adventure indiana | fall 2014
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South-Central Indiana's Adventure MagazineTRANSCRIPT
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CYCLINGPage 10
MUD ROMPPage 16
EXPEDITIONSPage 24
FALL/WINTER 2014
Also in this issue
Page 6
SOUTH-CENTRAL INDIANA’S ADVENTURE MAGAZINE
FreedomDown Hill
-6235905HT
Since the summer of 2009, we’ve been showcasing the best, muddiest, toughest, and most unconventional activities in south-central Indiana. From calf roping and mounted shooting to roller derby and skateboarding, trapeze arts and aerial silks to mud runs and marathons, we’ve enjoyed the challenge of bringing your wild exploits to our pages.
In this final issue, we give you a muddy obstacle run, slacklining, snowboarding, bad-weather biking, and a company offering some of the hardest treks in the country. Here’s to hoping you find your new favorite way to break a sweat. And you can always revisit your old favorites in our back issues at AdventureINmag.com. Thanks for reading and joining us on the journey.
On to the next adventure. Go. Do.
5 YearsOF ADVENTURES!
THANKS FOR
Staff of Adventure Indiana
PublisherE. Mayer Maloney, Jr.
EditorKathryn S. [email protected]
AdvertisingLaurie [email protected]
MarketingShaylan [email protected]
On the coverSpencer Dohrman snowboards at Paoli Peaks. Photo by Darryl Smith
Design byAndrew Lehman
©2014 Schurz Communications, Inc.ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY COPYRIGHT. Prices, specials and descriptions are accurate as of the time of publishing. This publication or parts thereof may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of the publisher. Advertising information has been provided by advertisers. Schurz Communications, Inc. does not make any representations as to the opinions and facts contained herein. All terms and conditions are subject to change. The cover, cover design, format and layout of this publication are trademarks of Schurz Communications, Inc.
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Adventure CalendarPage 27
Adventure Tool KitPage 26
Carving ArtPage 12
Slack and BalancePage 20
Inner Tubes & Tube Socks
Page 22
Bigger, Badder, Better
Page 16
OutrageousExpeditions
Page 24
Freedom Down HillPage 6
ON THE INSIDE
Terrible Day for a RidePage 10
Are You aToughPumpkin?PAGE 8
Editor’sAdventurePage 4
PEDITOR’S DANCE
rior to performing in a showcase at Panache Dance in Bloomington, my dancing experience was a few classes when I was 8 years old that mainly resulted in embarrassing be-sequined photos. (And okay, I think I’m killer at Just Dance 4 on my Xbox.) Taking on a public dance performance with trained, competitive and rather brilliant Latin dancer LaBraun Hampton seemed, oh, a little terrifying. LaBraun moves with the sort of effortless grace born of natural talent and thousands and thousands of hours of hard work. (He also ran a Tough Mudder during the span of our lessons.)
As a person, if I am known for anything at all, it is certainly not grace. I am familiar with impact—splashing into mud, or slamming an opponent to the ground—but crossing a room with control and elegance was uniquely challenging. During my weeks of lessons with LaBraun, he endeavored to teach me poise,
PERFORMANCE
4
in addition to the specific moves of our choreography.
Choreography—that was another whole new element. Most sports are improvisational: It’s a matter of taking the field or hitting the course and seeing where the competition takes you. With this, LaBraun had created a series of steps and movements intended to tell a story. That reality gave me more than a few nightmares leading up to the showcase, especially since spinning makes me dizzy and I’m hopeless in high heels. (Kindly, LaBraun decided we should be bare foot.)
A s often as they can, Panache Dance hosts showcase performances, which serve as an opportunity for
students to show off what they’ve learned and give family and friends a chance to share in their rhythmic hobby, from tango to hip-hop to flamenco to belly dance. For me, LaBraun choreographed a dramatic contemporary routine to Jessie Ware’s “Wildest Moments.”
We talk of “athletic performance,” and this dance earned that description in full. Not only did the routine include lunges and cartwheels, but I had to truly perform—for an audience wanting to be entertained. You don’t get that with a mud run. Ronde, leap, lunge, spin—control and elegance—and don’t forget to smile for the crowd. I’ve dragged myself across finish lines a tired, sweaty mess. It was a new experience to have to strike a tired, sweaty pose, and smile.
Truth is, I messed up in both performances. The turns I was afraid to get wrong—got them wrong twice in front of two audiences. But afterward, I laughed, the other dancers commiserated, and I had a good conversation with a friend about pursuing things that feel just out of your reach and the value of risking failure.
