Wander Far, Explore Local: A New Kind of Adventure

I'm redefining what adventure means after discovering the joy of exploring greenways and rail trails. From Colorado's Aspen-lined paths to Kentucky's riverside greenways, these accessible trails have transformed my understanding of meaningful outdoor experiences.

• Experiencing the beauty of Breckenridge to Frisco on e-bikes amid golden Aspens
• Discovering the Big Four Bridge and Ohio River Greenway during a Kentucky business trip
• Seeing people of all ages and abilities enjoying the outdoors together on accessible trails
• Exploring the Brevard Greenway and Thermal Belt Trail in North Carolina with my wife
• Finding that adventure isn't always about conquering mountains—sometimes it's about connection
• Looking forward to upcoming trails like the Ecusta Trail and sections of the East Coast Greenway

Send me a voice memo, message me on Instagram or Facebook, or email mike@explorationlocal.com to share your favorite trail experiences. Your story might inspire others to redefine what adventure means to them.

Mike Andress
Host, Exploration Local
828-551-9065
mike@explorationlocal.com

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Transcript

Storytelling in Appalachia

Speaker 1 0:00

Storytelling is at the heart of Appalachia , woven into its winding trails , mountain towns and front porch conversations . For generations , people here have shared their sense of place through stories that honor both grit and grace and tradition and transformation . These stories echo across ridgelines and roll through the valleys , reminding us that connection to land and people has always been part of the adventure . In today's solo episode , I want to share a different kind of journey , one that's personal and still unfolding . It's a story about how my definition of adventure has changed over the years . From pushing strollers on the Virginia Capitol Trail in Williamsburg , where my family first discovered the joy of greenway riding , to coasting along the greenway in the Colorado Rockies , to unfolding a compact e-bike and rolling out from a hotel parking lot in Kentucky , every experience is reshaping how I engage with the outdoors . Greenways and trailways might not make the cover of an adventure magazine you won't find many summit selfies or adrenaline-fueled reels out there but they offer something even more enduring Accessibility , connection and the quiet kind of wonder you find when you slow down just enough to really see what's around you . In this episode , I'll explain how these paths are shaping my story and why I believe they're one of the most inviting , inclusive ways to explore . This is a story for anyone who's ever thought I'm not adventurous enough or that trail's not meant for me . Let's ride . You're listening to Exploration Local , a podcast designed to explore and celebrate the people and places that make the Blue Ridge and Southern Appalachian Mountains special and unique . My name is Mike Andrus , the host of Exploration Local . Join us on our journey to explore these mountains and discover

Colorado Adventure with My Daughter

Speaker 1 1:52

how they fuel the spirit of adventure . We encourage you to wander far , but explore local . Let's go .

Speaker 1 2:00

So last fall , last September 2024 , right before Helene , I had the chance to take a trip to Colorado with my daughter , my third child , my second daughter . We started the week with some incredible hikes , exploring all the rugged landscapes of Boulder and Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park that we could . I mean truly breathing in the crisp mountain air and enjoying just the vastness of all that Colorado is . And then we capped it off with an unforgettable night at Red Rocks . We watched Amos Lee perform under the stars , and if you have ever been to Red Rocks , you know it's a special place . If you haven't , I highly would suggest that at some point of your bucket list and some point of your life , you would put that on there . It is an amazing , amazing place . It's been said that it doesn't matter what you watch there . It will be an amazing experience and I can tell you we love Amos Lee , so we enjoy that show and we also enjoy pretty much the experience .

Speaker 1 2:59

But at the end of that trip we were going to spend two sort of wind down days in Breckenridge . I had never been before and we were also at least I was ready for a little bit slower pace , a wind down after that week of adventure that we had . So we decided to rent bikes , we decided to rent e-bikes and we found that there was a trail that went from Breckenridge to Frisco , which is about 10 miles away , frisco , right on . I think . It's like right south of Copper Mountain . But my son and his fiancee now wife and their family they were on e-bikes in Colorado and I think we got a little bit of that bug that we wanted to try it too . So anyway , we're in the same place , same area , and I will tell you that it was one of the most refreshing experiences and meaningful experiences that we had on that trip together . And it was cool because we rode from Breck into Frisco , we had lunch in Frisco and then we were going to try to spend most of the day there , but we had to get back . We were racing against an enormous storm that was coming in , so it pretty much rained the whole last 10 miles , but it didn't bother us . We had a fantastic time . But the amazing part about that trip , too , was that we had the Aspens . It's one of my bucket lists , my life bucket list that I want to see the Aspens bloom or , excuse me , the Aspens change in Colorado in the fall , and we got a chance to do that .

