Family Trail Dog Selection and Training Tips

     Family Trail Dog Selection and Training Tips

Service Dog in Training

   Recently a fellow Hike Like A Woman Ambassador was discussing adding to their family with a new dog. She had many questions about what breed to choose for protection, good behavior around children, and of course a good trail dog that fits in with their active lifestyle. I know a local trainer and have used him with Kennedy, so I offered to do a sit down with him.  Hopefully I could help her and others in their decision making process when selecting a family trail dog as well as get a few training tips to turn that average pooch into a trail star.

Kennedy, my Jackshund (Jack Russell/Dachshund Mix)

  I sat down with Clay McElya, Owner of  Wren's Pet Lodge here in Marshall County, Kentucky. Wren's offers numerous services including grooming, boarding, and various types of training. Clay is certified as a dog trainer and has been training dogs for over 25 years.  He trains canines for drug/bomb sniffing, personal protection, Service, Skilled Companion, and basic obedience. Wren's is also a member of the Canine Good Citizen Program established by the AKC. On occasion Clay also donates his services to the local animal shelter and Humane Society, training dogs with behavior issues so they can be adoptable and find their furever homes.

Clay on a training walk

  One of my first questions for Clay was about breeds, what breeds are better suited than others for hiking and backpacking? The answer wasn't very cut and dry. There is no real definitive answer and it mostly depends on the individual dogs personality as well as the humans. Dogs are just as, if not more quirkier than humans, one is not identical to the other even if they are from the same litter. Just as certain canine characteristics that work for one person may not work for another. Please keep in mind as we move forward these are generalizations and may not be indicative of every dog of a certain breed or type. There is no way to account for every possibly canine personality or breed variations.

  The most important thing that Clay stressed was picking the right canine companion for your lifestyle and your climate. Smaller breeds such as my Kennedy are great for short hikes, they typically have the energy and stamina to keep up with their human companions for a few miles but usually wouldn't last on the long haul and can not pack their own supplies. This rule seems to also transfer over to some medium sized breeds as well such as Labrador and Golden Retrievers with the exception of these breeds being able to carry their own supplies.  I will say Clay was very fond Labradors, there is a reason they are the most popular breed in America. They are very versatile, tend to be family and kid friendly. 

   Breeds such as German Shorthaired Pointers, Weimaraners,  or a Belgium Malinois may tend to be better for backpackers as their energy levels are high for longer periods well as being capable of carrying their own supplies. I was advised if you want Belgium Malinois be prepared to walk......a lot.  While an internet search may show Border Collies as a good hiking companion they tend to want to investigate things which can be a hindrance on the trail depending on your hiking style. Researching breed characteristics is very important to finding the right breed for you.

   Any breed of dog with a long spine or breeds prone to Spinal problems, such as Dachshunds, Basset Hounds, Lhasa Apso or Shih Tzu should never carry any additional weight. If you choose a breed of dog like the aforementioned then decide to hit the trail be prepared to pack your canine companions supplies for him/her. Most of these breeds tend not to be good for long distance hikes as mentioned before and canines who already have back issues should not attempt hikes unless cleared by their Veterinarian. A good point about smaller breeds is by being smaller they don't require as many supplies as larger breeds which makes packing supplies for them easier.

  A very important factor to consider when selecting your trail dog is Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome (big word, thank God for Google). Brachycephalic means "short-headed" and refers to a combination of throat, nasal, larynx and trachea issues that impede breathing. Examples include Bull Dogs, Boston Terriers, Pugs, and Boxers. Besides the obvious reason with breathing issues for these breeds not being good trail dogs there's another, they tend to overheat more quickly. Dogs pant to cool themselves off, breathing issues can impede their panting and therefore impede their ability to cool off which could lead to a heat stroke.

  I hate to do it but I have to talk about color, no there is no dog racism going on. Dogs that are darker in color, dark brown or black for example, reflect less heat. They actually absorb heat and can trap it in the layers of their fur so if you're hiking in a sunny and hot climate you may want to take color into consideration also. If you are a cold climate hiker a dog with black fur will keep himself and possibly you warmer. There's time on the trail for snuggles, right?
  On these points I will mention my Mom has a Boston Terrier and I know them to be true first hand. Buddy the Boston struggles to cool off after walking some distance in the heat and you have to watch him close to make sure he doesn't overheat. He can overheat just laying around a campsite in the Summer which is magnified if he's in the direct Sun. 

  Protection is one reason a lot of people get a dog though not the sole reason for the majority of dog owners. Dogs can alert us at home to people arriving or odd sounds and out on the trail to the presence of animals and snakes. It's important to be in tune to their behavior and not immediately dismiss behavior as bad out of a typically well behaved dog. Knowing the difference in your dogs bark, whine or a pause when they normally charge ahead can be a signal. A strong pack bond will give a majority dogs, big or small, enough urge alone to protect his pack. Dogs tend to be territorial and his pack is his territory no matter the location. You don't want an overly protective dog either, one who acts nervous or aggressive at the first sign of physical contact between you and a person who is not well known or a stranger. 

Again researching breeds can determine those with traits towards protection and a professional trainer can tune these if necessary.

