of those unique times where cell phones, TV and computers are not present. Conversation is at a premium. Take advantage. Skittles, being in the youngest age group was asleep in the tent earlier than most of the older kids and I made it a point to hang around the tent while she is sleeping. I noticed my tent neighbor hanging out at his tent as well. He had his 3 daughters with him and they were all just hanging out. The strength of their relationship was radiating from them. He really listened to them and in turn, they listened to him. 

• Talk to her. I really made sure to tell her every chance I could why we were there. "I love you and I want to spend time with you". This will never change and I know that she will grow to appreciate these times we have together (maybe not so much during the teenage years, but a Dad can hope).

Next year, my youngest daughter, The Doobs, will be old enough to join us in the program. I cannot wait to share this experience with her as well.

A little about Camp Cheerio...

Camp Cheerio offers summer residential camping for children ages 7-15. During the five weeks of girls camp or the five weeks of co-ed camp, Cheerio offers campers the chance to participate in over 35 different activities that help them explore and develop their potential and their lives as young Christians in an environment that is safe and supportive.

For the more adventurous spirits, Cheerio Adventures offers a more extreme outdoor experience.

I was a Cheerio camper in the early 80's and all of my siblings as well. I am fortunate to sit on the Cheerio Board of Advisors as an adult.

Obstacles Our Children Face with Our National Parks?

Half Dome in Yosemite National Park

There has been a lot of talk lately in many of my circles about engaging the Millennial generation in our National Parks. Is it too late to reach this generation? This generation certainly has it's share of obstacles. From technology addiction to limited jobs and income, it all factors into the equation of this problem. Here are 5 issues I see as relevant to the success of National Parks in future generations.


1. Time
I suggest that the problem is derived much earlier in childhood. Parents in general do not make getting outside a big enough priority in life. Many times, it is because they can't. Let's face it, vacation travel is a large endeavor for most families in America and time is a precious commodity for the majority of households. Society has changed dramatically with the advancement of technology. We can work from anywhere in many jobs thanks to cell phones, wifi, laptops and tablets, etc.

This adds to many parent's struggle with work life balance in today's society. Prioritizing nature and the outdoors is hard to do for parents when you are constantly worried if you are near wifi or if you can check email. What kind of example does this show our kids?

Unfortunately, I have to add that many kids are splitting weekend time between two families due to divorce as well. It has had a snowball effect on the youth and I fear the perfect storm has rolled in on the Millennial generation.


2. Education  
Recently, I was distraught to learn that many of the Recreation, Parks & Tourism programs in the University of North Carolina system were being phased out. The reasons are many, but less interest in the field must be a key factor in this. Where does this passion for learning more about our parks and wild areas come from?

Right now, it seems it is completely up to us as parents to introduce our children to both State Park systems and National Park systems. Right now, all 4th graders in the US are entitled to a Every Kid to a Park Pass. This is a free pass for the 2015-2016 year to EVERY National Park in the US. While I believe this should extend to every child under 16, it is a good start. That being said, I am curious to know how many families even know about this. From my personal conversations, not many people in my community have ever heard of this.

It is one thing to extend a program like Every Kid to a Park, but how do we educate the public on this program and others and get these kids and their parents to actually visit the parks?


3. Accessibility
We live in an "on demand" world. Accessibility in the digital world of internet, texting and social media has spoiled us. We expect information to be brought to us with as little effort on our part as necessary. So, how do we bring the National Parks to the community in a tangible and relevant way to engage further desire to learn?

I would love to see better partnerships between National Parks, State Parks and Municipal Parks. I feel this is one avenue that is grossly under utilized considering the majority of our population has immediate access to some State or Municipal park. Maybe a local park could host a National Park Day with Rangers present. It has to start somewhere, right?

Getting to know the ranger at Hanging Rock State Park

4. Visibility/Exposure
Luckily, we have the 100 year anniversary of our National Parks in 2016 to drum up publicity. The National Park Foundation has done a decent job with the #findyourpark campaign. But, what happens after that?

There is a great show broadcast on the CW on Saturday mornings called Rock the Park. Jack and Colton are visiting every National Park and are sharing their experiences on this program. It is a fantastic program for kids and adults to learn more about our National Parks System. How do we expand upon this?


5. Money
Let's face it. All of the problems listed above boil down to the same factor, not enough money. More exposure and more involvement can lead to more people getting involved monetarily with our parks. More involvement makes our voice a little louder to government when deciding on spending for our National Park System.

We can always contribute on our own through charities like the National Park Foundation, but many feel (and they are correct) they already contribute every year on April 15th when they pay their taxes.

