Adventure Indiana | Fall 2014

SOUTH-CENTRAL INDIANA’S ADVENTURE MAGAZINE

Freedom Down Hil Page 6

FREE

FALL/WINTER 2014

Also in this issue CYCLING Page 10

MUD ROMP Page 16

EXPEDITIONS Page 24

THANKS FOR

5OF ADVENTURES! Years

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.

Staff of Adventure Indiana

HT-6235905

CREDITS Publisher E. Mayer Maloney, Jr. Editor Kathryn S. Gardiner kgardiner@hoosiertimes.com 812-331-4289

ON THE INSIDE

Advertising Laurie Ragle lragle@heraldt.com 812-331-4291

Freedom Down Hill Page 6

Marketing Shaylan Owen sowen@schurz.com 812-349-1400 On the cover Spencer Dohrman snowboards at Paoli Peaks.

Photo by Darryl Smith

Outrageous Expeditions Page 24

Design by Andrew Lehman

Editor’s Adventure Page 4

AdventureTool Kit

Slack and Balance

Page 26

Page 20

Adventure Calendar Page 27

Carving Art Page 12

AreYou a Tough Pumpkin?

PAGE 8

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EDITOR’S

DANCE PERFORMANCE

P

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,

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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. 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,

Kathryn S. Gardiner, Editor

5

Freedom Down Hill Snowboarders strap in and fly on the slopes

WORDS | Lacy Nowling PICS | Darryl Smith or some people, December is more than just the hustle and bustle of the holidays—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 alongside skiers at Paoli Peaks.

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ost snowboarders will agree that skiing is much easier and find that the ability to maintain control

is the biggest difference between the two.

One of the more specific difficulties with snowboarding is gaining and retaining balance, 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 descending 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 lessons 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 freedom I feel when I ride,” said Trueblood. “My mind clears and I’m stress free.”

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lthough skiing has been popular for many years, both beginner and advanced riders are looking for another kind of winter challenge to master.

With the growing popularity of extreme sporting events like the Winter X Games and snowboarding’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 because I thought it would be like skateboarding,” Trueblood said.

“But they are nothing alike.”

Some riders gradually 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 wakeboarding on the water, saying that the stance, weight distribution, and general techniques are extremely similar.

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t

Are You a Tough Pumpkin?

Seasonal Indy 5K offers orchard run, pumpkins, and a little pie WORDS | Sue Sheldon

PICS | Darryl Smith

he crunch of leaves beneath your feet, the sights and smells of autumn, and pumpkins 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 Indianapolis 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 participants—who each consume three slices of pumpkin pie immediately before

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the race. Besides the pie, Grand Marshalls receive a sash and a photo of them eating 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.

The Great Pumpkin Run offers all-ages activities and pumpkins for the toughest of runners.

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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 celebrate 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 Indianapolis, 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!

CHECK OUT THE RUN AT www.thegreatpumpkinrun.com.

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elow 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.

TheTerrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Bike Ride, orTHNGVBBR, 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 conversation 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 participant.

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Terrible Day for a Ride B-town biking event thrives in winter weather WORDS | Lacy Nowling 10

PICS | Darryl Smith

lthough the event was created to show that biking in winter conditions can be safe, the first twoTHNGVBBRs 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, coordinators and participants finally got the horrible conditions they desired: temperatures in the low-20s, overcast skies and a wintery mix on the ground.

“Snow and slush and general unpleasantness,” Bauer said of the weather for the 2014THNGVBBR. “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 conditions 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 opportunity to learn the routes that more

experienced cyclists use regularly, and stresses that the best routes for a bike are not always the same as for a car.

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he 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 showcases some of the area’s hills.

Each route starts at City Hall and features different iconic places throughout 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 amenities, 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.”

Bloomington’s 2014 Horrible No Good Very Bad Bike Ride got the weather they wanted to ride the streets.

FOR MORE INFO, check out www. bloomington.in.gov/THNGVBBR or call 812-349-3837

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Carving Art

Chainsaw masters turn raw wood into masterpieces

W 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 MORE | Page 14

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THE REST | From Page 13 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.

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isitors have a chance to see Emmons and 10 of the nation’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 chainsaw 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.”

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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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,

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he says, was carving a red oak tree, five feet in diameter, into a giant walkthrough playhouse with windows, a chimney, a roof, and animals carved all over it.

Even for a veteran, however, chainsaw 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.”

The Block Bash also boasts a variety of vendors, and more wood carvings can be found at the Bear Hollow Wood Carvers shop.

FOR MORE INFO on this year’s Block Bash, check out www. bearhollowwoodcarvers.com or call 812-936-3030.

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BIGGER, BADDER, BETTER Riddle Point romp promises more mud and more fun in second year

‘‘M WORDS | Sue Shelden

PICS | Darryl Smith

ud, 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 “bigger, 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 topography 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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The 2013 Romp at Riddle Point left participants muddy and happy. Organizers promise even more this year.