Speaker 1 4:17

But the really , besides all the beauty and being with my daughter , one of the things I remember is that there was this group of older senior citizens and we were moving , coming back , because the storm was rolling in . You could see it , it's getting heavier and heavier , and so we wanted to . I mean , we're just moving fast . But all of a sudden these seniors were like flying by us on their e-bikes and we saw people out on these e-bikes of all ages , or , excuse me , out on these trail people of all ages , during this little 20 mile bike trip that we did . But I'll never forget the looks on the this , this older woman's face . She's just smiling . You know , she went by , she's having fun , she's getting out , and I kept telling my daughter that these things allow you to go farther and kind of see more and stay out a little bit longer . And that was really kind of made true watching these people come back . But that ride in Brecker Ridge , amidst the mountains , it was one of the absolute best experiences that we shared out there in Colorado . It wasn't about the speed , it was just about being present and enjoying the journey , really just one pedal at a time , and that really is what started this whole passion , I think , for me .

Speaker 1 5:32

So , fast forward to March of 2025 this year , I was on a business trip to Kentucky and it's the kind where your days are full of meetings , your nights are usually spent in meetings or in dinners or out with people kind of exploring the area . But I decided that this was going to be a great opportunity to bring my new foldable e-bike and I have a little Volkswagen Alltrack . It's not huge but it's not small at

Kentucky Business Trip Exploration

Speaker 1 6:00

the same time . But it was enough to put my luggage a cooler and my e-bike in the back of that the same time . But it was enough to put my luggage a cooler , and my e-bike in the back of that and it was my first time traveling with it and , honestly , I wasn't sure how it was going to go . Would I even have time for it ? Would it be a hassle , would it be worth the effort , you know ? So on and so forth all the seeds of doubt and it absolutely was worth the effort .

Speaker 1 6:20

So after the first night of meetings I went to , I found this trail on the rails to trail . I looked it up before I left . It was the uh , the big four bridge . The amazing thing is that it was located just near the hotel and so I was able to go across this bridge , this big four bridge , and y'all it was packed with people that were , you know , e-biking , that were strollers that were skating , that were walking , that were pushing strollers , that were running , jogging you know , entire families . I mean , it was just an incredible experience . So it was once a railroad crossing , but now it's a pedestrian bike bridge , or pedestrian and bike bridge , that spans the entire Ohio River .

Speaker 1 7:06

It connects Louisville , kentucky , to Jeffersonville , indiana , really , really cool place . The structure itself is impressive . It's wide , it's elevated . I mean steel trusses that frame the sky . As I rode across , the view just opened up to the river and it also opened up into Indiana , the river below . I mean it was beautiful . It shimmered in the afternoon light and you could feel the pulse of the city even from being that far above the river and beyond the city . But on the Indiana side it connected to the Ohio River Greenway . I had no idea and I didn't look that closely into it , so it was a bit of a surprise . But as you go over the bridge you're into this little , beautiful little community of Jeffersonville , indiana .

Speaker 1 7:47

I took a left . I went southbound on the Ohio River Greenway . It's a paved trail that hugs the shoreline . It weaves past parks , old brick buildings , trestle bridges , quiet neighborhoods . I mean it was absolutely an amazing ride . It was such a gem . Theze off the water was steady and the whole ride it just had this balance of urban energy and natural calm . It was truly , truly amazing . I did about 17 miles altogether on that . There were people everywhere . I mean again , joggers , kids on bikes , couples walking holding hand . Some folks were just out for exercise , others were just soaking up the scenery . I mean it wasn't rugged , it wasn't remote , but I mean it felt rich , it felt real , it felt grounded .

