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Rick's Hiking & Fun Group

Beverly Shores, IN, US

3,935 members · Public group

Organized by Rick Malkowski and 7 others

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What we’re about

I started Rick's Hiking & Fun Group a few days after 9/11/01 to bring people together for fun, friendship and community, both outdoors and in.

At first I advertised in the Chicago Reader, then on Craig's List, and starting in 2009, on meetup. the group had 181 events before joining meetup, so you can add that number to the meetup total for the true number of events.

To view some scenes from the early days of the group from 2002-2005, see https://www.angelfire.com/trek/rickhike/ .

We do hiking, game nights, dining out, conversation salons, music events, house concerts, potlucks, etc. we hike at a leisurely pace, stop to smell the roses, and value socializing. we welcome you, please join us.

Rick

...and remember “The world is full of nice people. If you can't find one, be one.”
~Nishan Panwar.

Upcoming events (4+)

Sat, Jul 5, 2025, 10:00 AM CDTHiking at Turkey Run State Park
Turkey Run State Park Nature Center, Marshall, IN
note: this hike will largely be of interest for our members in the Lafayette-Terre Haute area.

just wanted to make sure you know that if you're coming from the Indiana Lake Michigan shoreline, this is a good 3 hour drive. location is in the Eastern time zone.

this hike will be a collaboration with

Wabash Valley Hiking & Social Group https://www.meetup.com/wabash-valley-hiking-social-meetup-group/

Dear hiking friends-

Please join us for an adventurous hike at Turkey Run State Park. This will be a moderately challenging hike of approximately 5-6 miles.

We will meet at the Nature Center parking lot at 11 AM EST (10 am CST) and head for the trails by 11:15 am. Turkey Run State Park charges an entrance fee of $7 per vehicle, or you may enter using an annual Indiana State Park pass. There are indoor restrooms located at the Nature Center.
We will start on trail 2 entering Box Canyon, winding around through Gypsy Gulch, before crossing over the Narrows Covered Bridge onto trail 4.

We will hike trail 4 until it merges with trial 3, one of the most scenic trails in the park. We will descend along the creek that runs through Rocky Hollow Canyon, past the Punch Bowl. (Anticipate getting your shoes/boots wet on this part of the trail.) There are a few small waterfalls on trail 3, which really contribute to the beauty of this hike. *Please note this section of this hike is rugged, and may not be possible for dogs or young children.

Once we exit Rocky Hollow, we will continue on trail 3, through the Ice Box, and then we will climb up the "Ladders." (Note this section of the trail may not be possible for dogs or young children.) While each of the three ladders are secured to the canyon wall, each ladder is approximately 25 foot long, with no alternative means for ascending this portion of the trail.

Once we've reached the top, we will take a short break for water/trail snacks. From here, we will pick up trail 5 as a connection to trail 9, where we will hike down into Boulder Canyon.

Finally, passing through Boulder and Falls Canyon, we will finish by hiking trail 5 along Sugar Creek, following 3 all the way back to the Suspension Bridge. Climbing the 70 steps, and returning to our vehicles at the Nature Center parking lot.

Although we will be planning for only the group hike and lunch afterwards, there is so much to do in the Turkey Run area that you may want to spend the weekend here. Other options include kayak, canoe, or inner tube floats down Sugar Creek. These can be rented from local Sugar Valley Canoe trips "sugarvalleycanoes.com" or a little further towards Crawfordsville at Clements Canoes Outdoor Center "clementscanoes.com"

Reservations for the Turkey Run Inn and Cabins can be made from the "booking.com" website.

Campsite reservations for Turkey Run, or nearby Shades State Park can be found at "indianastateparks.reserveamerica.com"

Additional camping sites can be found at Peaceful Waters Campground at "peacefulwaterscampground.com", or Turkey Run Canoe & Camping at "turkeyruncanoeandcamping.com", or Sugar Creek Campground & Canoe at "sugarcreekcampground.com" or Lake Waveland Park at
" https://thedyrt.com/camping/indiana/indiana-lake-waveland-park ."

Hope to see you on the trails!

Erin
4 attendees
Sat, Jul 5, 2025, 10:00 AM CDTDune Park Train Station to Bird Observatory: a Moderate Hike
Dune Park, Porter, IN
10am CT 11am ET

In order to avoid the traffic on the holiday weekend, we'll park at the train station and approach the State park on foot

This route involves some easy sidewalk strolling, and some sand-hill climbing along a lesser know side of the state park.

We'll start at the Train station, go over the tracks, and walk the sidewalk next to the road leading to the state park for almost a mile. Then we turn left to the lesser explored side of the park. There are some quiet trails over and around some grassy dunes, finally arriving at the bird tower.

The architecturally cool "bird observation platform" looks out over the lake and beach from the top of a dune. We'll probably go down to the lake from there, enjoy the view-- then return mostly the way we came.

Difficulty
East/Moderate. The total distance is about 3.5 miles. Half of that is walking on pavement. The other half involves climbing some sand hills, which provides the challenge. The duration should be closer to 2 hours than 3.

Details

Bathrooms are available at the train station, and not too far away from the bird platform

In case of bad weather the hike may be moved

Dogs are allowed on a leash

Entrance
Parking is free at the Dune Park station.