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S

ince 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 attendance 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.”

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he 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 lashier@ bgcbloomington.org or at 812-3325311, ext. 10.

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Slack AND Balance

IU students enjoy the outdoors on ‘1-inch trampoline’

WORDS | Kasey Husk PICS | Darryl Smith

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alance, concentration, and “bouncy whimsy” come together in one simple sport found in any park in Bloomington.

Slacklining, a sport not unlike tightrope 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 growing 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 University, says. “The way I like to explain slacklining to people is that it’s a 1-inch trampoline.”

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ajdak 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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Emily Jones, right, is a more experienced slackliner, but a suspended line always brings out first-timers like these on the IU campus.

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 mastering those skills. But however difficult 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 concentration; it’s the one thing you are thinking about.”

R

ecent IU graduate Emily Jones, who has been playing 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 definitely an art of balancing, and you learn your own balance through the slackline.”

“It kind of tells you how balanced you are,” she says.

For Sajdak, however, the best part of slacklining isn’t necessarily 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.”

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INNER

TUBES

TUBE

&

SOCKS

Shakamak triathlon lets participants get Totally Tubular

WORDS | Lacy Nowling

22

PICS | Darryl Smith

The emphasis is on try in the fun-filled Totally Tubular Try-athlon.

S

uper 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.”

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articipants can compete individually 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.

T

he 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.”

Gasthof Amish Restaurant & Bakery

Door & The Blue Fiddle & ig The P

True True Homemade Homemade BuffetBuffet- 7 Days A WeekWeek- Groups Groups Welcome Welcome Meeting & Banquet Facilities- up to 300 people

Gasthof Village InnInn 82 room hotel, complimentary breakfast,

2014 E

Sept. 20- ventsQuilt & Fall Fest Auction Oct. 31 & ival Nov Holiday Baz . 1aar

group rrates and extended stay discounts, outdoor pool, Free WIFI Flea Market Open April-October 9am-3pm Tues., Wed. and Saturdays

812-486-2600 • www.gasthofamishvillage.com OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

HT-6235908

6659 E Gasthof Village Rd., Montgomery, IN 23

Outrageous Expeditions

Bloomington-based company offers rugged events for brave souls WORDS | Kasey Husk PICS | Darryl Smith

I

f you ask outdoorsman Michael Waterford, living in a first-world country has made Americans “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 charity,” says Waterford, who works a J.L. Waters & Co. Adventure Outfitters in Bloomington.

F

ounded 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

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 scavenger 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 leaving everyday conveniences behind,” dePasquale says. “I feel very empowered by those kinds of situations where things aren’t quite right, but you are roughing it and you are roughing it with good people.”

SUGAR CREEK H U N T I N G P R E S E RV E

• European Style Pheasant Hunts • Quality Hunting for Pheasant,Chukar & Quail • Clay Target Shooting for Skeet, Trap, 5 Stand & Sporting Clays

Mitchell, Indiana 812-849-5020 or 812-276-9675 • www.sugarcreekhunting.com

HT-6236431

W

eekend events like the Trekker’s Junket, Waterford 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 participants 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 before 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 invaluable.

“There’s a steep learning curve for each adventure,” he says. “So not only do you learn about physical and mental 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

WHAT YOU NEED TO INCLUDE…

TOOL KIT Play Safe, Play Smart

Building a First Aid Kit

By Kathryn S. Gardiner

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.

• 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)

FREN FRENCH CH LI LICK CK

Near Near Casino Casino • Indoor Indoor Go-Karts Go-Karts Wi Winery nery • P Patoka atoka L Lake ake • The P Polar olar E Express xpressTM Horseback Ho rseback R Riding iding • S Spas pas Pioneer Pi oneer V Village illage • IIndoor ndoor W Water ater P Park ark Cave Ca ve Tours Tours • A Antique ntique Gallery Gallery Ar Artisan tisan M Market arket • L Laser aser T Tag ag

Seymour, IN Evansville, INNational Guard Armory National Guard Armory

Miniature Miniature G Golf olf • Z Zip ip L Lines ines

Nov. 7th, 8th & 9th Dec. 19th, 20th & 21st

Salem, INIndianapolis, INNational Guard Armory National Guard Armory (Holt Rd.) Nov. 22nd & 23rd

Sept. 13th & 14th Nov. 28th, 29th & 30th

Sat. 8:30a-4p & Sun. 9a-3p

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.

