As I was hiking yesterday at New Germany State Park, I heard the voice of the D.C. Metro Goddess in my head softly stating, “Doors closing” in that sing-song voice, then more forcibly, “Please stand clear of the doors!”
I looked up through the now bare branches of trees to a steel gray sky. Doors have indeed closed on the season of Fall color here in western Maryland. It was a beautiful season starting right about at the Fall Equinox in September with a few golden leaves, then reaching its pinnacle about the third week in October with reds, golds, and browns. A lovely time of year!
When Fall began, I felt the frenetic energy down in my bones! I rushed to drink it all in before the turn to the darker months of Winter. And wow, did I ever scramble to get the most out of Fall! I got out to hike at Monocacy National Battlefield, the C&O Canal, Shawnee State Park, the Appalachian Trail, Coopers Rock State Forest, New Germany State Park, and Rocky Gap State Park!
A hike on the Appalachian Trail to sit in the woods and write in our journals
I led a “Journaling in Nature” hike for the Maryland Trail Dames. This is an event focused on being present in the forest. We hike in with our journals and supplies, then find a spot to sit for about an hour to tap into our senses and journal. Many of our Dames don’t feel comfortable sitting in the woods alone to journal, so this gives them the opportunity. It is a great experience and was one of my favorite hikes this season!
Below are a few photos from other hikes. I was blessed to be able to take in all this beauty before the temperatures dipped, the winds kicked up, and the rain fell.
Now I hear the Cailleach calling!
A stop at Monroe Run Overlook after a hike at New Germany State Park
Along the C&O Canal near Spring Gap, Maryland
November brings a different vibe into my life. One of burrowing down into the coziness of indoor life. Oh, I still go hiking, but afterwards I look forward to a hot shower, a hot chocolate with a dash of Kahlua, and cozy cuddles with my kitties on the couch! 😻
One of my favorite Winter activities is to bring out my hiking maps and use the time to dream up and plan next Summer’s adventures! I have a lot to look forward to!
New Germany State Park on November 4, 2023…all the leaves are gone!
For now, the Metro Goddess is correct, the doors are closing or possibly have closed…I wonder where that next stop will be? 🥾🥾
Any suggestions for hikes in western Maryland…or within 100 miles of Cumberland, MD? Let me know in the comments! Always up for a new adventure!
The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail (LHHT) runs from Laurel Ridge State Park to Ohiopyle State Park in Pennsylvania. The elevation profile for the entire 70 – miles of the trail is fairly level, with the ends having elevation a bit more extreme, and miles 0 – 11 having the MOST extreme elevation changes of the entire trail.
So, guess where I initiated myself to the LHHT? 😁 Along with Queen V, who is up for all the adventures…better or worse.
Hiking the LHHT requires preplanning as one needs to reserve the shelters for overnight use. It will cost a small fee to reserve, but it is worth every bit! You can have the entire shelter to yourself! Each shelter has a fireplace, plenty of hooks to hang items, and even a place to put up a hammock. The shelter area includes a nice pit toilet with separate building for men/women, trash cans, a pump (non-potable water), and a wood splitting area stocked with firewood. If you are a backpacker, can you imagine such a glamping setup in the backcountry?!! I mean…you don’t have to pack out your trash! I dropped trash into the bin at least five times in the span of twelve hours just because I could!!
Planning this overnight backpacking trip back in April I reached out to my backpacker gal pals to see who wanted to go…seven of them were like HELL YEAH, SIGN ME UP! And I did, reserving two shelters for us. Reflecting on this now, I won’t reserve for everyone next time. Why? Because life intervened to a point where five of those who had signed up could not come along. The reservation system is easy to navigate and this trail is not as populated as say, the Appalachian Trail, so next time each can make their own reservation. Just makes it cleaner if they need to cancel.
Another hiking friend, Cathryn, wanted to go last minute which was great…because we had PLENTY of room! 😄 More importantly, neither Queen V or myself had hiked with Cathryn in a while and looked forward to reconnecting with her.
