Vacations Blog

Understorms by Barry Gunderson. Sculpture near the park and train depot in Gambier.

Entropy: see also chaos, disorganization, randomness.

S = -k_b Σ (over subscript i) p_i ln p_i

S in the above equation represents entropy, the chaotic state of disorder to which my household has evolved over the short course of the summer break.  The k sub b sigma p little i?  That’s my kids and chaos they seem so adept at creating.  They have become the rough equivalent of a feral pack of coyotes, pitting their base desires against each other in a daily and constant battle that would make a prison riot seem more like an innocent game of freeze tag.

“It’s a thermodynamic law.  It’s inevitable.”  Thus says my wife.  But she’s smart and can think in terms and concepts much more profound than I.

“The kids miss the structure and organization, the rigors, of the school year.  When they are at home without things to do–they degenerate.”

I don’t know anything about physics or any of this stuff about thermodynamic law.  But what I do know is that my kids are destroying the house and each other and it’s driving me nuts.  “Activity,” she said.  “They just need a little more activity.”

Team Lamaze at mile marker zero of the Kokosing Gap Trail

Enter the Day Trip and my counter-coup to the second law of thermodynamic theory.  Yesterday, I loaded up the kids’ bikes and we took out for the nearest trail we could find.  The Kokosing Gap Trail runs between Mt. Vernon, OH (about an hour north/northeast of Columbus) and Danville, OH.  (The total trail length is approximately 14 miles.)

The trail is part of the national Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., whose mission it is to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors to build healthier places for healthier people. An interesting note about this particular trail is that it is the only trail maintained solely by donations and volunteers.  And might I add, they have done an impeccable job!

Bridge over the Kokosing River

The trail is completely paved and follows a relatively flat and easy path along the Kokosing River through beautiful forested hills and farmland.  It’s no Hiawatha, but for wee riders–it’s hard to beat.  We started at the beginning of the trail at Phillips Park in Mt. Vernon.  There are also trail head entrances in Gambier, Howard and of course at the trails endpoint in Danville.  The gaps between the towns are roughly 4 miles, breaking the ride into very manageable portions.

Taking a Break

This is particularly important when you consider that my son has been riding without training wheels all of two weeks and my daughter who just turned five has yet to even consider abandoning her trainers.  The twins could care less, they got to ride in the trailer.

Though they had to share it with Zia on the way back. She got pretty tired!

As such, we did not bike the entire length of the trail.  We opted for the more leisurely approach and took in the sights that being on the trail and out of the house afforded.

Relaxing at the Brown Family Environmental Center

A deer watching us watching him. (Note: when stopping to observe wildlife on the trail remember to pull your bike to the side. The riders that do not care to see the deer really do not care to crash avoiding your bike.)

On the portion we rode, Mt. Vernon to approximately 2 miles past Gambier (about 7 miles one way) we stopped at the bridges crossing the river (so we could tease the fish by throwing pebbles into the water below), we took in the Brown Family Environmental Center of Kenyon College, a fantastic garden oasis and we stopped at the train station in Gambier.  The kids had a blast exploring the restored 1924 model steam engine, coal car and caboose.  At the Gambier station we were also able to refill our water bottles and use the facilities.

The Depot at Gambier

The Caboose

1924 Steamer

In all, we could not have asked for a better day for a bike ride.  The weather was perfect as was the Kokosing Gap Trail.  And at just about an hour from downtown Columbus, it made for an ideal day trip.  The trail is open year round 24 hours a day, though restrooms are closed and water fountains are turned off mid-November through April.

(All Photos by Ed Lamaze except the photo with me which was taken by Zoe Lamaze.)