Saturday, October 1st
Instead of photos this day I decided to write notes about the experience.
I started out just as the sun was coming up. Mine was the first car in the parking lot at Broad Run Park. At 7:41 a.m. I logged Mile Marker 55.3 in my notebook. I was on my way.
It was misting, cool and foggy. As I walked birds excitedly flew from one tree to the other as if I woke them with the sound of my feet pressing down one by one on the concrete path. Their chirping greeted me. When the birds flew though the air they seemed to stop several times in succession in mid-air for a millisecond.
Later on the path three white tailed deer ran out of the woods into an open field. I spotted one who stopped to stare at me between some bushes. Trying to gage, I suppose, if I was a threat. As I approached it ran off to join the others. I was glad it was afraid of me. I would never harm that deer, or any other. But, many of my kind would so it's best they be cautious. I was glad for their appearance. It was as if it foretold a magical journey of nature's sites.
Later I passed a dried up pond where I remembered the Spring Peepers (frogs) that mated back in April. There were tall leafy plants growing tall in the wet, muddy remains. I felt I had insider knowledge of this sites hidden, if recent, past.
All this time I was alone on the path. About two miles in I heard a bike approaching. I turned around and said "Hi, your the first person I saw so far today." She started to stop and I said "You don't have to stop!". She turned around and wouldn't you know it...I knew her! This is what makes Louisville so special. We are all somehow interconnected.
I passed the vistas providing a view of the valley below including the Big Vista Overlook. I blew a kiss to a deer grazing in the field on my right. Later, I crossed is a bridge that goes over a major rock formation with water trickling down it's back. As I continue, there is a bend as I approach Turkey Run Park, where there are wildflowers on the hills next to both sides of the path. I spot a patch grass on the right where the leaves at the top are so fine it looks like it's covered with wisps of fog. The last vista before entering the next park on the left is truly beautiful. Lush and green still as fall hasn't yet slumbered it's vibrancy.
Although I could still hear cars in the distance while walking through parts of Broad Run the only sounds I hear as I enter Turkey Run Park are the birds and the occasional rustling of the trees where the unseen deer pass. As I entered this new park I began to see people walk past me. Until now I've been pretty much alone.
Since it was still misting even at 9:30 a.m. fog was still visible high up in the trees up ahead. The hills in Turkey Run can be punishing but the views breathtaking. It's a long walk to get to the entrance of the Strand. The Strand meanders around Floyd's Fork for several miles. It's one of my favorite stretches due to it's close proximity to this waterway. Once I go past the section of the Strand that has been closed for so long I think I felt a tear in my eye. It could have been the slight mist finding a convenient place to land. A man riding a bicycle passed me and yelled, "finally we get to the other side!" I agree it was a great moment. I've been waited for so long for this section to open. For so long I've heard about these mudslides and I couldn't imagine why it would take so long to remedy the situation. It wasn't until I got to the long connected bridges that I began to see what an engineering challenge it must have been! It's right on the water with these enormous hills. I'm not sure they are really hills. What is a word between a mountain and a hill? If there is such a word insert that here please. Only here in all these parks I can say that man and nature could both be fully appreciated.
As I approached the very familiar terrain of Pope Lick Park I felt re-energized and I realized I was now more than half way to my goal. I stopped in the covered picnic area by the restrooms and ate my lunch. I'll admit it was really hard after sitting down to eat to get back up and start walking again. Fatigue definitely started to get me. But, I kept going. Before crossing the underground bridge at Taylorsville Road I stopped to talk to several women about the park system. They were looking at a map and I asked if they needed help. We started talking about our favorite parts of the park and I explained that I was trying to walk the entire 19 mile stretch. As I walked away they asked my name and then started chanting "Go Pam Go". I yelled back thanks as I really needed the encouragement! That's the other thing about these parks. Everyone is so nice and helpful. It's a community.
The north Side of Taylorsville Road Pope Lick Park is also very hilly and challenging. I managed to make it over all the big hills. Wildflowers reappeared to greet me. At this point I knew I would make it to the end. My energy level was still good and I had enough familiarity of where I was going to know the end was in site. The sun started to come out. But, it didn't stay out long and soon hastened back behind the clouds. I walked through the walking bridge under the road and entered the last park - Beckley Creek Park. As soon as I entered I was greeted by the most beautiful butterflies and bumble bees. They were my constant companions until I reached the Egg Lawn area. I thought of stopping under the covered picnic area near the Creekside Center but I was afraid that if I sat down at this point my legs would stiffen and I'd be unable to finish the last two to three miles of my journey. So, I kept going. The path seemed to stop here. The best I could tell is you start walking along the Egg Lawn and then meet up with the Loop again as you approach the I-64 overpass. Once I passed under the expressway I begin to see Floyd's Fork on my left and the path begins to get hilly again. After walking so long the hills were a bit oppressive but I kept going. Finally I made it to the end of the path. I believe it was Mile Marker 175 and it was about 2:50 p.m. But, to be honest at this point I was too tired to write it down!
The subtle differences in the parks aren't really noticeable unless you walk it in one day. I feel I have an even greater appreciation of the Parklands having experienced it's contribution of the Louisville Loop. I'm really looking forward to returning to the new section of the Strand to take pictures. Every part of the park system is special and cherished as well as all the patrons.
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