I'm really enjoying my jaunts to Meeman-Shelby State Park aka Shelby Forest. I've been three times. The wife and I are going to start making our trips there a weekly thing.
It's an extremely peaceful place and a great reprieve from the hectic pace of Memphis. It's also an awesome place to get some exercise. One of my biggest difficulties in exercising is that I really dislike the energy in gyms. The atmosphere is dreary and often times the other patrons can have an attitude about them that discourages me from continuing. However, in the woods you're alone and have nothing but yourself to keep you from exercising. I feel much more motivated when I'm in the wild. No one's looking at me and judging. I'm just enjoying my rigorous walk in the woods. The only person to stop me from working out is me.
Shelby Forest's Woodland trail is about 3 miles long and has some ups and downs. It's a good start for the beginning hiker. I feel that it's hard enough to get things pumping, but easy enough to keep discouragement down.
Being a State Park Shelby Forest doesn't get much money or help. Friends of Meeman-Shelby help out, but just from seeing the state of the Woodland Trail, it needs more. I really want to start helping out, even if it's just removing debris from the trail, but it needs to start somewhere.
If you're a Memphian and you want a break from the hustle and grind of Memphis, take the short jaunt North on Highway 51 and see our nice little State Park.
Showing posts with label hiking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hiking. Show all posts
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Regrets and might have beens
I am a young man. I hopefully have many years ahead of me, maybe even more than I have behind me. But in my short 30 years on this great planet of ours I have done things, or rather not done things that has left upon me much regret. A friend of mine once said "You don't regret the things you do, only the things you don't do." He couldn't have been more right.
As I hope you all know by now, I love traveling and experiencing life. It's what drives me. However, I didn't always have this philosophy. I used to be nothing more than a couch potato, lump on the proverbial log. I would waste hours or days playing video games or sitting in front of the television. I now look back at that period of my life (roughly 1993-2001) and mourn those lost years. I say "Man, I should've gone outside more. I shoulda earned more merit badges. I should've traveled more and visited family. I should've endeavored to learn more about the world and life when I had more time to dedicate to that pursuit."
One of my biggest regrets is not knowing more about my home state.
I relocated to Nashville Tennessee from San Diego California when I was 10 in 1991. I have lived in Tennessee ever since except for the five years I spent in Japan. In those 15+ years I learned and experience relatively little of the Volunteer State. I've been places. I've eaten my fill of BBQ and listened to my fill of country and blues music, but that's about it. I haven't even seen Rock City (Southerners will get the joke). As I ponder my future and look away from my home. I truly regret not doing more when I had the chance. I feel as I have thrown away major parts of my life. I'm vowing to change that.
Sitting in my living room, talking to my mom, we marveled how my uncle learns about each place he lives/lived. When we visited him in Hawaii we didn't need a tour guide, he knew just about everything there was to know about the big island. He always explores his area and dedicates to memory all aspects of it. It is really cool. As we talked, I became a bit envious. I realized that he lived in most places only a few years whereas I have lived in Tennessee for nearly 20. I feel embarrassed when people ask me stuff about Tennessee and I can't answer. At that moment I decided to make up for lost time.
I am currently writing a "bucket list" so to speak of places I want to see and things I want to do, not only in Tennessee, but in the South in general, before I depart this great land for parts unknown.
The list so far:
Reelfoot Lake
Ghost River
Ghost River Brewery
Lookout Mountain
Rock City
Ruby Falls
Lazy Magnolia Brewery
Sun Studios
I'm sure the list will grow and I'm hoping I can mark some of them off soon.
My advice to you all is to get out there. See and do! Don't waste you time, energy and money on crap games that at the end of the day don't really matter a bit. You should show that you actually lived life and that your horizons are broad. Good luck and keep traveling.
As I hope you all know by now, I love traveling and experiencing life. It's what drives me. However, I didn't always have this philosophy. I used to be nothing more than a couch potato, lump on the proverbial log. I would waste hours or days playing video games or sitting in front of the television. I now look back at that period of my life (roughly 1993-2001) and mourn those lost years. I say "Man, I should've gone outside more. I shoulda earned more merit badges. I should've traveled more and visited family. I should've endeavored to learn more about the world and life when I had more time to dedicate to that pursuit."
One of my biggest regrets is not knowing more about my home state.
I relocated to Nashville Tennessee from San Diego California when I was 10 in 1991. I have lived in Tennessee ever since except for the five years I spent in Japan. In those 15+ years I learned and experience relatively little of the Volunteer State. I've been places. I've eaten my fill of BBQ and listened to my fill of country and blues music, but that's about it. I haven't even seen Rock City (Southerners will get the joke). As I ponder my future and look away from my home. I truly regret not doing more when I had the chance. I feel as I have thrown away major parts of my life. I'm vowing to change that.