Speaker 1 8:30

That day reframed , I think , what I thought an adventure needed to look like . It didn't seem like I was settling for something easier . It felt expansive , like I had unlocked a whole new layer of exploration that truly had been hiding in plain sight . Sometimes all it takes is a simple trail and a willingness to look at it differently . And for me , I had a few hours and I went out and explored . I saw the reservoir , I saw parks , I saw people coming in from communities , I went through communities . It was absolutely amazing . So love that experience . It definitely was absolutely amazing . So love that experience . It definitely was worth it .

Speaker 1 9:06

I also got a chance to go out on another trip a little bit farther out . It's called the , I think , the Louisville Loop Trail . I think when it's all said and done , it's going to be about 100 miles . That fully circumnavigates Louisville and the outskirts of Louisville . But I found this beautiful , beautiful park and it was Greenway in and of itself , and I did another 10 miles or so just that afternoon , but it was incredible . It went through the river . You may have seen if you follow me on Instagram , then you've seen the story of this but it followed the river um sort of at sunset . So it's really really pretty winter sunset in Louisville , kentucky , and there's , I mean , soccer fields and playgrounds and , again , people of all shapes and sizes and you know just backgrounds and interest and the things that they were enjoying the outdoors with . But we were all there together . It was really kind of this , this communal thing , if you will .

Speaker 1 10:05

Before these trips Breckenridge , kentucky I honestly didn't think greenways were for me . I mean , I grew up associating adventure with elevation , gain and you know , technical terrain and dirt under your boots , navigating whitewater rivers and maybe a little bit of suffering along the way , you know , backpacking in the back country , long hikes that leave your legs burning , the kind of stuff that you know makes you feel like you earned the view . You know you earned a climb or , excuse me , you climb to earn the view . But greenways , I mean I thought they were , you know , easy , lame , not for me . It just wasn't something that I it wasn't a pathway that I was , I was looking out for . But I mean something shifted as I started to actually ride these things .

Speaker 1 10:49

What I saw along these routes and who I saw , I mean it told it truly told a different story of the type of recreation that is out there and folks , there's recreation out there for anybody and everybody , and if you're looking for a portal and an easy way in , I mean these greenways are it . I mean I see seniors on trikes . I mean they're confidently riding , you know , with groups of friends and clearly clearly having the time of their lives . I see kids wobbling on training wheels , getting cheered on by parents who are just as thrilled as they were . I mean you see couples , solo riders , commuters , tourists , people on road bikes , mountain bikes , cruiser bikes , e-bike scooters . I mean , honestly , you name it . There's people that are out on these greenways . It's just amazing and you know what . These people aren't just killing time . I mean , they're connecting with each other , with their surroundings and , you know , with themselves and you know just the outdoors for sure .

Speaker 1 11:46

Greenways , I think , remove a lot of the barriers that can come with traditional outdoor spaces . You don't need technical gear , you don't need to be in peak shape , you don't need to even have a plan . I mean , honestly , you don't , you just need a bike or your own two feet , a little curiosity and the willingness to say I'm just going to take that first step . I mean these spaces , these greenways , these trails , these rails to trails . They make space for everyone and I believe that they truly do redefine what it means to belong outside , or at least I would say it's expanding my view of what it means to be outside and to belong outside .

Rethinking What Adventure Means

Speaker 1 12:38

So just last weekend I rode the estetot trail and the brevard greenway into downtown brevard , north carolina . It truly is a place that feels like it was designed for both adventure and ease . It's one of these thought-out communities and it kind of reminded me of going back into . You know , my frame of of reference being Breckenridge and Frisco and being able to ride in and through towns and towns that connect you know geographical areas together . And it extends into the Greenway which again just carries you through so many cool places along breweries Sylvan Sport , acousta Brewing , oscar Blues is along that route , brevard Parks and Recreation is along that route , getting behind the community , going into the lumberyard , seeing a residential area and then kind of dumping right out into downtown . It was amazing . It was the first time that I'd ever taken that route and I saw places in North Carolina that I didn't even know existed . But the greenways just take you into places that you're not going to see on your normal day-to-day , just kind of coming in and popping out of town .