  I also asked Clay about selecting between pure bred dogs, pups and rescues for a family trail dog. His answer surprised me a bit.  I'm more prone to thinking that getting a dog while young will allow them to grow up accustomed to your lifestyle. He stated that if you weren't breed particular to go down to a local shelter and interact with dogs a bit older than puppies. This way it's easy to see if the dog has engagement with you as well as being driven.  Drive is willingness to chase things such as a prey drive, throw a tennis ball or a stick the dog wants to chase after it or retrieve it, this is also engagement. The dog should show he/she wants to interact with you, engage in petting, playing, affection, walk with you, etc. The dog should also exhibit interest in you, if you move he/she should take note and follow you. The drive for food/treats should be present, the dog will follow any food or treat in your hand. If a dog lacks these traits, training them to be a good trail dog or even for basic obedience is going to be an obstacle as they won't respond to rewarding for good behavior. They have to want the reward otherwise training is moot. An aloof dog that pays you no mind, does not follow and will not interact with you is more difficult to train to say the least.

Clay on a training walk,
notice where the dogs attention is

     Clay also told me that if a dog is stressed or in fear you can forget about training. Fear and stress release hormones into the brain that affect memory. This is true in both humans and dogs. If your dog is stressing or fearful it's best to work towards making them more comfortable with the situation and fortifying pack bonds (yes your dog thinks you're his pack) than proceeding with behavior training because the poor pooch won't remember what your trying to teach him. If you notice the dog you're considering adopting is fearful or easily stressed keep in mind extra work will be needed before the  prospective puppy pal can begin obedience training.

  So you've selected the perfect canine companion for your family, now it's time to start training. If you've selected a pup don't wait to start training. At just 7 weeks old you should introduce them to a collar and leash so they become accustomed to it. No retractable leashes!!!! A standard 6 foot leather leash gets the best behavior and the most out of training. Retractable leashes apply constant pressure, albeit a small amount, and pressure should be used to indicate that you expect a behavior change. Constant pressure confuses this training process.  
  Socialization and a lot of it is a very important part of training for good behavior.  Take them to different parks, walking trails, and hiking trails allowing them to become accustomed to travel and new places. Take them out for lots of walks correcting pulling, tugging, and other behavior issues along the way. The dog should always respond to the person with the leash. If a certain family member has the leash then that person is in charge and the dog should respond accordingly. The dogs attention should be on the person holding the leash not on another family member, dog, or squirrel. You will need to restrict interaction with others when walking initially until the dog forms a bond with you and understands the person with the leash is in charge.

It's not all work at Wren's

    A good way to reset and correct from bad behavior to make the dog stop, sit and wait before attempting again. You may need to repeat several times till Fido gets the point. It is okay for your dog to be in front of you while walking but it should be with a lax leash. The leash should dangle between you and your dog and your dog should not be straining at the end of it. The dog should also be watching you for direction changes, he/she should not be "leading" even if walking ahead of you. You can change direction, 180 or 360 degrees, many times if necessary to teach your pooch to keep an eye on you, to wait, and he/she is not determining your direction.
   If you have a persistent puller I recommend seeking out a trainer to give you the tools for a better experience walking or hiking with your dog. Pulling risks injury to you and your dog. It can turn a hike or walk into a miserable march and possibly damage your dogs trachea. That's how Kennedy and I met Clay! I tried everything, even a no choke harness and he would pull till he choked himself. I made the investment for one training session with Clay and the proper professional collar. It's a difference of night and day.
    If you should happen to end up with an aggressive dog, take it to a professional trainer. Do not risk injury to yourself, another person and a sad ending for your pooch. Aggressive behavior can be corrected but it is best reserved for those with the right training and know how.
   Fido is bonding with the family and learning new things but say he/she is having trouble getting the hang of a few things. Time to find that trainer! Word of mouth is always wonderful but here are a few things to look for to make sure the trainer you choose is right for you and your pooch:
*The best trainers have years of experience and have trained hundreds if not a thousand dogs or more.
*Body language of the trainer should immediately let Fido know whose in charge
*The trainer should be able to quickly read the dog and determine his demeanor.
*If the cost is cheap it's a good sign the trainer is new or new to the area (proceed with your own judgement)
*You're going to need to know how to apply everything Fido is learning so the trainer should take the time near the end of training to include you as well. 
*Should the trainer have a waiting list, consider it a good sign.
*You can also ask for a free evaluation, this way you can watch the trainer work with your dog before coming to a final conclusion.
   If you happen to be local to the West Kentucky area or just in the neighborhood Clay invites you to message him on Wren's Pet Lodge's Facebook page and tag along with him on a walking training session. If you don't have your own pooch he can even lend you one! What better way to get your exercise in and get some useful training!
    I learned a lot talking to Clay during our sit down and his experience is evident just from conversation. He doesn't claim to know everything or how to handle every single issue that arises in dog training but he's not afraid to reach out to other professionals and accept suggestions. He also has a willingness to refer people to other trainers or boarders if the wait for training/boarding is to long or need too great. These traits show me that Clay and Wren's Pet Lodge isn't just about grooming, training and boarding. They care about giving and getting you and your pooch the best service possible. They not only care about the quality, they care about the end result and making sure your pack is a happy pack.
  Major thanks to Clay McElya for taking the time to talk with me and allow me to pass on this valuable information!! Thank you, Clay!

Happy Tails!!!!
  
  



 
 

   

 

  

Walking among Giants

Walking Among Giants

    Our company long departed we were aching for another outing in nature. We couldn't decide between canoeing or hiking so I left it up to my husband & what he felt like doing. When he arrived home Saturday I had received my new Osprey Daylite hiking pack in the mail and was really wanting to hit the trails but I didn't want to force him into anything.

