Minus a Little Color

I stopped by this flower while taking pictures of the bees and butterflies in the yard. Part of it was dying, so I took some of the color out to represent (or hide) that.

Return of the Kat

I am working at reviving this blog. So much has happened since my last post. 2015? First thing I’m going to do is take a look around and read my old entries, and then I will start updating.

Lack of the Outdoors

2015 was disappointing for me. I was only able to camp once this year, which was recently. We attempted to camp over the summer one time on the outskirts of Nashville, TN – horrible experience. A story to tell sometime 🙂 What’s in store for the winter? I believe I’m going to attempt to drive a little south around the beginning of 2016.  While I wait for a new camping season I am googling all sorts of camping and hiking gear that could make its way into my supply. Stay tuned!

Welcome 2015

Looking forward to many outdoor adventures this year. Check back for my next entry – I will be taking a look back into 2014 and hope to show various photos from various trips.

Kincaid Lake State Park

I finally went on my first camping trip of 2014.  Easter Weekend played out nicely.  We met up with some friends from Cincinnati.  We had two sites and seven people, but more showed up for just a day visit.  We arrived late Friday night.  Pretty much cleared out a space for the tent, set it up, and went to bed.  The next morning I cooked us some breakfast – sausage, eggs, and very spicy hash browns.  After breakfast we sat around the campfire  with our friends and caught up on the latest happenings.  Around noon we took off and went on a 2 mile hike.  With the road walk to the trail-head, it was probably a little more.

The hike was okay.  The highlight was a suspension bridge.  It was my first hike of the year, so I was huffing and puffing.  I’m working on making that better, but that’s another blog.  After the hike it was back to the campfire for more chit-chat. After much discussion, we piled into one of the trucks and drove down by the lake to fly a kite.  The lady it belonged to had received it from one of her friends who lives in Australia.  A family pulled up and let their son out to play with his RC car.  This kid, who was probably 10, was extremely good at controlling it. We took in views of the lake, a kite flying in the breeze, and a little car zipping up and down the parking lot.

Upon returning to camp we immediately ate dinner.  Hamburgers, turkey burgers, chicken, bread, and green beans.  S’mores for dessert.  The rest of the night was spent around the campfire talking and laughing.  It was a good night.  I hadn’t laughed as much as I did in a long time.  Laughter really is good medicine.  Next camping trip will be Memorial Weekend.  Pray for no rain!

How I rate Kincaid Lake State Park in Falmouth, Ky:

Campsites: D  (The sites are small, close together, and not very level.  The tent area is even more crowded together.)

Bathhouse: B  (They were clean, and the staff kept them stocked with hand soap and toilet paper.  However, no hot water in sinks.)

Park Staff: A  (Everyone seemed nice and they were helpful.)

Beauty: C  (Scenery really was dull.  I compare it to other parks I’ve been to, and Kincaid falls short.)

Activities: A+  (There is plenty to do at Kincaid.  While they only have about 2.5 miles in trails, they have plenty of other things to do.  Boat rentals, playgrounds, tennis, basketball, golf, and miniature golf.)

Final Thoughts:  Kincaid Lake State Park is not a place for just the two of us to camp.  It was okay for the group, but when there are just two of us, I look for more privacy.  I like space between the sites, especially when camping in the tent.)

 

 

My new tent – Ozark Trail 13×9 Instant Tent

 

Cool suspension bridge on the Spicebush Trail.

Winter Won’t Leave

I don’t think I’m the only one that has enough of this winter nonsense. Not too long after this picture was taken we actually had a day that almost reached 70. Yeah! Then it was gone. Such a tease that Mother Nature is. Sitting back in the 20’s again waiting for another visit from the Polar Vortex.  Maybe by April we will start feeling the warmup.

The few days we have had decent weather I have managed to get a few miles on my feet.  Below are some pics from my warmer winter walks.

Pretty soon I shall talk about our new van. Or should I say,  “gear hauler?”

New Year

I’ll be returning soon. Preparing to come out of hibernation and start making plans for 2014. Hopefully some good camping, biking,  and hiking trips will happen. Stay tuned.

Picnic Tip

When picnicking, shoes make really good drink holders.

Photo of the Week 9-23-2013

Snapped this photo of a Tussock Moth Caterpillar on my front porch today.  Nearly set my arm down on it. Close call!

Photo taken with my Samsung Galaxy S3

Photo Of The Week

I sold my Canon DSLR over the summer but I plan on getting another camera soon,  probably smaller and lighter. Packing that thing on hikes was pure torture on my back. Hopefully I will find “the one” that suits my needs – a little smaller but can turn out a good macro and still go long. Bridge cameras seem to be the best for this.  Until then,  I have photos and videos to share from my phone (Samsung Galaxy S3) 

I took this from a Doctor’s Office in Lexington, KY.