August 15: Devil's Bathtub (almost)

So I had a big hike planned for Today. I invited all my friends and set everything in motion. We were to hike a trail to Devil's Bathtub, a crystal clear 12 foot swimming whole and small waterfall.

We embarked on our trip from my place around 1:00pm. It immediately began to pour(as it has every day this week). It was raining to the point where you couldn't see anything above around 35 miles an hour. I should have taken this as a sign that we were just not meant to hike, but nonetheless we continued on.

We got lost. We were in the middle of nowhere, with no cell phone reception, and the only people we passed were on horseback. After 45 minutes of driving and exploring a deer trail we had hoped might be the path, a young lady on her horse stopped and helped explain where the road was. Despite the cries from my comrades to return home early, we set out again in search of Devil's Bathtub.

As we approached the final road, we were dismayed to find that the torrential downpour from earlier had washed out the road, and it was traversable. Disappointed, we begin the hour long ride back.

So today marks my third day of failing to make it outside. Our hike was replaced with a 3.5 hour car ride through the boonies.

Here's the swimming hole we almost saw.

And here the bathtub where it gets it's name:

I promised my friends I'd at least show them pictures of what we were going to see. Oh well, despite the curve-balls life threw us today, we still had a great time grilling out and watching Futurama at Nick's afterwards.

23 days and counting until my week long Appalachian Trail hike.

August 13 and 14: Lazy

Friday and Saturday broke my trend. It was raining(again), and along with prior engagements, I didn't get outside expect for a small walk at work.

It looks like my 5 day Appalachian trial hike is definitely on. I guess it's time to start seriously training. Hopefully we're getting all of the rain out of the way now so we can have a nice, dry hike on the trail.

August 10, 11, and 12: Midnight Walks

Midnight strolls were taken on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week. I tried to go out as late as possible so I could watch the sky for the Perseid meteor showers. It has rained every day since Monday. Disappointing since I was hoping to finish staining the house this week.

August Day 9

My friend Nick and I started a little Mowing coop. I help him mow his yard, and he helps mow mine. It has some advantages, mainly safety. The topography here is very steep. When my sister was visiting, she volunteered to help mow the yard. A short time later, she came in having flipped the push mower as it ran away into the ditch.

It's also more fun to work with someone. Today we mowed Nick's yard. I rely a lot on my friends. Together, it's possible to accomplish much more than one can do on their own.

August Day 8

August 8th brought another day of work on the house. We finished power washing, and stained the front right section of the house. Another 5 hours outside. The house is starting to look very nice.

August Day 7

We have lots of parents at our house today. What does one do when so much family comes to visit? Why, you put them to work. We power washed the front of the house and the deck, and began to stain the dormers.

We also weeded our garden beds and pruned all of our bushes. Living in the country comes with certain disadvantages. Poison Ivy is one such disadvantage. This year has been extremely bad for poison ivy, and we seem to be growing beds of it in our gardens. It seems everyone here but me has lots of problems with our three leafed friend.

A lot was accomplished today and with luck tomorrow will be just as productive. It's amazing how much can be accomplished with a group of people working on it. If only my sister were here to put to work as well.

A little over 6 hours outside today power washing, staining, and weeding.

August Day 6

Lauren's parents came to visit today. We power washed the front of the house and deck, mowed the yard and weeded the garden beds. All in all about 2.5 hours outside.

We also had a piece of our wedding cake, celebrating the first year(and 3 months) of our marriage. I was skeptical about eating year old cake, but it was actually quite good.

August Day 4 & 5

Well, I managed to make it outside during a break in the storm. Day 4 & 5 were both midnight walks through my neighborhood. I saw a shooting star, a small fawn with no fear of humans, and was momentarily convinced that a large crashing sound in the woods was a mountain lion ready to make a quick meal out of me. Alas it was just another deer startled by my presence.

August Day 2 & 3

A 1.2 mile loop between where my wife and I work has been the staple route of my outdoor experiences. On the second and third days of the month the loop. It has a small hill on it, enough to get me breathing hard but not enough to sweat so much I can't return to work. My company is place in the middle of woods and fields on the outskirts of our 3000 person town. There are often deer and turkeys that cross my path on these walks. I work at the top of the hill in the picture below.

Besides these walks, I've also spent time weeding our garden beds in preparation for our guests this weekend as well as a longer joy ride on my motorcycle(if that counts as being outside?).

Today, August 4th, it has been incredibly stormy all day. My workplace along with most of Lebanon lost power. As I write this at 9PM, I still haven't been outside for more than about 10 minutes. Will I fail my challenge already? Can I not make it more than 3 days in a row without staying inside? Stay tuned to fine out.

August Day 1: The Channels

I started off my August challenge of outdoor activities with a fairly large hike. My friend Nick and wife Lauren accompanied me to the Channels, a hike recommended by a friend at work. It was about 8 miles total.

Everything was very green and wet. Here I'm already exhausted and only about halfway up the mountain.

My two skinny companions waited patiently for me as I trudged along. We pause for a quick break just before the top.

There's an old fire tower at the top of the mountain. As we approached the summit, clouds started pouring over the top of the mountain. You could see the thick mist sweeping around you. I laid under the tower watching it sweep across.

The hike gets its name from the rocks at the top that have been worn into a network of channels.

We explored the labyrinth of tunnels and caves for about 45 minutes, and only saw a portion of it. The further you go the taller the rocks.

They were incredible.

At the end we scramble and climb to the top of one of the larger rocks and peer over the tree tops.

We spent a little longer playing in the channels then we should have, but they were just too cool. We spent the last 20 minutes or so in the dark, lead by a single headlamp.

All in all this was an amazing hike. It was a little more uphill than I was expecting, but it made me realize just how painful this Appalachian Trail hike will be in the September if I don't prepare. This area of Southwest Virginia is rich with natural beauty and wonder, with dozens of hikes that are just as amazing as the channels. I hope to explore and share several of them with you over the next month.

Day 1: An 8 mile hike, 3.5 hours outside.