F ootball players have been known to cross train in ballet to peak their athleticism, and I would recommend
dancing to any athlete. If you
run marathons, try the samba. If you’re a weight lifter, give hip-hop a try. We can so easily get into the habit of training our bodies for one specific action—or none at all. Dance requires a flow and the ability to move through all sorts of actions within one. You’ll discover strengths you didn’t know you had, and uncover weaknesses you wish you didn’t. To the music.
The wonderful part each of each lesson with LaBraun was that, by the end of the hour, moves that seemed impossible had been broken down into pieces I could understand and steps my body could do. Plus, the biggest part of it all was just believing: Believing I could dance, that I could move gracefully and rhythmically without looking a fool—or more importantly, not caring if I did.
See you on the dancefloor,
Editor Kathryn S. Gardiner dances with LaBraun Hampton in a performance at Panache
Dance in Bloomington. [Bottom left] Kathryn laughs through the “Thriller” finale.
Photos by Darryl Smith.
Kathryn S. Gardiner,Editor
5
FWORDS | Lacy Nowling
PICS | Darryl Smith
or some people, December is more than just the hustle and bustle of the holi-days—it is also the kickoff of another kind of special season. It is the time to suit up in snow gear, strap on snowboards or skis, and soar down the hills at Paoli Peaks.
“My favorite memories are at the beginning of the season when I haven’t snowboarded all summer,” said William Trueblood, a snowboarder with nine years of experience. “I’m sitting at the top strapping in, ready to dive into this season of full excitement.“
Paoli Peaks typically begins its annual season in December and is open every day through mid-March. The facility has a natural hill with a 300-foot vertical drop, 15 trails, seven lifts, and a variety of terrain areas for different skill levels. Beginners, intermediate, and advanced levels all have a place at Paoli.
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Snowboarders hit the slopes
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Although skiing has been popular for many years, both beginner and ad-vanced riders are looking
for another kind of winter chal-lenge to master.
With the growing popularity of extreme sporting events like the Winter X Games and snow-boarding’s inclusion in the Winter Olympics, more people are attempting to descend down a snow-covered hill on one board, instead of two skis.
“I tried snowboarding be-cause I thought it would be like skateboarding,” Trueblood said. “But they are nothing alike.”
Some riders gradu-ally transition from skiing to snowboarding once they feel they have mastered the first and are looking for something new. Trueblood, however, was not a prior skier. He felt skiing would be awkward compared to the stance on the board he was used to from his years skateboarding.
Other riders have compared snowboarding to wakeboard-ing on the water, saying that the stance, weight distribution, and general techniques are extremely similar.
Most snowboarders will agree that skiing is much easier and find that the ability to maintain control
is the biggest difference be-tween the two.
One of the more specific difficulties with snowboarding is gaining and retaining bal-ance, especially during turns and stops. On skis, a person is able to distribute their body weight on two separate skis to maintain control; however, on a snowboard, that is much harder to do when going down a hill.
Riders must also try to keep the board level while descend-ing to avoid the ends and edges catching under the snow and causing a crash.
Trueblood recommends that anyone who wants to try snowboarding should first take a lesson. Snowboarding can be hard to learn and taking les-sons can help riders to develop good form and technique from the beginning.
“It stops you from picking up bad habits early on,” he said about the importance of snowboarding lessons.
Whether going down a hill on two skis, one board, or even an inner tube, riders of all levels enjoy the rush they receive from the gliding decent each winter season.
“I enjoy the sense of free-dom I feel when I ride,” said Trueblood. “My mind clears and I’m stress free.”
7
Are You a Tough Pumpkin?the crunch of leaves beneath your feet, the
sights and smells of autumn, and pump-kins everywhere—this is time for The Great Pumpkin Run, a 5K run/walk that, according to organizer Courtney Walker, “celebrates everything that is great about fall.” This year will be the second time for the Indianapo-lis Pumpkin Run, which takes place at The Apple Works Orchard in Trafalgar, Ind. on Oct. 11.
The family-owned Apple Works Orchard is the perfect setting for the run with fun activities for everyone, including feeding the farm animals and shopping for wonderful made-from-scratch treats.
“Runners can expect to run through open fields, the orchard lanes, wooded trails, the pumpkin patch, and the corn maze,” says Walker. The trail can be walked as well; this is an event for all ages and all fitness levels. If you want to prove how tough you are, you can go with the Tough Pumpkin option in which runners choose a pumpkin from an array ranging from 2-15 pounds each, and carry the pumpkin throughout the run. This option costs an additional $10, but your pumpkin and a “Tough Pumpkin” Mason jar become your take-home trophies.
m ake the race even more of a challenge by signing up to be a Hungry Pumpkin Grand Marshall—limited to 25 par-
ticipants—who each consume three slices of pumpkin pie immediately before
Seasonal Indy 5K offers orchard run, pumpkins, and a little pieWORDS | Sue Sheldon PICS | Darryl Smith
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the race. Besides the pie, Grand Marshalls receive a sash and a photo of them eat-ing the pie placed in a Hall of Fame on Facebook.