Money is going to be a driving influence on any program or initiative that is put into action. The key is to initiate involvement and interest in our National Parks. I have heard this more than once, but it is so true..."Just get them to the park and let nature take over".

Wander Report: Piedmont Trail - Bur Mil Park, Greensboro, NC

Lake Brandt from the Piedmont Trail

It is the last weekend before school officially starts. Skittles is starting Kindergarten and The Doobs is in the 3 year old pre-K class. Friday, we asked "what do you want to do this weekend for your last summer hoo-rah." Both, to Mommy and Daddy's delight, said they wanted to go hiking on Saturday. We had gotten both of them new hiking shoes and they were dying to try them out.

We needed to stay fairly close to home due to a dinner engagement, so we headed over to Bur Mil Park in Greensboro, NC for a hike at Lake Brandt on the Piedmont Trail.

The trailhead for the Piedmont Trail

The trailhead was easy enough to find. We parked on Strawberry Road where the Greenway crosses, just off of 220 (Battleground Ave.) . The Piedmont Trail begins just up the Greenway about .10 miles.

Heading off into the Kudzu

 The trail begins with a narrow path through a field of Kudzu. The dragon flies greeted us as we trekked through the thick brush towards the woods surrounding Lake Brandt.

Just before heading into the trees, there is a great view of the lake. But, once we entered the woods nature took over and gave the kids a show they had not seen before on any of our previous hikes.

We were very fortunate to see quite a bit of wildlife on the trail this day. First, the ducks startled us as we walked close to the water to get a good view of the lake. A heron glided by us as it hovered inches above the water. We met a frog just off the side of the trail.

About a mile into the hike, we made our way around a bend to see a young deer standing right in the middle of the trail. To see the girls' faces was priceless as the deer just stood there and watched us in between bites of grass. As we crept softly closer, the deer just took a few leaps to get out of the way, but stayed close enough to see. Then when we thought we were clear of her, we look to the left and there was another young deer not 20 feet away from us.

The girls were so excited to see their first deer on a hike with us. But, a little further down the trail we got to see a black and yellow garter snake and then a 5 Lined Skink. The girls were in awe. They could not wait to tell everyone what all we were seeing today on the trail.

The trail is accented by some great wooden bridges and footpaths through some of the wetlands. It is a very flat hike and was fairly quiet for a Saturday. Just a few trail runners and hikers.

Wander Woman, The Doobs and Skittles

We were pleasantly surprised at the amount of distance The Doobs covered on her own two feet. She made it almost 3 miles on her own (way further than her 3 year old legs had ever carried her previously). Skittles (our 5 year old) championed the trail for over 4 miles and only needed to be carried for a brief stretch.

To be so close to home, we could not have imagined a better hiking day.

Wandering Notes:
Distance: 5.75 Miles
Elevation Gain: 67 Feet
Difficulty: This is an easy hike in regards to elevation, but I say moderate due to the length of the hike for kids. It is a flat, out and back hike that hugs the coast of Lake Brandt for the majority of the trek. Lots of roots in areas, but well blazed trail. Trail is hiking/running only - no bikes!

Wander Report: Eno River State Park - Durham, NC

A great hike for kids - Cox Mountain Trail

Just off Interstate 85 in Durham, NC, a hidden gem called Eno River State Park hides in the thick forest. Since my family had never been there, we did not know what to expect when we arrived to the park on Saturday, August 8th. Of course, we had done some on-line research of the park to plan our hike for the day and the good reviews that the park received on the websites were well deserved. We were set to hike the Cox Mountain Trail.

The weather when we met up Saturday morning was a little overcast and for August, cool at about 77 degrees. We were to meet at the Eno River Park office. Let me tell you, if you have a large group meeting - do not meet at the park office. Parking is not plentiful at the office. We had 34 total people (13 kids 8 and under) participate in our August club hike.

The trail head for the Cox Mountain Trail is located at the very end of the park's main road that feeds into a circular parking lot. There is plenty of parking down here and clearly marked signs showing the trails. For all of us parents, it is also important to note that there are full service restrooms here at the trail head as well.

Crossing the suspension bridge

The trail begins with a stroll through the park picnic shelter area and quickly turns toward the river. The trail is marked by blue trail blazes. About a quarter of a mile into the hike, you reach the river and one of the coolest features of the hike is right here.  A 50 foot suspension bridge crosses the Eno and below is a great area to let the kids get their feet wet in the river. We brought water shoes and change of clothes for the kids just in case we got a little too wet.

