Arkansas River Trail (Wichita, KS)

2013.05.27 - Memorial Day - I woke up feeling the need to run. Since we were staying at the Hyatt Regency in Wichita, KS on the Arkansas River, it was not hard to convince me just to run the River. Besides the wide walkways were very inviting. However, it didn't take long to realize that after my run, I needed to walk the same route and take a closer look at the many places attractions along the way.

The first attraction is on the eastern side of the River near the boathouse. It is 'Jayhawk.' The winner of the 1992 America's cup. It is displayed so that we could walk underneath it and see the underside and also walk up the hill and see it from the side. Very impressive boat.

We walked upstream with the wind and found ourselves engulfed in Veterans Park. It was very appropriate considering it was Memorial Day and some respect needed to be felt and left there. As we looked around, we both expressed there is no doubt that without our Soldiers and their sacrifice we would not be able to freely visit spectacular places to hike around the country. I am particularly appreciative of the freedom to express my adventures in the written form.

The memorials in Veteran's Park honored those who served on Pearl Harbor, during World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam Conflict, and coming soon for those of us who served in Desert Storm and the current conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. The memorial for Kansas Veterans is magnificent in the center of park as a soldier lays a helmet on a rifle. To remind us of those lost is a sole POW*MIA marker on a small hill and nearby a memorial for those that earned a purple heart. I am partial to Vietnam Vets and in the park is a very special memorial as it was placed by the Wichita Vietnames community in honor of those served.

After paying our respect, we continued upstream and crossed the Little Arkansas River via suspension bridge to get to the Keeper of the Plains. The Keeper is a Native American Sculpture raised 30 feet facing east to bring in the new day. He stands where the Arkansas and the Little Arkansas River meet and is considered scared ground shared with the nearby Mid-America All Indian Center. If by chance, walking in the evening, a ring of fire ignites at 9 pm in the summer and at sunset in the winter. While there, take some time and view the two walls displaying American Indian life before crossing over to either side of the river. Looking back at the bridge, pointing away from the keeper are the suspension cables in the form of arrows.

We turned down stream to head back to the hotel, but along the way got our one and only cache of our walk. It is in the parking lot of the Exploration Place which has a reflection pond on the trail. The Western side of the Arkansas river goes down a bit further past Lawrence-Dumont Stadium where the Wingnuts play, but we crossed Lewis Street to get back to the hotel.

We hiked 3.19 miles in 1 hour : 48 minutes averaging 34 minutes : 05 seconds per mile while sight seeing as well. Our fastest was  third at 26 minutes : 21 seconds.

Total blogged Miles: 49.28 miles.

Weston Bend State Park (Weston, MO)

2013.05.26 - Two explorers we admire are Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Their expedition up the Missouri from St. Louis has both inspired and motivated us. Of course, we cannot follow exactly in their footsteps, nor can we come anywhere imaginably close, but in places where we can observe and reflect, then we will. One of those places is Weston Bend State Park near Weston, Missouri.

We parked near the trailhead and started our trek on the paved trail going south. An added feature to this paved trail is how the distance is counted down or up every .25 miles by spray painted yellow markers. This is particularly useful if only walking the 2.75 mile paved trail and need a path reference. It can either be a blessing or a curse, depending on how one feels.

When we had the first opportunity to take a dirt path, we took it. The West Ridge Trail leaves the paved trail and climbs up a ridge over-looking the Mighty Missouri. Looking west, we can imagine where Lewis and Clark trekked over two hundred years ago. I have a GPS, an automobile, and restaurants nearby. I can't image what life would be without them and yet, they survived so many miles on their own through some hostile areas without any of these modern conveniences. Simply amazing.

West Ridge Trail crosses with the Harpst Valley trail which leads to the Overlook. It is here where we learn more about Lewis and Clark's path in the area from a nearby sign. A bench encircles a tree and I make the observation that I can spend an afternoon just reading here. It is that peaceful, that calm.

While walking around we saw a couple of cardinals and were welcomed to a sympathy of birds singing above us. Plus, there were signs informing us about the features and benefits to this living aviary. Maybe next time, we will sit, close our eyes, and listen to the musical chirps in surround sound.

Our hike back from the Overlook had us descending only to ascend to where we parked. It was a good hike and we even found a couple of caches along the way. Truth be told that I was expecting to hike the Weston Bluffs Trail which is closer to the River, but I don't regret where we went. If we hadn't we wouldn't have seen the Missouri the way we did and those views I wouldn't trade it. Guess that is the spirit of an any adventure, the experiences taken and life left.