We met up at Ferncliff parking area in Ohiopyle, the southernmost trailhead for the LHHT at MILE 0, then I shuttled the three of us to Jersey Hollow parking area, MILE 11-ish. A trail kiosk, that had paper maps of the LHHT available, greeted us, and we each greedily snatched one. Honestly, you would have thought we’d won the lottery or something. Ka-ching! Seriously, though, having a paper map is a good idea for this trail as we did not have cell service for most of our trek back to Ohiopyle.
Storing our coveted maps, we started down the trail towards the Ohiopyle Shelter. What a fantasy land! A dense fog laden woods with large boulders covered with ferns and moss. Water dripped from the ends of the moss that hung over the sides of boulders. Add the reds and golds of trees and other foliage that have turned as Autumn enters…and ohhhhhhhh, such hobbit-like lushness!
Early fall foliage added so much value to this hike! And I was incredibly thankful for something to be thankful for as my knees took a beating on the downhill to the shelter. Good lord almighty, that was long, steep, downhill littered with little rolling rocks and acorns. Slow going and demoralizing! I was elated to see the shelter sign…but that elation was short lived as my head turned from the sign to the side trail. Only the top of the trail was visible! Down, down, down. My thought, my actual thought, as I stood there, almost paralyzed, was I should have packed more Ibuprofen! Then I put one foot in front of the other and went on down.
We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the Ohiopyle Shelter area. Arriving early-ish in the day, we had a lot of time to relax, set up camp, and eat. Queen V brought a Red Velvet moon pie that she shared with me and that sugar buzz was better than any ibuprofen! Later in the evening the ranger came up to check on permits. He asked us where the rest of the people on the reservation were and jokingly said, “Please tell me I don’t have to go looking for them!” In our chat with him, he asked where we had started, where we had parked cars…the usual stuff. When I told him we had a car parked at Jersey Hollow, he paused and looked up. Oh no, I thought, what is wrong with Jersey Hollow…”What? Is it not safe?” I asked. He replied, “no, not that, but overnight parking is not allowed there.” Oh crap … crap, crap, crap! “Are they going to tow my car?” This is my first question and all I can think is that I am going to pay this man any amount of money to drive me to Jersey Hollow so I can move my car!
He let me know the worst that would happen is IF the game warden checked the lot, then it would be a ticket, like a $5 ticket. *whew* crisis averted!!!
The rest of the evening was delightful. I had my tent set up in my shelter and stayed cozy all night. There were some aches and pains as I carefully navigated each move of my body, but otherwise good!
Next morning the climb out of the shelter area was not as bad as anticipated and we were on our way once again! This trek was not as grueling as that downhill had been (Queen V’s opinion may differ 😏). It was a hard day, but not as soul crushing…except for the climb coming up to the MILE 5 marker. STEEP and the elevation on the profile did not match Queen V’s Garmin or how we felt! My strategy was to make sure to break when needed, drink lots of liquids to keep all my muscles well hydrated, and make a conscious effort to look up and enjoy the beauty that surrounded me. It worked!
Trudging back into Ohiopyle, we found lunch right on the trail at Falls City Pub & Restaurant. I downed two glasses of Pepsi before my meal of salmon wrap and onion rings arrived. That Pepsi hit the spot and the food was delicious! Full tummy and completely caffeinated and sugared up, I was in high spirits as Queen V shuttled me back to my car. On arrival, we all scanned for a parking ticket, and gave a unanimous whoop when one could not be found! 🙌🙌🙌
Twenty-ish hours later, I am still able to walk and all I have is love for the LHHT. So much so I am already planning the next section of the LHHT with Queen V.
Currently immersed in Teacher Week…or “administrator week” as my partner, who is also a teacher, called it this morning. 😏 So…after a day of attending professional development sessions that our admin thought might be useful, I am cooked. The last session was on health and wellness … I skipped it … for my health and wellness! 🤣 Time to exit the building and start home. My commute was spent reminiscing on a quick overnight trip I led for Trail Dames last weekend along the Appalachian Trail.
This was truly a quick, low mileage, backpacking trip giving us the opportunity to relax and unwind. Another teacher, besides me, came along and I bet she is also holding the weekend close this week as she prepares for her incoming 5th graders!
