Monday, December 24, 2012

Wishing you a Happy Holidays!!!

Happy Santa!!
    I hope everyone has a happy and safe Holiday Season!! Thanks to everyone who has stopped by and read or watched what has been going on in my neck of the woods. Hopefully I have helped motivate some to get outside and live life a little as others have done for me.

Happy Trails!!!

Rovious

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Winter Solstice Challenge 2012...



Trip Dates: December 14-16, 2012
Trip Location: Kings Mountain State Park, SC
Trails: Blue Blaze Hiking Trail (makes a loop around Kings Mtn) & Ridgeline Trail

     This year I took it upon myself to resurrect a trip that one of my hiking friends always organized in the past.  Unfortunately for us (but don't feel sorry for her, she is living in Montana now :) ) she has moved on to new adventures leaving it up to someone else to take the reigns. For my first attempt we had a pretty good turnout. Thanks to Becky, Gina, Kenny and Chris for coming out!!
     The Winter Solstice Challenge is just a good excuse to get out in winter and enjoy the outdoors.  The underlying idea is to hike from Crowder's Mountain State Park in North Carolina to Kings Mountain State Park in SC and back in one day.  The total mileage amounts to approx 24 miles round trip.  Although I have perfect intentions of making it every time I go out the truth is that I usually have too much fun the night before and wind up waking up too late with a wee bit of a headache to think about pounding out that type of mileage.  This year was no different.
     The trip took a slight deviation from the original plans due to campground closings at Crowder's Mountain for maintenance. Instead we booked our campsites at the Rustic Campsite Area at Kings Mountain and to be honest it actually worked out better.  At Crowder's Mtn you have to hike in about 3/4 of a mile to the campsites we usually stay at where at Kings Mtn there is a nice campground with parking near the sites.  They even have hook up accessible sites that you can park your car at.  This allowed for more comfort items to be brought as well as grills for eating massive quantities of unhealthy food.
     Once again another great weekend of fun, friends and hiking!!!

Happy Trails!!!
Rovious