walking – trailchaser2020

Conservation Trail – Mammot Rd to Sumner Rd

I put on my favorite Darn Tough socks.

I ate a good breakfast. (My husband made it for me.)

I laced up my boots and threw my pack into the car.

I had packed my big backpack the night before with all the essentials. You know, everything you need on a short day hike. Stove, pots, 2 liters of water, rain gear, head lamp, emergency blanket, extra clothes, gloves, food for two days. I just wanted to be prepared – I am in training after all.

I asked my nephew to hike with me and was happy he agreed. Matthew hikes fast and doesn’t complain when I can’t keep up.

My husband drove us to the trail head on Getman Road and I discovered a very fast moving stream about shin deep right across the trail. I wasn’t familiar with this trail head, but I looked up and down the creek and couldn’t find a way across that wouldn’t mean hiking in wet boots the rest of the way, so we moved to Plan B.

Plan B was entering the trail at Mammot Road. We would have had to hike .7 miles on this road anyway, now we will avoid the road walk. I peeked down the trail before making the commitment to the hike. It seemed wet, but not impassable. I sent my husband on his way back home and Matthew and I took off down the trail.

We encountered many, many “puddles” aka swampy areas. Matt has LONG legs and moves like a gazelle. I have short stubby legs and I lacked any finesse hopping over these areas, especially carrying my full pack. I prayed my boots stayed dry and the prayer worked. And I really sloshed through the water. As long as it wasn’t over my ankle I was good. (I love my Keen boots!)

img_20170121_091531 — This was a small puddle, I kept my camera put away while hiking through the deep stuff!

Matt and I stuck close together while the ground was a giant puddle but once the trail dried out, Matt was off like a flash. The trail was very easy to follow. The bright orange blazes were close together and I knew Matt would be able to follow it no problem.

Matt backtracked a little to find me and told me saw a railroad track ahead. Sure enough we came upon the track and glanced in both directions. No trains in sight. Drat. That would have been a treat to see a train so close. We didn’t want to wait around not knowing the schedule at all.

We spotted the orange flag in a tree branch indicating the trail entrance and Matt took off again. I stopped a few times to take some pictures, look at the sky, admire the forest and listen to the birds. We didn’t see any deer, only their footprints and some scat.

We saw some gorgeous waterfalls, including one that I drive by everyday and didn’t even know that it was there! It was spectacular especially with all the snow melt and rain we had recently.

We crossed Broadway into Darien Lake State Park. We found the log book and signed in.

It started to really warm up so I stopped to take off my jacket and we had an impromptu snack time. After a few cheese puffs, beef jerky and red fish we were fortified.

I put a few red fish in my pocket and we continued our journey. It didn’t take long to come across the blue trail to the lean to.

I gave Matt the option to hike it and he declined so we continued on following the orange blazes towards Sumner Road.

We actually heard a tree fall somewhere nearby and we both stopped in our tracks. We looked at each other relieved that it wasn’t a bear crashing through the woods to eat us. Then I found a ninja tree stump! Tell me it doesn’t look like ninja??

The trail ends at a parking lot on Sumner Road, so when I started hearing traffic I called my husband to pick us up. Timed right we wouldn’t wait long for him. We exited the trail and found a picnic bench, snacked again and had a drink. I picked up trash I found in the lot.

It was a beautiful day of nearly 60 degrees in January. It took us about two hours to hike about 4 miles. Matt said he’d be up to hiking this trail again when it was dry!

I have a few other trails up my sleeve for us, too! I just ordered and received a bunch of maps from the Finger Lakes Trail Conference. My goal this summer is to hike the Letchworth State Park branch trail of the FLT.

Trail? What trail?

So my husband has decided that he likes hiking with me! Yay!!!! He has a great sense of direction when I get turned around and he makes funny faces to keep me happy! That is all you need in a great hiking partner, right?

Last weekend we ventured out to the good ole’ Joe Panza Trail. It’s where my training for the Appalachian Trail began way back on July 20, 2015. I’ve been back there a few times since because it is so close to home. When we started out I asked him how far he wanted to go. I braced myself for his answer of one mile, but he surprised me when he said two miles! I was giddy! I set my app on my phone to measure our distance.