We started at the Appalachian Trail crossing on Rt. 233 near Caledonia State Park. A very small pull off with space for two cars. We had a group of five, so only one car and one spot needed. I crossed my fingers that no one would block the car in overnight (no one did).
A jolly bunch of Dames we were as we started down the trail just after 8:00 AM. The last of the cool air was dissipating as we started the climb to Chimney Rock. The change in temperature as the sun rose above the ridge was palpable. Ohhh, it was going to be a hot day! Many a break was taken as we plowed uphill to the overlook. Mostly in the shade, the trail takes a gentle uphill path, but when temps rise into the upper 80s and humidity increases without bound, it is a butt-kicker!
Chimney Rock has a lovely view, but you have to climb to the top of the rocks for it. One Dame was a little fearful of the climb so she stayed down in the shade eating her lunch. By the end, however, fear of missing out overtook the fear of the climb! And while she did not go ALL the way to the top, she did push her own boundaries and got close! 🎉 That is what Trail Dames is all about…providing a safe space for women to get out there and try things…climb that mountain, cross the creek, camp, backpack, and have a great time!
The descent to Tumbling Run Shelter was as long as anticipated. When I arrived at the shelter, there was already someone there with a big tent (like a car camping tent) set up by the creek and music blaring. Ohhhhh nooooo, I had wondered about weekend party campers since this shelter area is close to a road crossing. Hoping this would not be a loud night, and ignoring the camper, I turned away from the creek and headed back to check out the group camp site.
Amazing site!!! We quickly set up while exclaiming our sheer delight at this site. Six nice tent pads, picnic table, benches, and firepit. It was better than a lot of car camping sites I’ve seen!
We lounged around the site all afternoon. Absolutely wonderful! In the later afternoon, we had a visit from Kurt, who is a member of the family that maintains the shelter area, and has maintained it since 1991. He gave us the history of Tumbling Run Shelter, how he and his family keep the weekend party campers away, and how the creation of the beautiful group site came to be! What a treat to have him take the time to chat with us!
Once he had left, I headed up to the shelter/privy and noticed that the camper with the music blaring was gone, along with the big tent. Much applause for Kurt!!
Kurt also made sure we knew storms were forecasted (we knew) …and sure enough right about 11:00 pm the wind whipped up, lightning lit up the forest, and thunder rolled through the mountains. We were never in the bullseye, just a good ole storm! It stopped before dawn giving a nice dry pack up and walk out. 🙌
The sunbeams through the raindrop laden trees was a perfectly magical sendoff.
But, yeah, I could go for a do-over right now! 🥾🥾Hike on!
A whirlwind of a weekend! As Chair of a community college math department I have been BUSY. Scheduling my auto-response email message Friday morning, I let out a sigh of relief. This weekend was mine. 🏃♀️
Bear Spray, Akela, and I made High Point State Park our base camp. Akela would be hiking with me; Bear Spray offered to camp and shuttle us to trail heads. If you section hike, you know the time suck that accompanies moving cars every morning. It was a treat to have Bear Spray as our shuttle driver!
Friday we hung out at the campsite on Sawmill Lake. Bear Spray and I had camped here in 2019. My dog, Sidekick Pauli, had been along for that adventure. Since she was not able to hike long distances anymore, I had shuttled Bear Spray to a trail head. What comes around goes around! I loved Sawmill Lake then because it felt remote and the campsite we had that year was pretty nicely secluded. I believe it was site 4, if you’re interested. This time, I came away not so enamored! We camped at the only site left at the time I registered, site 11. This site would be good for a group also reserving 10 and 12 because they were all connected. Zero privacy. Friday night wasn’t too bad. Perhaps because site 10 was unoccupied OR because there were storms and all I could hear was rain on the tent…went right to sleep! But holy mother of…Saturday afternoon/night was a disaster with loud music, loud talking, extra cars that took up all the spaces, AND after dark…one of the guys must have a medical issue like sleep apnea or something…the sounds that came out in the night…AND THEN HE STARTED TALKING CRAZY SHIT IN HIS SLEEP! 😲
If I had been camping alone, I would have left. That whole group was just…no words.
