Bloom, IN Pre-meeting hike on October 17th

Information for those interested in an off-trail hike at McCormick's Creek State Park before the meeting on the 17th.
We should meet sometime between 2 and 3 pm (earlier if we want to carpool)at the park by the nature center parking lot. The hike should take somewhere between 1.5-2.5 hours (I am not sure since it has been awhile since I have been back in that area) and does not go through too strenuous of terrain, however there is a bit of going up and down through sink holes and valleys. There are a lot of neat geological features in the area where we will be hiking like cave openings, a blind valley, lots of karst landscape features, and a few historical sites as well.
There will be high vegetation back there, so if you have a walking stick, I would suggest bringing it as it would help to push said vegetation out of your way. I would recommend boots of some sort as well as long pants and a long sleeve shirt as their is multa-floral rose back there and those thorns can be particularly nasty.
If anyone has any questions about it or is interested in carpooling, let me know.
Tim and Ed, you have both been back in that area when we went hiking a couple of years ago before the meeting.

 

OMG......not that area.......better bring my camera

 

Im gonna talk to Tammy about joining you.Sounds fun.

 

Sounds like fun. I'll have to make sure my day is free, but I'll let you know.

 

I can probably go hiking that day, so please keep me in the loop.

 

Tammy is seeing a foot doctor Monday to find out if she will need surgery to get rid of the bone spear,I still might go with you if she dosent. I'll let you know.

 

I should be able to make it. Sounds fun

 

In order to give all of you a firm time, how about we say that we will meet at the Nature Center parking lot at McCormick's Creek at 2:30 pm. Make sure to wear sturdy shoes and clothes that you wouldn't mind if they get a little dirty. If any of you would want to meet earlier for carpooling purposes, let me know.

 

2:30, Nature Center Parking Lot, McCormick's creek. Got it!

 

I'm sorry to say, but with all the funeral stuff going on this weekend I'm going to have to skip out on the hike this time. I should still be at the meeting tonight, though, so see you then.

 

got the time A-ok

2:30 pm Bloomington, IN. USA, Earth Time (aka 14:30 military) (18:30 GMT)

 

Much thanks to Bryan (Mr. Vance)
Our intrepid leader/guide/teacher/host/etc?..

Before I first met up with everyone, I had to get past this
ominous sign at the entrance

[image=http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a94/MusicTrooper/Hoosier%20Alliance/IMG_1961.jpg]

OK, there are some new very strict rules about visiting the caves,

But then______________this is what they were selling in the gift shop,
Which outright encourages people to go where the park says they should not,


[image=http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a94/MusicTrooper/Hoosier%20Alliance/IMG_1920.jpg]


NOTE: If you look closely at the helmets, the printing on them specifically points out
Wolf Cave. (which is off limits according to the sign above.)

We pressed on anyway!

We met at the Nature Center where there was a LIVE BAT demonstration/lecture/music???

Well, that is where, Musical Mark was performing in a BAT suit___

[image=http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a94/MusicTrooper/Hoosier%20Alliance/IMG_1955.jpg]


But, none of that for us, we were five explorers heading out into the wilds of Endor .

[image=http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a94/MusicTrooper/Hoosier%20Alliance/IMG_1946.jpg]

and

[image=http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a94/MusicTrooper/Hoosier%20Alliance/IMG_1932.jpg]


NOTE: no one seems to know what happened to explorer number 5,
they just quietly were there one moment and then not the next,
Or, I did not hear any screaming????

But, I did have fun taking photo-s of nature,
And
In the_ vein (get it, if not check out the photos for double meaning)____of the Karate Kid,

Flash on _________Flash off ____________you decide


[image=http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a94/MusicTrooper/Hoosier%20Alliance/IMG_1953.jpg]

or

[image=http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a94/MusicTrooper/Hoosier%20Alliance/IMG_1954.jpg]


But, you had to be on guard for sharp sticking objects, holes in the ground,
Unknown life forms, falling objects, etc

For, even while listening to an expert lecture on tree identification
Using just the bark and not the leaves,


[image=http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a94/MusicTrooper/Hoosier%20Alliance/IMG_1922.jpg]


You had to be very careful, as you can see in this shot of Sara avoiding
Some questionable aspects of the area,


[image=http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a94/MusicTrooper/Hoosier%20Alliance/IMG_1935.jpg]


However, she was not always this lucky.

In closing, I really thought we started out with five, but the others would
Just look skyward and politely not seem be aware of my statements.

In closing, it was great to troop (through the woods) with such
Dedicated outdoorsmen____I mean people______ok, another word
For the scrapheap.

Great to meet Ben, now if we can just convert him to Star Wars ism



Very sorry teach (Bryan) if my report is untimely,
Or
I cleverly did not ask about being on time,
Tho
I did ask if neatness counted (the answer was no),
So this report is not too neat, but is still kinda neat (in that other kinda way)

I also did not ask aobut speling and granner eithers.....lol

But, I did ask about make up and extra credit, (also answers of no,
So this will wrap up this report)

 

Ed,
I would have to say that you get an A+ for your report on the hike.

 

Ed, thanks for posting some great pics! It was a fun hike for sure

 

Thanks again


hope we get a chance to do this again sometime in the future.........