It’s nearly winter and we were bundled up, but it wasn’t raining. The trail is very flat and since I’ve been on it so many times, a little boring. Well, not today. I seem to always go a certain way on the trail. Today my husband turned left instead of right and right instead of left and low and behold we were OFF the trail! Where did the trail go? With all the leaves on the ground we somehow missed a turn and it was obvious we were no longer on the trail. We were walking along the creek and of course I knew we weren’t “lost” just not on a trail. I remembered that there was a geocache near where I thought we were so I opened the geocache app on my phone and checked. Nope. Not where I thought we were. At least now I had an idea of where we were since I could see the other geocaches that I have found in the park.

My husband checked the app and together we decided to hike next to the creek until we came to “something.” We slowly made our way along the creek. I found a green mossy tree that reminded me of a dinosaur foot and we found some litter. I didn’t have my backpack so I didn’t have a garbage bag, but we took turns carrying the trash. Which reminds me, I still have a yucky bottle cap in my puffy jacket pocket! About this time my app said we had hiked one mile!

We kept walking through the woods not positive where we were going to end up and then BAM! There was a trail! Well, I hope you weren’t worried! Jumping back on the trail dear husband again took a left instead of a right and the trail ended at an open field that was behind the high school. This time we knew the main trail was only about 200 feet to the right so we carefully made our way through the brush to the trail. At this point we were on the main trail so there was a garbage can where we unloaded the trash we found.

The Joe Panza trail has identification on some of the trees. We stopped to read a few and I hugged and loved on them. The red maple did not want to let me go and snagged my scarf.

I freed myself from the amorous maple and hubby and I then decided to play on some tree stumps! My husband tried to impersonate The Thinker pose. I think he looks a little constipated. When I showed my sister the picture of me posing on the tree stump she said I reminded her of a twirling ballerina inside a little girl’s jewelry box. Awe! I wasn’t even trying!

While heading back to the car my app said we had hiked 1.97 miles. It looked like we would make my husband’s goal of two miles by the time we reach the car. The last time we hiked we went about a mile. If we keep doubling our distance and if my husband could retire early, we could hike the Appalachian Trail together in 2020! I think I’ll start playing the Lotto!

Disclaimer: I try to make it a rule to not venture off trail. I understand it could harm the plant life and I could get really lost.

Hiking with a Spouse, Rain or Shine!

My husband and I met on a blind date. We spoke a few times on the phone before our first date, but that was WAY before cell phones and the internet. It was actually even an accident that we met at all. Loooong story. One thing I told him was that if he didn’t like camping in the rain, he wasn’t the right guy for me. I think I could feel him cringe through the phone. He asked me to marry him six weeks later. Apparently, there are many other things we love about each other and here we are twenty years later, through rain and shine!

My supportive husband has hiked and camped with me in the rain. He does it because he loves me and I love him for it! Now that I am training for my big Appalachian Trail thru hike I would like to hike longer and more miles. Husband, on the other hand, likes to keep it short and sweet. I compromise usually. This past Black Friday we “opted outside” instead of fighting through the crowds and shopping to save $5. Unfortunately, when we put on our hiking boots that morning it was raining. Not a hard rain, just an annoying sprinkle. I needed to get every moment outside that I could, rain or shine! My husband was excited to test out his new Merrell hiking boots in the rain. He wanted to be sure that his feet would be warm and dry the next day while tailgating before the Buffalo Bills game. (They were great!)

I packed my backpack and he packed two umbrellas. Hahahaha! He said he was going to use one and the other was for me. Now, I have heard of hikers using umbrellas on the trail, I just won’t be one of them. Fact, on the trail you’re going to get wet if it is raining. Just deal. The umbrellas went into the trunk anyway. I love that he was trying to take care of me!

We settled on hiking the Boy Scout trail in a local park. It’s only 3/4 mile long. Enough for my husband; a tease for me. My husband was going to use one of my hiking poles. He twisted and pulled it out too far and oops. I had to push and twist to get the darn thing back together! He said that my poles were shot and I should get new ones so he could have my old ones! Sounds good to me! (Please comment with recommendations!) Before I closed my trunk I asked him if he wanted his umbrella. He declined. Hardy soul that he is! He also likes to make funny faces when I take his picture!