Regardless, the hiking was GREAT!
Saturday, we hiked from Sunrise Mountain back to High Point State Park. This was a pretty easy trek. There were some small climbs, but nothing really crazy. Although, there is one down that was unexpected and it goes straight down! Might be a good idea to channel your inner mountain goat at that spot!
Mountain Goat it downhill to the left of the Pine
The thing that almost did us in were the mosquitoes. OMG, those blood-sucking little feckers got in our ears, eyes, neck, arms, EVERYWHERE. I literally had one stuck to the rim of my glasses and when I took a selfie (at the bottom of mountain goat drop off) I found there was one on my nose! Our skin was on fire!!
After getting to High Point, we booked it to our campsite to pick up shower supplies and head to the camp showers in hopes of extinguishing ourselves. Arriving at our campsite to the sound of the blaring music and no place to park did not help our moods. I am sure we set the tone for the weekend with our less than welcoming looks to the site 10 inhabitants. 😂😂😂 Don’t care…they were just that bad!
A word on camp showers…a curtain is not enough. Locking doors need to be installed on the showers. That is all.
Hanging at camp later, Bear Spray told us about her day…and she saw a bear!! We saw no wildlife other than mosquitoes and she saw a BEAR. LIFE IS UNFAIR!!!
Saturday night…I knew what I was up against with site 10, so I popped a Benedryl to 1) help with the bug bites which had left little welts all over my freakin body, and 2) help me sleep! It worked for a while, but as I have already stated above, there was no silencing the horrific sounds coming from site 10. 😖 I thought the guy might need an ambulance called at some point! Sleep tests can be a lifesaver…just putting that out there.
High Point Monument
Sunday, our section started at High Point and ended at NJ 284. Shuttling to place our cars at 284, we went through a little piece of New York, Unionville to be specific. What a quaint town! Very cute!
Bear Spray took us back to High Point and off we went! The first part of the trail between NJ 23 and High Point Monument is a little rough. Lots of rocks and some climbing. It was already started to warm up and whew! That piece made us sweat! After that it was downhill to the High Point Shelter, then the trail leveled out. My favorite part of this section were the meadows. 🌻 All the summer wildflowers are in bloom right now. A feast for the eyes and the nose! I could hear a tractor across one of the meadows and it was a nostalgic moment as I thought back to my childhood on our farm in Indiana…my dad on his tractor…sweet memory. 🥰
A picturesque pond along the way
The bugs were not as bad for me during this hike and I was grateful! We were really cruising along, almost to NJ 294, and even with the ever rising temps I was feeling pretty satisfied with our pace. Then we hit a steep hill after Unionville Road…don’t look for it on the map…it is literally a blip…but that blip was a head down, one foot in front of the other, struggle for survival!
Afterwards the path leveled out and it was smooth sailing again, until BOOM right into a bunch of tree branches that were blocking the path.
Thanks to Akela for this pic of the Jungle Woman
Can’t go over it, Can’t go under it, Can’t go around it, Got to go through it!
On Sunday morning, after an hour of decision paralysis, which I am adding to the hours on Saturday of the same, I settled on Coopers Rock State Forest.
“Where to hike this weekend?” is such a good problem to have. All those hours were SO productive that I have lined up a great hike for next weekend, as well! 👏👏👏
Back to Coopers Rock…do you like Hobbit-like rock canyons, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) handiwork, and big views? Yes? Me too! And this hike had all that and more. Throw in some cool bits of history and traversing lovely forest scape … *sigh*… it is a hike well done!
First the canyon! I stood for more than a few minutes at this location wondering if I was suppose to go around on the trail seen to the left. Finally, decided and went down the hole! Thrust immediately into a Hobbit world of immense stone walls, I may have audibly squealed in delight. 🤩 I was in a magical moss covered tunnel between soaring stone canyon walls. I felt the temperature drop as I descended. A wonderful feeling mid-summer!
