Top three local excursions for children in Athens, Ohio-Yahoo! Sports

Athens, Ohio, is part of the Appalachian Mountains with many excursions available places in the area, including the right inside the city limits. Below are my first three local excursions for children in and near Athens, Ohio.

The ridges

The ridges is not only rich in history, but there are paths that are ideal for excursions with children. The main trail is wide enough to accommodate a family and subpaths have gentle slopes and no dangerous chasms really worry when children are walking. Abundance of flora and fauna can be a great learning experience for children. The trails pass through even a few old cemeteries from the former mental health facility for the opportunity to learn some history of the area.

The ridges can be reached via Dairy Lane Richland Avenue, or out of State Route 681 that can be accessed outside of the United States Route 33/52 and State Route 56. Be aware of jogging, especially along the main trail. The area has a lot of deer that are used for some human activity, so the children will most likely get to see some in the woods as they are walking. Be sure to leave time to stop and let the children play at the Park Avenue Richland is located at the bottom of the ridges.

Strouds Run

Strouds Run State Park has many trails for you and for children to go hiking. According to the website Strouds run, most trails are moderate in difficulty, but trails are of variable length shorter one kilometre to the Sycamore Valley trail. However, the Indian Mound trail is just a mile and take the children to see an Indian Mound. Hiking HolidaysStrouds Run is reachable from Columbus road accessible from U.S. Route 33. Take n. Lancaster Street and continue as becomes Columbia Avenue. Take that until it ends. Then turn right on what is referred to as Strouds Run State Park Road, Road or County Road 20. Go ahead until you hit Strouds Run State Park. There is also boat tours and a beach for more family fun.

Moonville Tunnel

This is actually called the Moonville rail trail and is not within the limits of the city of Athens. Is in Athens and Vinton counties. This is my favorite way to bring kids. The route primarily uses the former railway lines. The trail passes through the Moonville Tunnel, which is the section that I like to take my children.

To reach Moonville Rail Trail, you can take State Route 56 West from Athens to hit the State Route 278, then turn left until you reach the area of the path will be shown on a map if you want to start up. To reach Moonville Tunnel, go left from State Route 278 on a small street on the map. There is a parking lot just outside the side of the road when you get to the path that leads to the Moonville Tunnel. On State Route 78 there is also Lake hope to go swimming and il vecchio forno hope for a bit of history.

RESOURCES:

Map of the tests; http://www.athensohio.com/upload_files/files/RidgesTrailMap.pdf

Map of Strouds Run tests; http://www.DNR state Oh. us/Portals/2/parkmaps/stroudsrunparkmap .PDF

Map of the Moonville Rail Trail; http://www.moonvillerailtrail.com/map.html

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Author to discuss ' Road Trips ' ruins at Trailside, 9 June-suburban news

David a. SteinbergMOUNTAINSIDE — The Union County Board of chosen freeholders and the Department of parks and community renewal is announce another intriguing and informative lecture at Trailside nature & Science Center in the mountains. David a. Steinberg, author of the Guide, "Walking the Road to Ruins," will discuss his book and inspire audiences to hit the trail in search of adventure.

"This lesson certainly offer the public a unique opportunity to learn how to find some fascinating hidden sites and ruins of Union County and Watchung reservation in New Jersey," said Freeholder Daniel p. Sullivan, linking parks and recreation Advisory Board. "It is sure to be a fascinating and informative presentation."

The lesson is offered for adults ages 18 and older on Thursday, 9 June, from 7: 30-8: 30 p.m., as part of Modern adult Workshop Series. Pre-registration is preferred; Walk-ins will be accommodated as space permits. The fee for the lecture is $ 8 per person for Union County residents and $ 10 per person for residents outside of the County.

Sharing years of exploration that are documented in his book, Steinberg offers a slide show and lecture highlighting his research of ruins and abandoned historic sites. After this enlightening lecture, the audience want to explore the trails of the Watchung reservation on excursions only areas including the deserted village of Feltville, two abandoned quarries, two mill ruins, a copper mine, the forest of magic, a historic cemetery and a former Nike Missile site.

Members of the public will have the opportunity to ask the author questions regarding his travels and recommendations of the local sites to explore. The books will be available for sale and signing. http://hikingholiday.org/ http://fastestcpu.org/

To register for this lesson, or for information on other programs or upcoming events at Trailside, call us at 908-789-3670 or visit ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road (Coles Avenue) to the side of the mountain and is a service of the Union County Board of chosen freeholders.