Some participants form teams—in fact, for teams of four or more, each member will receive a $5 discount. Costumes are encouraged, with prizes given for the most creative. All participants receive a long-sleeved t-shirt, a custom event bib, a finisher’s medal, an official chip time, a pumpkin to take home, and a glass of farm-fresh apple cider.
t he Great Pumpkin Run began three years ago with a single run in Cincinnati, but has since expanded into nine areas in the Midwest. As
event director and co-founder of Riff Raff Productions, Walker says that she and Erik Young “do all the planning behind the scenes throughout the year and organize and manage all operations on race day.”
Courtney has stories to tell of past teams—including this favorite: “I had a 9-year-old boy bring his family along to a run (at least 20 family members) to cel-ebrate the fact that he beat cancer a week prior. Seriously, every participant runs for something and has a story behind why he or she is participating. Those stories are what motivate me to keep doing what I do.”
The run is limited to 800 participants and registration fees increase as the Oct. 8 deadline nears. The Apple Works Orchard is about 60 miles from Indianapo-lis, Bloomington and Bedford, but keep in mind that Trafalgar is in Brown County, so there will be lots of people out to enjoy the fall colors!
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WORDS | Lacy Nowling PICS | Darryl Smith
Terrible Day for a Ride
B-town biking event thrives in winter weather
Below freezing temperatures, gusty winds, and slush-covered roads are weather conditions that would keep a majority of people in the comfort and warmth of their homes, but for a select group, this is their idea of a perfect mixture for a bike ride.
The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Bike Ride, or THNGVBBR, is an annual event that takes place in January, right in the midst of Indiana’s changeable winter season. The event, hosted by Bloomington’s Commission on Sustainability, started in 2012 as a way to show people that it is possible to bike safely and comfortably in a variety of weather conditions.
“The ride came out of a conversa-tion about how many people think of (it as) something that’s only possible in beautiful weather,” said Jacqueline Bauer, sustainability coordinator for Bloomington and also a ride partici-pant.
Although the event was cre-ated to show that biking in winter conditions can be safe, the first two THNGVB-
BRs were memorable for all the wrong reasons. Temperatures were in the 50s and 60s with clear, sunny skies despite the fact that it was the middle of winter.
“They weren’t terrible at all,” Bauer said. “We talked about setting a ‘sun date’ so we could reschedule when the weather was worse.”
For the third ride in 2014, coordi-nators and participants finally got the horrible conditions they desired: temperatures in the low-20s, over-cast skies and a wintery mix on the ground.
“Snow and slush and general unpleasantness,” Bauer said of the weather for the 2014 THNGVBBR. “It was fantastic.”
While typical winter weather is ideal for this event, coordinators still have the flexibility to cancel and reschedule if needed.
“We do have limits,” Bauer said. “If we get ice, we’ll evaluate the condi-tions and decide whether it’s safe to ride or not.”
Each year the event draws more people, with participation ranging between 50-100 riders. THNGVBBR attracts a variety of skill levels and all riders, including beginners, are encouraged to give it a try.
In fact, Bauer encourages new riders to use the event as an oppor-tunity to learn the routes that more
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experienced cyclists use regularly, and stresses that the best routes for a bike are not always the same as for a car.
The event has two distances for participants to choose between, either three or seven miles. The three-mile route is
marketed as “not really very terrible at all,” while the seven-mile route is “for the fearless among us” and show-cases some of the area’s hills.
Each route starts at City Hall and fea-tures different iconic places through-out the community, such as the B-Line Trail, Kirkwood Avenue, and parts of Indiana University’s campus.
Coordinators like to incorporate new elements of the city’s different ameni-ties, like bike lanes and overpasses, so participants can gain experience biking in different areas of town.
“To some extent it’s empowering,” Bauer said, “realizing a little snow or slush can’t keep you from getting around by your own power.”
FOR MORE INFO, check out www.bloomington.in.gov/THNGVBBR or call 812-349-3837
Bloomington’s 2014 Horrible No Good Very Bad Bike Ride got the weather they wanted to ride the streets.
