My Commute to Work

For the past two years I have been walking to work most days. The trip is 2.5 miles one way, traveling down the Midland Valley Trail to downtown Tulsa.
I find it thrilling to be able to walk past motorists who are waiting at traffic lights, and so far this year I have logged 990 miles.

I usually exit the trail at Maple Park, but this day I hiked the trail to 13th and Peoria, down 13th to Boston Avenue Methodist Church, to First Methodist (where I work) and then returned home on the RiverParks West Trail.

Here are some shots from my commute:

This is the gateway to RiverParks at 29th and Detroit

Inside RiverParks heading for the Midland Valley Trail

Midland Valley Trail Head

Morning glories along the trail in late September

Entrance to Maple Park at 17th and Cincinnati

On the trail in Maple Park

Downtown Tulsa from Maple Park

Boston Avenue Church from 13th & Peoria

Boston Avenue Church

First United Methodist Youth and Family Center Banners

First United Methodist Church in Tulsa

Route 66 Bridge at Riverside Parkway and Southwest Boulevard

Here is the view of Downtown from the RiverParks West Bank Trail

Completing the loop back to Riverparks East at 29th

I love my commute! And it keeps me in shape for hiking!

Practice Hike

I'm planning to hike the Horsethief Springs Trail in the Ouachita National Forest on October 22, 2008. Here is the link for more info. http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/ouachita/maps/documents/TR-05_Horsethief_Springs_On-Line_ROG_000.pdf

I have my pack for the Outer Mountain Loop ready and will hike the 11 mile practice trail in preparation. More later.

Walking Man Tour 2008

Well, I'm getting excited again. Completed the Arkansas trips and will post about them later, short hike really since Arkansas is about as flat as Oklahoma.

I'm planning to do the Outer Mountain Loop in Big Bend National Park this year in early December. Much planning to do, but here's a link to get started: http://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/bc_outermountainloop.htm

WalkingMan Tour 2008

March 3, and the plans are underway for the first of three Walking Man Tours this year. This trip is to Mount Magazine, the high point of Arkansas, then to the Buffalo River Vally to hike Hemmed-In Hollow and Goat Bluff. If time permits I will hike the Lost Valley trail.

More as this develops.

Trip Report on Walking Man Tour 2007-The South Rim

Here is a trip report from the Walking Man Tour 2007.

I left Tulsa at noon on Sunday in the midst of a downpour. This was the beginning of a two-week ice storm that devastated the Tulsa area, but I slipped out (no pun intended) just ahead of it. I traveled down Highway 75 to Dallas and stopped in Calera, OK at the Angus Pit Stop for a late lunch.

Believe it or not, there is Texas style barbecue in Oklahoma!





I went back with the owner to view the pit. He was originally from Mason Texas and moved to Oklahoma to be near his kids.

Here is a shot of the meats, their specialty was tri-tip, a cut rarely seen in Oklahoma. Good food and friendly people, I took some to go.


Traveled on in the rain to Fort Worth for the evening. Took a short trip on the roads near Arlington, reminding me of the years spent at UTA. Went to Central Market for the provisions for the week ahead.





I left Fort Worth at 4:30 am headed down I-20 for Big Bend. As I neared Abilene the roads began to ice and for the next 2 hours I was traveling on slick roads. Fortunately, I was out of traffic and was able to get through with no trouble. By Midland the roads were clear, but the weather was still rainy.

Stopped in Marathon at Shirley's Burnt Biscuit for fried pies.



More friendly West Texas folks and good eats for the week ahead.


By 1 pm I was at Persimmon Gap heading for the Basin and Chisos Mountain Lodge where I would spend Monday night.












Here is a shot of the foliage in the park. Still some color in mid-December.

After checking in at the Lodge, I took off for a short hike to the Window. Here is the view from the trailhead at the Basin.



A tarantula on the trail.



Here is a view of the Window from the trail



The Window




Me in the Window




I met up with two other hikers who were enjoying the view from the Window and they agree to take my picture.

Spent Monday evening in the Chisos Mountain Lodge. Rather rustic, but comfortable and allowed for an early morning start the next morning for the Lost Mine Trail.

I left the trailhead for the Lost Mine Trail at 6:30 am, sunrise was at 7:15 so the first part of the hike was in early morning light. Obviously I was the first on the trail, and I saw no other hikers.

Here is a view of the Window from the Lost Mine Trail

This is a self-portrait from the summit of the Lost Mine Trail. Almost not enough light for a picture. My flexible tripod worked well, however!

Casa Grande from the Lost Mine Trail





Here is the Terlingua Retreat where I stayed. Neat place available from VRBO.com

Since I was going to leave for the South Rim early on Wednesday, I took this picture of the trailhead on Tuesday evening.