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IFP 7000 km walk as Fundraiser-MyFox Washington DC

WASHINGTON-when Troy Yocum was in service with the army of the United States in Iraq in 2008, got a disturbing email from a friend who had already returned to the United States.

"He was struggling," said Yocum. "He had been fired ... and was struggling to-really-take care of his family. Struggling to pay its bills. And I wanted to step up to help him.

Thus was born the idea of someday walking Yocum back and forth across America to raise funds for needy veterans. http://fastestcpu.org/

Started more than a year ago in his home city of Louisville, Kentucky, made it to the Pacific Ocean in San Diego, walking to New Orleans and arrived this week in Washington, D.C.  http://hikingholiday.org/

Thanks to donations and sponsorships, Yocum has raised about $ 200,000 and sent money to the families of 40 needy vets. He is now on its seventh pair of sports shoes, having walked about 6,100 miles.

What he learned from the experience?

"The timing is very important," Yocum responses in a serious tone. "And because it did not take the time, I wound up in the hospital three times".

There have been other mishaps. The other night, someone broke through a window of the car that Yocum shadows. The thief stole his GPS device. Dennis Halsey, Baltimore County, MD., who has followed the journey of Yocum via Facebook, read theft. Halsey has a spare GPS, then, on Friday, drove to the store of sport Modell in Bethesda to deliver extra gizmo. (Modell became recently a sponsor walk fundraiser, Yocum is stopping in various locations of the shop to meet journalists.)

Troy Yocum's life has changed significantly during the Trek. The girl whom he met during a rest and recreation in Germany joined him on the first part of the journey. Day 100 of the excursion, Yocum proposed. The next day, the couple married. Mareike Yocum unit now the vehicle that daily effort 15 miles Yocum shadows.

The couple is taking off a couple of days for the Memorial Day weekend in Washington, Wednesday morning, Yocum will begin steps of the Capitol. He will be a trip to Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and Boston to complete his journey of 7,000 miles.

On-line:

drumhike.com

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Hiking through geologic time-Bangor Daily News

Most hikers Maine probably don't think much about the ground beneath their feet. I know that I have never given much thought until I took a book of geology on my thru-hike in 1994. I bought the book "underfoot: A Geologic Guide to the Appalachian Trail" by v. Collins chew ferry, w. Va. Harper and led all the way to Maine.

The book was easy to understand, with maps that clearly represented as mountains were built, combined with descriptions of the various phases of geologic time. As soon as I got home I bought several books on geology, but with attention to Maine.

Hiking through our landscape offers a fascinating look at how the time spanning hundreds of millions of years to form this earth under our boots. The evidence found in soil and rock outcroppings. Once you start looking and familiarize yourself with some commonly used geological terms, it is possible to identify the story of how these mountains were created.

Here's where you have a geology guide helps. Most have a glossary and break concepts into language sometimes difficult-to-understand that even a nongeologist like me can understand. Here are three of the most complete guide to the geological landscape of Maine. They are all available locally or online.

"Roadside geology of Maine" by d. w. Caldwell, mountain Press, $ 18. 00.

Despite the title of this book, there are some descriptions of the trail, in particular in Baxter State Park. The book also describes in detail the forces that shaped Maine, and as most of them can be seen along the main roads that are cut through the rock.

Most of the rock outcrops along the main highways and roads in the State are described. Illustrations and maps of each of the main important building events are included in the book. The catastrophic periods of time that created the landscape are portrayed in a language easily understandable. Throughout the book is several photos showing examples of the types of rock that lie along the roads leading to retrieve. The book has great diagrams and cross-sections of the landscape. There is a glossary of terms that makes it easier to understand the most difficult concepts and theories.

If you buy only one book on the geology of Maine, make sure it's this one.

"Glaciers and granite," by David l. Kendall, North Country Press, $ 19. 95.

This book is known to write easy to understand, explaining the effects of the glaciers in the mountains of Maine. But it is not only limited to glaciers. The age of mountain building that occurred hundreds of millions of years before the glaciers are also clearly diagram and depicted.

There are clear maps of rock and soil covering Maine. There are color plates in the middle of the book depicting landscapes of Maine by Popham Beach to Katahdin. Of the three books, this is the easiest to use. The explanations are written using examples that make understanding plate tectonics, fault lines and visual clues less difficult than the other books.

This book also contains descriptions of the road cuts along many major highways and secondary roads throughout Maine.

"Under your feet: a geological Guide to the Appalachian Trail," v. Collins chew, published by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, $ 12.95.

