Skip to main content

Rocky Ridge/Breeden Ridge Trail

Photo by: Tim Bindner Photography

Today I met my buddy Mark at O’ Bannon Woods State Park for a hike.  In this Coronavirus terrifying world, I needed to get out.

My week had not been going so well.  I got some surprises at work that changed how future projects will go for me and I was bombarded by daily messages of doom about the Corona Virus.  I was looking forward to the weekend because I had two hikes planned.  This is the only one that happened.

After a two day headache (Friday and Saturday) I was able to get out and hike.  I met Mark at the campground in O’ Bannon Woods and we set off on the Rocky Ridge Trail.  This is the trail we had planned on hiking a few weekends ago but it ended quickly when the forecasted 30% of rain became 100% sleet.

The trail this time was still muddy but as I could tell by the campground area we would be alone.  As my boots slushed through the mud I watched from behind as Mark often caught a tree root or rock with the toe of his boot, sending him into a quick dance for stability.  This is usually me, but today my legs felt good.  The air was in the low 30’s and the fresh deep breaths I was taking as I ambled down the path lifted my spirit.

We proceeded down the Rocky Ridge Trail to the intersecting split of the Breeden Ridge Trail.  We went left and proceeded uphill.  Within moments the well-defined trail became obvious to me that this trail was intended for mountain bikers.  Today it would be traveled by two hikers.

I had my camera and only took 3 shots, conjuring up my inner Thomas Heaton (a photographer I follow who will hike miles and only take one-shot).  For me today this hike was about destressing, untangling my brain and seeing my friend Mark.

Photo by: Tim Bindner Photography

This trail didn’t disappoint.  We say small streams, heard the call of birds high above, heard woodpeckers searching for food, felt the cool breeze, had great conversations and saw early signs of spring below our feet in the form of early blooming small plants.

We went roughly 2 miles, then turned around and returned in the same direction.  As we reached the trailhead we found we were only .8 miles from the end of the Breeden Ridge Trail, which connected to Potato Run Trail which would have brought us back to our cars.  Not knowing this ahead of time hurt us, but it will be an adventure for next time.  The virus has canceled Marks trip in April, but it allows more time for him and me to hit the trails and soon the streets to photograph what we see.  The shot above best displays my brain as I hit the trail.  There was light there, but it had trouble seeping through.  A simple hike cleared that up. All the clutter is temporarily gone.

In this current state, I think John Muir sums up how I am feeling right now. “Few places in this world are more dangerous than home. Fear not, therefore, to try the mountain passes. They will kill care, save you from deadly apathy, set you free, and call forth every faculty into vigorous, enthusiastic action.” – John Muir.

Until next time,

Tim

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Love to get your feedback on what you read!

Popular posts from this blog

A gift from a friend

Photo by: Tim Bindner Photography Recently I received a gift from a friend.  It was unexpected but it meant so much.  A simple gesture, an act of kindness, a show of love and friendship. I met Miranda via Instagram based on a recommendation from my buddy Mark.  Like most things, he recommends I seriously consider and highly respect his suggestions.  This was true to form.  I began following Miranda on Instagram, Facebook and even viewing her website.  I stuck up a few online conversations and got the nerve to ask her for an interview.  I wrote about that here . Eventually, text and online correspondence led to a few phone calls.  I admired her work and even discussed creating a book of my own and she admitted wanting to do one as well.  Specifically, I saw two pictures that I loved.  My passion for nature, especially trees is well known.  When I saw this photo (single tree) I was floored.  I even asked her if I could buy a copy.  Nothing really came of that.  I then saw another photo ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Martin-Hogan-Long Cemetery

Photo by: Tim Bindner Today’s journey was to a seldom visited cemetery call Martin-Hogan-Long Cemetery (N38°06.621 W86°14.238). It is in Harrison-Crawford State Forest, but by the looks of the road to get there, few have traveled this way, or at least not traveled there in a long while. The bright sun made the 30° temperature feel warmer than it was. Something I would soon discover upon entering the thicker part of the forest ahead. Today’s hike was one mile one way, and I had a friend named Amanda join me upon this adventure. After grabbing our gear, we scurried around the locked gate at the end of a gravel road. By crossing the gate, we moved from a public road to the State Forest property. I was armed with a GPS and printed map showing “ overgrown, barely discernable fire lanes ” as given to me by my contact, a local Indiana DNR–Division of Forestry Resource Specialist. Amanda and I made our way downhill on the fire lane that quickly changed pitch and had us g...
Post a Comment
Read more

Over Think?

Photo by: Mark Wilcoxson Last Friday I met with my Psychologist and as usual we had a great conversation about what things were troubling me as well as the things that were going great. One such topic I plan to discuss here. After a very emotional week for me, I discussed the three main impacts this past week held for me. While discussing the details with her, I mentioned two specific conversations I had recently. I was told by some “friends” that I am an over thinker. During our conversation, I provided the detail and the label I was given. She disagreed with that statement and diagnosis. As she described it (or I interpreted it) an over thinker is someone who harbors on a subject to where it affects them so much that it debilitates them. They will focus on a particular subject or issue and that exercise will affect other areas of their life. They may change their behavior, actions or lives because of it. She said if anything I ruminate. The definition of ruminate is ‘think deeply abo...
Post a Comment
Read more