Speaker 1 13:45

And then our most recent trip , my wife and I last Friday we were on the Thermal Belt Trail . It's a stretch that links Forest City and Rutherfordton , spindale , ruth and Gilkey . There might be a couple of other towns in there that I'm forgetting , but we did the full out and back . It was a full 26 miles that we did in total . But it's a beautiful trail , it's wide , it's smooth . There's long stretches of shaded trees . A beautiful trail , it's wide , it's smooth , there's long stretches of shaded trees and then there's other sections that really kind of open up to reveal the rolling hills as you get north . We started south and we were riding north and as you're south it's more urban . That's where your cities , your larger cities , are sort of linked together and it's amazing because you can take a little . You know you can take a trip into each one of those communities , check out the downtown , have lunch dinner . That wasn't our purpose , but you know it is a way that you can break some of these rail trail or trail town experiences up . But it's really beautiful . You go from the southern end , which is more urban , to the northern end , as I'm saying that you get into some of the rolling hills you get into , where the rail and the trails you know the rail cars would go sort of , and carved out not really mountains but carved out hillsides . That's pretty amazing , and then you see the soft outlines of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance . So it was absolutely , you know , remarkable .

Speaker 1 15:01

One of the reasons we decided to pull the trigger and get these bikes is that I was really looking for something that Teresa and I that Teresa is my wife that she and I could do together out on the trail , and it has . I'm a hundred miles in and some of those miles I rode by myself , but most of those miles I have ridden with her and the beautiful thing about this is that it's allowed us to have an opportunity to get out . She may not want to do all the hair raising things that I would do or she would shuttle me to , but you know , back in the day , but she's , you know we're doing it together . And again , it's still , it's a . It's just a different way to adventure . It's , it's no less adventurous , it's just . You know , my adrenaline may not get going as strongly as it does if I'm out on the river or , you know , barreling down some single track , but anyway , it's really proving true . And so we just , you know , we rode together , we laughed , we had lunch , you know , we just had a wonderful time just being together , and we saw that through and through with other people out there on the trail .

Speaker 1 16:00

Those are the moments that are just going to stick with me . They're the moments that are sort of making my experiences these days , and that's what these trails offer not just access , but I mean truly just kind of invitation . Right , it's an invitation to be present , to reconnect and to explore truly , truly at your own pace . It reminded me that some of the best rides , they aren't about conquering anything . They're about sharing something , a moment , a path or perspective , or even just time with the people that you love .

Recent Local Trail Experiences

Speaker 1 16:44

So , as I mentioned before , to me adventure used to mean effort and sweat and pushing limits . It meant hauling a pack up a steep ridge , waking up cold in a tent or navigating a trail that wasn't always marked on the map . And there's a place for all of that . I still love it , but lately I've found myself drawn to a different kind of adventure , and one that's , honestly , that's just as fulfilling , but a little bit less about exertion and more about intention and the experience and the people that I'm with . So my foldable e-bike has been a huge part of that shift . It fits in the trunk of my car , no special rack or complicated setup is required . Honestly , you take it out , you put a couple of links together and your bike is ready to roll . I can travel for work , I can find a trail nearby , unfold the bike and within minutes I'm riding .

Speaker 1 17:31

It's become a way to explore not just new places but familiar ones too , honestly , with fresh eyes and an entirely different mindset , as I explained in my experience in Brevard , a place that I've been to many , many times , that ride in Breckenridge with my daughter unforgettable , not because it was intense but because it was ours . It was the laughter , the slowness , the shared trail that was , I mean , that was the adventure . The ride across the Big Four Bridge into Indiana it was eye-opening . I didn't expect a trail that cuts through urban life to feel so connected to nature , but it did . But it did and it gave me the freedom to explore between meetings , to move my body , to see something beautiful that I otherwise would have missed , if I'm being honest . And then , most recently , in Brevard and on the Thermal Belt those rides . They're grounding , local reminders that you don't have to travel far or go hard to find a sense of awe . And for us , we were just minutes down the road . We were able to do all of this experience the trails , be home in time for a family dinner . So , anyway , I'm redefining adventure , not because I've outgrown the old version of it I have not but because I've expanded it . To be honest with you , it now includes some quieter moments , some unexpected connections and the kind of movement that's as much about joy as it is about miles and connection with my family , especially with my wife and my friends . And the best part , it feels like a journey .

