Red River Gorge Mother's Day Weekend-Kid Friendly

“Cool!


Next week (when I'm back at the office with a fast Internet connection) I will post a photo album of pictures from last year's RRG Mother's Day trip.”

“Go past the Grays Arch parking area and in less than a half mile you will see a purty new overlook on the right. Immediately past this overlook on the left is the primitive site we used. You will see a carsonite post with the words primitive camping #2in the right ditch from the parking area. We camped close to the parking lot so you guys could find us but the area goes further back for those that want privacy. There is a nice rock fire ring in the edge of the woods just past where we camped , it is on the right.”

“Hey there Big Poppa! Great news!! Look forward to seeing you again.”

“Sticks, the campsite I had in mind was the one we hiked past the day we did the loop past Gray's Arch. After we saw the arch and kept on going, we crossed the creek where there were a few sites right next to the creek. Remember that one? I liked that that one was so far away from the road and that there was the water close by for the kids to play in.”

“That would be King's Branch. I have camped on it several times lots of spring flowers.”

“sooo...any boys ages 12 to 15???
who knows I may bring my kids. they have their real backpacking trip with the scouts this weekend and are all excited. (prolly though because they wanna show the scoutleader how it's done...LOL)

I am still hoping they want to go on this trip so I dont have to be the only parent without kids.”

“Gem, you can have mine. I'll be the parent without kids! ;)



I must admit I'm a bit apprehensive of doing a kid trip without my partner. It's so nice to be able to tagteam and take a break every once in awhile. Will be quite different.”

“no, no, no....don't want any other kids. LOL

I am sure by May mine want to play outside with friends...and are not even thinking about going backpacking with me. that's okay though... gives me more quality time for myself without having to feel guilty.”

“You won't be the only one Gem....I don't think any of ours are going....and even if they did, they're not really kids anymore....lol”

“I want to go but like practically every weekend I have to work. Im not a parent, so if i did go I wouldnt bring kids”

“yupp...the more I think about it the more I feel that mother's day is my weekend (not that I don't have any)...so most likely I'll be coming alone. Unless the kidz will cling to my legs...then I may have to bring 'em.[b]”

“well, my it looks like I may be joining sass and the little one for this trip. I look forward to seeing you all.”

“Thats good to hear :)
specially since I just read your post about the May race on the other board.”

“has anyone gave any thought to plan a trip to the Gorge in September??”

“APRIL 28 UPDATE:

Here are directions for you. Mapquest your directions to Slade, Kentucky. You will take Exit Number 33 off Mountain Parkway. First stop at the Shell Station to buy your permit for your vehicle. You should also be able to buy a map here if you wish.

When you leave the gas station, turn left onto Route 15
Go a little less than 3 miles
Turn left onto Tunnel Ridge Road
Take this to the Grays Arch parking lot that will be on your right just under a mile. It has off-street parking, picnic tables, and fancy porta-pottys.

You will hike the Grays Arch Trail for about 1.5 miles to King Branch (creek). We will be setting up camp in this area. Along the way, make sure to stop at Grays Arch and spend some time exploring. It is spectacular with lots of photo ops. I figured we can all meet at the camp site.


If you are bringing children, be aware that we will be near a very tantalizing shallow creek (4 - 8 inches deep). They will get wet!!


I am going to try to arrive mid-day on Friday to get there before everyone and establish our camp area.
last edited: 4/28/05 8:37:16 PM”

“I know the exact spot! I'm heading out as early as I can Friday morning so I may be there about the same time. Can't wait.”

“Abby and I will be leaving around 7amish Friday. Should be getting there around 1pm. If I don't see any familiar cars in the TH lot I may just wait around for someone to show up. Can't wait!

Ruby, did you want me to bring that extra bag/pad for you to try out?
last edited: 4/29/05 9:45:27 AM”

“I'll be getting there about that time Sass. Would ya wanna meet up at the TH and hike in together?”

“Yes please! I've only been there once and I'm not sure about where it is we'll be stopping. I'd feel better with some company (grown-up that is, well sorta grown-up at least) ;)”

“If you prefer we could meet at the Shell station and go from there. The TH Ruby picked is the one I always park at so I know exactly where to go.

I'm so glad you guys are going.”

“Sass, yes please. Could I borrow that Zirkel (or however you spell it)? I will have my pad by then. I went ahead and ordered it after all.

If it looks like I will be getting there at around the same time, then I will wait for you guys at the TH parking lot. We can all have fun together then at Grays Arch.



(Fridge & Gem, it's doable!)”

“Cool. I put it on my packing list.

Nige, lets just meet at the trailhead. Ruby's directions look pretty good and I'd rather wait there than the gas station so Abby can stretch her legs and run around. Sound okay?
I'm glad you're going too. =) Ab's excited to see you and wants to know if Honey's coming?”

“Hey Sass, RRG is where I first met you and Birch. Remember that 1st night campsite right by the creek. Those were the best cookies.

”

“Yeah, Yeah...unless hubby didn't plane a surprise for me on mothersday (and I doubt that very much) I'll be there.

Sass...I remember those cookies.
Nigal: u gonna be there? no way??

please let it not rain, I don't wanna land it ruby's crotch every again. It's just NOT doable!”