We each had winter hats on and the sprinkle wasn’t even noticeable once we were on the trail. The Boy Scout Trail meanders along a creek. The water was really moving since it was raining. The trail is very flat although there is a little tiny hill at the end. We stopped to take some pictures near a tree. One side had horrible orange graffiti. I hate it when I see graffiti on trees!!! What is wrong with people? It makes me so angry and sad. On a different trail recently I even saw “Will you marry me?” each word spray painted on four separate trees! On other trees around it, they painted hearts. The vandal probably thought it was romantic and cute. NOT! If I were that unlucky girl I would say NO! and break up with the vandal then and there!

When my husband took the first graffiti filled picture, he didn’t say anything about it. I don’t know if he thought it was “normal” or if he thought it added to the artistic value of the photo or more likely he just didn’t “see” it. I was so disappointed and sad when I saw the photo on my phone with me smiling next to a graffiti covered tree. I asked him to retake the photo from the other side of the tree. I didn’t lose the meaning of the fact that the side of the tree with the graffiti was the side of the tree getting rained on. Like Mother Nature trying to wash it off by crying on it!

I didn’t let the graffiti spoil our hike. As we neared the last curve of the loop heading back to the car, my husband tried to sneak a short cut through the grass! I gently guided him to the tree line where the trail was. I needed every step available!

Later on that day we were driving somewhere and it was so sunny! Isn’t that how it works sometimes!

Reflecting back to our recent hike and our twenty year marriage I noticed that frequently we have different views, ideas and beliefs. We “see” things differently. We have learned to listen to each other and respect those differences. Opposites do indeed attract! I like to think we compliment each other. I’m horrible at math, he is a certified public accountant. He can program a computer, I can type on a computer. I’m good at planning things, he is a procrastinator. I run on emotion and he is very logical. It all works out.

Rain or shine, besides my shadow, my husband is my favorite hiking partner, on the trail and through life!

I AM NOT AFRAID! I AM NOT AFRAID!

Fabulous! Excited! Amazing! ALIVE!

I have a Bucket List. Do you? If not, you should! A Bucket List details things that you would like to accomplish during your lifetime. Recently, I was able to check off a couple things on my Bucket List.

Well, I’m trying to step outside my comfort zone in baby steps. It’s not easy for me to do things that I feel intimidated by. I know, I know, I want to thru hike the Appalachian Trail…pretty intimidating. So I have to start putting myself out there NOW.

One really fun thing I did off my Bucket List was participate in the Color Run. A Color Run is a 5K non race. Just my thing! During the run/walk/skipping along the course there are “Color Zones” where a bunch of people throw different colored powder at you. There’s an orange zone, pink zone, blue zone, purple zone, you get the drift. By the end of the course you are covered head to toe in different colors.

All clean. The before shot. Polka dot socks!

Yes, that is a HAPPY silver tattoo on my chest.

Participating in the Color Run was a little intimidating for me. I was afraid you had RUN or JOG the whole thing. Heaven forbid!! NOT TRUE!!! The more I read other people’s experiences I was satisfied that I could just walk or skip or jog a tiny bit. Unfortunately, the night before the race I was anxious. I didn’t want to go alone. I was ready to back out. My registration was paid, I had my t-shirt and polka-dot socks, but I was NERVOUS! My husband came to my rescue, like he often does, and when I asked him if he would join me on the course, he said he would. He is such a trooper. We both got thoroughly covered in different colors and we walked pretty much the entire way, but at the end we still got shiny silver medals and we weren’t the last ones across the finish line!

Another thing I really had to do was sleep outside in the woods all by myself. Since I was a little girl I’ve been afraid of the dark. Now, I’ve outgrown being afraid while in the darkness of my house. Mostly…but especially when my dogs or others are around. When I am with others outside in the dark, easy; I’m not scared really at all. If I am alone outside, with only a tent, how will I do? Well, I survived!

I started out with a baby step. I slept in my backyard! Now, I have a very woodsy backyard. Where I slept, I couldn’t see my house, but I could see my shed. It was pitch black out.

img_20160818_204214 — I know I heard something weird…

I knew my dogs and husband were only a few hundred feet away. I knew I could easily walk back to my house in the dark. I also had a headlamp and my phone so I had light. Like I said, baby steps. It was also a baby step for my husband. He loves to worry! He was pretty freaked out about me sleeping outside by myself. It was good for both of us. I slept okay and managed to not freak out more than twice from the weird noises. When I woke up at 6 am, I walked to the house and slept another couple hours in my bed.

