I have decided that today will be the day I check out the Tioga falls trail. When I googled mountain bike trails it was within 3 miles. It also appears that by using a range road I can get to it from off post. After making my preparations and visiting the bathroom I drive away. I drive down a typical range road for a military base; lots of open area and various weapons ranges on either side of me. I eventually get to a stop in the road. Ahead of me is the road that I need to go down, also it comes with a warning sign for authorized vehicles only but no track vehicles. Well, I'm certainly not driving a tank and I am authorized entry on to Ft Knox so I proceed. It's a barely used windy road that is being slowly reclaimed by the Kentucky jungle. Truly it is a jungle with dense growth, greenery all around and a canopy that obscures the sky. I have to hop out once and clear some logs. I eventually run into a locked gate across the road with several warnings and graffiti on it. I only have a half a mile to go but I decide I'll take the route that uses proper roads instead of risking parking my car back here. I fear it may suffer some unforeseen fate whilst I am away.
Good thing too because the Toiga falls trail doesn't allow mountain bikes after all. I pull up to a parking spot in the woods with many other trail goers. Saddened by the no mountain bike rule I trek on foot with a hammock and a water bottle in my bag. Probably a good thing I couldn't ride my bike up there, because it was straight up for the first mile or so. 30 degree incline and jutting rocks, some loose and some buried deep within the rocky soil. I would have no doubt fallen or given up riding straight up on the bike; far easier it was to walk up to the falls. I arrived at the falls and enjoyed the sights for a few minutes before answering the sudden call to nature far away from the group at the falls. One of my best pairs of socks are forever to remain in the Kentucky hills.
I set up my hammock and just lay and relax for about 15-20 minutes, enjoying the view of the sky between the tall tree canopy. The sounds of the falls, birds, people talking and kids playing is quite loud but comforting. It reminds me of many state parks I've been to before. Were the water deep enough to swim in I would have jumped in, but it was, at most, only 6 inches deep. After packing up I splashed in a stream purposely just to see if it was cool. It was, and I wish I could have jumped in. Walking away I witnessed a kid about 10-12 slip on the rocks and land on his butt. It looked like it hurt and I could hear him wailing. His mother dusted him off and he was fine, just a little butt hurt haha! The walk back is more peaceful since no one is close to me and I'm mostly walking down hill. I stop to take several pictures and enjoy the view myself. It was a good time, short, but good.
On the way back I stop by the General Patton museum. Of course it is closed, but the tanks outside are always open so I call my boys to show them. The oldest has a few toy tanks he plays with occasionally so I figure he'd get a kick out of seeing me by real life tanks. He of course enjoys it as I walk around and show him the different ones and tell him how tough they are. As I walk around I feel my sock-less, wet feet building up heat in my smelly shoes. Time to take these bad boys off. I say goodbye to the boys and make a pit-stop at the DFAC for lunch. One giant meatball, some pasta shaped like grubs, and vegetable medley today. I of course oblige myself to grab a piece of red velvet cake and ask specifically for the sugared jelly. The lady gets a laugh when I tell here my underwhelmed experience with the sugar-free kind.
I spend the afternoon wasting my time playing a video game called minecraft. After getting off and looking around I regret not doing something more productive. I genuinely don't like just wasting time. Even if it's just taking a walk or sitting and thinking I'd rather do that than waste more than an hour playing minecraft or any other video game. I like to spend my time doing things that yield tangible and positive results. Some will argue that, digitally, there is something to show for but what I really mean is it useful in real life? Even watching a history documentary or something is more productive. Sure, I will give it to some in the camp that you can learn problem solving playing a game. Sure. But how many of us out there are actually figuring it out versus just googling the solution?
I got wrapped up playing my game I actually was too late for the DFAC. The shopette was closed and so was burger king. Good think there's a snack machine downstairs. I tuck in to my wrappered dinner discuss family business with my wife. I really wish I could have come home this weekend to see her and the kids. Watching the kids all day is exhausting, physically and mentally. They are both just young enough to only understand so much and both old enough to run around with a dangerous object in their hand. It would be nice to just take them off her hands for a few hours. I also miss my bed. This army issue mattress is the same as any other post. It's like a flimsy piece of plywood with springs underneath covered by a slippery nylon cover. The sheet just slides off the corners when ever you toss and turn a few times. The pressure points are also pretty bad. My mattress back home is a king size pillow top that has never disappointed me or my back.