Technically a pass is required to hike into the State Park. But this route will not take us past the checkpoint. I have an annual pass and consider that sufficient. I leave it to you to take care of your admission.

Feel free to text or call me at 217-717-7860 for last minute details.

Hope to see you there,
Jonathan
11 attendees+6
Sat, Jul 12, 2025, 10:00 AM CDTWest Beach: Succession Loop and Long Lake Trail
Indiana Dunes- West Beach, Portage, IN
Time 10am CT, 11pm ET

This loop has a lot of variety-- open sandy country, the edge of a lake, deep woods, the beach along the lake-- and a high series of stairs over the dunes. The hike will end at the beach.

Difficulty
There are two ways to do this hike. The full thing is a moderately hard hike of 4.5 miles. There is a lot of up and down, but the worst of that is on stairs, instead of loose sand. But there are a lot of stairs, about 75 vertical feet.

If that is a bit much, you can skip the stairs, just do the first 2.5 miles, which ends up next to the parking lot. You can take the easy, paved way to the beach from there if you like.

Don't worry, you don't have to decide which way you want to go until we get to the stairs. There are also a few other easy shortcuts back I can point out if you run out of energy, so this is a great event if you don't know how much you can do.

Starting Location
We'll gather near the far end of the parking lot, near the bathrooms, and the the path to the beach. Basically you want to keep driving until you can't get any closer to the lake.

West Beach, Portage, IN

Coordinates: 41.62258° N, 87.20811° W

>> Make sure your GPS is pointed to the right place. See the map in the photo gallery

Details
• Dogs are allowed on leash
• Bring some water
• Bathrooms are next to the parking lot
• In case of bad weather the hike may be moved.

Parking
This is the first day of National Park Week. No entrance fee.

You can call or text me at 217-717-7860 for last minute questions or details.

Hope to see you there,
Jonathan

Photos from recent hikes here:
https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/34596724/
https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/33821474/
https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/34866205/
4 attendees
Sun, Jul 13, 2025, 9:45 AM CDTBeverly Shores Garden & Art Walk
Beverly Shores, Beverly Shores, IN
note: we will meet outside in front of the Administration Building at 9:45, and depart on foot at 10:00. if you don't see us in front of the Administration Building, check outside the Depot.

if you arrive late, and we are already gone, continue on the route yourself, from the map you receive when you sign in, and you will probably run into us. to identify me if we haven't met, i will be wearing a crimson hat with that says "Easthampton MA" on it. you may also call me at 773-415-0428

dear friends--

we invite you to an eclectic day of gardens, art, walking, maybe an outdoor lunch, and the fellowship of friendly, interesting folks.
together we will visit the Beverly Shores Residents Association 2025 Garden and Art Walk. we first took this walk in 2015 when my wife, Hilary's garden was one of the featured stops, and then again in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2024.

here is what to expect this year--

2025 Beverly Shores Garden and Art Walk, Sunday, July 13, 2025

Garden Play – Inside and Out
This year we invite you to step beyond gates and doorways to enjoy our gardens inside and out. Each stop on this year’s tour will feature unique perspectives and features created by nature and the homeowners. You will be able to view some gardens from inside the houses.

Plein air artists will be painting onsite and some paintings will be available for sale.

Tickets are available only in advance at www.absr.org for $20. You may use your ticket to enter the drawing for an original painting by a local artist. Check in between 10am – noon for wristbands (required for transportation and entry to the gardens), maps and brochures of the locations.

Register here: 2025 Garden and Art Walk - 7/13/2025

Parking is limited. We encourage guests to use bicycles and golf carts, or ride the shuttle bus. In addition, guests must be able to manage stairs at some houses.
All proceeds from this event benefit the gardens maintained by Association of Beverly Shores Residents and Environmental Restoration Group.

for more details on this year's event see https://absr.org/

we will visit the gardens and art displays on foot, for a hike of about 2-4 miles linking the locations. i will do at least part of the tour in our beautiful golf cart, Bluesheen. i can take up to 3 additional people on each leg. travel at your own risk, no seat belts--this is a golf cart.

i want to emphasize that signing up on my meetup site does not get you admission to the Garden Walk. you must sign up with the Garden Walk organizers too, at the website below to pre-order tickets, or else at the door.

be sure to check the weather just before the hike so you can be prepared with whatever gear is necessary http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/Beverly+Shores+IN+46301 . bring at least a quart of water (two is better), and a snack you can eat on our rest stop. bring sunscreen, appropriate footwear, and a hat with a brim. bring a mask in case we may need one.

after the garden walk, we may cross the street for an al fresco lunch at The Goblin and the Grocer.

We hope to see you for a pleasant day of gardens and art,

Rick

the South Shore train station has bathrooms and running water. please try to arrive by 9:45, go to The Depot in the train station, and either sign in or claim your wrist band if pre-registered. we will gather outside The Depot, and depart at 10:00.

if you can't find us, call me at 773-415-0428.

photos from previous Garden and Art Walks

2015 https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/26179445/

2017 https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/27993316/

2018 https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/29026906/

2019 https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/30036943/

2021 https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/31519408/

2022 https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/32447802/

2024 https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/34733972/
30 attendees+25

Past events (941)

Fri, Jul 4, 2025, 9:00 AM CDT🛤️ Parke County Covered Bridge Tour 🚗
This event has passed
3 attendees

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