Sitting in my living room, talking to my mom, we marveled how my uncle learns about each place he lives/lived. When we visited him in Hawaii we didn't need a tour guide, he knew just about everything there was to know about the big island. He always explores his area and dedicates to memory all aspects of it. It is really cool. As we talked, I became a bit envious. I realized that he lived in most places only a few years whereas I have lived in Tennessee for nearly 20. I feel embarrassed when people ask me stuff about Tennessee and I can't answer. At that moment I decided to make up for lost time.
I am currently writing a "bucket list" so to speak of places I want to see and things I want to do, not only in Tennessee, but in the South in general, before I depart this great land for parts unknown.
The list so far:
Reelfoot Lake
Ghost River
Ghost River Brewery
Lookout Mountain
Rock City
Ruby Falls
Lazy Magnolia Brewery
Sun Studios
I'm sure the list will grow and I'm hoping I can mark some of them off soon.
My advice to you all is to get out there. See and do! Don't waste you time, energy and money on crap games that at the end of the day don't really matter a bit. You should show that you actually lived life and that your horizons are broad. Good luck and keep traveling.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Kaisho no mori
Never listen to weather reports without observing the weather yourself. Building your plans around them can be frustrating and potentially disasterous. I found this out in part today.
Yesterday the forcast was for thunderstorms all day today in the Seto area. As such, my fiance and I decided to hunker down and spend the day inside and to not heed our normal bed time. This morning when we woke up at the nice hour of 9, we couldn't help but notice the bright sunshine streaming into our bedroom window.
While eating breakfast we decided to scrap our plans and revert to Plan B. Plan B entailed going on a hike somewhere in our immediate area. We thought about Inuyama or the EXPO park, but we eventually decided on Kaisho no mori, a wooded area rather near to my fiance's mother's house. We hastily packed our bags and set out, on foot, for our destination.
The sun beat down on our necks as we navigated city streets drawing ever closer to Kaisho no mori. We consumed quite a bit of our water before we even set food in the woods. To rectify this we stopped at the last convenience store on our path for some supplies.
Resupplied we continued toward our goal.
It was surprising how suddenly and completely the transition from city to backwoods happened. One minute we were in the middle of a nice suburban community and with the turn of a corner we were in a deep, rather dark forest. This area was pretty nice. It was originally a small farming village until the early 20th century when its residents began to head to the city for work and a new lifestyle. Now it is a protected forest and leisure hiking site for local people.
I thought it looked like a setting for a horror movie. All it lacked were scary residents, staring you down. There were times that if felt eerily like someone or something was about to reveal itself to us and then hunt us down and eat us. The fiance, more than a couple times, wimpered and muttered that the area looked as if ghosts should populate it. I didn't disagree.
Other than its supernatural aura, it was a great hike. The scenery was great and offered itself to the imagination. At one point the air was thick with the scent of cedar. It was truly a nice hike.
It wasn't hard like Gozaisho was either. There were a few inclines and some uneven parts, but most people could handle it. However, there were times that the path was less than ambiguous and it really looked like we were about be kidnapped to be part of some mountain person's dinner. Also, you must be a little adventurous and very observant. Most places have signs indicating where to go, but some do not. The path for pond (one of the main attractions of this area) is not marked well at all. In fact, if someone had not written on a "Fires Prohibited" sign and indicated the way, we would have missed it altogether.
I did the hike in shorts, but there were some areas that pants would have been preferable. Tall grasses and weeds often line the path and my legs are full of red marks from those obstacles. As with most forest paths, hiking boots are recommended. Kaisho no mori can be done in shoes, but as mentioned above, some places are a bit tricky and the added support and traction of boots came in handy.
Overall it was a great hike and it was a great way to get out of the house and enjoy some sunshine. If you do choose this place, please be aware that Japanese adders call this place home, so exercise caution.
Yesterday the forcast was for thunderstorms all day today in the Seto area. As such, my fiance and I decided to hunker down and spend the day inside and to not heed our normal bed time. This morning when we woke up at the nice hour of 9, we couldn't help but notice the bright sunshine streaming into our bedroom window.
While eating breakfast we decided to scrap our plans and revert to Plan B. Plan B entailed going on a hike somewhere in our immediate area. We thought about Inuyama or the EXPO park, but we eventually decided on Kaisho no mori, a wooded area rather near to my fiance's mother's house. We hastily packed our bags and set out, on foot, for our destination.
The sun beat down on our necks as we navigated city streets drawing ever closer to Kaisho no mori. We consumed quite a bit of our water before we even set food in the woods. To rectify this we stopped at the last convenience store on our path for some supplies.
Resupplied we continued toward our goal.
