*1:26 pm - June 5, 2011- Note to self - Buy some hiking boots.
Today's Adventure - dun dun dun dun.....
Destination: Devil's Punchbowl. Packed a picnic for the pre-trail festivities and away we go. Beautiful day, perfect temperature, picturesque cloud formations, one mile trail.....this is going to be fun. Walking, talking, pretending to be Ansel Adams, oh crap I just slipped. Jeez. This dirt is kind of, oh crap I just slipped again. Seriously? We're only about twenty yards in. Ok, better be more careful. Pay attention to the walk not the clouds up in the sky (
although I must say, they are stunning...totally fall worthy).
Meanwhile, Gianna and Joel bound onwards scampering over rocks with ease; descending the soil covered path like professionals. I follow and begin to get my footing, gradually gaining confidence with my new center of balance
(thank you McDonalds).
Ooh, water. Pretty. Sure we can hop on the rocks babygirl. Whoa, dude. I almost didn't make it onto that rock. Must remember to jump more aggressively next time. It must be my backpack filled with four tissues and some sunscreen that's weighing me down. Walking, talking, psstch...Ansel Adams who? Oh, you guys wanna scale that peak covered in loose loam? Sure. That sounds like a good idea. Look at them go! I'm so proud of my daughter. She's way up there. She's really pulling away....wait....am I going backwards? Yes, of course. I seem to have found the outdoor equivalent of a treadmill. My legs are moving and yet I gain no ground? Perhaps my selection of footwear
(two year old tennis shoes, sans tread*) was not ideal. You two go ahead. I like it here, high enough to break something if I fall but not able to engage and gain any ground. What's that you say? No, I'm fine. I totally meant to slip and slide down on my plethorically endowed rear. That's my signature move. Back to the trail? Ok, if you say so.
Ooooh, take a look at the Ranger station WAY up on that hill. Yes, Gianna. That's where we started. We've made it to the half way point. I'm just going to snap a few more pictures for my portfolio and then we'll head back to the car. What? What's that Joel? I can't hear you over the sounds of all this nature and the blood rushing through my ear drums. Go off trail? Hike up to the next ridge? Splendid idea. Just give me moment. Before we press on it's safety first. Must be sure that my shoe laces are tied and I've fully crested my myocardial infarction. Ok, I'm good. Here we go. This is fun. Walking, talking, oh, that bug flew right into my eye. This seems to be getting easier. I'm getting the hang of this. Not bad, not bad.
Check out my Nadia Comanechi move as I traverse this downed log/bridge. Perfect 10. Beautiful trees. Still loving those clouds. Sure, following the creek back to the trail sounds like a great idea. I love watching the babygirl with her daddy. They're so cute up ahead. And I'm having a blast. Time for a ninja move. I've seen Bear Grylls do this dozens of times. Leap over the creek, land on the bank with just enough time to dive under that branch. Easy peasy, 1-2-3. Um, Joel? Need some assistance. This downed tree seems to have come alive Wizard of Oz style and grabbed onto my back pack loop leaving my defenseless and stuck. Worthy foe. I tip my hat to you tree. Must press on. Hop, skip, jump. I've made lemonade from the lemons of stepping into the creek for my shoes now have a modicum of traction. Oh yes, much better. No slippage, better balance. What a pretty little pool has been created from the collection of boulders at the base of that small waterfall. Quick hurdle here and I'll be down. Funny, I seem to be moving in slow motion. Why are the trees upside down? Tuck and roll! And that, ladies and gentlemen, is my impersonation of a turtle stuck on it's back
(biggest regret of the day is not getting a picture of this). I love hiking. Luckily I don't get embarrassed and thankfully I am not hurt, for my husbands chivalry knows no bounds, but there is no way he'd be able to carry me out of this valley. Although, I must have hit my head harder than I thought because I'd do it all over again next weekend.
Tomorrow = a trip to Big 5.
