RAIN: May 31

Small storm with some lightening. Just enough rain to fill the bottom of the guage.
Total rainfall for May: 2 inches and 5/10.

The Grateful Stool

Since I am still unemployed, I have a lot of time on my hands. We have a bar here in the kitchen of Red House, so we all thought it would be appropriate to buy unfinished bar stools from Michael’s. The idea was that the four bar stools would all match in fundamental shape and design, but we each would decorate our own to our liking.

I nearly finished mine today. I stained the stool with a chestnut finish, and then hand painted the “steal your face” design – my preferred trademark of one of the greatest bands in history, the Grateful Dead.

I am currently waiting on the final coat of polyurethane to dry, as well as someone to hire me.

For the birds

The best part about having a yard, besides mowing it, is the birds. Not long after I moved into Red House I installed two birdfeeders. One feeder is specifically for finches, with plenty of thistle seed and small openings designed for finch beaks. The other is a general feeder with a mix of milo, millet, and sunflower seeds for a variety of birds.

I had to hang the feeders far enough from the porch as not to scare the birds every time I open the door to go out for a smoke. Because of this, I can’t quite see the birds that well since my vision is far from 20/20. I got out my binoculars to aid with identification, but when I noticed that everybody and their mother has been photographing birds, I wanted to get in on the fun.

All pictures that I include in this blog are taken with my Nikon Coolpix 4100. This camera isn’t exactly state of the art technology, but it gets the job done well enough. However, when I first pointed it toward my feeders, I was met with disappointment. The 3x zoom just doesn’t cut it for the 50 and 60 feet of distance to the two feeders from the porch (these distances are accurate, as I just measured them).

It wasn’t long before a solution came to me. I went home this weekend to get the remainder of my books, along with my telescope, the Orion Observer 80mm EQ Ultra. I bought this telescope when I was 14 years old with the first few paychecks I had ever earned working in tobacco. I could only find my 25mm lens, which turned out to be a good thing, since it was the weakest lens I have. I can just barely focus on the first feeder, zooming out completely.

With some minor adjustments to my camera and attempting to line up the lens of the camera with the lens of the telescope, I was able to get a few not-so-clear shots of this female house finch.

Since May 1, I have identified 18 species of birds in the yard. Nesting nearby are pairs of European starlings, eastern blue birds, doves, barn swallows, American robins, common grackles, purple finches, wrens, and house finches. I assume they are nesting nearby because I see the pairs usually everyday, both the male and the female often close together, and I note the same direction they fly in after departing from the yard. The only nests I know of are that of the starlings, which I would gladly destroy since they are an invasive species, and the robins and wrens.

Some random birds I have noted include several cardinals, a few red wing blackbirds, blue jays, mockingbirds, crows, black capped chickadees, an eastern kingbird, a downy woodpecker who seems to be a regular, and the rarest and most colorful of all, a scarlet tanager.

The final draft

Thanks to several suggestions and a little criticism, I completed the final draft of the Red House Constitution. I am happy to report that the reading went well and it was signed by all. Unfortunately, several articles have already been violated extensively. More about that later. Enjoy.

We the Residents of ____ ______________, in order to form more efficient living conditions, establish communal order, insure general welfare of the house & yard, & to secure the equal rights of all residents & guests both foreign & domestic, do hereby establish this Constitution to promote the common safety, well-being, friendships, & relationships within.

Article I

THE DECISION MAKINGPROCESS

Section 1. All decisions pertaining to the general preservation & well-being of the house & social matters within shall be decided by the three-fourth’s majority method. Only residents – those whose names are on the Rental Agreement – have the right to state their opinions &/or vote on such decisions pertaining to the general property, house, or yard.

CHANGING OR AMENDING THIS CONSTITUTION

Section 2. This constitution is subject to alteration & amendment only by residents. In order to create a new or challenge any existing clause, section, or article in this constitution, no less than all residents may agree upon its ratification.

Article II

RENT / UTILITIES PAYMENTS, USAGE, & OBLIGATIONS

Section 1. [1] All deposits, total primary costs of the shared provisions of rent, electricity, & water, as well as total secondary costs of the shared necessities of internet, garbage collection, yard maintenance, & their accessories shall be divided equally among all residents.

[2] Individual checks for such payments must be ready five days before the payment is due. Total rent & utilities bills must be paid on time. It is encouraged for residents to have their one-fourth of next months rent reserved at all times.

[3] Excessive use of water & electricity is prohibited. Energy efficient light bulbs are required in all rooms within. When not in use, residents must turn off lights, appliances, computers, central-air, etc.