Just this past weekend I decided it was now or never to actually camp out in the woods away from home. I convinced my husband to drop me off at a nearby trail head where I knew about 2 miles down the trail was a lean to. We left late in the day so I wouldn’t be at the lean to bored out of my mind for too long before bed.

There was one car in the parking lot and as any worry wart would, my husband took a picture of their license plate. As I hiked, the woods became darker and darker. I forgot how it gets darker in the woods more quickly.

Whew. I made it to the lean to and unpacked my gear. I started a small fire in the fire ring, and I mean small.

While settling in I realized the mosquitoes were going to kill me. Even with repellent on. There were mouse droppings in the lean to. I felt exposed. And scared. And nervous. And worried. And And And!

So, in the dusk, I rapidly set up my tent. I’m so glad it’s so easy! In less than 15 minutes I was snug as a bug inside my tent watching the fire die out.

I love looking at my little home away from home.

Somehow during my rush I butt dialed my mother. When I realized it and put the phone to my ear and heard her beautiful voice it was like magic! It was like I was cheating a little though. I was supposed to be outside in the woods overnight by myself. Well, my mother couldn’t do anything to protect me when she is just on the other end of the phone so we chatted for 10 minutes and she encouraged me and I felt so much more brave!

Inside my tent that night I could hear the nearby amusement park roller coaster and what I thought were the screams of the riders! It’s crazy how sound travels. Then I heard their fireworks at 9pm and then again at 10pm. Then it was eerily silent. Just the sounds of the forest around me. The call of a barred owl, the miscellaneous insects and some weird licking sound? Seriously??!!?? I heard a raccoon and YELLED at it! It must have run off because I never heard it’s chittering sound again. I kept hearing the “licking” sound, though. Like my dog licking his paw over and over and over…ugh. I have no idea what that was, and I don’t care. I just turned Adele Radio on and drowned it out for 20 minutes. It worked. I fell asleep and dreamed. I posted a 4 minute video at the end of this article if you want to know really how my night was and what my dream was about. Just be kind; it was a no makeup kind of day.

My body clock finally woke me at my usual time just before the sunrise and gradually I could hear the forest waking up all around me. The birds began their morning songs and I debated whether to hike for awhile or just head back to the trail head and have my husband pick me up. I started my little stove and ate hot granola with blueberries.

img_20160905_065553 — This was delicious.

As I walked around the trees while eating and breathing in the sweet morning air I felt exhilarated! I made it through the night! But, I wanted to go home. I packed up and headed back.

Baby steps.

Next time I will hike longer in, camp out and hike longer out. All by myself. Sigh. Now to just do it.

A couple other small things I have checked off my Bucket List is making a little gnome home. I did that at the base of one of the largest red oak trees in Erie County, which happens to be in my front yard.

The other thing checked off was that I had wanted my picture taken with Shark Girl. She is a lot like me! Quite a resemblance. Especially the teeth!

Also at Canalside in Buffalo was the world’s largest rubber duck. I didn’t realize that seeing it was on my bucket list until I heard about it. But, how could you NOT go see the world’s LARGEST rubber ducky! It was 6 stories tall and weighs about one ton!

Next week on my bucket list is: I get to meet Alison Arngrim. She is the actress that played Nellie Oleson on Little House on the Prairie. Can’t wait!

The week after that I have PRK eye surgery scheduled. That will cross off another thing on my Bucket List! No glasses for me on my thru hike!

Whew…that’s quite enough for now!

As promised here is the scary video! Sorry about the vertical video. I’m learning!

Checked off another one on the bucket list! Add video to my blog!

Sunbeams, Berries and Shaggy Bark

Hubby was napping after work. Shhhhh!!!! Don’t wake him! I quickly and quietly slipped on my new Keen sandals and threw my backpack into the car and zipped over to one of my favorite trails – Creation Walk Nature Trail. I knew with the drought we’ve been experiencing that the creek would be low and wanted to try out my sandals with a little creek walking.