It was surprising how suddenly and completely the transition from city to backwoods happened. One minute we were in the middle of a nice suburban community and with the turn of a corner we were in a deep, rather dark forest. This area was pretty nice. It was originally a small farming village until the early 20th century when its residents began to head to the city for work and a new lifestyle. Now it is a protected forest and leisure hiking site for local people.
I thought it looked like a setting for a horror movie. All it lacked were scary residents, staring you down. There were times that if felt eerily like someone or something was about to reveal itself to us and then hunt us down and eat us. The fiance, more than a couple times, wimpered and muttered that the area looked as if ghosts should populate it. I didn't disagree.
Other than its supernatural aura, it was a great hike. The scenery was great and offered itself to the imagination. At one point the air was thick with the scent of cedar. It was truly a nice hike.
It wasn't hard like Gozaisho was either. There were a few inclines and some uneven parts, but most people could handle it. However, there were times that the path was less than ambiguous and it really looked like we were about be kidnapped to be part of some mountain person's dinner. Also, you must be a little adventurous and very observant. Most places have signs indicating where to go, but some do not. The path for pond (one of the main attractions of this area) is not marked well at all. In fact, if someone had not written on a "Fires Prohibited" sign and indicated the way, we would have missed it altogether.
I did the hike in shorts, but there were some areas that pants would have been preferable. Tall grasses and weeds often line the path and my legs are full of red marks from those obstacles. As with most forest paths, hiking boots are recommended. Kaisho no mori can be done in shoes, but as mentioned above, some places are a bit tricky and the added support and traction of boots came in handy.
Overall it was a great hike and it was a great way to get out of the house and enjoy some sunshine. If you do choose this place, please be aware that Japanese adders call this place home, so exercise caution.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Mt. Gozaisho
I like hiking. I've been doing it since I was a kid. I love being outdoors and being in touch with nature. It's just peaceful and calming.
When I returned to Japan 10 days ago, my buddy Patrick almost immediately sent me an invite to climb a mountain with him and our friend Paul. I was a bit jet lagged still and didn't really want to go, but the promise of hanging out with two of my good friends changed my mind.
The mountain in mind was Gozaisho in the Suzuka Range. It sits basically on the border of Mie and Shiga prefectures. The best way to get there is by car, but it is also on the Kintetsu Yunoyama line. Yunoyama station is the terminus for the line and the closest station the the mountain.
My fiance packed me a nice lunch (full of energy promoting goodness) and I packed my bag. I was up early the next morning (partially in thanks to the jet lag) and was actually 15 minutes or so early. Patrick grabbed Paul and I at the 7-11 in Komaki city and we were off.
The initial parts of the mountain were pretty easy. Things started off in a nice little forest and the weather was dry and cool. Very quickly, however, it became much more challenging. The path began going up steep embankments and would at times disappear entirely. Still the weather was on our side and it was enjoyable talking with my friends.
The path continued with it's unpredictability. We would be on somewhat level terrain and suddenly the path would veer right and we'd be climbing a steep wall of rock or muddy forest. Sometimes we needed the small trees that lined the path to help pull us up. It was pretty fun actually.
Though the weather was cool we still took frequent water breaks and other rest breaks (I'm not in the best of shape right now). This was probably the hardest mountain I've climbed to date. Fuji was taller, but the terrain was not as crazy and the slope was more moderate. Ibukiyama was tough, but due to the uneven terrain of Gozaisho, it wins the hardest mountain award.
It was funny seeing the people at the top of the mountain who took the cable car. They gave us odd stares as we came stumbling up the path all dirty and sweaty. We gave them the stares of "you didn't earn this". I definitely felt accomplished after reaching the top, pushing myself through areas I didn't think I'd make it and then seeing everyone else who cheated. I felt like I had done something worthwhile. I climbed a mountain.
Though the mountain is tough, you don't need much in the terms of equipment. We had no ropes or crampons and didn't need them. Basically all you need is a pair of good hiking boots and a pack. I did not have a camelback, but I highly recommend one. They are a great item to have while hiking. Another item which I found invaluable was bug spray. That stuff was a life saver. The mosquitoes were pretty bad on the mountain and could really ruin an otherwise great day. Another essential item is head gear. I actually forgot my cap in the States, but had my backup bandana ready. Just one thing, make sure the bandana is color fast. Mine was supposed to be, but after a couple hours of hiking my forehead was blue.
If you choose to climb Gozaisho, make sure you are prepared. And don't give up. It seems tough, but as Paul said "The easisest way down a mountain is getting to the top".
When I returned to Japan 10 days ago, my buddy Patrick almost immediately sent me an invite to climb a mountain with him and our friend Paul. I was a bit jet lagged still and didn't really want to go, but the promise of hanging out with two of my good friends changed my mind.