Down into the Hobbit Hole
Second, the CCC structures! The Pumphouse is my favorite! It looks like a little forest witch’s house and I want that in my backyard. 😄 After I got back home, I poked the Internet beast and found a whole tour of the CCC buildings at Coopers Rock. I will be going back with this information in hand!
The Pumphouse or Forest Witch’s Magical Hut…you decide 🍄
Third, big, big views of the Cheat River and Canyon! The CCC also built the bridges and safety barriers on the rocks. The workmanship, wow! It is beautiful…thankful for those who put their blood, sweat, and tears into making this overlook accessible for many folks!
Vertigo is not your friend here! This is just a small snip of the whole overlook area.
And … Bonus points for the extra tidbits on the history on the community built up around the Henry Clay Iron Furnace! ✨ I started my hike in the parking lot just inside the entrance to the park and hike the “advanced ski” trail to the furnace. It is a thickly forested area. Hard to imagine this community now…even the first sight of the furnace was a surprise, as it was sitting in the middle of the woods and nature is definitely trying to take back its own! There is a really cool picture of hikers from the 1890s at the furnace on the WVU Library webpage!
I completed approximately 7-miles and 800 feet of elevation on this hike. A shorter, easier route exists to approach the furnace from another parking area, if you were wondering!
Tailgate of my RAV4 open, I sat, legs dangling, phone in hand, mindlessly swiping through Pinterest as I waited on the Dames. A blessedly cool morning, I thought, as I swung my legs back and forth, and kept swiping. A car turned off of Rt. 30. Someone was yelling from their car as it was driving by. What the…? It took a minute for me to drag myself from a cute backyard firepit setup that I had been getting ready to pin, so I only heard “…have to pooooo!” Ahh…Queen V had arrived. Well, almost. 😂
A good bathroom is a godsend at a trailhead. Especially for women hikers. Yes, we can go in the woods and do…but a nice bathroom at the beginning. It’s a plus!
Once we had everyone together, we piled into two cars, rode down to the Rt. 233 trailhead, and began our hike up and over Rocky Mountain. We all agreed that the weather was an awesome change from the hot and muggy swamp weather we had been having previously.
This hike is mostly regular dirt trail, but just after the cut-off to Rocky Mountain Shelter, it goes through some spectacular rock formations. OH…and in my previous post, I stated that Dames always stop at the shelters. I should have added IF and only IF (that’s IFF for you math folks) the shelter is a reasonably short distance from the trail! 😁 The Rocky Mountain Shelter is 0.3 miles from the trail, so that was a no go!
The Dames did great along this stretch of the AT. Their comments were it was a shock to the body to get out of the car and immediately be expected to go steeply uphill. AND that Queen V was so not truthful about it being just one climb up, then the rest of the way down. 😆 For the record, I never made any such claim! 😏
After the initial climb, the trail was easy walking until just after the shelter cut-off. Then the trail turns right, climbs a short hill, and we entered the jumble of boulders that make this hike one of my favorites.
We slowed down, picking our way through the rocks carefully. Stopping frequently to take in the wonder of these big rock formations, we theorized how they had come to be. No conclusions, as none of us on this hike are geologists. However, none were necessary. It is enough to be in awe of these phenomenal formations.
Coming down off of the rocks, we descended into what was becoming a hot and humid day. Summer is back. We kept our spirits up and our feet moving by chatting about wading in the creek at Caledonia, then going for ice cream. You do what you gotta do!
The creek was as amazing as we thought it would be! So, so, so good!
The ice cream, friendly service, and cute decor at the Caledonia Cafe was a perfect way to celebrate! Highly recommend if you are in the area. 🍦🍨🧁
August 2022 was my last post. That is kind of tough to say aloud. By the way, “aloud” is one of my good starting words on Wordle. 😀 Anyway…I am calling this embarrassing pause my gap year.
Did I stop hiking? No.
Did I stop leading hikes? No.
Did I lose motivation for writing? Well, sort of…I still write in my journal, but it is mostly bulleted lists or drawings or a few sentences here and there. Case in point, my last entry in my journal was “June 30 – July 1: Led a backpack to kick off July 4th weekend with Trail Dames” and I put a Shenandoah National Park sticker next to the entry. Unacceptable! Not a fail, but definitely D-level submission! 😂 I did better on Instagram and made a Reel…oooooo fancy! And here is a pic of some of us at the Rock Spring Hut. FYI…the spring is WAY downhill, but it is an amazing spring…lovely water source!