The parking lot was empty and I had the whole park to myself! The sunshine was bouncing rays and sunbeams through the branches of the trees onto the path in front of me.

It looked just magical! When I entered the creek I noticed that there appeared to be a circle of light in the creek. Can you see it in the next picture? Is this where Scotty will “Beam me up?” I stood in the light for a few minutes, but the only thing that happened was that I started to sweat! Oh, well!

The water was cold and my sandals kept me upright easily. They have a sturdy bottom. I’m glad, because I had left my hiking poles in my car. I splashed my way along the creek bed until I was satisfied my sandals were thoroughly soaked!

My Keen sandals were keeping my feet very happy, in, and out of the water!

After my little creek walk my stomach was growling because I had skipped dinner. That’s when I noticed that along the trail were BERRY BUSHES!!!

I’m not a berry expert, but they looked like black raspberry bushes. They were so sweet and delicious! I laughed out loud when I took the picture of the berries in my mouth (top photo – How could you miss it?) and one flew out of my mouth and landed on the trail! Five second rule. I ate it.

I was having WAY too much fun picking and eating berries! I picked up the pace a little bit and nearly ran smack into a little green worm making its way down from the leaves above. Little stinker! Can you see him?

How about now? Right in the center.

I tried to put my hand behind him to give it some background, but it stuck right to me! Yuck!! Luckily, it was easily removed and I didn’t have to kill it! What an adventure this has been!

This path is ingrained in my soul and I knew my favorite tree was coming up! The Shagbark hickory! Like the name implies, the bark of the mature tree is shaggy! (The young ones have smooth bark.) The nut of the Shagbark hickory is edible and sweet. I haven’t tried one yet. You know I will eventually.

Me and my love!

For some reason after hugging my Shagbark hickory, I became very romantic and took a few photos of the flowers I noticed on the way back to my car.

IMG_20160802_183833458 — Shelly, what is this???? Didn’t we learn this one on the nature walk we took when we first met. I think I remember the name, do you?

IMG_20160802_184342951 — There was an amazing perfume drifting from this group!

IMG_20160802_183706799 — Not a flower, but beautiful, just the same!

This was one of my favorite hikes on this trail yet! Every time I visit here there is something new to see and experience! It wasn’t physically challenging, but it was good for my soul!

Take care and hike on!

**The Keen sandals are a keeper! I just wish they weren’t so doggone heavy!

Alone to Explore!

Ah, alone time. As much as I love to hike with others, I love much more to hike alone. There is something about the quiet solitude and keeping my own pace that I find very peaceful.

After leaving a detailed note for my napping hubby on where I would be I set off for Darien Lakes State Park. My plan was to hike the Conservation Trail that runs through the park, turn around and hike back to the car.

It was windy, warm and a great day for being outside. When I parked my car there were two other cars in the small lot at the trail head. I didn’t anticipate seeing anyone though as this is a big park! The trail started at the top of a gully and I could look down and see the creek that looked pretty dry. Don’t worry, I stayed away from the edge!

The Conservation Trail runs from Pennsylvania to Canada for about 177 miles. The trail was built and is maintained by Foothills Trail Club of Western New York. The Conservation Trail is part of the Finger Lakes Trail System which extends eastward across New York State to the Catskills. I’ve hiked other sections of this trail in Hunter’s Creek Park and Akron Falls Park and others. I was impressed by the trail markings here. You really can’t get lost on this trail!

This trail looked like a lot of people used it. Or, so I thought.

Yes, there is a trail here. Or there usually is! The grass is growing so fast the trail is almost obscured, but I could just barely make out the orange blaze on the tree at the far end of the picture!

Don’t worry I sprayed myself with Deet and checked myself for ticks after this hike! I found one on my shirt sleeve. Killed that sucker!

Not long after that crazy overgrown section, a perfectly new, beautiful boardwalk appeared. The dragonflies were bouncing off the ground ahead of me enjoying the sunshine even more than me!

Some of the trail was mucky and trail maintainers or other hikers had used large sticks and logs to try to cover the mud in the path. It worked for the most part. I don’t mind getting my boots muddy anyway.

After hiking a while I saw a blue trail blaze. On the Appalachian Trail a “blue blaze” will take you to a shelter, water, vista, or other point of interest off of the “white blazed” Appalachian Trail. Here, the Conservation Trail is “orange blazed” and this “blue blaze” led to a lean-to!