We hiked 3.88 miles in 1 hour : 41 minutes averaging 26 minutes : 15 second miles. Our fastest was the first one at 20 minutes : 07 seconds.

Total blogged miles: 46.09 miles. 

Kill Creek Regional Park (Olathe, KS)

2013.05.25 - Kill Creek Regional Park is just west of Olathe, KS, north of I-35, and a long way from Texas. I discovered it on the map while looking for a place near Kansas City knowing I was going to have some time before meeting my friend from Topeka in Merriam. Not that I needed any other reason more than a few new trails to explore.

The main paved trail which circles around the park runs close enough to parking that I can literally get out of the car and a few steps later be on my way. Which really makes it hard for me to forget where I parked or get lost. Thank goodness I have a GPS!

I ventured toward the lake and found a cache along the way. It was in plain sight and in view of a picnic tables, yet a bit outside of the trimmed grass. That natural boundary line is just enough to deter the average park attendee from advancing any further. I signed my name on the log and continued on.

Kill Creek Lake is multi purpose in that people fish, canoe, and swim. I learned that youth under 15 or seniors over 75, 65 if a county resident, can fish without a license. There is also a beach with a lifeguard on duty during the weekend in the summer. The water is clear and inviting, but I did not jump in. I wanted to stay dry for the hike ahead.

For most of the perimeter, the paved trail lines the lake with some places to rest and reflect including a small island with a bridge and cache. However, to circle the entire lake, there is a dirt path available only for hikers. With the recent storms, it was muddy in places and maybe that is why when I stopped, I felt these little bites on my legs. I thought they were mosquitos, boy was I wrong, they were ticks!  It was the first time that I can remember, ticks small and large coordinated an assault on my body. Freaking Blood Suckers!

I vowed not to go into the bush again, but did not last long as I flowed another trail to get to a puzzle cache. It is a fun cache. The container is attached to a prop used in the geocaching cache name, So I Married An Axe Murderer. I took a picture of it, but don't want to spoil it for the caching community. All I can say is that some caches are just fun!

Wanting to hike as much as I could before having to leave, I hiked and cached south the paved trail, until it circled around. As I wrote on one of the cache logs, this is an all day park and I only had a few hours. I am not sure when I'll be back but I know I still have a lot more park to explore.

I hiked 5.08 miles in 2 hours : 32 minutes averaging 29 minutes : 57 seconds per mile including caching. The fastest mile being the 2nd at 25 minutes: 08 seconds.

Total blogged miles: 42.21 miles.

River Parks Trail (Tulsa, OK)

2013.05.17 - -This past weekend in Tulsa, OK became one experience building on itself and then exponentially with the next. It started with me getting the wrong dates at the Hyatt Regency downtown, and the understanding front desk clerk changing them while honoring the same low price. As a bonus, right outside the hotel doors, Mayfest was happening with live music and food abound. Couldn't have been a better start to the weekend and after getting our entertainment fill, we went to bed because we had a nice hike planned the next day.

We decided to start our trek just east of Route 66 and Riverside Dr. The River Parks Trail follows the Arkansas River and is paved wide enough to allow two lanes for bicycle traffic and a wide enough lane just for walkers. Where we took our first steps is an arch acting as both a starting point and finish line.

Coincidentally, there were a few caches hidden along the way and as it turned out they were near some very interesting public art. A sculpture of two deer named Nature Works hosted one cache, while another was near an amazing suspended cube. In total we found 18 caches along this stretch. It was fun finding a cache and learning more about Tulsa.

On this stretch of the River Parks Trail there is a hut where one can stop, get a cold one, and cool off for a bit. Blue Rose Cafe is also here. With their slogan being, 'No Crybabies, it is a neat motorcycle, bicycle, walker restaurant with live entertainment and good food. We didn't stop on our hike, but took note and after we were done, came back for our celebration lunch. 

We walked for a bit and then came to where we were about to cross on the Midland Valley Trail and River Trails Pedestrian Bridge. Stopping for water near a sailboat sculpture, we drank up as it was getting warm, but the thought of some wind passing through sails would have been very much appreciated. While there, On the Arkansas, a beautiful out of service fountain rests. An island of circles, must of sprayed magnificently at one time, and yet may circle back to do so again.

Careful on the pedestrian bridge as walkers, hikers, and bikers all use it to cross the river, but it is only wide enough for those on two legs and not wheels. If you see a road bike flying towards you, it may be best to move aside and avoid a collision. At the center of the bridge, in one direction, downtown Tulsa is set with the River at the fore front offering an awesome photo opportunity. The other side looks down river in the direction of where the Arkansas leads into the Mississippi.


