The Hiking Writer

Very 80s.

I kind of like it. Should be the most interesting finals in quite a while.

The Kobe Bryant led Lakers vs the Boston Three Party (Garnett, Pierce, and Allen).

Back in the day, I liked the Showtime Lakers over Bird's Celtics, but now, I'm gonna root for the Celts.

Kobe is a turd. No other way to put it.

Damn he was a funny man.

He and Tim Conway on Carol Burnett were the first comedians to make me really cry laughing.  When they would break each other up on that show, it was just priceless.

Big loss, we need laughs.

ScienceNOW Daily News, 28 May 2008

"X-Men fans rejoice: Wolverine has come to life, as a frog. When the comic book warrior faces a fight, metallic blades spring forth from his hand. A new study concludes that certain African frogs are similarly equipped, having sharp, claw-shaped bones that pierce through their own fingertips when the animal is threatened.

More than 100 years ago, scientists observed the mysterious bony appendages in museum specimens of the Arthroleptidae frog family, but they had no idea what to make of them. Some speculated that the protrusions were an artifact of the preservation process. Harvard University biologists David Blackburn decided to solve the mystery once and for all after having the frequent misfortune of being injured by the amphibians while doing field research in Cameroon. "The frogs will start kicking and drag these claws against your skin," he says. "I've gotten bloody scratches from them many a time."

Due to strict government regulations on removing live animals from Cameroon, Blackburn's team had to do their anatomical studies on preserved museum specimens. In addition to the talon-shaped finger bones others had seen, the researchers found a small bony nodule nestled in the tissue just beyond the frog's fingertip. When sheathed, each claw is anchored to the nodule with tough strands of collagen, but, as Blackburn had discovered firsthand, when the frog is grabbed or attacked, the frog breaks the nodule connection and forces its sharpened bones through the skin."

I'm working on an idea for another blog. But rather than just myself as the voice, I'm seeking input from all Kentuckiana area residents.

It's called Kentuckiana Hiker's Review (for now). I'm hoping to build a great compendium of hikers' impressions of  trails, gear and even a relatively up to date list of current conditions around the area. I think it would be a great hiking resource for anyone.

I'll keep you posted.

Single fill-up on my new car: $50 even.

$3.98 a gallon for regular unleaded.

It is getting out of hand.

I really was. I was also a white catholic suburb kid from Louisville, Kentucky.

What does that mean? Basically, I listened to the music and dug it, but I lived the straight-laced lifestyle of your average white teen in the suburbs. A rebel without a rebellion. It was all in the music. It attached to your pelvis and moved it involuntarily, and this was what I understood.

Tonight, I'm watching a special on Showtime about the history of Ramones, and I'm embarrassed that I didn't know more about them. My chronology was all askew. They were the reason the Sex Pistols and The Clash existed, and I didn't know it. I just remember discovering Rocket to Russia and loving every weird tune. Lobotomy, Sheena is a Punk Rocker, Cretin Hop, We're a Happy Family, it was a great melange of strange short power chord tunes.

God damn it was a good album. I played the hell out of the tape on the boombox in the backseat of my tangerine Mercury Bobcat.

Very soon, I'm going t have to go buy that CD since i don't have those songs anymore. I miss Joey and Dee Dee too, now that they've rocked their asses into the great beyond.

I should also say that Joey Romone might be the ugliest rock star ever. Many ugly skinny white kids have dreamed of being like Joey, getting laid despite the cards genetics dealt them. Because he rocked.

I had my own stint as a frontman for a band. A very brief 1 gig stint for a band we called "Telefunken U47" (a Zappa nod). But we did a decent send up of "I Wanna Be Sedated" and damn it was fun.

And that was the Ramones in their essence. Energy and fun and craziness. Not a bad mix.

Gabba gabba HEY!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMD7Ezp3gWc

Sunday, May 18th 2008

The Blackacre nature preserve held an open house this afternoon and it was an absolutely immaculate day. Blue skys with puffy clouds and a bit windy, but the crowd seemed to really enjoy themselves.

I also got to meet some of the staff and I really look forward to working with them in some capacity as a volunteer or otherwise. I also walked about 3 miles checking out the Upper and Lower sunset trails and the dragonfly pond. I hope you enjoy the album Blackacre Open House May 18, 2008

I started the day intending to hike the Horine Reservation trails in Jefferson Forest. If you hike the red trail and the blue loop, it ends up at just a little over 5 miles. Not too strenuous, but a decent distance and a couple of nice ups and downs.

Little did I know that "Forest Fest" was scheduled for today, a huge event for Jefferson Forest being held at the Horine Reservation. When I arrived, there were easily 500 people already at the park, and more were streaming in. I quickly turned around, and patiently exited the Horine parking lot.

What to do, what to do?

Lately, I've been pricing fly fishing gear and it occured to me that I should run down to Lynn Camp Creek and scout things. I don't have a fly rod just yet, but it has been easily two years since I've been there, and scouting is always worth while. An hour and 15 minutes driving south on I-65 brought me to one of my favorite fishing haunts. But this time, I only waded the creek taking pictures instead of casting a line.

I didn't see any of the rainbows they stock there from March to July, but that doesn't mean they weren't there. What I did see was pretty awesome. Among the highlights were a baby turtle, a puddling of tiger swallowtails and a watersnake in a tree. I hope you enjoy the album Lynn Camp Creek.

Over the weekend, I made it out, even though I was sick and took a few pictures without much hiking.

I cruised two Eastern Jefferson County parks known more for fishing than hiking. Long Run Park is a Metro golf course and park with a lake large enough for small fishing craft (they have a ramp).

I discovered a new park  in the vicinity named after William F. Miles ( I don't know the significance yet) but it is also a fishing park with 5 lakes. It has a canoeing access point for Floyd's Fork creek, which runs all the way to the Ohio River.

Both parks are very close to Valhalla Golf Course, where the Ryder Cup will be played this year.

I hope you enjoy both albums Long Run and William F Miles.

Good stuff