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MORE | Page 14
Chainsaw masters turn raw wood into masterpieces
Carving Art
WORDS | Kasey Husk PICS | Darryl Smith
hen most people walk by a fallen tree, they probably just see a gnarly piece of timber.
Chainsaw artists like Jason Emmons, however, see a world of possibilities.
“You walk by and you go, ‘Hmm, the way that shape is, a bass would go in there really nice,” the Branchville artist says.
Chainsaw carvers are known for taking such pieces of wood and transforming them into masterpieces. Emmons and his wife of 21 years, Cindy, have turned these skills into their life’s work through their company Bear Hollow Wood Carvers, which sells wood carvings and other art at W
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its French Lick gallery, creates custom artwork for clients, and sets up more than 150 wood-carving demonstrations across the country each year.
“The biggest satisfaction is when you can take a raw chunk of wood, a stump basically, that someone is going to throw away, and you can spend a relatively short amount of time with a raw tool like a chainsaw and make art,” Emmons says.
V isitors have a chance to see Emmons and 10 of the na-tion’s top chainsaw carvers in action at the Emmons’
fifth annual Block Bash, planned for Sept. 19 to 21 in French Lick. Attendees can watch the carvers create about 150 different pieces, large and small, during the weekend, all of which will be auctioned off.
“It’s an opportunity for people to come out and see world-class carvers, carvers who have traveled all over the country and the world to demonstrate their craft,” says California-based carver Mark Colp, who will be attending the bash.
When Emmons first picked up a chainsaw with an artistic rather than utilitarian intention 14 years ago, he had no idea how dramatically his life would change. The former sawmill worker was attending an industry conference in 2000, but “instead of looking at new equipment, I sat and watched the chain-saw carver.” He immediately set out to try his hand at the craft.
“They started looking OK, you could tell a bear was a bear,” he recalls of his early pieces. “My first decent one, Cindy came home and I said, ‘Look what I did!’ and we danced around that thing like we’d really done something.”
I t’s hard for Emmons to pin down a favorite piece of art, he says, because “they are all a little piece of you.” But one that stands out,
Top carvers from across the
country create new pieces at
the 2013 Block Bash in French
Lick. Many will return
for this year’s event Sept. 19
through 21.
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he says, was carving a red oak tree, five feet in diameter, into a giant walk-through playhouse with windows, a chimney, a roof, and animals carved all over it.
Even for a veteran, however, chain-saw carving is far from an exact science.
“It seems like every time I get out there (to do a demonstration) there’s a point where I think, ‘I screwed this up, there’s people watching and I screwed this up,’” Emmons says. “But you just keep cutting, and it’ll be OK.”
Traditionally, chainsaw carving has been the domain of people who already work with wood, such as lumberjacks. But new safer and lighter chainsaws have made it more accessible to the general public, Emmons says.
“Plenty of people tell me, ‘Oh, I couldn’t do that, I couldn’t do that,’” Colp says. “I tell them, unless you try, you don’t know. It’s like that with everything. Don’t give up before you even start.”
FOR MORE INFO on this year’s Block Bash, check out www.bearhollowwoodcarvers.com or call 812-936-3030.
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The Block Bash also boasts a variety of vendors, and more wood carvings can be found
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15
BIGGER, BADDER, BETTERWORDS | Sue Shelden PICS | Darryl Smith
Riddle Point romp promises more mud and more fun in second year
‘‘Mud, sand, cold water, a high level of physical exertion”—if that sounds fun to you, then mark your calendar for the Nov. 1 Romp at Riddle Point at Lake Lemon.
According to organizer Leslie Abshier, resource development director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington, this year’s second annual Romp will be “big-ger, badder, better.” The event includes a “creek run, mud wallow, hill climb, and tire carry.” New obstacles will be added and old ones will be improved.
“The target audience is physically fit adventurists looking for a fun, physical day in beautiful southern Indiana. ... The difficulty level will be similar to last year, but making greater use of the local to-pography and of the water, sand, mud, rocks, and roots. ... Participants will race through three miles at Riddle Point of Lake Lemon, encountering at least 12 obstacles.”
MORE | Page 18
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Since this takes place the day after Halloween, participants are encouraged to dress up in costume. Abshier says there
will be other Halloween themes built into the race as well.
Teams are encouraged, adding a more competitive element to the day. Restaurants may compete against other restaurants, banks against banks, schools teams, Greek organizations, realty groups, or just groups of friends. “This is how we hope to raise atten-dance from last year and reach a more diverse audience of people,” Abshier says.