[4] Only a resident may possess a key to the house or shed. The location of the hidden key should be disclosed at great discretion.

[5] Residents who choose to move out must give 15 days notice to all other residents, prior to the 30-day notice to the Landlord.

Article III

RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUAL RESIDENTS

Section 1. All residents have the right to pursue their own enjoyment & happiness within as long as it does not infringe upon the rights, enjoyments, & happiness of other residents.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PRIVATE ROOMS

Section 2. Personal bedrooms are the private property of the occupant(s) of said room. Any questionable material or items displayed are left to the liability of the room occupant. No other resident may question, deny, or enforce any activities that take place within a private room unless the activity involves excessively audible behavior or may endanger the lives of residents.

RIGHTS OF PRIVATE ROOM OCCUPANTS

Section 3. [1] No personal property shall be removed under any circumstances from private rooms without the consent of the occupant.

[2] No personal property belonging to any individual other than the room occupant shall be stored in any private room without the consent of the occupant of said room.

[3] If the door to a private room is closed, no resident shall enter without knocking & waiting for the resident within to open the door. If the resident is not in said private room & the door is closed, no other resident shall enter unless it is an emergency. Emergencies are limited to shutting a window, turning off lights, electronics or appliances, putting out a fire, or accessing the master bathroom.

Article IV

COMMUNITY AREAS WITHIN DEFINED

Section 1. Community areas within the house are thus defined as the kitchen, dining room, laundry room, & living room. All residents have unlimited permission to enter & utilize the space & items specified for collective use within the community areas.

DIVISION OF COMMUNITY RESPONSABILITIES

Section 2. A centralized schedule shall be erected, dividing equally the duties of community labor & responsibilities among all residents.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR COMMUNITY LABORS, RESPONABILITIES, & RESPECT

Section 3. [1] Any & all-unnecessary disruption of academic efforts within community areas is prohibited.

[2] Excessive noise in community areas is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to music, musical instruments, television, parties, guests, animals, arguments, alarm clocks, firecrackers, gunfire, etc.

[3] Inside pets capable of lateral undulatory, bipedal, quadrupedal, sectapedal, octopedal, or winged escape are prohibited.

[4] Outside pets must remain outside at all times & are subject to the full responsibility of the pet owner. These include, but are not limited to feeding, housing, damaged items, damage to the yard, waste produced by the pet, & overall safety of the pet.

[5] Candles, incense, etc. are acceptable in all community areas unless adverse affects are reported by any resident, at which time the scented item should be removed to a private area. Heat producing scented items shall not be neglected at any time.

[6] There shall be an effective non-smoking policy in all areas within, community or private.

[7] Alcohol use is acceptable in all community areas unless the level of drunkenness leads to loud, unruly, or destructive behavior by which the user(s) will be asked to retire to his or her room.

[8] Loaded guns, ammunition, & other weapons are fully acceptable within. However, all occupants must be aware of the placement &/or storage of such weapons at all times. Weapons shall never be left unattended in a community area.

COMMUNITY ITEMS & USEAGE PROTOCOL

Section 4. [1] Decoration or improvement of community areas must be agreed upon & approved by all residents before placement.

[2] Permanent improvements added to the house shall remain if the removal of such improvements results in damage.

[3] Furniture or other items large or small designated for community use must be agreed upon & approved by all residents before their placement. Community items must be treated with care & respect by all residents.

[4] Residents choosing to contribute community items do so at their own desire & are granted no unequal rights, powers, or privileges despite expense, quality, or quantity of community item investment or investments.

[5] Community items damaged accidentally or otherwise are subject to prompt replacement at the expense of the resident who damaged that item. Community items damaged due to regular use are to be replaced at the equally divided expense of all residents unless covered by the Landlord responsibilities in the Rental Agreement.

COMMUNITY CLEANLINESS & MAINTENANCE

Section 5. [1] There shall be no accumulation of personal or community clutter within community areas. This includes, but is not limited to food, dishes, silverware, cups, aluminum cans, bottles, trash, cookware, shoes, media, & clean or dirty laundry.

[2] Media shall not be combined or stored in the community areas. This includes, but is not limited to VHS, DVD, CD, literature, etc.

[3] Shoes worn outside must be left by the front or back door. Shoes worn outside shall be worn outside only.

[4] Once the garbage can is full, and before it is heaping over, the trash shall be removed & the bag replaced.

[5] Dishes shall not remain in the sink longer than 24 hours at a time, nor shall the dirty dishes reach the top of the sink.

