Mother's Day Weekend at the Gorge IV

“Spending Mother's Day weekend in RRG is becoming a tradition for me and my sons, Calvin and Hobbes (12 and nearly 7). Because it is planned as a kid-friendly trip, the planned hiking miles are relatively low. This is a good trip for beginners and for anyone with children as well as for anyone who likes to get together with TTers. (There is always that magical time of the day when the little ones are put to bed and the adults can gather round the fire.)

I haven't decided on a specific camp site or route yet. But it will be similar to years past. By this time of year, Miguels is open. So there will definitely be a meal planned for there.


This is a fantastic time of year to go. The morels are out. Everything is budding and starting to get lush. It's not too hot or too buggy yet. But it's warm enough for the kids to splash in the happy creek. Last year they also had fun playing with the giant millipedes that were seen occasionally on the trail.

My plan is to base camp and day hike from there, with plenty of lounge-around-the-camp time to allow the little ones chances to explore on their own schedule.

You are welcome to join us with or without kids.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This would be a great trip for those of you with SO's who are hesitant to camp or backpack. The camping will be a step up from car camping in that we will not be in a campground per se. However, it is a very easy hike of 1 mile or less to get to the campsites. And the RRG is extensive enough that for those who are willing and able, they can do a substantial hike during the day and meet back at base camp at night where the rest of us will be waiting. For those who are not up to the hike, there are plenty of things to see via car. And it is pretty darn comfy to just hang out in camp as well.


Trip Planning Info:

Web site for more info: http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/boone/rrg.htm

You will need to have a car pass in your vehicle to park in RRG. You can buy these at the Shell station in Slade. The Shell station is open until midnight EST. If I remember correctly, they are $10 for a 3-day pass. You also can purchase maps there as well. You may also be able to call the Stanton District Office (of the Daniel Boone National Forest) for information and maps at (606) 663-2852.


WEATHER FORECASt: http://www.weather.com/activities/other/other/weather/tenday.html?locid=USKY1339&from=search_10day
last edited: 1/25/07 8:34:07 AM”

“In! Abby too. =)”

“Is it that time of year again? LOL!”

“i posted to the wrong thread earlier... but i doubt we can make it because the 11th and 14th are school days. it won't work with the long drive to the gorge. that's too bad for us because i have always wanted to take the family here for just such a trip.”

“That's understandable, Jimmy. This is the one occasion a year where I would consider taking the boys out early or keeping them home from school on Friday. We plan it ahead of time with the teachers so they don't miss anything. Usually on Sunday, we are on the road before noon to go home so they don't miss school on Monday.”

“$5 for 3 days.”

“I'm down as a real strong maybe for this. The Gorge ROCKS, and I have been wanting to get at least my oldest two out on the trail. Thanks Ruby. I'm really looking forward to this.”

“I'm a strong maybe. I have a niece, 9 yrs old, who loves going hiking with me and this would a great time for her to meet other young hikers. I just need to get her Mom's approval.”

“Thanks for the correction, Dayhiker!”

“Hmm, I'll need to check with HPM about going to this one, with Laurel!”

“Treebait it would just be awesome if you two can make it. Abby has never had another little girl to play with on a Kids trip. Plus it would be great to meet you in person. RRG is a neat place, well worth the 7 hour drive for us.
Hope you can make it!

~Sassafras (forgot to log Birch out again)”

“If I make it with my two little ones it would be full of girls Sass. Ruby's boys wont know what to do. They may run out of cootie spray. Do they still do that?”

“I'll be there...no kids, maybe I'll bring a dog.”

“dogs can go? yay! i'll bring the human child and the furry one, too. =)

add another girl child to the mix!”

“Is that your dog on your photography page (very nice btw) Happyclicker? Is it a pointer?”

“I will prolly bring one of each, boy and girl, for this trip.”