After crossing the river, the trail's only real climb awaits you.  It is a rocky terrain with wooden railroad tie steps to help navigate the inclines. The trail is surrounded by hardwood forest here. Close to a mile and a half in to the trail you come back to the river and hike along side the river for about half a mile. It is a great place to view and listen to local wildlife. We were lucky to see turtles, butterflies, toads, Cherry millipedes, Stag beetles and a Northern Ring Neck snake. Thank goodness our resident expert Sam (8 years old) was there to identify every insect we came across.


The hike is a loop that circles back and let's you cross back over the suspension bridge to get back to the trail head and parking lot.

Wandering Notes:

Distance = 3.7 miles loop

Elevation Gain = 350-400 feet elevation gain

Difficulty = It is a great choice for hiking with kids. It is not too difficult terrain to traverse and there is plenty to keep their attention. It took us around 2.5 hours to complete the hike with a break in the middle for snacks and a couple of play/explore breaks around the river.

We paired our hike with a trip to FULLSTEAM Brewery in Durham, NC. A family-friendly, dog-friendly tavern that has a wonderful selection of craft brews and an arcade to make any 40-ish year old jealous. The adults had a little tasting party while the kids played board games and pinball.  

My personal favorite was the Summer Basil, a Farmhouse ale that was quite refreshing and had a unique blend of flavor. I normally lean towards the extreme hoppiness of the IPA's, but the Summer Basil had a good controlled hops flavor. Honorable mentions were Carver, a sweet potato lager and the Rocket Science IPA.

Wander Report: Day Summit of Mount Rogers, VA 7/26/15

It was time to make a second attempt at the summit of the tallest point of the state of Virginia. Just this past spring, we made plans to summit Mount Rogers and were met with 30 degree weather and 50 mph winds. We may have been able to tough it out that day if we did not have our 3 and 4 year old with us, but we were not necessarily prepared for the weather completely. Needless to say, we abandoned any thoughts of bagging this peak in those weather conditions.

Fast forward to July 26th. It was a hike date with my wife, Wander Woman that we were both looking forward to. No kids this time, so we could really up the mileage that we normally do as a family. We reached Grayson Highlands State Park at 10:00 AM to a very comfortable 72 degrees. The morning fog had just lifted to expose partly cloudy skies and there was a nice cool breeze blowing through the park.

We started from the parking area at Massie Gap, where we basically crossed the field to join the trail head for Rhododendron Trail. We passed through the gate and headed up the .8 mile trail. Almost immediately, we found ourselves surrounded by large blueberry bushes and blackberry bushes.

There is a crossroads at the end of this trail that lets you either take a connector trail to the Appalachian Trail (AT) or you can follow the bridal trail. Both lead you to the gate of the park boundary, but we decided to take the bridal trail on our way out. Either way it is only about .25 miles to the gate leading you out of the state park.

Once through the gate, we hiked south on the AT. It is very well marked in this area with white blazes. Quickly, we were navigating through the open balds on the rocky path of the AT. The views are absolutely stunning in this area and as we headed over the first pass we stopped to take in the view and chat with a Virginia Tech student that was up to film the wild ponies.

Unfortunately for him, if he had only hiked .25 - .5 miles further he would have met one of the herds of wild ponies that roam these balds. A mother and what appeared to be her colt were meandering along the trail, heads down, grazing on the grasses of the mountain. The mother actually looked pregnant to us, but I could not confirm this. Soon, the rest of the herd appeared and many more mothers with young ponies in tow. I have to say, it feels very different to hike into a herd of wild animals that are not spooked really when they see you. They didn't seem to mind us coming in close for photos, but I fear it is due to humans feeding them that they have become conditioned to us.

Pregnant?

One of the many young ponies we met on our trek.

After our romp with the wild ponies, we continued on the AT through Rhododendron Gap. You can take the Wilburn Ridge trail instead if you prefer more of a rock scramble. The Wilburn Ridge Trail joins back to the AT after about a mile.

This area of Rhododendron Gap offers more breathtaking views and I highly recommend climbing up the large pinnacle rock to get a panoramic view of the gorgeous landscape.

We followed the white blazes of the AT a while longer through the Crest Zone. A little more than 4 miles into the hike we came to the Thomas Knob Shelter. This was the perfect spot for a lunch break. I highly recommend going behind the shelter out onto the rocks for the best view. This is a pretty big shelter with a second floor that you can reach by ladder. There are also numerous surrounding areas that are obviously carved out by through hikers and over-nighters into perfect campsites. You can see a large grove of blueberry bushes that look to span miles from behind the shelter.