Underfoot describes all forms of rock under the entire length of the Appalachian Trail runs from Georgia, Maine, United States. The diagrams are drawn and clearly depict every period of geologic time. There is a complete glossary. The best part of this book is that it is the only one who looks at the geology of Maine from the path.

Even though there is only a small part of this book that describes the Maine, is one of the most complete. Different rock types are clearly mapped and descriptions are written in a way that is easily understandable.

After reading through any one of these guides, never examine the rocks beneath your feet. Bring one of these guides with you on your next trip and you will understand why there is so much bare ledge in Acadia. You'll know why there is so much slate on the trail North of Monson Appalachians. And because the rocks look like they have been merged, then solidified, on Bigelow.

Evidence of continental drift, earthquake fault lines and ancient volcanic activity is everywhere you look, once you know what to look for. All you need is a guide to geology to understand concepts. Then, get out and hike, look at the ledge beneath your feet and find out for yourself. And unlike trying to watch the movement of wildlife, rocks are stationary and are everywhere. Choose a path and head out. There is an ancient history in rock and soil just beneath his boots.

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Lake Brownwood State Park gets $ 50,000 to improve trails-Abilene Reporter-News

The Lake Brownwood State Park receives approximately 50,000 dollars in renovations to its hiking trails, paths and parks State Coordinator Trey Cooksey.

The money is part of a recreational trail program under the Federal Highway Administration. Lake Brownwood was one of the seven Texas State parks that received funding for their paths. Others were Lake Cooper, Eisenhower, Huntsville, Lake Corpus Christi, McKinney Falls and Tyler.

Lake Brownwood Park Superintendent John Holland said work will begin in September.

The work will concentrate on Texas oak trail follows the North Coast and the Lakeside trail on the eastern end of the Lake. The Netherlands, said that the path is historically significant because Lakeside includes a picnic area that was built by the Works Progress Administration during the depression.

"It worked which is much needed and I am very excited," said Holland.

The work around the State will focus on refurbishing existing paths, rather than opening new trails.

Cooksey agreed that the path in state parks need work. http://hikingholiday.org

"There is quite a bit of work that needs to be done on them," he said. "We hope we will be able to keep this."

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Blind hiker takes Arizona near Flagstaff trail for children who are blind-Greenfield Daily Reporter

LARRY HENDRICKS Arizona Daily SunFirst posted: May 28, 2011-4: 00 am

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Michael Armstrong stood at the starting point for the path to Marshall Lake near Flagstaff Arizona earlier this month.

His rain gear was to protect him from the cold. Her hands clutched his poli guantati excursions. His pack and his head covered by the cold caused by light drizzle, smiled a sketchy.

"Okay," he said. "Let's Go."

And off he went to try another 24 miles of Arizona before leaving for the day. One would be hard-pressed to understand that he is blind.

Feat of Armstrong's 41 years of hiking the entire trail Arizona 807 km was made for a purpose. He wants to raise $ 43,000 put 43 children through a summer program from the non-profit foundation for blind children to help them realize their potential.

"It really helps children expand their horizons," he said.

The Foundation helped him when he went blind at age 26 from a hereditary disease that hit her retina. Prosthetic eyes now.

The Foundation helped him with the execution of his martial arts, improved his skills and he returned to tours. In addition to running his own shop in martial arts, Armstrong also plays the drums into three groups. The help that he received at the Foundation has given the desire of wanting to help the children to believe that they are able to more than people think to inspire.

"Really it saddens me to see a child to live a life away when they can do much more," he said.

The Foundation's summer camp helps children learn the skills necessary to achieve greater independence, according to the information provided by the Foundation. The Foundation started in 1952, served more than 2,000 children and adults last year.

"It's amazing to hear in their voices as they changed the way they think what they can and cannot do," Armstrong said of the children attending the summer camp.

A sedentary lifestyle, before his blindness, Armstrong began his journey on the trail, Arizona, on April 2. He's going to be on the border of Utah from Saturday.

Originally had planned on the excursion taking 40 days, but he injured his foot on the step four peaks and was immobilized for a week of recovery. For the first half of the route, he averaged 16 km per day. But, now, in the northern half, he and his guides are averaging closer to 20 km per day.

For the first mile 522, guide Ben Reed and Yancey Herriage used a cow's Bell attached to a stick of long excursions to lead Armstrong. As he hears the doorbell, he uses his trekking poles to "feel out of the ground." On the most treacherous portions of the trail, which has a guide to seeing behind him to ensure his safety.

