Will hike for gravy

It has been way too long since my last post but that doesn't mean I haven't been getting out.  One thing I have recognized about why I like to backpack and hike is that I develop a heck of an appetite by the end of trip and that appetite is best satisfied by.....gravy.  Yes, good old sausage gravy piled onto some eggs, waffles, biscuits, whatever, and then topped off with some hot sauce.  Maybe it's because my trail food tends to be a little raw or winter hiking can make you cold inside or there's something magical about sausage drippings.  Whatever the reason this is way beyond comfort food, this is soul food. 

If you have the same craving (or think you might), I have a couple of recommendations for great places to get your gravy fix.  Of course there is always Bob Evans.  You may say, "but they're a chain restaurant and I want to eat local".  Well, they are a chain, based in the Midwest, and if you've already had it you have to admit they know how to do gravy pretty well.  It's farm style - big chunk - gravy and it could be a meal in and of itself.  Locations are all over and can be found at http://www.bobevans.com/Restaurant/Locate

If you're not Jonesin for some Bob's and you just got off the Rough Trail (or any trail) at Red River Gorge, head over to True North Outfitters at 20 Sky Bridge Road, Campton, KY (606) 668-3745).  This is a climber hostel/outfitter that serves a great breakfast every day, including biscuits and gravy. This is also the birthplace of what my friends and I now call the "wombat".  The wombat is a waffle, topped with scrambled eggs, bacon, cheese, and you guessed it, gravy.  I can't even remember why we called it that but I won't forget the joy I had when that mountain of breakfast heaven came out of the kitchen.  Aside from the food, the cabin structure is inviting for the outdoorsy type with a fireplace, couches, and knotty pine walls, and I didn't feel like I was offending the Sunday morning church crowd with my trail scent.

Another top recommendation is KJ's on 35 W Center St in Germantown, OH close to the Twin Valley Backpacking Trail in Dayton, OH.  KJ's is a great home cookin place that is the home of the "Fat-n-Skinny".  The Fat-n-Skinny is the "Old 96er" of breakfast - a 4 lb monument made of waffles, eggs, peppers and onions, potatoes, sausage, and cheese, smothered in gravy - and comes free if you finish it in 25 min!  If you attempt it and fall short you still get a T-shirt and your picture posted on their Facebook wall.  Now I love a good challenge but I don't want to end up looking like Adam Richman on Man vs. Food, so I opt for the "Mini-Skinny" which is the same thing at about a quarter of the size.  The Mini hits the spot and if you're still hungry after that, get a slice of one of their homemade pies.

Fat-n-Skinny.....-n food coma

So next time you're out and want to end your trip in a great way, wrap your food and soul up in a nice blanket of gravy.  I guarantee you will appreciate your trip even more.

Zaleski's Hills

Went with 7 other folks to Zaleski State Park last weekend and spent two days hiking the hills in some unseasonably warm weather. The last few years I have gone out this time of year and was looking forward to some cold weather camping. Less people, less bugs, a little more difficult, and some nice cold nights. You know, the kind of backpacking that makes you feel like you should earn a medal for your courage and bravery. This year it was T-shirts almost the whole time, my dinner didn't get cold in 10 seconds, and I didn't have to throw a Nalgene full of hot water into my sleeping bag to keep my feet warm at night. Where's the work in that? The hills is where it is. I love Red River Gorge and think it has some tough trails but I think Zaleski's ups and downs were probably even tougher. And I only had about 20 lbs on my back! I would recommend these trails if you have done some initial backpacking somewhere else flatter, are looking for a good workout, and you don't have weak knees. The campsite where we stayed on the north side of the loop had nice clearings, a firepit, a pit toilet, and water from a spigot (nice). We hiked about 15 miles total and worked up a good appetite that lead us straight to the Bob Evans in Chillicothe where I coated my whole meal in gravy...mmmmm. Why does that food taste so good after you get off the trail? Good weather, good hiking, good people, good gravy = good times!

Grooming a New Hiking Partner

A few weeks ago I took my son fishing on Hope Lake in South Eastern Ohio. After catching and releasing a "monster" catfish and a tiny bass my mind began to wonder to the trails in the area, and my son soon grew bored.

My son is 4 so I knew the Zaleski Backpacking trail, which is 24 miles, would be too much for his little legs. I've never been an ultra light backpacker so I am used to a 40 lb pack, but the thought of carrying my pack and a very tired 40 lb child was just too much!

With all of this in mind I did something I haven't done in a very long time... I looked at the map for short trails. To start with we hiked the .5 mile Buzzard cave trail. This turned out to be perfect because there is a small cave (more of a recess in the rock really). What I didn't expect was the excitement I witenessed when a 4 year old sees this small cave for the first time. It might as well have been 300 miles deep!

After a break at the camp office to discuss the local trails we started down the .25 mile White Oak Trail. This was a shorter trail, but offered connections to alternative routes in case we felt adventureous. The first part of the trail was pretty steap, but once down by the lakes edge we saw a beaver lodge, and a feld tree. The sense of wonder and amazement made me feel like a kid. After hiking about a mile we turned back. When we reached the .25 mile hill back to the trailhead the 4 year old legs were worn out. It was at that point I found out that a 40 lb boy on your back squirms more than a 40 lb pack.

Next time I think the Wildcat Hallow trail in Wayne National Forest (12 miles) will be a good adventure for us. It has been a while since I hiked it, but I remember the Cedar Ridge portion of the trail. Seems like a great place to make camp, and cultivate the imagination.

Joe

Red River Gorge & Rain

Went to RRG this past weekend with a friend and had a good time despite the rain. We hiked on the Swift Creek Camp trail on a book recommendation. The book said the trail was "easy" but I don't think hopping over and crawling under fallen trees every 200 yds makes a trail a cake walk. Regardless, we found some pretty cool campsites north of the Wildcat trail intersection that made the trip great. Aside from the campsite the other highlights included Burger Jerky (from the recipe in May 09 Backpacker, p. 58), steaks, fried salami pita sandwiches, and all topped off with some Old Grand-Dad by the campfire. Truly a good time.

Kickoff

Hey all -

Well, this is the first post of hopefully many as part of a way of putting backpacking info for the Midwest area in one spot. I'm trying to get out more often and I wanted a way to find the info I needed quickly so thus "Midwest Backpacker" was born. I hope the site is useful and helps get people beyond that "Where should we go" or "Where do I get some gear" question. Please let me know if you'd like to add info on the site.....I'm open to suggestions, especially details on trails and places to buy gear. Happy hiking!

Ben