[6] Residents who cook are responsible for cleaning & putting away cookware or dishes within 24 hours of their use. Residents who participate in eating – such as during community meals – are not bound to assist in cleaning or replacement of dishes & cookware immediately after, but are encouraged doing so.

[7] The dining room table shall remain free of clutter. It shall be clear & ready for use, unless already in use, at all times. This also applies to the kitchen countertops, coffee tables, & end tables.

[8] Damage committed to the house or noticed shall be reported to all residents immediately.

[9] Cleaning shall be required at least once per week by all residents. Bathrooms shall remain in constantly well-maintained condition.

COMMUNITY FOOD, STORAGE, & THE REFRIGERATOR

Section 6. [1] Residents shall be allotted their own cabinet(s) in the kitchen, while the refrigerator is reserved for community storage.

[2] There shall be designated community cabinets where all cookware & perishables within are considered communal. Respect should be considered with community food or beverages & their amount of use.

[3] Food or beverages belonging to other residents should not be consumed without said resident’s approval.

[4] Residents should discard their own expired food or beverages.

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR OUTDOOR AREAS

Section 7. [1] Responsibilities & expenses for the maintenance of the yard shall be divided equally among all residents. This includes mowing, weed eating, gasoline & oil for the mower & weed eater, tree & shrubbery trimming, & their necessary accessories.

[2] Regular maintenance & repairs of yard equipment shall be divided among all residents equally, unless repair circumstances pertain to misuse of said equipment.

[3] Maintenance of birdfeeders, gardens, flowerbeds, & potted plants are the responsibility of the resident who chooses to maintain them.

[4] Clutter within the limits of yards & the patio is prohibited. Lawn ornaments including, but not limited to birdbaths, crystal balls, statues, rocks, pink flamingos, garden gnomes, etc. are restricted to one ornament per resident. However, violations of any zoning laws are prohibited. [Note: There are no zoning laws regarding a 10-foot, pink flamingo.]

[5] No vehicles are to be parked or driven in the yard at any time, unless agreed upon by all residents.

Article V

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR GUESTS

Section 1. [1] All guest(s) entering the house are bound to all clauses, sections, and articles of this constitution. A guest is considered one who consumes food, water, space, air, & electricity, who is invited into the house, but whose name is not on the Rental Agreement.

[2] Guest status does not apply to girlfriends of residents; however the same laws in which the residents must observe also bind them, excluding primary & secondary payments & yard maintenance.

[3] Any guest in violation of these articles is subject to removal by a majority decision of all residents.

[4] All residents must be notified at least 24 hours prior to a guest planning to stay longer than three consecutive days. This also applies to a party consisting of two or more guests planning to stay the night on any given night, with exception to surprise visits whereupon the resident being visited had no prior knowledge of visitation.

[5] No guest shall be left unattended in the house without at least one other resident present. This does not include relatives of residents.

[6] Any guest staying longer than one week can only do so at the approval of all residents. Any guest staying longer than one month can only do so at the approval of the Landlord.

Article VI

ENFORCEMENT OF THESE ARTICLES HEREIN

Section 1. In the event of sparse, moderate, or excessive violation by a resident or guest of a clause, section, or article, partly or as a whole, the residents shall have power to enforce this constitution & all its provisions by appropriate legislation.

Article VII

RATIFICATION OF THIS CONSTITUTION

Section 1. The ratification of the accepted order & duties of the residents shall be sufficient for the establishment of this constitution among the residents ratifying the same. Done in convention by the unanimous consent of all residents present the Seventeenth day of May in the year Two Thousand and Six and of the signing of the Residential Agreement on the Twenty-Sixth day of April, residents & their guests have read & understand & do hereby agree to all articles, sections, & clauses of this constitution & by signing it are bound by all its terms & conditions, unconditionally, until the Rental Agreement has expired.

RAIN: May 26

1 inch and 2/10. We had one hell of a storm last night/this morning. Winds reached 60 mph and I heard someone was struck by lightening in Georgetown. There was little to no damage in our yard as far as broken limbs, however, Swat's tent is no more...

RAIN: May 25

6/10 of an inch of rain this morning. A record thus far for Red House, at least since I've been here.

RAIN: May 20

3/10 of an inch. Still cold, still shitty.

RAIN: May 19

1/10 of an inch. Cold and shitty.

Several morals

I have graduated and I will have my Bachelor’s in English in six to eight weeks. My GPA is about as good as it’s ever going to get, and thanks to NKU, it will never be that good. This semester I made the Dean’s List – I think for the first time in my life. I made all A’s and one B, but let me tell you about the B.