All funds will benefit the various Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington at the original Lincoln Street Club, the Crestmont and Ellettsville Clubs, and Camp Rock. According to Abshier, “it is one of our largest fundraisers and we hope it continues to grow as a staple event for us. The club provides services for $20 a year per member although it costs the club $580 a year per member to provide for them. Events like this and donations from many individuals, businesses, foundations and others help make services for children in our community, especially those who need us most, possible.”
THE REST | From Page 16
The 2013 Romp at Riddle Point
left participants muddy and
happy. Organizers promise even
more this year.
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The Romp will be at 7599 North Tunnel Road in Unionville, and will take place in the morning and early afternoon. Heats
run every 30 minutes. Volunteers are needed for registration, parking, water stations, setting up, tearing down, and supervision. Lifeguards with proper certification are also needed.
Registration is $65 for individuals, but $55 for those who register before Oct. 1. Students producing a valid student ID are $50 each. Teams of four members are $200 for the group. Other incentives and discounts are available as well. Be forewarned: you will get wet, you will get dirty, and you will have fun. Bring a clean, dry pair of shoes to wear home—and maybe even a whole change of clothing.
TO REGISTER OR GET INVOLVED, go to the Boys & Girls Club website at www.bgcbloomington.org, or to the Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/rompatriddlepoint. Leslie Abshier can be contacted at [email protected] or at 812-332-5311, ext. 10.
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Slack AND Balance IU students
enjoy the outdoors on ‘1-inch trampoline’
WORDS | Kasey Husk
PICS | Darryl Smith
Balance, concentration, and “bouncy whimsy” come together in one simple sport found in any park in Bloomington.
Slacklining, a sport not unlike tight-rope walking in circuses of old, is the art of walking and doing tricks on a narrow length of climber’s webbing. Invented in the late 1970s, it has been rapidly grow-ing in popularity in recent years, says local slackline enthusiast Chris Sajdak, who notes there are now worldwide competitions for the sport.
“It’s really just walking in a sense, but it’s more fun than just walking,” Sajdak, a senior geography student at Indiana Uni-versity, says. “The way I like to explain slacklining to people is that it’s a 1-inch trampoline.”
Sajdak was a freshman at Teter Quad Residence Hall when he first met a guy everyone called “Tightrope Tommy” slacklining. Sajdak was
intrigued, and then hooked almost as quickly. He bought his own 80-foot length of webbing and started slacklining outside his dorm and later at Bryan Park.
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The setup for slacklining is simple enough: the length of webbing is suspended between two handy objects, usually a pair of trees, and bare feet are the only other piece of equipment needed. But that’s about where the simplicity ends for beginners as they struggle to find their balance on a line that bends and moves as they do.
“A lot of times when people first put a leg on the slackline, they get ‘Elvis leg,’ where their leg shakes uncontrollably because they aren’t used to (the slackline),” Sajdak says. “You can’t do anything about it but watch your leg shake really fast and you are kind of helpless. That’s always a lot of fun.”
Experts in “tricklining” can do backflips and other aerial tricks on the slackline, Sajdak says, though he’s still far from master-ing those skills. But however dif-ficult those advanced skills are, he notes that learning the basics is something just about anyone can do if they are willing to “stay with it through a few grueling sessions.”
“It’s just fun to go do,” he says. “It really is. Every time you
go on it takes a lot of concentra-tion; it’s the one thing you are thinking about.”
Recent IU graduate Emily Jones, who has been play-ing on slacklines periodically since she was 10 years old,
agreed. “It’s a quick, easy thing to just
get up on and keep trying,” she says. “It’s not like you have to have a lot of prior experience to try it out.”
She adds that “there’s defi-nitely an art of balancing, and you learn your own balance through the slackline.”
“It kind of tells you how bal-anced you are,” she says.
For Sajdak, however, the best part of slacklining isn’t necessar-ily the activity itself. Instead, he says, it’s the social aspect of it. “I’ve met countless people from slacklining,” he says, noting that people are always interested and come up to investigate when he brings out the slackline.
“I don’t remember slacklining when I think of slacklining,” he explains. “I remember hanging out with friends at a park for a couple hours, just enjoying the outside.”
Emily Jones, right, is a more
experienced slackliner, but a suspended line
always brings out first-timers like these on the IU
campus.
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Shakamak triathlon lets participants get Totally TubularWORDS | Lacy Nowling PICS | Darryl Smith
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Flea Market Open April-October 9am-3pm Tues., Wed. and Saturdays
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Super heroes, princesses, and a variety of tropical animals are not usually an everyday sighting at Shakamak State Park, but for one event they all make an appearance and run the land—literally.
The Totally Tubular Try-athlon has been held at the state park for the past four years and offers the opportunity for participants to dress up, get outdoors and exercise.
