http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA Travels and Journeys... Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:57:18 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 2006-2010 heather@heatherdugan.com (Heather Dugan) heather@heatherdugan.com (Heather Dugan) 1440 http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/wp-content/plugins/podpress/images/powered_by_podpress.jpg http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA 144 144 http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/?feed=podcast Footsteps Travels and Journeys... Travel, outdoors, adventure, Heather, Dugan, stories Heather Dugan Heather Dugan heather@heatherdugan.com no no http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2012/01/04/featured-photo-seasonal-mix/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2012/01/04/featured-photo-seasonal-mix/#comments Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:08:36 +0000 Heather Dugan http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/?p=10128 http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2012/01/04/featured-photo-seasonal-mix/feed/ 2 http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2011/02/28/winter-ice-converts-bike-trail-to-hiking-trail/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2011/02/28/winter-ice-converts-bike-trail-to-hiking-trail/#comments Mon, 28 Feb 2011 16:15:05 +0000 Heather Dugan http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/?p=8046 http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2011/02/28/winter-ice-converts-bike-trail-to-hiking-trail/feed/ 0 http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2009/06/05/in-town-tourist-alum-creek-state-park-multi-purpose-trail/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2009/06/05/in-town-tourist-alum-creek-state-park-multi-purpose-trail/#comments Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:24:49 +0000 Heather Dugan http://www.heatherdugan.com/blog/taking-the-kids/in-town-tourist-alum-creek-state-park-multi-purpose-trail/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2009/06/05/in-town-tourist-alum-creek-state-park-multi-purpose-trail/feed/ 4 0:01:50 When we recently found our customary metro park trail to be overflowing with weekend visitors, we took an alternate route on Alum Creek’s multi-purpose trail. The trail head and finish are tucked at the edge of a wooded clearing near the New[...] When we recently found our customary metro park trail to be overflowing with weekend visitors, we took an alternate route on Alum Creek’s multi-purpose trail. The trail head and finish are tucked at the edge of a wooded clearing near the New Galena Boat Launch along Africa Road. The launch area is a lively hub of lake activity, but as we crossed the grassy field, the clatter of maneuvering boat trailers quickly faded. Once on the trail, it took but a few more paces to slip entirely away. Alum Creek State Park Map and Visitor Information The path initiates in a shaded woods but wends its way through all manners of natural beauty. It’s unimproved state requires attention to every foot placement. This is not a “run for time” trail, but negotiating the hazards of long grass, mud, tree roots, fallen trees and occasional water crossings keeps a runner strictly in the moment of her next step and present breath. The trail swings lakeside a couple of times, affording glimpses of water through the dense brush and trees. Mostly though, it is a narrow swath that winds through dense fields and woods in the manner of a maze. We ran the four mile loop this time, lingering for a moment at the patch of shoreline that marked our furthest point north. There is an additional access to Africa Road at this point -a straight path between the road and a single bench situated to face the lake. From this access, one has the option of continuing north on another loop of three or four miles or returning more directly to the boat launch area. I looked up to see a bald eagle soaring north… …tempting us to follow. A quick glance at the time, however, replanted us into the tangible responsibilities of the afternoon. We settled on “next time” and re-entered the maze, intent on the ice cold water bottles in my truck, our prize of choice at trail’s end. Alum Creek State Park Map and Visitor Information Alum Creek State Park Something “outdoors” for everyone! 3387 acre reservoir surrounded by wooded park land. Mountain bike, bridle and multi-purpose trails, marina with boat rentals, dog park (with swim area), camping, fishing, hunting, swimming… “Yes” for pets Park Phone: 740-548-4631 Address: 3615 S. Old State Rd Delaware Ohio 43015 Directions: See Park website or individual map links for detailed directions Park Website View Alum Creek State Park in a larger map Heather Dugan no no http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2009/03/24/885/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2009/03/24/885/#comments Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:21:31 +0000 Heather Dugan http://www.heatherdugan.com/blog/in-town-tourists/885/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2009/03/24/885/feed/ 10 0:00:01 One of Ohio’s most popular outdoor recreation areas is a mere two mile drive, run or ride from my driveway. Alum Creek State Park is popular with boaters, campers and fishermen and most everyone else who enjoys life beyond cable TV. The va[...] One of Ohio’s most popular outdoor recreation areas is a mere two mile drive, run or ride from my driveway. Alum Creek State Park is popular with boaters, campers and fishermen and most everyone else who enjoys life beyond cable TV. The vast 3387 acre reservoir is surrounded by trails and rimmed on one side by a 3000 foot beach. Mountain bike, bridle and running trails all get heavy use. Alum Creek State Park Map and Visitor Information My favorites? “The Steps” are a quick but intense work-out on the days I have to squeeze “fitness” into a thirty minute window. The adjacent “below dam” park area also gets bonus points for the playground monkey bars that facilitate an equally expedient upper body routine of pull-ups and chin-ups. Our lab Lily enjoys the dog park off of Hollenback Rd on the other side of the reservoir (and we enjoy her enjoyment of the lake and the social frenzy