After a quick bite to eat, we continued on the AT for approximately .25 miles and met the Mount Rogers Spur Trail. Here, we left the AT and hiked the .5 miles to the summit of Mount Rogers. It is not a typical peak climb. Here you actually climb into the treeline instead of out of the treeline to a bald summit. It is almost magical when you leave the AT on this trail as you quickly enter a more rainforest-like atmosphere. Deep green hues provided by the moss and ferns on the ground. Numerous mushrooms cover the floor of this forest.

The false summit with arrow pointing towards the true summit.

At the summit, if you haven't done a little research you would easily miss the summit. There are two rock outcroppings about 100 feet from each other. Both have a USGS benchmark in the stone, but one has an arrow stamped into it pointing towards the other marker.

The true marker of the summit of Mount Rogers.

The summit does not provide panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and peaks. It is buried deep in the forest and does not resemble a typical peak of a mountain. Much less, the peak of the highest state point of Virginia.

The peak of Mount Rogers from below the treeline.

The only thing that could have made our trek better was if we did not have to come back down. But, the hike back to the car was just as invigorating as the climb up. We knew that we could see the wild ponies again. All of the gaps and peaks we climbed up to we could now appreciate the views as we made the descent.

Wandering Notes:

Distance = 10 miles according to my GPS tracker
Elevation Change = Around 1100 to 1200 feet
Difficulty = It is actually not a strenuous climb at all. The distance poses the biggest challenge for most. The rocks can be an obstacle for weak ankles, but not difficult to navigate at all. It is a good family hike with lots of great rest stops with beautiful scenery. We averaged a little less than 30 minutes per mile, but really took our time.
Grayson Highlands State Park = A beautiful park with trails, camping, equestrian stables, and a large picnic area that is top notch. Day parking is $4 on weekdays and $5 on weekends and holidays. Grayson Highlands State Park

Wander Woman

Trail register

Looking back into Grayson Highlands State Park after crossing out of the park's boundary

The bridal trail in Grayson Highlands State Park

The Best Part of the Adventure.

I love the outdoors. I love hiking. I love going down a river. I love climbing. I love rolling up and down a good single track on my bike. Am I an expert at any of these? Absolutely not. Do I own the best gear? No (Heck, in many cases I don't own any gear). But, my lack of expertise and/or top gear will never keep me from going on an adventure. What brings me back to do another adventure? The experience, the people and the memories - my family.

My parents were not what I consider outdoor enthusiasts when I was growing up, but they succeeded in planting a seed that continues to grow. In fact, I can only really remember one "outdoor" trip as a family to hike to the top of Mt. Leconte in Tennessee. It was with a group of the families in our neighborhood that had kids and we all hiked up and spent the night in the cabins at the top before hiking back down the next day. That was all it took to firmly plant the seed.

Earlier this year, I had a discussion with some of my friends about how disappointed I was in the amount of time that is devoted to computers, cell phones and tablets today. Of course, we all talked about how much we played outside as kids and that our current neighborhoods looked like ghost towns because all of the kids are always inside. I told them about how much my kids had enjoyed hiking with my wife and I (and how much we enjoyed them being with us). A couple of my friends mentioned they would enjoy going with us sometime.

Thus began the High Point Adventure Society. Our first trip had 5 adults and 5 kids. In 4 short months, we have grown. We had 12 adults and 9 kids (ages 2 mos. through 40+) at our last adventure. The foundation of our club is getting outside with our kids and families and being active while creating memories. It is hard to find something as rewarding as a walk in the woods with your family. Talking without distractions, watching them interact with the other kids, and learning what peaks their interest in nature will stay with me forever.

Now, don't get me wrong. I like to push my limits and head out for the multi-day adventures that may be a little advanced for the kids (ages 3 and 4), but my greatest thrill is invoking my passion for the outdoors into my children and experiencing the adventure with them. I will never tire of hearing "Dad, where are we going hiking this weekend?"

Lions and Tigers and Bears - Oh My!

There have been a few news stories of late that paint a picture of the riskier side of outdoor adventure. As with any adventure, risk has to be considered before embarking on your trek. There were two very different stories in the past couple of weeks that caught my attention and had my mind spinning and my heart hurting.

Encounters with wildlife are to be expected when entering into the wild. Whether wild animal or civilized, we all share this space we call Earth. The Great Smokey Mountains National Park has had to close some trails lately due to bear activity in the area. GSMNP Trails Close After Recent Bear Attack. While rare in the grand scope of things, it can still be scary to read news like this.

Knowing your surroundings and educating yourself on expectations and how to deal with certain situations will help tremendously. To be clear, the bear attack that happened most recently is not an example of human error or negligence. Gabriel Alexander and his father were experienced outdoor enthusiasts and victims of a random act of violence from a wild animal. you can read the story here.

