Author Archives: blbarker2

Swamp Rabbit – Rails to Trail

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Thursday May16, 2024
Greenville, South Carolina – 200 miles round trip
Total miles on bike: 36.84

The Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail Network is a 28-mile multi-use (walking and bicycling) greenway that traverses along the Reedy River, an old railroad corridor and City parks to connect Travelers Rest with the City of Greenville, South Carolina.
Parking – there are several parking places along the trail – I parked at the Cleveland Park – it is right next to the Greenville zoo and has bathrooms. Going to the right as you are looking at the trail will take you to Greenville and then onto Travelers Rest.
Mileage from Cleveland Park to Travelers Rest: 11.82 miles with an elevation gain of 356 ft. In Travelers rest the trail he trail runs along Main street for a while and then extends north for another 6 or 7 miles – I did not do this part on this trip.
This route is very popular with many walkers, joggers and cyclist of many ages – you need to be careful. The trail up to Travelers Rest runs under canopies of big shade trees so you are fairly protected from the sun.

Driving up and back in one day after riding 36 miles was a little much. Next time, I would like to spend the night and do the whole trail. On May 23, 2019, Pam and I spent the night in Travelers Rest and did part of the trail. Pam wasn’t feeling great – I think it was the start of her cancer.

This place is on the trail about 4 miles from Greenville and 7 miles from Travelers Rest

The ride was easy and fun and I would recommend to riders of any age and ability

Cloudland Canyon State Park

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April 21 – 24, 2024
About a 4-1/2 hour drive from home.

Located on the western edge of Lookout Mountain, this is one the most scenic parks in the state of Georgia. It offers rugged geology and beautiful vistas. The Park straddles a deep gorge cut into the mountain by Daniel Creek, and elevation varies from 800 to 1,980 feet.

We camped in the West Rim campground, which were very nice. If possible I would try reserve the campsites: 5, 6, 11, 13 or 14 because they are in the open and has more sun and wind exposure.

Cleo, Aspen and I hiked, the 4 mile, West Rim trail and there were many rocks and roots to navigate. At places the trail was also very narrow with steep drop offs – the girls were on a short leash. Even though there were a few steep climb places the girls and I did great – I would classify this trail as moderate/easy.

See Video

Las Lajas, Panama

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Friday morning, February 16 we drove about 2 hours and twenty minutes to Las Lajas on the Pacific coast to a house Kirt and his family had rented for the night.It was a lot hotter there compared to Boquete and hardly any breeze. the house was not air conditioned but the four bedrooms were.

Everyone disappeared into their air conditioned rooms except for Sela, Ariana and myself – we became Ariana’s gymnastic students and she was teaching us the balance beam as Sela shows below – basically Ariana tortured us for hours.

Arjelis’s friend Carolina, her son, daughter and daughter’s boyfriend joined us at the beach. They were a lot of fun to talk to and be around. Her daughter and daughter’s boyfriend were doing their residence at a hospital in Boquete. Carolina is also a doctor, but because she came from Columbia she can not practice in Panama.

It’s Saturday morning and we head back to Boquete soon – it was a good, fun trip.

Blacken Salmon with Creamy Grits

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Blacken Salmon

Creamy Grits
– 1/2 Cup yellow grits – I use the organic yellow grits from the bulk section of Earth Fare
– 1 cup of whole milk plus some extra for thinning
– 1/2 tablespoon of butter
– Pinch of salt
– a little cream cheese
Put the yellow grits, butter and 1 cup of milk in a small pot – slowly bring to a low boil stirring constantly.
Reduce heat to low and cook 5 to 8 minutes adding more milk or water if the consentience is to thick.
When the grits are soft and tender add the cream cheese and stir to incorporate.
Serve and enjoy.


Buckwheat Bread
– 250g of All purpose flour
– 50 g of organic buckwheat flour –
– 100g of Sprouted Spelt Flour
– 1 Tbsp – brown sugar
– 1-1/2 tsp salt
– 1 package of instant rise yeast
– 1-1/4 cups of water
– 1 Tbsp of extra virgin olive oil
Mix all of the dry ingredients together, add the tablespoon of EVOO to the 1-1/4 cups of water, stir the water and EVOO mixture with the dry ingredients – cover and place in a warm area to rise for 5 or 6 hours.
Pre-heat oven and dutch oven to 450.


Instapot Recipes

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Instant Pot is an all in one: a pressure cooker, rice cooker, slow cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, saute pan and food warmer. I have the small 3 quart Instant Pot and I don’t use it for a lot dishes but I do like for the following;

Hard Boiled Eggs
– Prepare the Instant Pot by adding a little water to the pot and placing the steam rack on top.
– Place the eggs on the steam rack and secure the lid.
– Select Manual and cook at low pressure for 6 to 7 minutes (I do 6 minutes because I like a little softer hard boiled egg.
– Once cooking in complete, use a quick release. Let the eggs cool for 30 seconds then immerse in ice water.

Long Grain Brown Rice
– Turn Instapot on Saute, drizzle a little olive oil on the bottom
– Add 1 cup of brown rice and a pinch of salt – stir to combine
– Add 1-1/2 cups of water to the pot – stir
– Secure the top, cancel saute and select manual pressure.
– Select high pressure for 18 minutes.
– When cooking in complete use a natural release.

Steel Cut Oats
– Turn Instapot on saute, drizzle a little olive oil on the bottom
– Add 1 cup of oats and a pinch of salt – stir to combine
– Add 1-1/2 cups of any nut milk (Soy, almond, Oat etc) to the pot – stir
– Add 1-1/2 cups of water – stir
– Secure the top, cancel saute and select manual pressure.
– Select high pressure for 8 minutes.
– When cooking in complete use a natural release.