With blogging, I kept saying “maybe I’ll write about the next hike” over and over and the blog just sat here waiting for me to notice it again. And today, I did!
To inspire myself, I actually Googled “why I should write” … yep, this is where I am. 🤦♀️
And I thought about it. The more I thought about writing about hiking I kept coming back to two comments I got from Dames who came along the backpacking trip I led this weekend.
“This trip surpassed my hopes! It was wonderful and I enjoyed every moment. Thanks to Kylena for organizing it and to each and every one of you for sharing your stories and your backpacking knowledge“
“What an amazing trip! Thanks for welcoming me so warmly into this group. I loved getting to know my fellow adventurous Dames. A huge thanks to Kylena for her mad organization skills that made this trip a reality and for encouraging me to attend.”
If I were reading my blog, what would I want to take away? This blog holds stories of hikes and people that have shared the trail with me along the way. Now, I feel a need to level up and be, oh, I don’t know…more entertaining and inspiring. To assist in some small way in making the outdoors more enticing and welcoming for everyone. I want everyone feel like Queen V looks standing atop Little Stony Man cliffs (also from this weekend)!
Hard truth – when I start actually thinking about writing, instead of just doing the thing, anxiety and procrastination set in. To be honest, thinking does me in EVERY time. If I start thinking about doing something, it becomes thinking forEVER and I never get to the doing of the thing. 🤯
So, fuck it, I’m writing. I am going to set a schedule, because I love schedules, and when my Google calendar tells me it is time to write, perfection be damned, I am going to write!
And for all of you who “think” your way right out of hiking, or walking, or just going outside…I personally challenge you to stand up and do the thing. Get up, open the door, take a step, then one step more.
Kicking off another Spring Break hike with blue skies, frigid temperatures to start, and, this time, a hike more strenuous than any I have done in a while. I was excited to return to this section of the Appalachian Trail between US522 in Front Royal to VA55. I was also a little anxious. Would my legs hold up? I was fairly certain they would, but I double-checked that I was packing ibuprofen. 😀
I met my hiking partner “Somewhere” at the VA55 trailhead. Wow, it was cold! I thought I would ditch a layer before hiking, but backtracked on that decision quickly as the cold, cold wind reached my innermost layer. Brrrrr! We shuttled down to 522, then set out a brisk pace. I am thankful for the body’s ability to warm itself! It was freaking cold for the first 20 minutes, then we warmed up nicely as a result of 1) the sun rising above the ridge, and 2) climbing the first hill. It was welcomed warmth!
This stretch had two climbs that reminded me that I need to get out on the trail more consistently, but they were doable.
*Translation – I handled them with only slight discomfort.* 😀
Thankfully, because I would have been appalled to literally fall over in exhaustion on this hike. Perhaps my ridiculous pride kept me upright? 😀 😀 Nah…It was a lovely hike. Bunches of Bloodroot pushing up through last season’s leaves greeted us on that first uphill. The lower canopy was greening and the trail itself was easy going for the first five or so miles. The only tricky part of this section is the hill just before reaching the train tracks near VA55. That hill is an eroded mess. That was the last hill for us and I was glad of it!
The day had added thrill when I met up with my first thru-hiker this season, “Backstroke”, a physicist who has just taken a job with the government. He caught up with us as we were headed to the Jim & Molly Denton shelter. We let him pass, but then walked a piece with him. We discussed teaching as we strolled along.
*insert…I know he probably slowed his roll a bit to walk with us, but even so, I was pleased to be able to keep up the pace and talk at the same time* 😀
He seemed intensely curious about teaching and is motivated to explore it as his career as a physicist unfolds. We had lunch with Backstroke at the shelter, then he was on his way! If you see him on the trail, be sure to say hi…he is super friendly and great conversationalist!
I look forward to the day when I chance to meet up with you along the AT! I will keep working these legs of mine…See you out there! 🙂 Hike on!