Of course, I just had to check it out! I figured it would add an extra mile to my hike, so I would do it on my way back. I nearly sprinted to finish up getting to the trail head at the other end of the park because I wanted to go back to see this darn lean-to!

Here is a pretty photo of the trail at the opposite end from where I started.

Doesn’t this look so incredibly inviting? It pulls me in like a magnet.

Those rocks lining the trail’s entrance are perfect. I imagine it could have been easy to just create the trail by clearing the way, but to add the rocks at the entrance to welcome you and make it beautiful just brightens my day. Thank you to those people that lugged those rocks and put them in place for me to enjoy!

Okay, enough of that. I hiked back to the blue blaze trail head to go to the lean-to and then for a horrified moment realized I left a note that explained I would be only on the Conservation Trail, not on a side trail. In case something happened to me I would want someone to know where to find me. I checked my cell service and realized I had service and could call for help if needed. I was fine. I should have sent my husband a text so he knew, but I didn’t. I guess I figured the bloodhounds would find me. Ugh, the things solo hikers worry about.

The half-mile blue blazed trail was not as well maintained as the Conservation Trail. Probably not as well used, either. It was mucky, but fun! Here is what I found at the end!!! (Hint: I think if you click on a picture it will get bigger so you can see it better!)

As I approached the lean-to from the trail.

Safe for maybe your food and security and a broom to clean up.

Justin Yaw Eagle Scout Project, May 24, 2003 Troop 67 Corfu, NY

Looking out from the lean-to. Great picnic spot.

Now I wish I had packed my overnight pack! I could have been right at home here! This lean-to was Justin Yaw’s Eagle Scout project on May 24, 2003, Troop 67, Corfu, NY! How awesome is that! This Eagle Scout is a man now, moved on to bigger and more important things I’m sure. He has no idea that a crazy hiker lady just fell in love with his little lean-to he built back in 2003!

The wind was picking up and the sun was getting lower and I was getting hungry for dinner! So, I picked up the pace and headed back to the car, but not before I heard a wild turkey, saw a chipmunk, squirrel and a bear. Oh wait, no, there wasn’t a bear. It was my imagination. When you’re hiking alone, sometimes your head plays tricks on you!

It’s all good, keeps the heart pumping!

Until next time! Hike on!

Mud, Bones and What am I doing????

I personally love the feeling of walking in mud. It’s squishy and soft and makes the grossest sound as you pull your foot out of a deep mud puddle. I love it! After a heavy downpour the trails are made of slippery, chocolate brown mud! Mud doesn’t stop me!

While hiking, one periodically comes across unusual things. Recently, after an uneventful 2 miles or so I noticed the decomposing leg of a deer had been draped on a tree branch. GROSS! Of course I took a picture because I’m morbid. I won’t put it here, but if you want to see it (you sick, sick person) I won’t judge you, just send me a message!

It was a bonus unusual day. Off the trail about 50 feet was a little white cross. Someone must have buried their pet in the woods. Or was it the remains of the deer and someone put a cross over it. I decided to admire the cross from trail just in case whatever was there wasn’t completely buried!

IMG_20160309_174121045 — Shelly and I didn’t waste anytime getting away from the decomposing bones!

Hiking with different people I don’t know, I generally ask them, “How do you spend your time outside of hiking?” Almost always, the answer I get is, “Work.” Well, besides that!? Next the answers are about their children or grandchildren, pets, education and travel.

When I am asked that question the first thing I want to tell people is about my family. Dave (my husband) and Carl (my son) are my most favorite people! My two golden retrievers are great hiking buddies, too!

Another hobby I enjoy is hand crafting homemade greeting cards. I have a room in my house dedicated to my stamps and crafts! I also love Halloween, cooking and reading everything I can about the AT.

Truth be told, I really just want to talk about hiking the Appalachian Trail. I want to talk about my gear, maps, books, planning – YOU NAME IT! My hike may be 3.7 years from now (or maybe sooner if I can manage it) but I eat, sleep, and breathe the AT.