"If I'm heading to the edge of a cliff, he is right there to make sure it doesn't get too out of line," added Armstrong.

The cow Bell duties are now shared between multiple people who serve as guides.

As regards the daily grind of pumping out two-digit mileage, said, laughing, "I have adapted to it. But surely I'll sleep well tonight. "

Even if he was sleeping in a tent for most of the time, took four days off on his trip. In Flagstaff, received a stay at the Best Western Pony Soldier.

"The biggest advantage of a hotel is able to take a hot shower," he said.

Peace Surplus to Flagstaff was the main sponsor of his effort. He travels with the logistic support of people along the way. On parts of the trail where he is able to receive logistical support, he brings up to 45 pounds of supplies and tools to push him in his pack.

Some portions of the trail Arizona must still be completed, requiring alternative routes. Some sections are well marked and other sections have almost no markings, Armstrong said.

"We're kind of taking it day by day, following the GPS and the book data," he said.

The experience, he said, was amazing.

"Although I am totally blind and can't see the ground, I can try it through smell and sound," said Armstrong. He added that when he hears his voice guides at their pleasure, with "oohs" and "ahhs" gets pleasure in that, too.

Sometimes, when the soil is challenging and frustrating, said he remembers why he is doing.

"It is also uplifting to hear about people who are inspired by what I'm doing this," he said.

Armstrong said that he is eager to complete the trip and get back his wife and three children for a planned vacation to Disneyland.

Before tackling the Arizona trail, Armstrong hiked the Grand Canyon Rim to rim to rim. He also set a world record, reaching the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa with seven other hikers.

For his future plans, he said that he definitely is planning to climb Mount Whitney next year. He is also training to do triathlons and do a tandem bike ride from the Pacific coast to the Atlantic coast.

His motivation: "the feeling of accomplishment when I do. The feeling of not being blind. The exhilaration of accomplishing these goals just makes me feel less blind. "

And his advice to other blind people who may feel limited by their blindness? http://hikingholiday.org

"Is there a way to accomplish anything, as long as you put your mind and your heart in it." he said. "The greatest handicap is in the mind".

So far, Armstrong's trek along the path of Arizona raised $ 17,000. He is still confident that he can raise $ 43,000 by the end of the trip.

___

Information from: Arizona Daily Sun http://www.azdailysun.com/,

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African walking Safari-our top walking Safari hotspots

An African walking safari brings back memories of some of those old jungle movies with a group of safari tractors cut their way through thick bush and avoiding dangerous animals and the POISON darts of the local head hunters.

Well, thank God it was only in the movies! Today, is an African walking safari around the ants pants of adventure holidays. It is as close as you get to a real African nature romp, even if you don't walk!

Top African Safari walking destinations

Taking a walking safari in Africa is not as simple as your walking boots and heading off into the sunset. To begin, you'll probably end up as the main course at some carnivores dinner setting.

Well organised walking excursions run by people who know their stuff are the only way to both your security and viewing pleasure, especially if you're new to the whole African Safari scene.

South Africa has two ideal and attractive walking safari options ... the Ngala Private Game Reserve in Kruger National Park and the Phinda Private Game Reserve.

Both excursions are professional organized with the safety of the biggest factor but you get the chance to get up close to nature. Bird lovers will in all their glory especially in Phinda and be warned, you may need to be dragged kicking and screaming away!

Botswana

One of the characteristics of a walking safari in Botswana is the extremely high standards with regard to safety. The guides themselves are just about the best in the business and "are the ropes" from a very young age.

Botswana is a walking safari lovers dream. It has the enormous diversity that will fit with lovers of flora or fauna. The habitats are exactly what you would expect to find on Safari.

Zimbabwe and Zambia

Zimbabwe is not far behind Botswana in the quality of guides offer. Walking through the African Bush is no fun, but these guys and gals are so well trained that any issues are kept to a minimum, as they were in at all.

Zimbabwe has obviously experienced somewhat of an unstable political climate in recent times and if you are considering a trip there, contact your local travel agent for the lowdown on security.

Zambia also has an extremely high reputation for quality hosting walks. In fact, it occurs regularly in discussions if we walk in the whole of Africa. Once again, is one of the reasons why it is so popular because of its excellent and knowledgeable hosts.

Preparation is important before heading out on an African walking safari. It's not just the clothes that you'll have to wear, but you really need to make sure that you don't have any health issues.

If you want to know more about taking a cheap African Safari tour? Get all the tips and tricks plus information on African lion safari destinations with our guides informative review.