I question my judgment at scheduling a hike so early that I had to leave my house at 6 AM. This is the first day of my Spring Break and just what the heck was I thinking??? It was dark, it was cold, … , it was the FIRST DAY OF BREAK…hadn’t I just been telling folks how exhausted I was and how I couldn’t wait to sleep in? Honestly…ugh.
But got up I did. Coffee – yes, coffee again – yes. Out the door at 6 AM, promptly!
I-68 east to I-70 south, then up Rt 40 to the Annapolis Rock trail head. Surprise…I remember why I scheduled it so early. To avoid the parking lot fiasco…and I was successful! I was the third car into the lot, huzzah!
My fellow Trail Dames showed up soon after and off we went up the mountain. What a glorious morning! Blue skies and sun pouring down on us. Oh, and I was very impressed with the trail work that has happened in my absence from this stretch of trail. Nice work on the grading and stone placement, PATC Trail Maintainers! Absolutely beautiful!
Soaking up the Sun!
We chatted amicably about some exciting trips that our dames have planned for summer. One is headed to the 100-mile Wilderness in Maine! My plans are more sedate…heading down to complete the section with the Priest in Virginia. All of us are so pleased that we are post – pandemic and can start adventuring further afar to hike.
Arriving at Annapolis Rock, we found the place deserted. Perfect! I sat out on a rock and ate my sub that I had picked up on my way in at Sheetz. That is one VERY conveniently located Sheetz…and it has a drive-thru. You’re welcome. 😀
The nasty old man winter wind picked up while I sat there munching away. I stared that wind down and pretended it was a lovely spring day…until I devoured the last delicious bite of my sub. Then I picked up my stuff and scrambled back into the trees.
We saw several folks headed up as we were headed down. The skies by this time were covered in heavy gray clouds and the wind was picking up. Sorry for them, happy for us! Oooooooo…and we found our first Bloodroot sighting!! Hike on!
As I start this post the Beatles song “with a little help from my friends” is rolling inside my head. This year, more than any before, I am appreciating friendship. The people in my life who I look forward to being with, laughing with, and sharing with. Each inspires me in little ways that enrich my moments spent plodding through life. And plod I do!
So, this is an appreciation post for all the people who are still hanging with me here in the Spring of 2022.
OF course I need to include my partner here. But she is a private person…so I won’t say much except that life would not be as fun without her. She is also a teacher and there is no one else who gets my shizzle like she does. She also swings a mean hammer and paint brush. House renovations would go much slower and be a LOT more expensive without her mechanical prowess! ❤ ❤ ❤
No particular order of importance…but I need to put D in Damascus in here because this post would not be happening without her. Over the last few years, she has become a wonderful photographer and decided to start her own blog to showcase her photos. She has no idea how this has inspired me to get back to writing…but here we are! D is also my go-to colleague at work when everything feels like it is falling apart, so that is a bonus! I post one of her lovely photos here … so please ooooo and ahhhhhh over it for at least thirty seconds! 🙂
And then there are my Dames…what would I do without my hiking gals?
Queen V brings her jokes, her exasperation with hills, and keeps me in stitches on every hike I take with her. She is a treasure. I can text her “hey, I found an unmarked trail …want to check it out?” and she ALWAYS says yes. She almost always bitches about it while we bushwhack through some unforeseen truly terrible trail…but she shows up and has fun…I think. Anyway, she also has just the right advice when it is needed. Level headed, she kindly points out all sides of an issue while I rant…and rant…until I manage to slow down enough hear her. Then I’m like “yeah, that makes sense…” The perfect friend to take hiking down the trails! 😀
Queen V and me on the Long Pond Trail in Green Ridge SF
There are so many good people in my hiking life…I certainly could not list them all. I wish I could, but it would take many lifetimes to do so. And so many I have not yet had the opportunity to reconnect with in 2022.
A few more photos that have frozen an amazing moment in time for me. Moments filled with pure joy shared with friends on the trail. Oh, how I look forward to getting back to regular hiking life this year! Hike on! 🙂
Girl Gone Hiking 