The event consists of a three-mile bike ride, a half-mile inner tube swim, and a one-and-a-half mile walk or run. Other triathlon events, such as the Ironman race, are significantly longer and include distances like a one-mile swim, 25-mile bike ride and a 6.2-mile run.
“The idea is to offer a short outdoor event for everyone,” said Lynda Ellington, Shakamak State Park’s assistant property manager, TTT coordinator, and participant. “That is why we made it try with a y, and hyphenate it in the title.”
Costumes are not required, but participants must use an inner tube for the half-mile swim. Many use this opportunity to customize their tubes and
this year’s race featured rubber ducks, ladybugs, and a rainbow of bright colors.
“My favorite part is always the swim event,” Ellington said. “People get so creative. It is really neat to see the huge line of tubes moving across the lake. It’s a great picture.”
Participants can compete indi-vidually or as a team of three. Prizes are awarded to most creative costumes as well as
best overall theme for both individual and team competitors.
To keep with the tubular part of the race’s title, most people incorporate tube socks into their biking and running attire as part of their costumes.
Each year a variety of guests make an appearance, trying to win best dressed: super heroes with masks and capes, princesses with tutus and tiaras, as well as an assortment of animals like fish, flamingos, and butterflies.
Ellington likes the event because it is not overly competitive and encourages people to come out, support one another, and have a good time at the park. It gives
people a chance to see everything the park has to offer, like Lake Kickapoo and the various trails, in a more unique way.
The first TTT in 2011 was funded through a Healthy Initiative grant that was awarded to Shakamak High School.
It was expected to be a one-time thing, but coordinators quickly saw the popularity of the event and wanted to keep it going. Planning for the second TTT started just a few months later.
An average of 50 people participate each year and the 2013 event set the record of 80 individuals. People come from all over for the race, including Knox, Sullivan, Greene, Owen, Marion, and Monroe counties.
All of the proceeds from the entry fees are donated to the American Cancer Society each year.
“Last year my entire family participated and we had a blast,” Ellington said. “We’re not super competitive, but having a whole family out there doing it as a group is really fun.”
The emphasis is on try in the fun-filled Totally Tubular Try-athlon.
23
IWORDS | Kasey Husk
PICS | Darryl Smith
Outrageous Expeditions
Bloomington-based company offers rugged events for brave souls
f you ask outdoorsman Michael Waterford, liv-ing in a first-world country has made Ameri-cans “soft.”
“We have soft, squishy beds and couches, and it is easy to get stuck in them,” he says.
But for those who agree that “creature comforts are for the namby-pamby,” Waterford has a solution. The Bloomington native is the founder of The Mountain Folk, a business dedicated to organizing outdoors events—some for just a day or a weekend, some on an epic scale—for those seeking to truly challenge themselves and see the world while supporting various charities.
“The whole idea is to get people outside and try to exploit our freedom, and to do it for char-ity,” says Waterford, who works a J.L. Waters & Co. Adventure Outfitters in Bloomington.
Founded in late 2011, The Mountain Folk was inspired by Waterford’s 53-day motorcycle trip from the Czech Republic to Mongolia in 2011 as part of a London
adventure company’s Mongol Rally. Waterford sought to offer “these big outrageous expedi-
24
• European Style Pheasant Hunts• Quality Hunting for Pheasant,Chukar & Quail• Clay Target Shooting for Skeet, Trap, 5 Stand & Sporting Clays
SUGAR CREEKHUNTING PRESERVE
Mitchell, Indiana
HT-62
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812-849-5020 or 812-276-9675 • www.sugarcreekhunting.com
tions”—such as his own 60-day canoe trip down the length of the Mississippi River in 2013—to the United States through his company, but also offer a series of smaller weekend adventures.
Since its inception, The Mountain Folk have held eight such events, among them the December’s Trekker’s Junket: Deam Wilderness, a scaven-ger hunt of sorts. Trekkers were given a list of checkpoints within the vast Deam Wilderness and asked to take photos at the checkpoints, with points awarded for each.
Freezing and icy weather limited the amount of hiking that groups ended up doing that day, participant Peggie dePasquale of Jackson, Wy., says, but did not damper the spirits of participants.
“You have to ... kind of appreciate the freedom that comes with leav-ing everyday conveniences behind,” dePasquale says. “I feel very em-powered by those kinds of situations where things aren’t quite right, but you are roughing it and you are roughing it with good people.”
Weekend events like the Trekker’s Junket, Water-ford says, are for people who are busy with work
and life but who still want to get outside and “do it in a different day.” He strives to ensure each event is challenging, such as 12-hour days of paddling, so at the end “people are tired and happy they have a bed.”