Speaker 1 19:01

I've only just begun , all right , looking ahead , my list of trails is growing , not in a competitive bucket list kind of way , but more like a collection of possibilities . Each one that I want to choose it's a doorway , I think , into a different place and a different pace . This summer I'm especially excited about the completion of the Acousta Trail . It's right here in my backyard . It's a big one for this area a former rail line that's being transformed into a multi-use trail that's connecting Hendersonville and Brevard . It's local , it's historic and folks . When it opens it is going to create an unbroken ribbon of opportunity , not just for people who like to bike , but for families and walkers and runners and , honestly , anyone who wants to move through the landscape without a car .

Speaker 1 20:00

Another place I've got my eye on riding is the East Coast Greenway . It's a huge , inspiring trail system that spans from Maine to Florida , so that's quite large , they say . It's one of those projects that feels both massive and personal at the same time as they kind of connect different communities across time and space . I think that I don't know what section I would ride , but I definitely want to do that . The other one is the Swamp Rabbit Trail . That's right here for you local people . That's right here in our backyard as well . It's in South Carolina and it's high on my list . I've been on it , but I'd really kind of like to go early in the morning or when there's not a lot of traffic out there .

Speaker 1 20:34

I've heard stories about just the energy there , about how it winds from Greenville to Traveler's Rest , rest . I mean it's full of charm , there's local flavor and that sense of being really immersed in a place , even while you're in motion . I want to ride it tip to tip , not for speed but for the story . I think that it tells along the way and then closer to home , what I'm really excited . Well , I'm really excited about all of this , but the Saluda Gray Trail I don't know if that's the official name , but that is in thoughts and planning and I think it has some legs underneath it . I am going to have a guest on the show soon that knows all about these projects the Saluda Gray Trail and the Acosta Trail as well so maybe we'll find out more then . And then , honestly , some of what I'm looking forward to is just riding some urban trails around Asheville . I've done that before and it's really sweet as more and more areas come back online , as the parks get linked up and opened up . Hopefully there'll be a little bit more time to ride down there , but I

Future Trails and Final Thoughts

Speaker 1 21:33

love going through those green spaces down near the River Arts District , back up to New Belgium and then maybe even throughout the city as well .

Speaker 1 21:53

Thanks for riding along with me today , for giving space to this reflection and for letting me share a different kind of adventure story From the quiet mornings on the Virginia Creeper Trail to the laughter and crisp air of Breckenridge with my daughter , to crossing a river on a rail . Creeper Trail to the laughter and crisp air of Breckenridge with my daughter . To crossing a river on a rail trail bridge in Kentucky , to that perfect afternoon with my wife on the Thermobelt Trail . I've enjoyed every moment and experience on these trails that I'm traveling these days . Each moment , each mile reminded me that adventure doesn't have to be loud or extreme to be meaningful . It can be smooth pavement instead of rocky switchbacks . It can be found in your hometown , not just in a national park . It can be shared in silence or filled with conversation , whatever the trail brings that day .

Speaker 1 22:34

If you've got a favorite trail , whether it's one you ride weekly or one you stumbled onto while traveling , I'd truly love to hear about it . Your story might inspire someone else to give these trails a try , or even redefine what adventure means to them . Send me a voice memo , drop a message on Instagram or Facebook or shoot me an email at mike at explorationlocalcom , and , who knows , your story might just make it into a future episode . If you enjoyed today's show , it would mean a lot if you left a review and hit that subscribe button so you don't miss out on what's coming next . So , wherever you are , whether you're on a forest path , a rail trail or sitting on a porch with a view . I hope that you will keep exploring Because , at the end of the day , adventure isn't always out there . Sometimes it's just around the next bend . Thanks again for listening . Until next time . Wander far , but explore local .