During finals week, my roommates and I slowly made our move into our newly acquired house a few miles from campus. By Wednesday, I was settled in quite nicely in my new room, the first time I have actually had my own room in six years. My room happens to be at the south end of the house, right next to the bathroom. I had been working on a research paper all week and had just finished it Wednesday morning, with plans to study the remainder of the day for my history final. The class met every Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and I never wrote less than five pages of notes per class. The final exam was cumulative so it was imperative that I study all day.

After I used the bathroom that morning, a few hours later I noticed the toilet was running. When I flipped on the light in the bathroom, to my surprise the floor was covered in about an inch of water, the bowl slowly overflowing. I dove in to turn the water off and screamed for a mop and bucket. Water was draining into the air vent on the floor and it reminded me of a terrible local plumbing commercial on TV where some dude narrates to a similar, but dramatized pathetic situation, “Is this you?”

I bailed the bulk of the water into the bathtub with a red plastic cup and mopped up the rest. All the while, my roommates were calling the Landlord who in turn called the plumber. When I had finished and cleaned myself up somewhat, I returned to my room to relax on my bed and start studying for my history final. To my horror, the water had leaked through the wall, where my history notes and library books were laying. Fortunately (I suppose) my notebook was on the bottom of the pile, absorbing most of the water, while the only library book with a plastic covering was next. The books were safe but my notes were not.

In a rage, I nearly threw the completely soaked and ruined notebook across the room. But, I managed to calm myself and think of a solution. I cleared out the living room, and painstakingly separated all 63 pages with my pocketknife, laying each page on a paper towel to dry. The process took about an hour and a half, but when the pages finally dried out, the notes were illegible since I had written them in ink. For some reason the black ink didn’t run that bad, but since I alternated each class between black and blue ink, I was only able to study about half my notes. However, I must have gotten at least a C on the final the next day, because I got a B in the class, and I had made B’s on the other two exams.

This story has several morals: don’t write notes in blue ink; don’t move into a room next to a bathroom; don’t wait until the last minute to study for an exam, and never trust a toilet.

RAIN: May 18

1/10 of an inch of rain this morning.

RAIN: May 10

I bought a rain gauge to record total rainfall at the new house.
First measurement: 2/10 of an inch of rain.

The Red House Road House Constitution

As I mentioned previously, my roommates, neighbor, and I recently got a house out in the country a few miles from campus. Below is the third draft of the constitution I wrote, using notes and ideas from my roommates and neighbor as well as my own. It has not been signed yet and is still up for discussion. Please offer any suggestions or criticism to further ensure the validity of this document.

The Red House Road House Constitution

The sole purpose of this document is NOT to restrict the individual rights of the residents of ________________, but to ensure the safety, well-being, friendships, and relationships within as well as reducing injury to the house and yard. All residents have the right to pursue their own enjoyment and happiness as long as it does not infringe upon the rights, enjoyments, and happiness of other occupants.

Article I

THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS

Section 1. All decisions pertaining to the general upkeep and well-being of the house and social matters within will be decided by no other method than the Three-Fourth’s Majority Process. Only residents – those whose names are on the Rental Agreement and who have signed this document – have the right to state their opinions and/or vote on such matters involving the condition or circumstances of the house not addressed herein.

CHANGING OR AMENDING THIS CONSTITUTION

Section 2. This constitution is a working document. It is subject to alteration and amendment only by Residents. In order to create a new or challenge any existing code, law, or reference in this document, no less than all residents may agree upon its ratification.

Article II

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR COMMUNITY AREAS WITHIN

Section 1. Community areas within the house are thus defined as the kitchen, dining room, laundry room, and living room. All residents have unlimited permission to enter and utilize the space and items specified for collective use within the community areas.

COMMUNITY RESPONABILITIES AND RESPECT

Section 2. [1] Any and all unnecessary disruption of study time or academic efforts within personal or community areas will not be tolerated.

[2] Excessive noise within will not be tolerated at any time. This includes, but is not limited to music, musical instruments, television, parties, guests, animals, arguments, alarm clocks, firecrackers, gunfire, etc.

[3] All inside pets capable of lateral undulatory, bipedal, quadrupedal, sectapedal, octopedal, or winged escape are prohibited. Any outside pets must remain outside at all times and are subject to the FULL responsibility of the pet owner. This includes, but is not limited to feeding, housing, damaged items, damage to the yard, waste produced by the pet, and overall safety of the pet.