The mountain in mind was Gozaisho in the Suzuka Range. It sits basically on the border of Mie and Shiga prefectures. The best way to get there is by car, but it is also on the Kintetsu Yunoyama line. Yunoyama station is the terminus for the line and the closest station the the mountain.
My fiance packed me a nice lunch (full of energy promoting goodness) and I packed my bag. I was up early the next morning (partially in thanks to the jet lag) and was actually 15 minutes or so early. Patrick grabbed Paul and I at the 7-11 in Komaki city and we were off.
The initial parts of the mountain were pretty easy. Things started off in a nice little forest and the weather was dry and cool. Very quickly, however, it became much more challenging. The path began going up steep embankments and would at times disappear entirely. Still the weather was on our side and it was enjoyable talking with my friends.
The path continued with it's unpredictability. We would be on somewhat level terrain and suddenly the path would veer right and we'd be climbing a steep wall of rock or muddy forest. Sometimes we needed the small trees that lined the path to help pull us up. It was pretty fun actually.
Though the weather was cool we still took frequent water breaks and other rest breaks (I'm not in the best of shape right now). This was probably the hardest mountain I've climbed to date. Fuji was taller, but the terrain was not as crazy and the slope was more moderate. Ibukiyama was tough, but due to the uneven terrain of Gozaisho, it wins the hardest mountain award.
It was funny seeing the people at the top of the mountain who took the cable car. They gave us odd stares as we came stumbling up the path all dirty and sweaty. We gave them the stares of "you didn't earn this". I definitely felt accomplished after reaching the top, pushing myself through areas I didn't think I'd make it and then seeing everyone else who cheated. I felt like I had done something worthwhile. I climbed a mountain.
Though the mountain is tough, you don't need much in the terms of equipment. We had no ropes or crampons and didn't need them. Basically all you need is a pair of good hiking boots and a pack. I did not have a camelback, but I highly recommend one. They are a great item to have while hiking. Another item which I found invaluable was bug spray. That stuff was a life saver. The mosquitoes were pretty bad on the mountain and could really ruin an otherwise great day. Another essential item is head gear. I actually forgot my cap in the States, but had my backup bandana ready. Just one thing, make sure the bandana is color fast. Mine was supposed to be, but after a couple hours of hiking my forehead was blue.
If you choose to climb Gozaisho, make sure you are prepared. And don't give up. It seems tough, but as Paul said "The easisest way down a mountain is getting to the top".
Friday, June 18, 2010
Setting goals
A good friend of mine is embarking on an awesome journey of a lifetime. He's backpacking around Japan and will then go into China and eventually wind up in Southeast Asia and beyond. I've kept up with his adventure and really long to do my own. As such I've decided I should set some goals.
My first major feat will be no ordinary backpacking trip. No, I intend to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro before I turn 35. As such I have decided that I will climb it the summer before. So in Summer 2016 I will go and climb that mountain.
I've already begun thinking of some things which I will need to do to prepare. The first and most obvious is to start practicing mountain climbing. I've done 2 mountains in the last few months. I've got some plans to do more and will incorporate this goal into future trips. I really want to do some hiking in Wyoming and in New York state. I will use those trips to practice my skills. I also need to start collecting equipment. I have a lot already, but I need to go through and prepare what I have and replace what I can't use.
I'm also confident because I have 6 years to prepare and to plan. I think this goal would be very unlikely of reaching if I were going to go for it in the next 2 years or so, but as it stands now I should be able to do it with few difficulties.
Also, I hope that either before or after Kilimanjaro, I can hit up Kenya as well. I've wanted to go there for years and I see no reason why I can't hit both. If time and money permit I would like to also go to Ethiopia on the same trip. But for right now, I'm setting my sights on the mountain.
My first major feat will be no ordinary backpacking trip. No, I intend to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro before I turn 35. As such I have decided that I will climb it the summer before. So in Summer 2016 I will go and climb that mountain.
I've already begun thinking of some things which I will need to do to prepare. The first and most obvious is to start practicing mountain climbing. I've done 2 mountains in the last few months. I've got some plans to do more and will incorporate this goal into future trips. I really want to do some hiking in Wyoming and in New York state. I will use those trips to practice my skills. I also need to start collecting equipment. I have a lot already, but I need to go through and prepare what I have and replace what I can't use.
I'm also confident because I have 6 years to prepare and to plan. I think this goal would be very unlikely of reaching if I were going to go for it in the next 2 years or so, but as it stands now I should be able to do it with few difficulties.
Also, I hope that either before or after Kilimanjaro, I can hit up Kenya as well. I've wanted to go there for years and I see no reason why I can't hit both. If time and money permit I would like to also go to Ethiopia on the same trip. But for right now, I'm setting my sights on the mountain.
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