     Finally he asked, "So what do want to get into tomorrow?" The door opened, I walked in "I want to go hiking  but we can canoe if you don't feel up to it." I replied. He agreed hiking was a fine thing to do with the weather forecasted to be so nice again for August. Highs in the upper 70's, sunny and lower humidity. Then came the dreaded question, "Where?" We always have a hard time deciding where to hike or canoe, there's so many places to choose from here in our home state of Kentucky or a short drive could land us in a myriad of places in the Shawnee National Forest over in Southern Illinois where I grew up. 

     I wanted something new, a trail my feet had never trodden on. I had just the place in mind too, Giant City State Park near Makanda, IL. We hiked there before but there were so many trails we hadn't hiked them all including what is considered their premier hiking trail, Giant City Nature Trail. The drive up would take just over an hour and a half but was sure to worth it every minute of it. 

   Our plans now made I began gathering up gear, trail maps and programming the GPS. I decided to shove some trail mix and Honey Nut Cheerios into my pack to snack on along the trail. We are always up early for such an adventure as this but rarely feel like eating that time of day and almost always regret it. I simply made sure I zipped my pack closed and set it in the floor next to the small messenger style pack we use to pack our dog's supplies with us when we travel. 

   The next morning the alarm clock blasted it's rude sound and I quickly turned it off. Before I could even get out of my bed my husband said "You're going to be mad,". It seems my little Jack Russell mix had figured out how to unzip my pack and gotten inside. He chewed a hole in the bag for my fire starting kit, and cotton balls abounded everywhere. He had also eaten half the trail mix and all the Honey Nut Cheerios I had packed!!!  As anyone with dogs know nuts of any kind, raisins & chocolate are bad for them. They can have allergic reactions as well as have the nuts lodge in their intestines and perforate a bowel. Seems the dehydrated Prunes had already worked their magic, as my husband described the little turd trail he had found in the hall also. Luckily it had been firm so clean up was easy or I'm sure my husband would have woken me up to assist, even if it had been with the sounds of him cussing, swearing, and dry heaving. 

  I did a little assessment of my pooch, making sure he was alert and didn't show any adverse effects from his Midnight munchy fest. He seemed fine, so with no obvious signs I relegated myself over the next few days to watching his scat for any signs of bowel issues. At this point I was more concerned with my pup's health and the fact he hadn't actually tore up my brand new pack I couldn't be mad.
  We loaded up the gear with the dog becoming ever increasingly excited and headed out just after 6am. I had already planned to stop and pick up a few picnic supplies on the way up to Makanda and now added pack snack to the list of items to pick up. 

  There seems to be many different ways into Giant City State Park but I wanted to stick to the route I was familiar with. which was turning off US 51, going through the tiny town of Makanda and entering through the main entrance. Besides the PDF print out I had found on the internet didn't give the names of the roads within the park, actually 99% of the roads on the map are with out names. Awesome map. I only knew the trail we wanted to hike was on the way to the lodge and near picnic shelter #3 so I figured we'd follow the park signs to where we needed to be. 

  It was a little tricky navigating the park but following the signage we found where we were supposed to be and parked the car in the lot. Once we sprayed ourselves down with bug spray, I hefted my pack onto my back and we hit the trail.

  The trail is described as 1 mile in length and rugged terrain although the trail was made up of gravel. The start of the trail was a slight hill with a fork at the top and the first sign of the Sandstone bluffs we were to hike around. To the left was another hill and somewhere beyond that some people making boisterous laughter so we decided to go right.  Apparently they hadn't read the signage at the trail head or my previous blog about trail etiquette. Fortunately they quieted down quickly and were soon off the trail all together.

  My calves began to cramp almost immediately going up the little hill, but I needed this. I needed to sweat, to huff, to puff, to cramp, to feel that itchiness on my skin that comes from sweating in the woods. I needed it for a couple of reasons; One being to get into better shape, Two being, I need the woods to sooth my soul, to stroke away the stress and the hustle and bustle of the busy world.
    I was in automatic awe of the trail, the Sandstone bluff held many nooks, crannies, and crevices some with ferns, trees and other flora jutting out where they could. Moss clung to the rocks in many places, small patches to large swaths covering entire boulders. There were numerous offshoots from the trail, most leading up into the bluffs, others were simply washes where recent rains had made their own paths trailing down from  the bluff and across the trail. A person could get lost on these off shoots, even if not physically lost, just lost in the world of giant Sandstone bluffs and all they had to offer for exploration.
  We took the time to meander down one of these offshoots, following the packed dirt path between boulders and back to the main Sandstone bluff. We found a couple names carved into one of the smaller boulders and researching showed them to be from the Civil War era, etched by former owners of the land with eerie precision.
  The sweat was already starting to soak our clothes, making them cling to us. What little breeze blew didn't make it's way into the forest or around the bluff very well. For a cool Summer day in August with temps only in the 70's, it sure was sweltering in these woods.
   That queasy feeling began to hit my belly, telling me it was time to try to eat a bite so I broke out the Nature Valley bars I had picked up and found a seat atop a small boulder. Our dog perched himself next to me and commenced to whine while looking at my pack, as if I was to pull something out for him also. I simply informed him he'd eaten all the trail snacks once already, he didn't need more.
   I hadn't gotten a water bladder yet for my pack so I had to pack bottled water which we shared between us and with the pup. I carry a small collapsible dog dish that can be used for food or water, it's made water proof cloth, cleans up easy and can't weigh a tenth of an ounce.
   One Nature Valley bar was all I could stomach (I'm assuming others have dealt with the inability to eat so early in the mornings), and it was enough to make my tummy hush it's complaints so we headed back out to the main trail. There was what appeared to be a narrow trail leading up and over the edge of the bluff, cut into the steep incline and stone escarpment. We decided to stick to the main trail, especially since this was our first trip and I have a tendency to be accident prone.