Unfortunately, most of the bear activity that happens in the park is caused by human negligence. Bears have become conditioned to hang around backcountry campsites and shelters because we leave our trash and food remnants behind too often. Just like us, they look for the low hanging fruit (so to speak).

Greg Alexander did the correct thing when confronted with a bear attacking his teenage son and it probably is a big reason his son survived and is expected to make a full recovery. Here are some helpful tips to avoid unpleasant encounters with bears in the wild.

Helpful Tips to Avoid Bears

The other story that dominated the news was of a missing woman being found in the park. Jenny Bennett was an outdoor enthusiast and fellow blogger that was known to hike the backcountry and go off trail many times. You can read her story here.

This particular story saddens me because of the chance it could have been avoided. Let me preface this by saying we do not know how she died. There is no way to know right now if it was avoidable, but I am only pointing out some precautionary steps that seem to have been missed.

First, Jenny did not let anyone know where she was going. While she was an avid hiker in the area, she was hiking alone. She had been missing a couple of days before anyone knew according to the news story. This certainly impacted the search and rescue efforts in regards to precious time.

I know that some frown upon hiking alone, but I can see and respect both sides of this argument. Solo hiking or adventuring can be extraordinary and a great experience to get close with nature. On the other hand, the danger of being on a solo adventure does exist and should be acknowledged.

Jenny liked to hike off trail. This is a touchy subject for sure. While sticking to the trail lessens the environmental impact we put on the wild, there can be great adventure waiting "off-trail". Again, the fact that she was alone is probably the real issue here. Staying on the trail certainly raises the chances of interaction that may help save a life. I do not recommend hiking off trail alone.

My biggest fear is that stories like these deter people from enjoying our national parks or just the outdoors in general. These are isolated incidents and rare in the grand scheme of life. Being prepared and knowing how to practice proper trail/camp etiquette will serve you well and help you enjoy your time in the wild. Get outside - the more you practice the more you will be prepared.

Camping is Cool: Tips and tricks for a successful first outing

This is a really good article for families looking to enjoy a camping adventure. Thanks Outdoor Family Magazine!

Click here: Camping is Cool: Tips and tricks for a successful first outing

(Photo Courtesy of Brad Mendenhall)

Boone Fork Trail - Julian Price Park 5/9/15

It is that time of year when the outdoors starts calling the family out of the house.

The High Point Adventure Society had their second outing this past week. Friends gathered at Julian Price Park in Blowing Rock just off the Blue Ridge Parkway to hike the Boone Fork Trail. The trail is a 4.9 mile loop that begins and ends in Julian Price Park. The weather was fantastic and the company even better!

Half of the group hiked clockwise and the other half set off in the opposite direction. My group hiked clockwise so that is how I describe this trail. The age difference of our participants ranged from 3 years old up to middle aged adults. 

The hike begins with a meander through the Julian Price campground before beginning the ascent up to the balds of the mountain. Here in certain spots you can catch a glimpse of Grandfather Mountain and it is a great spot for a picnic or just a break from the hike.

You quickly meet up with the Mountains to Sea Trail and shortly afterward the Tanawha Trail.

The green is really exploding in the North Carolina Mountains and at times it feels like walking in the rainforest. The canopy can be quite low at points (which can be tricky for the taller hikers).

The moss and rhododendron really give you a barrier from the rest of the park and allow you to lose yourself in nature.

Although, the hike is listed as strenuous by many trail guides, I would classify this as a more moderate trail. Obstacles are probably the reason for the strenuous rating (there is a short ladder about 3.5 miles into the hike), but it is an easy 3 hour day hike for most people. The shallow creek crossings can pose some problems for hikers. But for dog owners (dogs are allowed on the trail), they offer a nice relaxing soak to cool down.

The ladder

A very cool man-made bridge on the trail

The trail is very well marked with well manicured markers every half mile as pictured below and orange blazes throughout the trail on the trees.

In the last third of the hike, you have an option to make a short trek down the hill to view Hebron Falls. Hebron Falls, after a massive rock scramble, is a spectacular reminder of the beauty of the North Carolina mountains. Many of the people that were taking in the site were swimming at the base of the falls. The falls are a short hike from the Park entrance if you move counter clockwise on the loop.

Hebron Falls

The final portion of the trail leads you through the flood plains where you can see signs of Beaver and take in the sunshine as you come out of the tree canopy.

One of the many trail markers

Rainforest?

For more information click here Julian Price Park