Mother's Day Weekend Kids' Trip III

“Silent J i am going comando so warn your wife! LOL”

“Jerbear, did you notice that we will be at Kings Branch instead of the other happy creek? Just want to be sure.”

“I dont have any kids, could I steal one of the new neighbors kids?”

“Hey Jerbear! Liked the pics. Was that Chinmusic with you?

Lookin' forward to the trip. I hope to be there before dark. I'll get my son out of school early and drive straight through. It takes me five hours to get there.

Ruby, can you give me your cell phone number in case I can't find you. I think the reception is pretty good near Gray's Arch.”

“Hey Jerbear! Liked the pics. Was that Chinmusic with you?

Lookin' forward to the trip. I hope to be there before dark. I'll get my son out of school early and drive straight through. It takes me five hours to get there.

Ruby, can you give me your cell phone number in case I can't find you. I think the reception is pretty good near Gray's Arch.”

“You bet, SC. This is not a kids-necessary trip.

Stomper, I am happy to give it to you. I don't see an email in your profile. Email me at vicsaw@comcast.net.”

“Are you going to make this trip? I thought you were working.”

“Yes, I noticed. I believe we camped there one time, did we not.......I have a favorite campsite there.
I am hoping that I can make it. Work schedule may determine.!YO Bear!
Hey stomper!”

“Yes, we did. I remember you staying up on the ridge above my site.”

“I have a golf tournament in Atlanta that weekend... who want to go with me!”

“Looks like there are quite a few people going. I'm bringing my two sons. Is the campsite big enough for our group?”

“Yes, plenty big. There are quite a few smaller areas to camp. Last time we had a community fire area and everyone then walked to their tents which were within 100 feet or so, maybe a bit more. So we can be spread out but still fairly close.”

“I am still waiting to find out if I have to work Friday and Saturday. =( Should know by Tuesday.”

“We'll keep our fingers crossed for you!”

“We are definately in!! =D Now I have to start finding where I need to be and start packing. Directions to the trailhead anywhere easy to find?

Abby is soooo looking forward to seeing Luke. And Tucker (she said) lol. Even the little girls love him!
last edited: 5/09/06 6:48:03 AM”

“Okay, the most info I could find was "1.5 miles in on Gray's arch trail at the crossing of kings Branch".

Abby and I can get there anytime on Friday (planning on leaving MI early morning). Is there a chance we could meet up with someone at the trailhead to hike in? I hate to hike in alone with a five year old. I'm one of those paranoid people who always likes to have someone to go for help if necessary.

Ruby your cell number hasn't changed since Chicago has it?

I am sooo excited we get to go!”

“Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?”

“LOL! It';s the same place we stayed last time. We're looking to be there about 3-4.”

“Man, yall suck getting to get together and go hiking. Have fun.

Weather permitting, I'm taking Emma on her first backpacking trip on Friday. This should be interesting.”

“Thanks Nigal, you're so helpful. I know that it's the same place as last time. I guess I'll try and find the thread from last year.”

“Here we go (from last year's trip):

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. 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!!”

“Anything else I can help ya with? :P”

“Yep, can you please make sure the forecasted thunderstorm blows over on Saturday. I don't relish the idea of Abby (terrified of thunder) having to go through a thunderstorm while hiking.”

“Jerbear, I can't tell her about the whole commando thing. The look on her face when she sees it will be priceless.

Anyway, my wife wants me to hike in our freakin' air mattress! Of course, I can't convince her to sleep under a tarp so I'm the one carrying the giant Wal-Mart condo on my back as well. Atleast it's only 1.5 in.

I'm driving in the night right now so I hope to get home to Dayton around noon and on the trail ASAP. Assuming my schedule doesn't get screwy and I end up driving during the day again. (FYI, I'm a truck driver)

Yes, ChinMusic was in the photos. Has anybody heard from him? After that trip I know he went out with Prosecutor and ended up busting his leg, and he seemed to dissapear. Thought he might come back after he was back in health.

Speaking of not hearing from anybody, has SloppyJoe been around? He had some things going on and just dissapeared. He said it was temp. but I haven't seen him around either. Then again, I'm not on the board much these days myself.”

“Sass, I hope to be there around five. I'm glad you get to go. Sounds like a good group! We'll have a blast!”

“I haven't seen or heard from Sloppy Joe in ages, perhaps at least a year if I remember correctly.


I plan to try to leave here early Friday morning as well. My cell is the same, Sass. Does yours still end in 3779? FYI, I know my cell service gets very sketchy as I approach Slade on the highway. Last time I was at RRG, my service was non-existent in the park itself.

If you get there before we do and want to wait for us, that would be fine. However, if someone else gets there and you all want to hike in without waiting for us, that is fine as well. I am going to be fine hiking in with the boys alone if necessary. They know that trail now. I'm hoping we can zip down it. If I get there before anyone else, we will wait for a while before heading out.


Silent J, carrying in an air mattress to keep your wife comfortable and happy will keep you happy for the rest of the trip. ;)”

“Yep, that's mine Ruby. I'm guessing Abby and I will probably roll in there sometime after lunch, maybe one or twoish. It's about 6.25 hours accrding to mapquest. Maybe I'll give you a holler once we get close just to see where you guys are.”

““Yep, can you please make sure the forecasted thunderstorm blows over on Saturday. I don't relish the idea of Abby (terrified of thunder) having to go through a thunderstorm while hiking.”
Sassafras

?????What thunderstorms...only 20-30% for the weekend. This being Tuesday things can change...maybe.
FRIDAY
PARTLY CLOUDY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF A SHOWER OR
THUNDERSTORM. HIGHS IN THE MID 60S.

FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY
PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE UPPER 40S...
AND HIGHS IN THE MID 60S.

SATURDAY NIGHT
PARTLY CLOUDY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF A SHOWER
OR THUNDERSTORM. LOWS IN THE UPPER 40S.

SUNDAY
PARTLY CLOUDY WITH A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS. HIGHS IN THE MID 60S.”

“Be prepared. We most likely will be getting wet.

This morning's forecast:

Fri
May 12 Showers
60°/50° 50%


Sat
May 13 Isolated T-Storms
65°/49° 30%


Sun
May 14 Showers
65°/51° 60%

For up-to-date forecast, here's a link:
http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/USKY1339?locid=USKY1339&from=search_10day”

“I may have to pass on this adventure. My knee started bothering me about 2 weeks ago, I thought for sure it would be better by now. At least I can take comfort in not getting rained on. Have a fun and safe trip all.”

“There is a slight chance I can make this. CS is going to see her mother and my kids will be spending the weekend with their mother.

I might drive up Saturday for this one.”

“cool! Hope you can make it Chili. It'd be nice to have a face with the name after all these years.”

“Not sure if I will make it now. Part of a 5 car pile up...dumb shirt with no brakes speeding on wet pavement. His dad's truck so I hope dad's insurance pays the damage. My car is at the shop but work won't begin until I get a copy of the police report to my company. I have a truck but I refuse to pay for the gas it would use to get there. I am going to get a rental but not sure if I will get it in time to do the trip.

First thing he said after asking if I was alright was his brakes failed....GGGGRRRRRRR!!!!
”

“that sucks sticks, good luck...i was just in the same situation a few months ago

hmmmm, sticks at a kids camp out...you behave yourself old man ;)”

“The weather report takes a turn for the worst and now we suddenly have people wrecking their cars so they don't have to go. Wait a second, thsi isn't because I'm going is it?

LOL!”

“That's why I'm not going, Nige!! :p~



Well ok it MIGHT be cause I'm gonna be in WI ARing.....but that's not NEARLY as funny! lol”

“So, what is on the menu for this weekend? Straight backpacker food or are you going to pack in hot dogs, smores and other "kid food"?”

“I think I might do a hotdog for Friday night. I need to go shopping still. Not sure when I'll fit it in but I will. I'll be packing and shopping after work tonight I guess.

I found Quaker Breakfast cookies last trip to the grocery. They're pretty tasty, have a nice amount of calories and stuck with me for awhile. The little one likes them alot.”

“I haven't even thought about food yet. Yikes! I am trying to find all the backpacking stuff in boxes, do a really huge job today, and clean out my old apartment. Plus have to fit in Luke's t-ball game.

Because of all that, I am not sure that I will be leaving as early as I originally thought tomorrow morning. But we'll get there eventually. We might not get there until supper time though. And if that's the case, I very well may just buy some Subway or something and then hike in to avoid having to worry about a meal at all tomorrow night.”

“Hmmmmm....our forecast isn't getting any better. It's going to be 60% chance of showers and t-storms the whole weekend.”

“Yuck. I just got back from the dolar store. Got a 15 pack of glowsticks for the kiddies, a teeney tiny crazy eights deck (got one for Luke and Tucker too), and a magnetic dominos set....just in case we end up in the tent alot.

We will be shooting for a 3-4 arrival at Grays Arch trailhead. Talked to Jerbear last night and discussed the option of hiking in from Martins Fork trailhead. Maybe we can do that after our Saturday tour? I'd like to try a different trail if possible. It only looks about 1/2 a mile longer.

Looking at the forecast it may not be a good idea to bring anything that needs to be cooked over a fire. Reconsidering the hotdogs...”

“hee hee, glow sticks...this might not be a good thing to do w/ the kids there but some time when they're not around you should throw one of those babies in the fire and watch what happens...pretty cool”

“You rock, Sass! I am happy to try any other trail.”

“Okay, I admit it. The forecast is really kind of scaring me with all the kids. I am imagining two sopping wet muddy WHINY BICKERING boys and one wet muddy dog squeezing into tents to get out of the rain. I am starting to wish I had built in a rain contingency plan to this event like going to a drier location or incorporating a cheap motel into it.”

“Buy lots of blue tarps”

“Instead of going to the creek go to the primitive camping area where you guys met up with Fridge, Phantom, and me. Lots of room for tents and plenty of trees to make a group area with tarps. Great hiking still close such as Auxier Ridge, plenty of wood for a fire, restroom by the parking lot, and cars for trips to get pizza and refreshments...or bail if the kids get to be too much to stand.

It is only about 200 yards past Gray's Arch parking so no one should have trouble finding it.

That low pressure system is stuck for another 4 days so intermittent rain is here through the weekend.”

“I remember where that is, Sticks. It sounds like an appealing idea. It might be easier to hike in the mud with the kiddos if we're not all wearing heavy packs.


So what say you all?????????? If we are all in agreement, I like this idea.”

“Is it right beside the road? Is it beside a parking area or do you have to hike in a little ways?”

“Is this the National Forest campgrounds we're talking about here? Koomer Ridge Campgrounds? Sounds good to me.

Directions to Koomer Ridge Campgrounds....

On KY 15 between the Slade exit (#33) and the Beattyville exit (#40) off the Bert T. Combs Mountain Parkway. From Mountain Parkway at Slade exit, take KY 15 east for 5 miles to the campground.

Map:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/boone/documents/rogs/stanton/koomer.pdf”

“I say we do it. I'll bring my tarp to donate to the tarp city.”