   My body and I have tend to have a love/hate relationship. I love to do things, adventure, explore, hike, etc. It loves to make me pay for it and every little tumble I've ever taken in my life along with it which I absolutely hate. It limits me with how much I can and how often I can do it. Today was my day though, my body may make me pay for it later but right here, right now was mine.
     We made our way down the trail, marveling at everything we set eyes upon. We again followed an offshoot back to a small Sandstone overhang where my husband looked for Native American activity from the past. You aren't allowed to "rock hunt" or take any artifacts with you but you can turn them into the State Park where they will be studied then put on display.

  My feet began to hurt a bit, directly in front of my heel. Memory foam is great in your sneakers, until you switch to hiking boots and hit the trail. Note: Buy insoles for hiking boots.
    We continued on and when we rounded the next bend I was in full wonderment. A long wooden boardwalk skirted next to the enormous Sandstone bluff we had been circling. It's exposed face on one side and moss covered rocks dotted the forest on the opposite side. It felt like I was walking in a Fairy Tale world.

                                                                                                                                                                       Once past the boardwalk we made our way a little further down the trail, rounding yet another bend I went from wonderment to Environmental Orgasm. Massively tall Sandstone towers stood on either side of the trail, a fully grown tree jutted up in the midst of them and made it's way to the sky over the ledge of one of the monoliths. Tendrils of flora hung down from the ledges and more moss clung in patches to it's face.

 We made our way down the "Giant City Streets" and came to a corner in the bluff. A sign hung upon the rock wall, telling us which way to continue, as if we had an option here. I had no plans to scale the exposed Sandstone walls or go back the way I came. We paused to soak up what little breeze could be felt in the corner and noted most of the breeze was coming from a crack in the rock wall.

   Standing on the corner of the "Street" we could see another trail sign that pointed us to the left but we couldn't help wandering past it to explore what was on the next "block". Unfortunately the next block didn't lead anywhere more amazing than we were already but I did note another name carved into the rock wall with the same eerie precision as the others.

 We turned back and followed the second sign telling us which way to go. The path became extremely narrow and I worried for a moment with my pack on my back that I may become stuck like Pooh Bear in a Honey tree. I found it plenty wide enough to fit through with some room to spare.

Towards the end of this narrow little street was a huge boulder balanced upon a tiny little point of another rock. Clearly it had broken off the main bluff some years ago and fallen away but how it managed to land there and remain perched there was an astonishing feet. Mother Nature and the laws of gravity had seemed to reach a compromise. It was slightly unnerving to have to pass under it and continue on the trail but what are the odds of it taking it's final spill just as I passed? Don't anyone answer that or I may never be able to do anything similar again.

  Now clear of the the balancing boulder of death we came upon another small flight of wooden stairs and wooden boardwalk. My right knee began to ache a bit and I had to shift to leading with my left going down the steps. Most hikers dread the uphill and I do as well to a degree but find the downhill just as taxing also. I began to realize why this trail is described as Rugged despite the gravel path.
   We rounded yet another bend in the trail, and passed between more enormous boulders before finding ourselves to be on the other side of the bluff. Here the breeze could be felt rushing through the trees. I found yet another perfect sitting rock, perched myself atop and shucked off my pack. I wasn't out of breath or spent, I just wanted to feel the cool Summer breeze, listen to the bugs sing their songs of love, and enjoy the beauty around me.

  The sweat finally drying on our bodies, I decided to pick my self up, climb the next hill and create more sweat. We plodded down the trail past more boulders laying on the forest floor and the main Sandstone bluff to our left now exposed in places although the faces of it were becoming shorter and shorter as we progressed. It was clear we were coming back to the trail head and our little hike was soon over.
   I felt a little tired, my calves a little sore from the cramping, the bottom of my feet still aching and it felt good! In fact it felt so good I insisted upon another short trail after an early lunch break. Just a short little stroll down to Devil's Standtable.

  This trail also started with a hill on a gravel path, and landscape timbers cut into the trail to keep it from eroding. At the top of the hill we were facing another huge Sandstone bluff. No sooner than we reached the top of the hill and made a few paces down the trail my husband began to protest. His feet were beginning to bother him as well. The heavy boots he'd chosen were beginning to rub the tops of his feet.

  I debated turning back and he offered to wait on the trail for me if I pressed on. I took the leash from him and plodded several steps ahead when I spotted a large overhang in the bluff ahead and a small wooden foot bridge over a seasonal creek that held that last remnants of the latest rains. This spurred my husband forward and we pressed on down the now packed dirt path to the overhang.

   We could hear water running but could see none, it became evident it was flowing under the bluff. I made my way to the little foot bridge, leaving my husband near the over hang. It seems when rain is falling or there is enough run off at this point in the bluff there is a waterfall but not today. We soon saw and heard several bats flying about the bluff, maybe protesting our encroachment on their home. After a quick pause to take a couple photos and allow my husband to rejoin me we continued on up the trail.  I had no urge to wait for a bat to come along and swoop down into my hair causing me to freak out, running and screaming through the woods, flailing my hands above my head like some crazed madwoman.