“"Ab's excited to see you and wants to know if Honey's coming?”

I'm looking forward to seeing you guys too. I'm making Abby a little velvet bag to keep treasures in when she goes hiking. I picked up a couple of little geodes and a cool flat rock with a perfect hole worn in the center of it to put in it because I remembered Joe saying she likes that kind of stuff. I'm planning on bringing Honey so as long as Abby doesn't wear a bunny suit she'll be fine. LOL!”

“Ewk, I remember but that was the only time we've been there. Is that campsite the one we're going to the first night? The trailhead doesn't sound like the same one we used before. I never remember details like that though.
You were very nice to share your cookies. =)”

“lol nige! We'll leave the bunny ears at home! She wondered if Honey was going to give her kisses again. =)

I just told her Honey's coming and she clapped her hands together yelled "YES! I knew Mr Nigal'd bring her!".
last edited: 4/29/05 2:25:33 PM”

“that campsite was off the rough trail which is on the other end of the park.

BTW were you 2 impersonating Johnny Cash that weekend. Both dressed in black”

“lmao! I was just thinking we looked like the man in black and his wife.”

“Now I'm off to Kmart to try and find Abby some nylon pants and a campchair. Struck out at all the local thrift stores.”

“great minds think a like..we do that a lot”

“Iwill be there 6ish. Just in time for the errr,...... fire. Lookin forward to seein ya all. yo bear!”

“Is chili going? I thought I saw his name on the list.”

“FYI, We are bringing our little dog Copper as well. When he doesn't get enough exercise he can be exciteable sometimes, but after hiking with a pack on, I'm pretty sure he will be exhausted and very manageable. His first hike ever was last year at RRG.

I hope it doesn't rain, too, Gem. Don't forget to bring some sneakers so you can try Half Moon Arch again. (I don't want you in my crotch either. lol) See if you can drag your kids along with you. Leave the hubby at home alone.

I think I saw Bigpoppa's name on the list. Does he have kids? And how old?

Jerbear, did you notice that this is not the original campsite that I had mentioned? I want to make sure you go to the right one.

Fridge? Chili? Not seen either of you on here lately. Can we expect you?”

“Big Poppa said he has a 4 and 6 year old, both girls.”

“Here's a link to the local weather forecast.

http://www.weather.com/activities/other/other/weather/tenday.html?locid=USKY1339&from=search_10day

I know it's still a number of days away, but it looks very promising. Night temps in the 50s and day temps in the 70s with a 0 to 20% chance of precip. Should be perfect!!!


I'd like to go for one meal at Miquel's. It's a well-know pizza joint, very laid back, climber hangout. Let's plan on Saturday for lunch or supper. Besides pizza, he also sells some gear if you're interested.”

“when you order one of his pizzas with everything on it you never know what you will get. The last time we were there we got a pizza it had a sweet potatoes on it.”

“that sounds good :)”

“I just thought of something else. Be aware that there is lots and lots of poison ivy here so be prepared with whatever you need to stave that off for yourself.”

“Awesome! (sarcasm font on)
I guarentee Abby and I both will come away from this weekend with poison ivy on our rear ends from tinkling in the wrong place. It never fails, lol. (sarcasm font off)

So, I was thinking about the gear. Should I pack my saw and marshmallows? (I can't remember if we had fires! Where's my memory gone?!)
How many bugs are we likely to have to deal with (we only have a coupla tarptents and then a three person tent)?

Thank you for any insight anyone may have into the above issues.”

“Yes, we can have a campfire. I'd bring bug spray, but I don't think it will be overwhelming. Also suncsreen I'd recommend. I'm bringing both, and I'm happy to share it with you guys.”

“i need to look through this thread again, but are we camping right next to the parking area on the first night when everyone is meeting?

I have some wood, only pine, so it'll burn fast, but hey...I am not carring it for 1 mile. I carry it 10 feet, that's it!! LOL

I am so happy to see you all!!!”

“No, not there Gem. If you look on the Trip Page info section, I put directions to the camp site. It's after the arch where you and I climbed out on the ledge, after the cool iron rock that you took all sorts of pictures of. It will be down by the creek that we crossed shortly after Sticks's dog came back after he lost him. Remember? More like 1.5 miles. Too far to carry wood. That's what we are bringing the kids for, to scrounge for wood at the camp site.


Now those are directions only a girl could give. ;) lol”

“yeah...i thought I read that somewhere. u know me..I'll check for details the day before. LOL

No wood for you then! :)”

“Poor Ruby, she gets no wood. At least for a week or so more. ;)”

“Okay, bug and sunscreen combo are packed.

I will bring my packsaw. The deal is if I carry it in I don't have to use it, right?”

“I had thought that sense we were going to be a fairly large group (what 6-7 plus kids?) and because we’d be camped very near the trail that I might bring a tarp so we could set up a simi-private privy of sorts. Thwould keep all the peepee/poo poo action in one place too.

I can bring my saw. Some nice folks gave me one last winter I bring. Lol!”

“Poison Ivy????
Ok that's it I'm not coming!!!
Lol, yeah right like I'm gonna miss this weekend!!”

“So, you'll set upthe tarp in an area that's poison ivy free? No itchy butt?! =)”

“We could even improvice some kind of seat.”