I’m planning a trip to Gatlinburg, TN in late April and plan to visit many trails there. I had made a promise to myself to not hike any of the AT until I started my thru hike. I wanted everything to be new on the trail. Now I have a chance to go to Clingman’s Dome! I should do it, right? Or, should I not? I should. Maybe not. Ugh!

In reality I should be focusing on planning and preparing for a backpacking trip I am taking to the Allegheny National Forest in ONE WEEK! Shelly and I are spending one night on a trail out there. I’m very nervous about putting up my tent. I will be practicing it over and over in my yard this week! I’ll be documenting my success or lack thereof!

As you can tell, it is Spring and I’m excited for backpacking season to begin. I’m looking forward to wearing my heavier pack on some trails to get more accustomed to it.

Happy Trails and thanks for following my adventures in training for my thru hike of the AT!

Chasing Waterfalls

I hadn’t worn my boots in over a week. It’s funny how I began to miss them! My name was sitting on a “waitlist” for a hike to chase waterfalls in a nearby State Park. I checked my phone for alerts every half hour hoping my name would be put on the “confirmed” list. I woke up at 7:00 a.m. the day of the hike and saw that I was finally confirmed. Enough people had backed out, clearing a spot for me! Jumping out of bed and scaring the dogs, I hurried to shower and pack my backpack.

The December day was forecast to be in the 60’s and nice. I was looking forward to being outside and among friends on the trail. Stepping outside it was foggy, damp and dreary – it did not look promising. Driving to the park it began to sprinkle. It still felt more like an April day than a December day, so I carried on.

The group was beginning to assemble at the meeting point and it started to rain harder. People were changing their RSVPs to No every couple minutes and before we knew it, we had only 14 people instead of 25. The rain was putting sour faces on most of us, but no one backed out. We all hoped it would stop soon and lucky for us it did.

Fog was still settled below.

We were chasing down a number of waterfalls in the park and since there hadn’t been much rain, except for the little that fell early in the morning, the waterfalls were only trickling.

Our leader, Chuck took us past interesting old ruins of park infrastructure. The park was built in the 30’s and many of the old stone incinerators and mysterious buildings remain. A few took us a minute to figure out what they might have been used for. I still don’t know what this large dog house building would be. It had no floor – only mud, trash and a large pipe running through it.

We eventually chased down a few waterfalls. Not very exciting this time of year with no water rushing over them, but beautiful, just the same.

Just a trickle. I swear there is a waterfall here.

Chuck said this one wasn’t on his list, but it was flowing better than any of the other waterfalls!

There’s a teeny tiny waterfall in the middle of this picture. It didn’t make Chuck’s list either.

This hike felt different to me than any other so far. I was talking to everyone, breathing easily and having so much fun. My feet were even smiling in my boots! There were a couple of challenging, steep inclines and I was glad I brought my hiking poles. They sure do come in handy. Chuck had us walking in the creek bed in order to view another waterfall. The creek bed was SLIPPERY! Those poles saved me from getting wet! So did Ali – my happy Drill Sargent was there lending a supportive hand and motivational words whenever I needed it!

At the edge of the park there was a marker engraved with the name, Cliford Robert Pettis, State Forester. Of course, I had to “Google” his name! Turns out he was named the “Father of Reforestation” and was the New York State Forest Superintendent from 1910-1927. Seems this man was responsible for the planting of 20,000,000 trees in New York State. Here is a website if you want to learn more: https://localwiki.org/hsl/Clifford_R._Pettis.

Nearing the end of the hike we were climbing and climbing. My heart was beating out of my chest! My face was RED! I reminded myself that this is why I am in training for my thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. As long as I am still breathing I will get through it! I concentrated on my slow even breathing and setting small little goals. For example on one steep section of trail I concentrated on different shape rocks ahead of me and told myself to get to that one rock, then the next rock, then the next weird looking root, then the next bright leaf in trail. Sometimes these goals were only 2 feet apart, but it worked!

Luckily the last steep climb landed us right at the parking lot near our cars. I quickly caught my breath and we said our farewells. My muddy boots and poles needed a little TLC.

	Janine B. on Déjà vu All Over Again
	Karen Godshall on Déjà vu All Over Again
	Melissa Sorci Taft on Déjà vu All Over Again
	Mariely on Déjà vu All Over Again
	Jeff on Déjà vu All Over Again

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