   We soon came to the Devil's Standtable which wasn't easy to see given all the undergrowth in the forest. I think my husband was more thankful for the sign that not only informed us about Devil's Standtable but also pointed us towards the trail exit.
  I had completed my goal for the weekend, I hiked Giant City State Park Nature Trail and even topped off the trip with a short second trail. The Nature Trail is advertised as just 1 mile, but there is a lot of up/down hills (RUGGED is right) plus by the time you wander the off shoots and back to the main trail I'm sure it's closer to almost 2 miles. I was spent, I knew there was nothing left in my tank for that day. It would take all I had to make the hour and a half drive home then finish some house work I had left behind. Thank god for cruise control! I'm definitely making a return trip and exploring more of Giant City State Park!

Adventure Awaits!!!

My Ol Kentucy Home Scene Two

My Ol Kentucky Home

Scene Two

  When my Aunt and I started discussing their stay she expressed interests in renting a pontoon boat from one of the local marinas and taking a day to hit the waters of Kentucky Lake.  I began researching rentals on the internet and asking around among friends. I honestly didn't want to rent from the resort closest to me because of cost. They have the newest pontoon boats on the lake but you pay a hefty price to rent them. Turns out Kentucky Dam Marina was pretty much the same way, $350 big ones for a full day rental, not including gas.....gas at the marina too which is always higher than at at any gas station. Finally after checking a few other resorts we settled on a rental from Big Bear Resort & Marina, just a few miles from my home and reasonably priced at $235 for 8 hours. We weren't trying to be cheap, we were just trying not to go broke in one adventure. 

    On a Monday morning, we opted for a weekday rental to avoid the weekend rush, we gathered up our gear, our floats, beach towels, coolers, and sunblock. A short drive landed us creeping into the resort fairly lost as to which way to go. A sign demanded everyone obtain a parking pass but we found no one in the main office to do so. We followed the signs down to the marina and marina store, along the way I was a bit surprised at how small the resort seemed compared to the one near my home but found it's overall appearance to be well kept and quite nice.

   Once parked we headed down the dock and into the marina store where we found a very nice female employee who assisted us not only with the boat rental but with fishing licenses as well. My Aunt forgot her driver's license so my Uncle had to use his which was apparently falling apart as it seems they aren't made very well. When the clerk handed it back, the state in the address portion fell off! When everyone had what they needed the guys brought the gear and coolers down to load onto the boat. We had brought along our best friend to captain the boat as he has a lot more experience and is more familiar with navigating Kentucky Lake.  

  The female employee began to go over a checklist of damage on the boat, noting some black electrical tape and metal band used to repair the arm of the canopy, damage to the upholstery on the captains chair and on one of the front bench seats.  There was also some issue with the depth/fish finder, it was in working order but not mounted properly on the dash. None of the issues were of any real concern to us and seemed merely cosmetic so with a tank full of gas we headed out of the bay and into the main waters of Kentucky Lake. 

  We cruised the shoreline closest to the marinas and houses, allowing my Aunt and Uncle to get look at the big expensive homes that line the bank on the West shore.  Sprawling estates with gentle slopes to the water and houses almost on top of each other with so many stairs down to the dock it made my knees ache to look at them. We ducked into a small uninhabited bay just south of Kentucky Dam and set the anchor. 

   My Aunt and I chilled in the shade of the canopy and visited while the guys tried their luck at fishing. The weather was absolutely sublime, especially for August in Kentucky. Highs were only forecast for the uppers 80's, a gentle breeze, mostly sunny and lower humidity all combined for epic boating weather.
   It seems the fish weren't in the biting mood as suddenly our friend decided to use bologna as bait, we had forgotten live bait. Low and behold he sets his pole down to grab a drink and his hook is stripped of bait. Meanwhile my Husband and Uncle weren't having any luck with the lures they were using. Fishing was quickly becoming a bust in the little bay we had chosen. 

 

   On the main water again we still hung to the West shoreline and began to pass Kentucky Dam Marina, it's blue and white sign with accompanying blue anchor sign sitting high atop the breaker wall. As we made our was past a flock of Loons decided to join us, flying between us and the shore as we headed toward the dam. We passed the free beach area of Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park and hooked toward the East. Keeping a safe distance we cruised by TVA Kentucky Dam.

     Once on the Eastern shoreline, clear of the locking area and of the barge tie offs we stayed just out of the Tennessee River channel making our way past Lighthouse Landing and towards the canal. The shoreline was now free of houses and resorts. The waters surface became much rougher crossing the main river channel until we were clear of it and headed into the canal itself. We passed another boat, anchored off, fishing and waived as we passed before crossing under the canal bridge.
   Lake Barkley is a bit more difficult to navigate especially at Winter pool when the lake is at its shallowest levels. The best practice is to stay within the buoys that mark the main channel of the Cumberland River. The Cumberland like the Tennessee River flow South to North in this portion of Kentucky eventually dumping into the Ohio River just a few miles apart.
   Taking the navigation struggles into account as well as being in a rented boat we opted to drop anchor just a few yards upstream from a barge tie off on the Western shore of Lake Barkley. It was now nearing noon and everyone was ready for a bite to eat so it turned into a lunch stop. We broke out the supplies and had a little picnic style lunch. Ham sandwiches, chips, and snack cakes for everyone!
   Our bellies full we headed back through the canal and back onto Kentucky Lake. Once again we headed south, or upstream, and towards the Rock Quarry. The Captain wanted to make his yearly jump into the from the cliffs of the Quarry.
   Navigating the entry can be tricky as a shallow rock wall, just under the water's surface, protrudes across three fourths of the water in the entry to the Quarry. There is also a small protrusion from the opposite side, leaving a clear narrow path approximately 25 yards across to pilot boats in/out. This danger is magnified when piloting larger boats but the pontoon we had rented was just 21' making it a breeze.
   The waters of the Quarry are deep once inside like most would expect. You can forget about dropping anchor in most areas unless you have over a 100' of rope with you. We pulled up just a few yards from the 50-65' exposed cliff faces that are covered in an array of graffiti from welcome signs, cartoon characters, to initials and dates.

