I am a hiker, I love walking and it requires nothing more than your body and some decent hiking shoes and there is always someplace to go. Whether in your backyard, a nature preserve (my favorite) or some of our local parks it is often. But if you’re more of a seasoned hiker and take extended trips you may also like to bring small snacks with you to give you little boots of energy throughout your trip. So here is my first recipe that is a favorite and is likely to become one of yours as well:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 cup dry milk
• 1 cup uncooked oatmeal
• Wheat germ

Directions: At home, combine peanut butter and honey. Gradually stir in dry milk and oatmeal. Shape into balls and roll in wheat germ. Let “dry” several hours on wax paper. Wrap individually in plastic wrap.

By Jesse Roland

If you’re a veteran trail hiker/adventurer then you may prefer the good old trail mix, which is the first trail snack that comes to mind, some hate it and some love it. Either way it can be a nutritious hiking food that gives you just the right amount of energy to get you up the next hill or the last mile without feeling exhausted. So without further adu here is my recipe for your basic garden variety trail mix:
Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup banana chips
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup dry roasted peanuts
• 1/2 cup plain M&Ms
• 1 cup Cheerios cereal (any flavor)

Directions: Mix all ingredients together and place in snack size Ziploc bags. You may also substitute different cereals and or different types and brands of nuts, and seeds as well to make a mix more suited to yours or your hiking groups tastes.

By Jesse Roland

Looking for a lost getaway in a busy world? Well there are two noteworthy niches just tucked away in the hustle and bustle of urban Northern Kentucky. Both near Burlington, Kentucky in urban Boone County are Dinsmore Woods SNP and Boone County Cliffs SNP. Both jointly owned by the Nature Conservancy and the Kentucky State Nature Preserve Commission, only in this entry I will talk about Dinsmore Woods.

Located 10 miles out from the KY 18 and I-75 junction Dinsmore Woods SNP a park just over 100 acres with beautiful 40 ft cliffs rising from the small tributary to Middle Creek. The Cliffs are a rare geological aspect of the glacial outwash from the last ice age and the only site of the geologic period in the state.

Ideal for hiking, bird watching, and a great way to de-stress for an hour or two. The park has a decently marked trail which is great for beginning and intermediate hikers. Also available in the Area is the Old Donsmore Homestead which is attached to the Nature preserve and An exhibit onto its own for yet another outing.

Parking is available across KY 18 at the Middle Creek Park which is around 200 feet from the Dinsmore Woods trailhead which contains a trailhead marker with a sign in sheet for hikers. A portolet restroom is available only at the Middle Creek Park and no other facilities are available to visitors.

The trail resembles more of a 4 wheeler path at first but then matures into a full fledged trail after passing the Old Dinsmore Family Cemetery (Spooky) and a small field of the endangerd Running Buffalo Clover where the real trail begins throw a notch in a massive downed oak.

From here the trail winds through and down ridge sides and across small seasonal streams, take care not to lose the so so trail in some parts of the hike due to downed debris and some lacking parts of the trail, but all in all not bad for a purely volunteer effort. Also be sure to keep an eye out for Deer, Red Fox, and Blue Jays which are all frequent drop in guests on your way through the trail.

The loop trail catches back up with where you left off roughly short of 2 miles from your beginning to end and most times within the 2 hour time limit. A great way to get outdoors with only a small amount of time and only minutes from the big city amenities such as the Florence Mall and Turfway Park Race Track. And if you wanna add some more steps to your out of the way nature trails be sure and catch the next entry for my personal favorite Boone County Cliffs SNP which is only a mile down the road!

By Jesse G. Roland