It wasn't surprising that the western side of the River was less used, yet the trail was just as wide. It was pleasant to just walk for a bit without the big crowds. We stopped for a couple more caches, but also found symmetry under a bridge and a red robot on a tree. As mentioned before, some treasures cannot be found without exploration.

Our next stop was River West Festival Park and the floating amphitheater. Two cables keep it anchored and make it easy to pull to shore. One of these days, we'll have to see a show just to see how the stage comes to live and gain more perspective.

Our final stop was a reward on itself. The Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza has eight flags, one for every state Route 66 travels through. They are placed from east to west starting and ending with Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. We first discovered this site on our Route 66 trip early one morning while leaving Tulsa. It had just as much significance then, as we relived it again.

An amazing sculpture illustrates East meeting West as they do in Oklahoma. Before Oklahoma, there is a perception of cars and business men and after, there are cowboys and stagecoaches. Not far from here, the original Mother Road can be traveled and it transcends time. I can still envision people down on their luck during the Dust Bowl traveling this legendary road to a better life out west. In the photo on the left, there are three roads, the old closed off Mother Road, a new Mother Road, and the Interstate. Not hard to tell which had the most interesting stories.


We hiked 5.08 miles in 3 hours : 14 minutes. We averaged 38 minutes : 18 seconds a mile including a lot of caching. Our fastest mile was the 2nd mile at 30 minutes : 50 seconds.

Trail Miles Blogged: 37:13 miles.

Campion Trail South (Irving, TX)

2013.05.14 - The Campion Trail I know, I discovered is only the northern section. There is a southern section that starts around Trinity View Park and ends at the Mountain Creek Perserve with a stretch along Twins Wells Park and Golf Course in Irving, Texas.

If starting at Trinity View Park, from Loop 12, take the Irving Blvd exit and go east. After crossing Wildwood drive, veer right and descend into the park. From here, go either way as there is plenty of parking due to the numerous soccer and baseball fields. 

We Parked as close as we could to the north side of the paved trail. Not completely sure how far it went and according to the City of Irving's Walking/Jogging Trail Information, the Southern Section of the Campion Trail starts at River Hills Park, however, the trail ended about a quarter mile from Trinity View. It appears a bridge will connect the two parks at some point, but for now, it was not ready. The whole in the ground where the bridge would be was just enough to turn us around.

Heading South, there wasn't much traffic on the trail as it ran along the river. Careful getting too close to the edge, because a misstep and it could be a long tumble. From up top, the Trinity looks full and wide, which is good for this time of year. 

Campion turned us up and away into an Irving neighborhood. Where we passed a home that had goats in its yard. Just don't see that in the metroplex very often. When we crossed E. Shady Grove Road and followed the unmarked trail west to connect at Twin Wells, we heard chickens. A touch of a farm life not far from skyscrapers. 

Twin Wells has a golf course and small park. On our way South, there were golfers on the course, and on our way back North, there were children in the fields. The trail connection to Mountain Creek Preserve was closed, but we proceeded like others. At this point, to end our hike would have been to short and we sought an adventure.

Part of that adventure, were the geocaches along the trail. Some were right off Campion, another hiding nestled under some leaves by a beautiful old bridge, one had us walking through high weeds, and one was connected to a artificial flower just a shade greener. 

It was during this stretch that we walked under Loop 12, both acknowledging our ignorance of this trail as many times as we crossed over. It was also along this stretch that we reconnected with the Trinity River. We went for one last cache,  which we didn't find, but I got to climb a tree. It was after this failed attempt that we realized the sun was going down on us and we still had not reached the turn around point. No more caching tonight, but the time searching was good.

Mountain Creek Perserve is the Southern Terminus for the Campion Trail as it makes a loop around the park. From Loop 12, go west on Irving Blvd, south on Nursery Road, and into this quiet hidden corner of the city. It is 3/4 of a mile around with places to observe and admire the river. There were men playing soccer in the open field and some youngsters necking. It took us 2 hours 7 minutes to get to the turn around point and we were worried that we might not get back to the car until 10 pm. As much as I like hiking at night, the human critters scare me more than the nocturnal ones. 

Dusk was upon us as we made it back to loop 12 and started our trek north toward the golf course. By now, we went from averaging 24 minutes a mile to about 18. We were moving, but from time to time, I couldn't pass up a photo here or there. I took one looking west at a transformer with Loop 12 against a rose sunset along the horizon. 

