This weekend we decided to get away for the day. Our family needed an unplugged day outside with each other. Honestly we have only hiked together a few times because, well kids. Its hard with 3 littles all so close in age. When one wants carried, they ALL want carried. With summer coming to an end I'm making it a goal to get outdoors before it's too cold.
Anyways, we decided to go for it. It was a drive for us, but came prepared. We packed extra outfits for the boys along with food for lunch.
If you're like me, you're all for saving money so here is what we had! We prepped a cooler with fruit, tortillas, lunch meat -- specifically chicken and pepperonis-- cheese, crackers, carrots, raisins; just things that are simple, easy & we can take on the go. PLUS lots and lots of water.
In the map we weren't sure where to plug in our GPS so we stopped by the camp store before we went too far and the cashier was sooo helpful. The shop was awesome. In front of TONS of camping spots and loaded full of anything you would need for a weekend outdoors. I asked for her opinion on best trails because me, I'm a planner, so I love others opinions and ideas to help me set a game plan. She recommended trail 7 & 3 and to ask for a map at the start park entrance. We grabbed some skittles for the boys and hit the road.
Upon arrival at the park, about 1.5 miles from the shop, we realized there was a $9 parking fee (for out of state residents; $7 in state). Which wasn't expected but worth every penny. Once we had the map in had we found a place to park and realized how awesome this place was. It is clean and easy to navigate and has a pool in the middle of it. We looked over the map and decided on trails 4 & 8 along the "river/creek" for the view & I wanted to see the suspension bridge because how cool?!? We loaded up our backpack, sprayed the bug spray and made a pit stop at the restrooms before heading out.
In our backpack we packed a small lunch bag for our food; Band-Aids, Kleenex, bug bite roller, bug spray, bandanas in case it got too hot, 2 water bottles full of water & the map. It was perfect for one of us to carry without being too heavy. However, next time we will also bring baby wipes in case of an emergency & a trash bag to pick up trash along the trails when we pass it.
The trail starts with 72 steps down to the bridge, but once we got to the bridge opening the pure beauty in it was worth choosing this path. The bridge hangs over Sugar creek which they use to float and canoe down and it is gorgeous. Across the bridge the path heads left to trail 3 (which we were later told don't try with littles because it had ladders you have to climb. We did not want to be stranded, stressed or anyone to get hurt so we opted to try that at a different time). Instead, we went under the bridge to follow trail 4. This path was right through the woods, thin and beautiful with wooden and rock steps throughout. It was mostly uphill and we had to take multiple skittle breaks. These boys don't quite know how to space out their rations. It wasn't too hard and easy to do for any fitness level and your pace.
We eventually came to a clearing where the paths separated and we sat on a log to eat our lunch. It was a nice stop and so peaceful and quiet. I read reviews where the trails were terrible and full of people and this was the TOTAL opposite of what we experienced. Finally after we were done eating and had our stuff loaded back up we took the left split for trail 4. We didn't realize until later that we actually had planned to follow path 8. It was the best mistake we could have made. We followed along 4 and embraced the beauty, counting the trail markers, and we could hear a storm rolling in in the distance. I think Kenny was the only one in a rush to beat it.
We finally got to this beautiful place above a ravine that I couldn't help but stop and take pictures of. As we walked down the steps we realized we took a wrong turn. We were on path 3 which wasn't recommended for kids...…
This particular spot had plenty of other hikers, so we walked on down. The steps were steep and slick but they led us into a thing called the Punch Bowl. Another hiker told us that the Punch Bowl normally has a waterfall, but it wasn't there when we went (which explains why all the creek beds were dry when we hiked). This place was so cool and a little open cave. The boys had to take their shoes off. The water was pristeen and cool and ran smoothly down the rocks.
The thunder, however got louder & our pathway down, it was STEEP. Someone told us to take the rock ledge instead since we had the boys. So we got our shoes on and headed down.
The ledge was small but big enough for us to shimmy across. The rain started coming in and Kenny and I quickly teamed up between the boys to get them on the other side of this spot. Right at the bottom the rain cut loose scaring two of the boys and we decided to wait a little bit under a ledge with two other families in hiding. But at this point we were all soaked. Honestly, this was my favorite part. An unknown, unexpected memory that makes me smile. Because if the kids remember anything from the hike it will be this part.
Finally, the downpour slowed down so Kenny and I grabbed the boys to continue the other 15 minutes out. This whole part of the hike was the BEST. From the punch bowl it led you between the land into something called Rock Hollow. This was a place literally out of the movies. The fog from the rain was lifting as the sun shone down and the boys hearts broke out in happiness as they splashed through the mud. The one thing they wanted to do was play in a creek and finally they had mud and water. The beauty in this spot is one I want to hold onto for forever. The green, the rocks, the view. It was perfect and we could have hung out there all afternoon. Finally, we made our way to the end of the trail, back to the bridge and the rain was gone and the sun shone.
We couldn't leave yet without making a stop by Sugar creek. The boys rinsed off their feet, skipped rocks and searched for Indian beads with their Daddy for forever. I never knew how good Kenny was at finding those. No, really he found like 30. I just sat and watched as they played. Then, we finally all got hungry & decided to hit the road to head home.
These are the moments I want to remember forever. When my kids look back on their childhood, I want them to see this. It's not often we get to go on adventures with Kenny, but I am SO thankful he came with us. It was the perfect day.
If you want to see the story and highlights of the day check out @deidra_weaver on IG >> go to my highlights! Please, share & if you've hiked Turkey Run I would love to hear YOUR favorite trails!
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