My husband now minding the helm our Captain jumped into the lake and swam over to the cliffs where he then began climbing up the craggy almost step like face. There is a large tug rope in one spot to assist with an over sized "step". Can't say you'd find me relying it or climbing a 50' cliff face with out being anchored to it at least for that matter but to each his own. The nimble Captain didn't waste time once atop the cliffs and quickly jumped off a shear face without hesitation. His form was flawed but acceptable, there was to much splash upon entry but I'll give him a 8 for guts and effort alone!

Back on board our Captain navigated us back out of the Rock Quarry and just across the next inlet to a sandy beach near the popular weekend party spot called The Sands. There were but a few boats beached upon the actual Sands and the one we had chosen was completely void of other vessels.

  We slowly pulled up to the shore making sure to trim up the motor as the water became shallower and beached the pontoon on the soft sandy shore. I began to pull out the floats and realized I should have brought a hand pump or inflated them before setting out. Several of us set to blowing them up the old fashioned way before a couple gave out from being unable to get the technique down. I was left to solo huff and puff the plastic floats to life. Of course I had to purchase ones with more than one compartment to air up as well. Resilience paid off, in between allowing my cheeks to rest and I succeeded in inflating 3 of the 4 floats I had brought. I figured if anyone wanted the 4th one bad enough it was up to them to breath life into it. The next few hours were spent swimming and cooling off in the water in between slathering sunblock on.
  At days end when it was time to head back into the marina we were ready but at the same time saddened our little lake adventure was coming to an end. We had plenty of fun, laughter and relaxation but also sun as some of us were turning red despite all the sunblock. I would definitely recommend renting from Big Bear Resort and Marina if your looking for practicality without the price tag. For all our boating and touring around the lakes, our gas tally came to just over $30.00. You could expect to spend more if you tube, ski or travel further than we did. Yes, the boat wasn't perfect and had it's flaws but it was reliable and served our purpose well.

As always, till next time, Adventure Awaits!!

My Ol Kentucky Home Scene One

My Ol Kentucky Home

Scene One

      Recently my Aunt and Uncle came from North Carolina to visit and vacation here at Kentucky Lake. My husband and I had vacationed at their home in the Blue Ridge Mountains many times, it was a pleasure to finally return the favor and to show them our "backyard" here in Western Kentucky. 

      I had spent the better part of a month cleaning, organizing, and  prepping for their visit. The lake view from this cottage is bigger than the cottage itself and when you love the outdoors as much as we do your gear can kind of overflow, all over the place if you let it. We managed to keep ours contained to our extra bedroom for the most part but with canoeing, hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting in the Fall it can look like a gear graveyard. Condensing all of that gear and finding suitable storage locations requires some creativity which I will go into more detail on in another blog later.

    The weather was good for a Kentucky Summer, the heat and the humidity had given way to morning and early afternoon storms. When the storms had cleared the area, the humidity had dropped only just slightly and the skies were partly sunny.  We, my husband, aunt, uncle, & myself, first started the visit with a trip to Lighthouse Landing in Grand Rivers where we marveled at the sailboats in the marina as we made our way down to the parking lot nearest the jetty. 

 

     My Aunt just loved the little lighthouse situated off the opposite side of the marina and her excitement of being at Kentucky Lake was evident. The four of us strolled along the walkway atop the jetty, smelling the lake water and taking the in the view. We made our way to the end where we found a gazebo centered in the circular end of the jetty where an older couple sat facing the main lake, the gentleman's arm wrapped around his companion's shoulders. 

   The village of Grand Rivers has done an amazing job with their tourism and attractions overall but the gem in my eye is the Walking Trail. The two mile trail makes it way through downtown before ending at the jetty on Kentucky Lake or at Little Lake Park depending on where you start.

   Once we lollygagged at the end of the jetty for a little while we headed over to  Patti's 1880's Settlement. We checked into Mr. Bill's where we had made reservations as Patti's dining room didn't have an opening until much later in the evening. If your not familiar with Patti's there are two dinning rooms, Patti's & Bill's both served by the same kitchen and offering the same menu. There is some slight variation in decor but you will find the same atmosphere in both. 

   While waiting for our table to be ready I took our pager, shoved it into my back pocket and headed out onto the grounds to explore and maybe do a little shopping. Patti's 1880's Settlement offers way more than an amazing meal of 2" thick pork chops and mile high meringue pies. There are numerous gardens with lighted gazebos and ever changing colors to wander. Miniature golf, a playground, an animal park, 7 different shops/boutiques to suit anyone's fancy, Old Tyme Photos, plus Patti's storefront where you can purchase homemade pies, fudge and more! You almost need a day just to explore the entire settlement. 

  We meandered down the flagstone path past beautiful flowers and plants of every assortment it seemed. Hostas, Geraniums, Pansies, Lavender, Ferns, Ivy, Willows, Maples, Oaks, and more filled the landscape. Several people were posing in front of the Grist Mill for photos so we made our past to the large gazebo that can be reserved for weddings in the center of the grounds. No wedding taking place we strolled through marveling at the decor and the humidity the afternoon was offering up. There was very little breeze on the grounds unlike the jetty on Kentucky Lake and I fought the urge to turn on the ceiling fans in the gazebo. Wouldn't want to get kicked out before I got my grub on. 