Award Winning

Tri-State Gun & Knife Show Oct. 25th & 26th Dec. 6th & 7th

• 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 (nonmercury/nonglass) • 2 triangular bandages • Tweezers • First aid instruction booklet

Ski P Packages ackages Available Available

All Suite Hotel

• Free Wi-Fi & Breakfast Buffet • Indoor Pool

Admission $6. For more info:

812-521-9367 tri-stategunshows.com

www.comfortsuites.com

For Orange County Visitor Information, Call 866-309-9139 or visit www.visitfrenchlickwestbaden.com

9530 State Road 56 West • French Lick, IN 812.936.5300 R

HT-6236103 HT-6236103

26

HT-6235875

CALENDAR

OF

EVENTS

RUN LONG

JUMP HIGH PLAY HARD GET SWEATY

AIM STEADY

BREAK AWAY

Go. Do.

SEPTEMBER 12

OCTOBER 4

Tecumseh Trail Marathon

GORUCK Challenge

Bedford Half Marathon

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.

Inaugural half marathon event including a 1-mile family fitness walk and 5K run.

Where: Bedford town square Info: www.bedfordhalfmarathon.com, 317-407-8489, racedirector@bedfordhalfmarathon.com

26.2-mile trail run, 5.5-mile Yellowwood Lake fun run/walk Where: Yellowwood State Forest Info: www.dinoseries.com, 317-336-7553, Brian14@DINOseries.com

SEPTEMBER 13

OCTOBER 18

Rugged Maniac 5K

Trick or Treat Trail

3.1-mile course filled with 25+ obstacles designed to push you to your limits.

Where: Paoli Peaks, Paoli Info: www.ruggedmaniac.com

Geared toward ages 1-10 years.

Wooded trail comes to life with characters and stories.

Where: RCA Community Park, Bloomington Info: 812-349-3700

GORUCK Light Takes 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 - 19 September Escapade Touring Ride in Rural Indiana September 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, triri@triri.org

SEPTEMBER 20

The Grind II 5K and 10K

NOVEMBER 15

Survival Guide for the Zombie Apocalypse Learn 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, Bloomington Info: 812-349-3700

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

OCTOBER 2

Trail Run

OCTOBER 24

Variety of vendors, flea markets, gospel entertainment, barrel train rides and carriage rides.

Where: Montgomery, Ind. Info: gasthofamishvillage.com, 812-486-4900

Try Scuba Class

NOVEMBER 8

Road race benefits the maintenance of the 150-year-old grist mill.

Where: Beck’s Mill, Salem Info: Kathy Qualkenbush at 812-865-0711 or kathyqualkenbush@yahoo.com

OCTOBER 25

A chance to enter the water (swimming pool) and try diving for small fee.

Where: Foundation For Youth, Columbus IN Info: Mark Brooks, 812-824-7234, www.southernindianascuba.com.

Launcher sends pumpkins soaring in competitions for both accuracy and distance. Plus, expanded kids’ area with activities, live music, and food vendors.

Where: Monroe County Fairgrounds Info: 812-349-3748, bloomington.in.gov/pumpkinlaunch

A variety of rolling terrain with steep upand downhills, including a stairway or two, will challenge all comers.

Where: McCormick’s Creek State Park Info: www.dinoseries.com, 317-336-7553, Brian14@DINOseries.com

Gasthof Fall Festival & Quilt Auction

SEPTEMBER 27

NOVEMBER 1 Bloomington Pumpkin Launch

Skate & Scare

Open Air Fall Sporting Clays Tournament Sporting clays and 5 stand.

Where: Sugar Creek Hunting Preserve, 2191 Bono Rd, Mitchell Info: sugarcreekhunting.com, 812-849-5020 (lodge), 812-276-9675 (cell), sugarcreekhunting@yahoo.com.

Adult Hockey League

Try Scuba Class

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, Bloomington Info: 812-349-3741

A chance to enter the water (swimming pool) and try diving for small fee.

Where: Foundation For Youth, Columbus IN Info: Mark Brooks, 812-824-7234, www.southernindianascuba.com.

Try Scuba Class A chance to enter the water (swimming pool) and try diving for small fee.

Where: Foundation For Youth, Columbus IN Info: Mark Brooks, 812-824-7234, www.southernindianascuba.com.

DECEMBER 6 Jackson County 50/50 UltraMarathon Trail Run Each 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, Brian14@DINOseries.com

DECEMBER 13 Skate 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, Bloomington Info: 812-349-3741

Try Scuba Class A chance to enter the water (swimming pool) and try diving for small fee.

Where: Foundation For Youth, Columbus IN Info: Mark Brooks, 812-824-7234, www.southernindianascuba.com.

27

• Walking cave tours • Cave exploring adventures • Gemstone mining • Canoe/kayak trips • Camping Cabins • Camping and more

MARENGO Cave Country CAVE Canoes .c .com

.com .com

HT-6235874

$2 OFF

per person* Cave Tours or Canoe/ Kayak Rental *Limit 4 people/2 boats.

812 365 2705