[4] There shall be a fully enforceable NON-SMOKING policy in all areas within.

[5] Candles, incense, etc. are fully acceptable in all community areas, but shall not be left burning unattended at any time.

[6] Alcohol use is fully acceptable in all community areas unless the level of drunkenness leads to loud, unruly, or destructive behavior by which the user(s) will be asked to retire to his or her room.

[7] Decoration or improvement of any and all community areas must be agreed upon and approved by all residents before placement of said decoration or improvement. Any undeviating improvements added to the house are permanent if they will damage the house upon removal.

[8] Items large or small designated for community use must be agreed upon and approved by all residents before their placement. Once an item is considered for community use, it will be subject to the above terms in this constitution. Each community item must be treated with care and respect by all residents and properly used as if it were their own.

[9] Any community item damaged accidentally or otherwise is subject to replacement at the expense of the resident who damaged that item. Any community item damaged due to regular use is to be replaced at the equal expense of all residents unless covered by the Landlord responsibilities in the Rental Agreement.

[10] Guns and ammunition are fully acceptable within, loaded or unloaded. However, all occupants must be fully aware of the placement and/or storage of all guns at all times. No guns or ammunition will be left unattended in a community area at any time.

CLEANLINESS AND MAINTENANCE

Section 3. [1] There will be no accumulation of personal clutter within community areas. This includes, but is not limited to food, dishes, silverware, cups, aluminum cans, bottles, trash, cookware, shoes, clothing, and clean or dirty laundry.

[2] Media shall not be combined or stored in the community areas. This includes, but is not limited to VHS, DVD, CD, books, magazines, etc. Any media left in the community area, including that which is left in the corresponding multimedia player will be returned to the resident(s).

[3] All shoes worn outside must be left by the front or back door. This is limited to one pair of shoes per resident. Shoes worn in the house are worn in the house only. Shoes worn outside, are worn outside only.

[4] The resident(s) who cooks is responsible for cleaning and putting away cookware or dishes within 24 hours of their use. Those residents who participate in cooking and/or eating – such as with community meals – are bound to assist in cleaning and replacement of dishes and cookware immediately after.

[5] The kitchen table will not be a catchall for personal OR community items. It will be clear and ready for use, unless already in use, at all times. This also applies to the countertops, coffee tables, and end tables.

[6] Any damage committed to the house or noticed should be reported to other residents immediately.

[7] Cleaning will be required at least once per week by all residents at a time and date agreed upon. Cleaning agents should be stored appropriately under sinks. All bathrooms are subject to strict, constantly well-maintained conditions.

[8] Each resident will be allotted their own cabinet in the kitchen. The food, beverages, and items within are not to be removed or used without the consent of the cabinet owner. There will be designated community cabinets where all items within are considered fair game.

THE REFRIGERATOR

Section 4. Expired food in the refrigerator should be regularly discarded, however, residents should only discard food or beverages they know to be their own. Also, food or beverages belonging to other residents should not be consumed without that residents approval.

Article III

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PRIVATE AREAS WITHIN

Section 1. Personal bedrooms are the private property of the occupant(s) of said room. Any questionable material or items displayed are left to the responsibility of the room occupant. No other resident may question or enforce any activities that take place behind closed doors UNLESS the activity involves excessively audible behavior or may endanger the life or lives of occupants within the house.

RIGHTS OF PRIVATE ROOM OCCUPANTS

Section 2. [1] No personal property will be removed under any circumstances from private rooms without the consent of the occupant. No personal property belonging to any individual other than the room occupant may be stored in any private room at any time without the consent of the occupant of said room.

[2] If the door to a private room is closed, no resident may enter without knocking and waiting for the resident within to open the door. If the resident is not in said private room and the door is closed, no other resident may enter unless it is an emergency. Emergencies are limited to shutting a window during a storm, shutting off an alarm clock, or putting out a fire.

Article IV

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR OUTDOOR AREAS

Section 1. [1] Responsibilities and expenses for the upkeep and maintenance of the yard shall be divided equally among all residents. This includes mowing, weed eating, gasoline and oil for the mower and weed eater, and tree and shrubbery trimming.

[2] Upkeep of gardens, flowerbeds, potted plants, etc. are the responsibility of the resident who chooses to maintain or plant them.

[3] No vehicles are to be parked or driven in the yard or patio at any time, unless agreed upon by all occupants.