  Exiting at the opposite end of the gazebo over a small man made stream we found ourselves at the shops on the rear of the grounds with one sparking our interests enough to enter. We may find something we like or at least find some relief from the Kentucky Summer. My aunt and I entered first our husbands in tow, we found it mostly a clothing shop devoid of anything remotely close to it's namesake which had peaked our interests. Our husbands didn't enter 10 feet past the door and didn't linger long as the air conditioner seemed to be doing very little in the tight little boutique. My aunt and I looked over the racks for a bit but found nothing we had to have, certainly nothing cool to keep us there let alone anything to make us want to  try to get into a fitting room and wriggle into or out of any article of clothing. We exited to find our guys wiping the sweat off their brows and grateful we hadn't lingered to long inside. 

   I noted the time and we began making our way back towards the dining rooms via the shops opposite of the Grist Mill side of the grounds. We strolled passed another shop that looked to be  clothing boutique also , possibly cool but too soon to torture the guys again. The next shop looked a bit more our style and held promise of interests for everyone so we entered. 

   We were immediately greeted with a blast of cold air which instantly cooled the sweat that was building on us and felt like an Arctic blast compared to the outdoors. No sooner than entering we were stopped by lake decor items in the foyer that I had to pull myself away from lest I buy the whole lot. We were given a friendly greeting once we stepped into the main shop and found a myriad of items for sale. Can/bottle coozies, Western decor, shirts, mugs, hats, wall signs, and even handmade folk art. The pricing was as of wide of range as the products in the shop but we found several items to suit our fancy as well as soaking up plenty of the air conditioning. 

   Once we made our purchases I noted the time and decided to head back to the waiting area as it was now 10 minutes past our reservation time. No sooner than our party walked in the pager went off, indicating our table was ready. We were lead through a packed dining room, dodging other guests, waiters and servers which left some of our party trailing behind. A small moment of waiting allowed everyone to catch up and we were lead back to a table for four and seated. 

   Immediately upon being seated I noticed a small bucket in the floor behind one of the outer chairs and it occurred to me a busboy may have accidentally left it when clearing a nearby table. I thought nothing more of it as we were handed our menus.  We conversed over the menu selections and the decision was made to avoid the appetizers as you can find yourself quickly overwhelmed with food and no hope of completing it if you don't pace yourself properly.

  We had made our meal choices and placed our orders before the waiter returned with the signature Flower Pot Bread with homemade traditional butter and Strawberry butter. Patti's bakes their bread in small clay flower pots. The bread rises above the rim of the pot, giving it a flowering effect. It's delicious by it's self but add the Strawberry butter and you can fill up quick before your salad ever arrives. 

  While waiting for our entrees to arrive we discovered the reason behind the bucket of water. My husband had taken the seat in front of the bucket and had a small drop of water land on him. Seems the ceiling was leaking or there was an issue with an air conditioner drain any result we simply scooted the table back allowing him to move out of the line of fire. 

  Once we had snacked on the Flower Pot Bread, homemade butters and grazed on our salads the main course was served. My husband and I had opted for chicken dishes while my Aunt and Uncle went for steaks. My Aunt was quickly feeling like John Candy in The Great Outdoors scene where he eats the Old 96'er. I kept waiting for my Uncle to check and see if she was "Processing nicely" as Dan Aykroyd put it. The Rib-eye loin they had ordered must have taken up half the plate, albeit perfectly cooked steak, the other side was reserved for Patti's loaded baked potato with homemade cheese sauce. An experienced Patti's diner I had known that the steaks were large and almost impossible for a woman with a normal appetite to finish. She finally resigned herself to a doggie bag for the remainder as many do when finishing a meal there. 

  After paying for our meal we began to make our way back through crowded main dining room, my husband leading the way and oblivious to my calls for him to slow down or wait up. My Aunt and Uncle wanted to make use of the facilities before leaving but my husband bee lined for the exit unaware. I stayed in the waiting area and held my Aunt's doggie and shopping bag until they finished. My Uncle rejoined me first and asked of my husband whereabouts, I informed him he had gone out but I was unsure which exit as there were two. He chose the one we came in and went out in search of him. A minute or two later my Aunt joined me and we made our way our the same exit my Uncle had only to find him there by himself. I walked to the corner of the building toward the grounds and saw no sign of my husband. We took several steps out into the side parking lot and again no sign of my husband. My Aunt asked if he had his cell so I pulled mine out just as it began to ring with a call from guess who........my husband. "Where are ya'll at?' he asked. I informed him we were at the side exit and he advised he was at the front. A few paces and around the corner of the building we were reunited in laughter both of us hanging up our phones at the same time. 

   Our bellies full with a fabulous meal, my Aunt and Uncle having drove 9 hours already that day we decided to call it a night, besides we were starting to loose members of our party no sense it risking it anymore and there were more adventures planned for later in the week. 

   

 Follow up blog(s) to come, in the meantime Adventure Awaits!! 