that is a “dog park”). There’s a seven-mile multi-use trail on the southeast side (east of the boat launching area) that winds through woods and meadows and affords tantalizing peeks of the lake’s shoreline -perfect for an afternoon run. And, you can’t beat the grassy walk along Alum Creek Lake’s southern perimeter… I don’t like to run it; “the Steps” or multi-use trail are much better for cardio activity, in my opinion. The southern trail is flat, and the vista is one of those endless wonderful panoramas that instills awe in the casual viewer but is less inspiring to a runner looking at a basically still screen for minutes in a row. But, it’s a great walking/talking route… I’ve walked it with both my daughter and my niece on separate evenings this past week. Lily tagged along both times, of course. It always makes for a lovely evening. You can launch rocks to forever off the top of the dam, watch darting swallows, spot fish and great herons in the water, and listen as all the “little things” come up for air and conversation as you walk… Alum Creek State Park Map and Visitor Information Alum Creek State Park Something “outdoors” for everyone! 3387 acre reservoir surrounded by wooded park land. Mountain bike, bridle and multi-purpose trails, marina with boat rentals, dog park (with swim area), camping, fishing, hunting, swimming… “Yes” for pets Park Phone: 740-548-4631 Address: 3615 S. Old State Rd Delaware Ohio 43015 Directions: See Park website or individual map links for detailed directions Park Website View Larger Map Next Trip: Mammoth Cave National Park, KY and “Time Travel” with Facebook… Heather Dugan no no http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2008/04/17/moms-on-monkey-bars-2/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2008/04/17/moms-on-monkey-bars-2/#comments Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:59:56 +0000 Heather Dugan http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/?p=2001 http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogBETA/2008/04/17/moms-on-monkey-bars-2/feed/ 23 0:04:04 Over the past three days or so, I’ve gained a better understanding of why women of my age (the specifics of which is an irrelevant detail) lose track of their gym passes and the will to fight the good fight on personal fitness. I’m nowhere near qu[...] Over the past three days or so, I’ve gained a better understanding of why women of my age (the specifics of which is an irrelevant detail) lose track of their gym passes and the will to fight the good fight on personal fitness. I’m nowhere near quitting. I’ve done this for too long and believe that exercise tones a lot more than my body. It smooths out the rough spots in my emotions; it gives me spiritual muscle for Life’s considerable challenges. It gains me “thinking time,” enhancing my sense of perspective. It makes me smile more and wrinkle less. But wow. I get it. This past week as I scrambled between back-to-back soccer games, track meets, practices for the aforementioned and “odds and ends” that included guitar lessons and daily school transportation, work-out time kept sidling a couple of steps beyond my grasp. Forget the grocery (I did). Forget the laundry (wish I could but soccer socks require hazmat removal if not laundered within three days). Forget taxes (yeah, right), a social life (sigh) and recreational reading (sigh again). It’s a crazy, but oh-so-normal life. I know this. It hit me last spring that my children’s athletic activities could adversely affect my own. At this point in life (still looking for a number on this, aren’t you?) I’d prefer any “Before” soccer season and “After” soccer season snapshots of myself to be a close match. The goal is to pause on “Before” for as long as humanly possible. And that requires maintaining the fitness routines that have carried me thus far (All right already! I’m 45!!)… Twice this week, I’ve wheeled into the Westerville Rec Center parking lot having carved out a precious window of work-out time only to get a “please rescue me now” phone call from one of the kids. One time I actually made it into the building. “A” for effort, but “F” for application. Once back through the revolving door I sprinted to my truck, figuring that every bit of cardio counts and aiming hard for even a “D-.” My surgically-enhanced ankle has eliminated some of my previous fitness flexibility. I used to run anywhere on any surface. In a pinch, monkey bars still work fine for pull-ups and chin-ups. Cardio cross-training and running on more cushioned trails, however, takes extra effort and planning. Yesterday was the true test. After transporting Zach from high school to his guitar lesson, driving on to complete an earlier aborted grocery mission, and then retrieving Zach to be the “at home” adult when Matt got off the bus, I flew down the road to run the steps at Alum Creek Dam (people are somewhat startled when I abbreviate that to “the dam steps”). I got twelve flights in before Hannah texted me that track had finished early. So I called my neighbor to say that I’d swing over to pick up our girls and began computing my remaining available minutes… If the boys were ready to go to their dad’s and if Zach had stashed the groceries away, if Hannah could gather what she needed at home in ten minutes or less, if traffic wasn’t too terrible… I might be able to fit in a real work-out at the Rec Center before closing time. All the “ifs” ran green this time. Zach drove as I caught up on the kids’ days and verified the schedule for the next. We made it to their dad’s in twenty-five minutes. Five more minutes for unloading, kisses and hugs and I was on my way. Totally exhausted (I’m 45, remember?), I recognized that this was the point at which it would be oh-so-easy to drive on home. It was late and I was hungry, but I also had this elusive “window” that might not be there tomorrow… I yawned all the way there. I yawned as Liz waved me on in to the gym. I yawned between my weight sets. But I felt good when I walked back out the door. It’s a battle to be sure. Circumstances are rarely weighted in favor of my fitness goals. But I believe in both the process and the results with no apologies. It makes my life better. So if you spot me hanging from monkey bars during a soccer practi[...] Heather Dugan no no