[4] Clutter within the limits of all yards and patio is prohibited. Lawn ornaments including, but not limited to birdbaths, bird feeders, statues, rocks, pink flamingos, garden gnomes, etc. are restricted to one ornament per resident, no matter how ridiculous, tacky, gaudy, ugly, or girly said lawn ornament may be. However, violation of any zoning laws are prohibited.

Article V

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR GUESTS

Section 1. [1] Any guest(s) entering the house are subject to all laws and codes of this constitution applicable to residents. A guest is considered anyone who consumes food, space, water, and electricity, that is invited into the house by any resident, but whose name does not appear on the Rental Agreement.

[2] Guest status does not apply to boyfriends or girlfriends.

[3] Any guest in violation of these codes and laws are subject to removal by a majority decision of all residents.

[4] All residents must be notified at least 24 hours prior to a guest(s) planning to stay longer than 3 consecutive days. This also applies to a party consisting of 2 or more guests planning to stay the night on any given night.

[5] No guest shall be left unattended at any time inside the house without at least one other resident present.

EXTENDED GUESTS

Section 2. [1] No guest may remain longer than 14 consecutive days. Upon exceeding this limit, a guest will be considered an extended guest – but only allowed to remain at the approval of all residents on the Rental Agreement. He or she will then be required to pay 1/5^th the total cost of monthly rent and utilities expenses,

[2] Any guest who exceeds the 14-consecutive-day limit and is paying 1/5^th the total rent and utilities expenses can remain no longer than an additional 7 days.

[3] The vehicle of a guest(s) or extended guest(s) may remain in the driveway no longer than 3 consecutive days.

Article VI

RENT / UTILITIES USAGE AND PAYMENTS

Section 1. [1] Excessive use of water and electricity is prohibited. All residents must turn off lights, appliances, computers, and heating or cooling when not in use. Energy efficient light bulbs and appliances are encouraged but not required.

[2] Individual checks for rent and utilities payments must be ready 5 days before the first day of each month. Total rent and utilities bills must be paid on time. It is encouraged for all residents to have their 1/4^th of next months rent reserved at all times.

[3] Internet and cable bills are considered utilities and will be treated as such.

All residents and their guests do hereby agree to all provisions of this

constitution and by signing it, are bound by ALL its terms and conditions, unconditionally.

The following signatures hereby pass this constitution

into full effect this ___ day of May, 2006

The Pinnacles

Just 12 miles south of Eastern, there is a geographic feature known as the Pinnacles. Berea College owns the land, which consists of about four square miles of forest. Since I first discovered this place quite by accident, I go there as much as possible just to get out into nature and get some good views of the surrounding country.

The Pinnacles lie on what is the very edge of the Cumberland Escarpment (or Pottsville, depending on who you are). About 380 million years ago, the North American tectonic plate buckled, resulting in the uplift of the Cumberland Plateau to the south and the creation of the Bluegrass Region to the north. You can see this for yourself in the first image. The elevation gain from north to south between these two regions is more or less 500 feet.

At the base of the Pinnacles there is a large amphitheatre called Indian Fort Theater. It was built in 1955 for something like $100,000. An outdoor wedding was the only event I have seen take place in this theater, otherwise it just sits empty and the bathroom doors are always locked.

Right past the theater, a single trail begins. All the trails here are well maintained, I assume by Berea students or faculty. There are about 5.4 miles of trails—if one could hike all trail legs without walking the same leg twice. Since last September, I have managed to hike all the visible trails and to visit all the summits.

The most popular destination for hikers seems to be the East and West pinnacles. The East pinnacle offers a good view of the town of Bighill, while from the West pinnacle there is an excellent view of Berea. I prefer the 2.5-mile hike to Basin Mountain. On a clear day, Richmond can be seen from here (remember, 12 miles away) and is by far the most isolated summit, as I have never encountered hikers this far out.

Many times I have encountered people on the more popular trails who have no idea where they are going. Most just want to get to the best view. I usually recommend the east or west side or sketch them a quick map in the dirt to direct them, along with a rough ETA or distance estimate.

I wondered why Berea College hadn’t taken the time to print some kind of map to direct hikers along their way. I decided to take it upon myself to make one. Using my GPS, I measured the distances of all the major trail legs. Once I double-check my measurements on future hikes, I plan to send my map to the forestry department of Berea College. I will recommend either printing some of the maps for free distribution at the beginning of the trail, or the construction of a small sign to display an enlarged copy of the map.

Until then, if you are in Richmond, Berea, or at least know of the Pinnacles, feel free to try out this map, and let me know if anything is confusing or needs to be changed.