   

   

  

  

  

   

  

Journey to an Ambassador

Journey to an Ambassador

      I have always been a "Tomboy", growing up in the rural countryside of Southern Illinois with no other girls around it was all I knew. Where ever the boys went, I went and oh boy did we go. We were always outside playing and having our own adventures across the countryside, sometimes from dawn til dusk. We would swim, fish, play and camp almost anywhere we wanted it seemed. There were creeks, woods, hills, and fields to be explored. Mother Nature was our play ground, it was our backyard.
    Another big part of my childhood was hiking and exploring the Shawnee National Forest. Just a short drive could land us deep into it's interior, winding down gravel roads looking for the trail head parking, a campground, or the perfect picnic spot. When family visited it was a tradition, it seemed, for us to hit the trail somewhere. There were an untold number of trips, excursion, and adventures we had as a family and when we were old enough, on our own.
    We also had plenty of misadventures along the way, from injuries to bad decisions to poor equipment. Of course we survived these misadventures and with the guidance of my amazing mother we learned how to overcome, endure, and laugh along the way.
   My mother to me is a pioneer, taking two small children into the wilderness without the technological advances of the modern age. Even if it had been available I doubt very much we would have been able to afford any of for ourselves,  my mother taught us to make do with what we had which came in very handy outdoors. I learned to think "outside of the box" at a very early age, out of necessity primarily.
    These aspects of my youth fostered a sense of adventure and exploring in me so much so that when I married my outdoor loving husband we honeymooned in the Cave Country of Kentucky. We have since explored and hiked from South Eastern Oklahoma to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. I'm was, and still am, always coming up with some idea to venture off into areas unknown or to explore an old favorite. One day my husband turns to me in the middle of one of my schemes for outdoor exploration and says, "Annie and her Adventures".
    Suddenly it came to me to start a Facebook page where I could put my adventures, maybe inspire someone else to get outdoors or maybe bring a little of the outdoors to someone who couldn't get there themselves. I have back issues that keep from exploring at times or as much as I would like, my mother also has issues of her own that now limit her and my mother in law loves my photos but her health issues keep her from attempting any such thing. My mother and mother in law both are handicapped by their issues severely, as far as outdoor activities, but my mother with some help from modern medicine and her love for the outdoors, she still manages to enjoy nature with me on certain trips.
   Annie's Adventures was born and as time went on it turned to include a little more educational material.  In recent years I added the blog which not only satisfies my urge to write, it serves to inform readers of trails, camping, canoeing, handicap accessible locations, environmental issues, and any of the misadventures I have along the way. What's life if we can't laugh at ourselves?  The teachings of my mother still come in very handy almost daily let alone when I happen into a bit of misadventure.
     I've been trying for several years to work in conjunction with another site or page to get my point of view on the outdoors out there. I had tried sites/pages within my own state and even tried working with local radio but everything always seemed to fall through for one reason or another. No big deal, I just kept doing my own thing; getting outdoors as I always do and sharing my adventures on my page and blog. Then a few weeks back I noticed that one of my favorite hiking sites was having a little contest. I have been following this site for some time and had a huge desire to work with them.
    Hike Like A Woman, founded by Rebecca Walsh,  was looking for Ambassadors to her page, people to help with product, book, trip reviews and to help basically make a community of outdoor enthusiasts. I jumped at the chance, hurriedly filling out the entry form as some how I had missed the fact the contest was even happening until almost a week before it ended. 
   My urge to work with Rebecca at Hike Like A Woman came from her amazing ability to connect with people through her site and I found her to be truly inspiring. The more I followed her page and saw the amazing things she was accomplishing through it the more I wanted to do the same.  I wanted to reach out to people, get them out there, no matter how they do it and enjoy the great outdoors and I to do so in a manner that is not only safe but respectful of others and the environment.
  Once I filled out the application and hit submit, I continued, as always, to follow the site and keep up with what Rebecca was into. Life keeps us busy as it did me the day the winners were notified. I had completely lost track of the date and just finished running some errands when I hear an email notification from phone. I finished up what I was doing and thought about ignoring it for awhile so I could start some housework but decided to take a little break instead.
   I fully expected to open my email and find some promotion from Dish Network, Jamberry or some other deal I couldn't miss out on. When I read who the email was from I it didn't register immediately. I scanned the subject line thinking "Now, what's this?" The subject line glared back at me saying "HLAW Ambassador: You're in!" It hit me, I WAS IN!! I hurriedly opened the email and began eagerly reading the details it contained. It started with the traditional "Thank you for applying" then when into a few details about how many applicants there had been. Even though I read the subject line I was still expecting a big let down so as I read I kept waiting for it but after the first paragraph there it was in bold lettering "I'm excited to announce that I selected you as an Ambassador!" It was real!! I had been chosen! I became so excited I let out a scream sending the dog into a little barking hysteria.
   I had done it, I was finally hitting that goal I had been reaching towards for years. Rebecca had been thorough in her preparations and I found links in the email waiting for me to click and take me on what is probably to be the biggest adventure of my life.
  The journey has just begun for me this past week but there's a part I hadn't bargained for in the slightest fashion. I have met some amazing women that have been selected to take this journey with me, as  Ambassadors also. I'm glad I'm not going solo on this adventure and that I have stumbled upon some of the most inspiring women. I find despite all our differences of age, location, back ground, home life; they are like me, fun, outgoing, adventurous and little crazy too but who couldn't use a little crazy in their life, right?
   I've become friends with many of these wonderful women in the past week and the more I learn about them, the more I love them & being apart of the #HLAWATeam. As I sat down to type this one of these lovely ladies shared a post on their page and I felt it applied in some way to myself, "You have been assigned this mountain to show others it can be moved." So whatever struggle you have, whatever mountain you have to move, keep going, something has to give, just don't let it be you.
   If you are interested in finding out more about the Ambassadors for Hike Like A Woman you can find us on the webpage here, HLAW Ambassadors or there are links to many of the other Ambassadors pages right here on my blog under Check out these Pages. Stayed tuned for more from Annie's Adventures and Hike Like a Woman!

Adventure Awaits!