“cool”

“My son, 8 years old, and I would love to come and join everyone. I am hoping Fathers can come on a Mother's Day trip. If so, a buddy of mine and his daughter and oh yes my beagle Ray will join everyone.”

“Absolutely! Everyone is invited: mothers, fathers, and non-parents.

Lookings forward to meeting you, Summit!”

“sass, how long is the drive for you?”

“About six and a half hours. It's just Abby and me so if you want you could jump in our car in Detroit and head down with us.”

“thanks for the offer Sass
tack on a couple hours to get to your place and that makes it waaaaay to long to spend in the car with my three goofs. i'd have to be insane to want to be 8hrs+ (each way!) in a small enclosed space with the little darlings.
last edited: 2/12/07 12:00:40 AM”

“The best piece of gear that I have purchased for family backpacking trips? A portable DVD player for the long car rides. We measure the ride in movies. Going to RRG is about 3 movies away.
;-D”

“Well, ppffttt...I wanted to bring my daughter but that's the weekend I start an eight day AT section hike.

One of these days.....”

“I measure the ride in how many times Abby has to say "Mom, did you hear what I just said?!". Dang, the kid just prattles on non-stop. Somedays my ears ring, I swear. =) I should enjoy it while I can. I imagine in 7 years she won't be talking to me anymore.”

“Hey Summit IN! I'm bringing my girls down by myself too so you will have some fatherly reinforcement if needed. Welcome to TT also!”

“ Dang, the kid just prattles on non-stop.



Hmmmm I wonder where she would get that from???? :p~~ lol”

“lol, I just don't know. Where do you think Joe?
Nice to see you! Are you and M thinking of coming to the Red Mom's day hike again?! It's been too long....”

“anyone know what the temps are there then?...we've been trowing it around but the little one will only be 11 months then”

“For the past two years we've used 45° bags at night and worn shorts and tee shirts during the day. It's usually really lovely and warm and there are flowers everywhere.”

“Make sure you bring extra dry clothes for the kids. It is impossible to keep them out of the creek.”

“Of course men are welcome, who do you think is doing all the work for the moms? It is Mother's Day, ya know :-)”

“Oh, pinkfleece is going? No one told me that. If Poop Pack's going I'm out! LOL!”

“This girls is gettin more names than an NYC cab driver. LOL! Now what's this about poop packer? Last I heard Pinkfleece was not very well equiped for such an act... Hmmmm... Y'all are corn-fusin' me.”

“I'm having trouble with the new names.

I know pinkbutt/fleece, but is Poop Pack Sugar Legs?”

“I think Nigal just named Pinkbutt poop pack, but Sugar Legs is a Crash Bang thang also from Nigal. And judging from the story, those legs may be a little sticky too...
LMAO!!!!”

“We used to call Crash Bang, 2poops, back when his name was 2scoops.
I knew Sugar Legs is Crash. ;-)”

“I called her that because she made fun of me for saying I could take 4" easy. 4" of snow that is. I told her I was pooping in her backpack this weekend.”

“Nigal, you'll have to catch me first, I may end up in Michigan :-)”

“FYI, it's looking more and more like the adults will be outnumbered by the liliputians. This should be a good one. =D”

“Thanks for the reply. We shall be there!”

“Isn't it TGIFriday's that accepts liliputians as payment? The adults will be eating good
:-)”

“Sure, if we can find a TGIFridays, lol. Miguels might take them to do dishes for awhile or something.”

“Or feed them to the goats. ;-)”

“Maybe rent them out to climbers to carry rope? =D

Nah, what fun would it be w/o them.
Ruby, it's going to mahem this year compared to years past!! I can't wait.”

“I agree. This is gonna be a fun and memorable one.”

“Bump!

Is this trip still on?”

“I'm in plus the wife and Honey.”

““I'm in plus the wife and Honey.”
Nigal
6:36:42 AM
4/14/07
ignore this use

Took me a moment to remember you have a dog named Honey LMAO....”

“I'm still a definate with my oldest two.”