Not far from here, I turned on the RunKeeper notifier which alerts us every 5 minutes. It told us the time, distance, average minute per mile, and our current speed. We got a thrill hearing one number go down as another went up. When we got back to Shady Groove Road, we were on our home stretch. Even with the GPS out of juice, we guesstimated an arrive time of about 21:15. Which was only a little over an hour from Mountain Creek.

For a school night, this was the longest hike since the inception of this blog. We hiked 8.43 miles in 3 hours : 11 minutes. We averaged 22 minutes : 47 seconds a mile including caching. Our fastest mile was the 6th mile at 18 minutes : 05 seconds.

Trail Miles Blogged: 32.05 miles.

Horse Thief Springs Trail (Ouachita National Forest, OK)

2013.05.11- We had been talking about the Horse Thief Springs Trail for a couple of months as a prep hike for our Mt Rainer Wanderlust Trail journey in late July. It is about the right size for the daily hikes we were planning in Washington yet without the elevation climb. Little did we know at the start that by the of our hike, we added a couple of miles because of our scenic diversions.

Located in the Ouachita Forest of Oklahoma south of Cedar Lake and Northeast of Talihina, OK, Horse Thief Spring Trail is a loop trail with two trail heads. One is at the actual Horse Thief Spring and the other near Cedar Lake recreation Site. Since we camped the night before on the lake, that is where we started.

Just after 7 am we started hiking. The cooler temperature felt good as we made our way toward the Horse Thief Spring Loop. The Loop is between two main roads Holson Valley Road at the north and Scenic Route 1 on the south. This meant we had to cross and walk along some paved roads. Because of this, pay attention and follow the white arrows as they had not always been there and have caused confusion on where the trail continues.

Our first pivot or diversion we made was at Snake Mountain. Scenic Route signs were abound and so we took one, but at some point the markers stopped. The good thing was that they stopped about 70 feet from a geocache that had not been found this year, Snake Mountain Spire (GCXW8Z). Signing the log required a bit of rock climbing, without special equipment. It was fun getting a little dirty as this is one aspect, I truly enjoy about that game. When I found the ammo can, I took a moment and a picture of the amazing view. Sadly, this was the only cache hidden on the loop.

After the cache excitement, we looked for the scenic route and decided against bush whacking. The trail was easier to follow in the winter without so much vegetation. This lead us on a common topic of the day. Both of us agreed that if others keep hiking this trail, it would minimize the overgrowth. Not discounting the greenery, as it is awesome, rather, a formable, pronounced trail is more enjoyable than thorns and weeds.

Before making our climb to meet up with the Ouachita trail, we took a break at a campsite at the edge of an open field. It was only one of two breaks we took that day and it felt good to take the daypack off and sit for a few minutes. By now, the sun was out and making the day beautiful.

The climb was good for the heart and the switchbacks good for the feet. We made pretty quick work of it though and at the intersection we caught our breathe. A bottle of water was near the sign and we wondered if it was left or if it was moonshine. Our curiosity did not get the best of us.

At the top, there were are a couple of places where the view into the valley was picturesque aided by the puffy clouds. Spring had finally made it as there was green as far as the eye can see. Simple prizes we found along the way.

Another prize came in the form of boulders when we crossed a section covered in them. They trickled down mysteriously from the top begging us to wonder, where did they come from and how did they get here. A bit out of place, but maybe not, for they have been around for a long long time.

We made it to the Horse Thief Spring and marveled at its design. The water was not clear and did not entice us. Glad there was a 'Water not tested' sign. Once walked around and got our fill, we headed back to the main trail to finish our trek. However, the spring was not quite done with us. We would cross paths with it's downhill flow a few more times.

The decent into the valley can almost be as tough as the climb for me. When I elevate, I can power onto terrain, but going downhill, I tend to overextend my leg to find sure footing. It can be a nightmare on the knees and one bad step can hurt.

On the home stretch we came across a creek with a good amount of water. It is good to see, as at some point in the summer, the creek dries up with the warm temperatures in the area. Being Balance-Impaired, I don't do so well on unstable ground, but today with my walking stick, I did just fine. Good thing considering all the electronics on me.

At the end, we celebrated and acknowledged our hurting feet and shoulders. It is clear, we need to hike more to get in the best possible hiking shape. There are plenty of other adventures here and it look forward to the next time I circle back.

This was my longest hike since the inception of this blog and a good tune up for our Seattle Wanderlust trip. We hiked 13.72 miles in 7 hours : 12 minutes. We averaged 31 minutes : 29 seconds a mile including breaks. Our fastest mile was the first one at 24 minutes : 23 seconds. On our 6th mile, we ascended 498 feet while on the 9th, we descended 546.

Trail Miles Blogged: 23.62 miles.