The big events, however, are for those few with “brave souls, or stupid souls, or a little bit of both,” Waterford says. In 2015, that big event will be the Pan American Rally, in which partici-pants will spend “as long as possible,” perhaps two months, driving small cars or motorcycles from Indiana to Peru. Each team of one to four people is asked to raise $1,000 for charity be-fore the trip, which will likely be held in September.
It’s not a trip for the faint of heart, but Waterford says from personal experience that the journey is invalu-able.
“There’s a steep learning curve for each adventure,” he says. “So not only do you learn about physical and men-tal challenges, but there is a common rule that you must get past whatever comes your way. You develop real determination, true grit, there’s a you-cannot-fail scenario and it really pushes you, challenges you, day in and day out, for an extended period.
“It changes you.”
Intrepid adventurers (and their funny pals) braved the elements for The Mountain Folk’s Deam Wilderness event in 2013. The company plans longer, more challenging expeditions in 2015.
25
TOOL KITPlay Safe, Play Smart
Building a First Aid KitBy Kathryn S. Gardiner
R
www.comfortsuites.com9530 State Road 56 West • French Lick, IN
812.936.5300
For Orange County Visitor Information, Call 866-309-9139 or visit
www.visitfrenchlickwestbaden.com
All Suite Hotel
Free Wi-Fi & Breakfast Buffet • Indoor Pool
Near Casino • Indoor Go-Kartstsaro-Kr Goondino • Ias CarNe tsaro-Kr Goondino • Ias CarNeWinery • Patoka Lake • The Polar Expressssrexp Earole • The Paka Lokat • PryneWi ssrexp Earole • The Paka Lokat • PryneWi TM
Horseback Riding • Spasspag • Sinidack RebrsHo spag • Sinidack RebrsHoPioneer Village • Indoor Water Parkkar Peratr Woondage • Iillr VeeonPi kar Peratr Woondage • Iillr VeeonPi
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Admission $6. For more info:812-521-9367
tri-stategunshows.com
Tri-State Gun & Knife Show
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Seymour, IN - National Guard Armory
Oct. 25th & 26th
Dec. 6th & 7th
Salem, IN- National Guard Armory
Nov. 22nd & 23rd
Evansville, IN- National Guard Armory
Nov. 7th, 8th & 9th
Dec. 19th, 20th & 21st
Indianapolis, IN- National Guard Armory
(Holt Rd.)Sept. 13th & 14th
Nov. 28th, 29th & 30th
WHAT YOU NEED TO INCLUDE…
• Flashlight• Batteries• Family and emergency contact
information• 2 5x9 absorbent compress
dressings• 25 adhesive bandages
(assorted sizes)• 1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards
x 1 inch)• 5 antibiotic ointment packets
(approximately 1 gram)• 5 antiseptic wipe packets• 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg
each)• 1 blanket (space blanket)• 1 CPR breathing barrier (with
one-way valve) • 1 instant cold compress• 2 pairs of nonlatex gloves (size:
large)
• 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each)
• Scissors• 1 3-inch roller bandage• 1 4-inch roller bandage • 5 3x3-inch sterile gauze pads• 5 4x4-inch sterile gauze pads• Oral thermometer (non-
mercury/nonglass)• 2 triangular bandages• Tweezers• First aid instruction booklet
If you’re a hiker, boater, biker, or diver, supplement this basic kit with materials you may need for your specific activities (vinegar for jellyfish stings, moleskin for blisters, aloe for sunburns, etc.) and enjoy your adventures with some peace of mind.
By definition, emergencies happen when you don’t expect them. Keeping your home and vehicle stocked with first aid kits ensures that, when the unexpected strikes—either at home or on the road—you have the supplies you need at the ready. Here is a list of items the American Red Cross recommends you include in any basic first aid kit for a family of four.
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SEPTEMBER 12GORUCK Challenge
A team event, never a race. Think of it as a slice of Special Operations training.
Both hours and miles number in the double digits.
Where: Indianapolis, Ind.Info: www.goruck.com.
SEPTEMBER 13Rugged Maniac 5K
3.1-mile course filled with 25+ obstacles designed to push you to your limits.
Where: Paoli Peaks, PaoliInfo: www.ruggedmaniac.com
GORUCK LightTakes place over 4-5 hours, and you will cover roughly 7-10 miles. You will also
smile. A lot. We promise.Where: Indianapolis, Ind.Info: www.goruck.com.