Tuesday evening was spent in the retreat and I found myself getting excited about the hike the next day. I woke up at 4:30, but needed to wait for at least 2 hours before starting the hike. Finally, I put on the headlamp and took off on the Pinnacles trail about 6:30 am.

The hike up the trail was rather steep, with many switchbacks, but my pace was good and the wind and clouds were thick. I still broke a sweat in 45 degree weather. I began to wonder if it would be rainy throughout the day.

Here is a early morning shot from the Pinnacles Trail.



The morning was overcast and windy. The hike to Emory Peak was slick in spots as some of the moisture had frozen, but overall was OK. The scramble through clouds to the peak was a challenge, especially with the strong Southeast wind. The overcast blocked any view and so I made a short note in my journal, then hiked back down to head to Boot Canyon. I passed three other hikers who had spent the night on the South Rim.




Here is a composite shot of Boot Canyon. The leaves were still colorful even in the middle of December.



The Boot



I ran into another hiker at the Rim and he took my obligatory shot. Still very overcast so I was afraid that my views from the Rim would be poor.



The primary purpose of my trip to the South Rim on December 12 was to celebrate my 18th birthday of my new life of sobriety. I hiked to an overlook close to the junction with the Boot Canyon trail to have a celebration time, re-hydrate and give thanks to God for my new life.

As I began to write in my journal the clouds began to break up and the sun shone through! I felt that God was smiling on me as I rested in gratitude for his intervention in my life. The rest of the day was in bright sunshine as a reminder to me of God's grace!

Here is a shot from the South Rim with the breaking clouds.



After a rest, I took off around the Rim to join up with the Blue Creek Canyon and Laguna Meadows Trails to head back to the Basin.

Here is another shot from the South Rim.

Blue Creek Canyon

Deer on the trail. I must have been serene, because the deer were not frightened of me. They simply stepped aside so I could pass.

Casa Grande from the Laguna Meadows Trail

The Window from the Laguna Meadows Trail

Made it back to the Basin. 16 miles in 7.5 hours, 5.25 hours hiking time.

This was a grand hike. I was thrilled to be able to complete it and to see all of the sights along the way. I must plan a longer backpacking trip for next year. I have committed to spending my anniversary trips to the South Rim. 2012 will be an exciting time.

Update on WalkingMan Tour 2007

The plans are set for the WalkingMan Tour 2007. I will be in Terlingua, TX for my retreat beginning on December 9th. Monday will be in Big Bend National Park for the Window Trail. Tuesday will be the Lost Mine Trail, then Wednesday December 12 will be the highpoint of this year's Tour: The South Rim Trail, including Emory Peak.

Here are some links:

http://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/chisos-trailsystem.htm

http://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/chisos-dayhikes.htm#CP_JUMP_74534

http://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/upload/HighChisos-Trails.pdf

Walking Man Tour 2007

The plans for Walking Man 2007 are beginning to shape up. Beth and I will travel to Santa Fe in October and I will take a few short day hikes to get some high altitude work done.

In Early December I plan to go to Big Bend for the Walking Man Tour 2007. Plans are for hiking the Windows Trail; South Rim including Emory Peak; and the Lost Mine Trail in that order.

Watch for updates.

Couple of Opportunities

Beth and I are planning a trip to Santa Fe in October. Possibility for some day hikes while there. Also I am planning a trip to Big Bend again in mid-December. Walking Man Tour 2007!

Elk Mountain Hike

Had a great trip to the Wichita Mountain on July 20, 2007. Beth and I went with Carolyn Osborn and Greg Stiver, and we stayed in Colonel Kruger's cabin in Medicine Park. We drove up Mt. Scott Thursday evening and then on Friday morning hiked Elk Mountain.

Here are the photographs:


The lizard is the mountain boomer (eastern collared lizard) Oklahoma's state reptile.

After the hike we had a burger at Meer's store

Preparation for Witchita Mountains hike

Plans are in progress for a hike to the Witchita Mountains in July. Updates soon.

A New Year

Ok, I've gotten away from walking for the past few weeks, primarily because it is so cold. We are planning a trip to Washington DC in March and will do several hikes and walks through the city.

Later in the year I plan a trip to the Wichita Mountains for an overnight camping trip, then who knows what will take place later. For now, I'm getting back into the blogging mode.

I went on a hike to the Chicago Basin in the Needle Mountains of the Weminuche Wilderness. This was an 8 mile hike to an elevation of 12,000 feet for me. I stopped at the Twin Lakes.
No 14er's for me this time.

Boarding the train at Durango, Colorado

The Two Thumbs that mark the Twin Lakes

Panarama from Twin Lakes

Resting at Twin Lakes, 12,000 feet