SEPTEMBER 14 - 19September Escapade Touring
Ride in Rural IndianaSeptember Escapade will guide you to the scenic and historic sites of central Indiana, with overnights at three state
parks. Expect to ride an average 75 miles each day.
Where: Starts and ends at Camp Camby, in Camby, Ind.
Info: www.triri.org, 812-333-8176, [email protected]
SEPTEMBER 20Gasthof Fall Festival & Quilt
AuctionVariety of vendors, flea markets, gospel
entertainment, barrel train rides and carriage rides.
Where: Montgomery, Ind. Info: gasthofamishvillage.com,
812-486-4900
SEPTEMBER 27Try Scuba Class
A chance to enter the water (swimming pool) and try diving for small fee.Where: Foundation For Youth,
Columbus INInfo: Mark Brooks, 812-824-7234, www.southernindianascuba.com.
OCTOBER 2Adult Hockey League
Open league for players of all skill levels. Games take place Oct. 5 through Feb. 22.
Register by Sept. 26. Where: Frank Southern Ice Arena,
BloomingtonInfo: 812-349-3741
OCTOBER 4Bedford Half Marathon
Inaugural half marathon event including a 1-mile family fitness walk and 5K run.
Where: Bedford town squareInfo: www.bedfordhalfmarathon.com,
317-407-8489, [email protected]
OCTOBER 18Trick or Treat Trail
Geared toward ages 1-10 years. Wooded trail comes to life with
characters and stories.Where: RCA Community Park,
BloomingtonInfo: 812-349-3700
The Grind II 5K and 10KRoad race benefits the maintenance of
the 150-year-old grist mill.Where: Beck’s Mill, SalemInfo: Kathy Qualkenbush at
812-865-0711 or [email protected]
OCTOBER 24Survival Guide for the Zombie
ApocalypseLearn basic preparedness and survival
skills to overcome the living dead, then test your skills in a zombie-laden
obstacle course.Where: RCA Community Park, Large
Shelter, BloomingtonInfo: 812-349-3700
OCTOBER 25Skate & Scare
Kids and adults skate to spooky tunes and skate through haunted house on ice.
Skate in costume for a chance to win prizes.
Where: Frank Southern Ice Arena, Bloomington
Info: 812-349-3741
Open Air Fall Sporting Clays Tournament
Sporting clays and 5 stand.Where: Sugar Creek Hunting Preserve,
2191 Bono Rd, MitchellInfo: sugarcreekhunting.com,
812-849-5020 (lodge), 812-276-9675 (cell), [email protected].
Try Scuba ClassA chance to enter the water (swimming
pool) and try diving for small fee.Where: Foundation For Youth,
Columbus INInfo: Mark Brooks, 812-824-7234, www.southernindianascuba.com.
Tecumseh Trail Marathon26.2-mile trail run, 5.5-mile Yellowwood
Lake fun run/walkWhere: Yellowwood State Forest
Info: www.dinoseries.com, 317-336-7553, [email protected]
NOVEMBER 1Bloomington Pumpkin LaunchLauncher sends pumpkins soaring in competitions for both accuracy and
distance. Plus, expanded kids’ area with activities, live music, and food vendors.
Where: Monroe County FairgroundsInfo: 812-349-3748,
bloomington.in.gov/pumpkinlaunch
NOVEMBER 8Trail Run
A variety of rolling terrain with steep up- and downhills, including a stairway or
two, will challenge all comers.Where: McCormick’s Creek State Park
Info: www.dinoseries.com, 317-336-7553, [email protected]
NOVEMBER 15Try Scuba Class
A chance to enter the water (swimming pool) and try diving for small fee.Where: Foundation For Youth,
Columbus INInfo: Mark Brooks, 812-824-7234, www.southernindianascuba.com.
DECEMBER 6Jackson County 50/50 Ultra-
Marathon Trail RunEach lap will take you around two
different and beautiful lakes and to the highest point in Jackson county.
Where: Pyoca & Jackson-Washington State Forest
Info: www.dinoseries.com, 317-336-7553, [email protected]
DECEMBER 13Skate with Santa
Celebrate the holidays on ice with Santa and his friends. Holiday costumes encouraged. Photo ops, free cookies and
punch.Where: Frank Southern Ice Arena,
BloomingtonInfo: 812-349-3741
Try Scuba ClassA chance to enter the water (swimming
pool) and try diving for small fee.Where: Foundation For Youth,
Columbus INInfo: Mark Brooks, 812-824-7234, www.southernindianascuba.com.
RUN LONGJUMP HIGHPLAY HARDGET SWEATYAIM STEADYBREAK AWAY
Go. Do.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
27
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