A Chilly Hike

Yesterday’s hike was one of the most interesting for me!  I’ve only been hiking for about 9 months, but this was the most demanding - and not because the trail itself was (too) difficult.

Pack and I made the trip to the Gambrill State Park in northwestern Maryland.  We hiked the Catoctin Trail for about 6 miles.  (I accidentally hit the wrong button on my new, fancy GPS watch so I’m not sure about actual milage.  OOPS!)

Not only was it 18 degrees, but there were some challenging obstacles I was forced to deal with.  In preparation for my Mt. Washington climb, I knew that going on yesterday’s hike was important to acclimating.  We have had unusually wonderful weather this winter, but I need to get ready for my winter hike.

I did not, however, anticipate my camelback’s hose freezing.  (I’m such an amateur!!!) A frozen hose means NO water for the entirety of my hike.

We came across about a half-dozen streams on this trail.  They were so beautiful.  I love the sound of a creek in the distance as I hike through a snowy forest.  

Yep, I had to cross both of these streams!!!

One thing I don’t love about streams, though, is how easy it is to slip and submerge your left foot into the ice cold water.  Of course....that happened to me!  And yes, it happen pretty early on in the hike.

Pack and I are really starting to get along.  This was our second time out together.  I stuffed him full of boots, clothes, and books to make him heavy.  I put him on the scale and he weighed about 20 pounds.  Let me tell you, it is MUCH different (read: exhausting) hiking with a day pack and hiking with a huge, heavy pack.  After Mt. Washington, Pack is going on a diet.

And mayyyyybe I could have also used an extra layer of pants.  (I only wore two layers under my hiking pants.)  My bottom half was a little chilly.  But I kept going.  As you can tell from a few of the pictures, I’m almost always the last hiker.  But that’s ok.  I don’t go hiking to race.  I don’t go hiking to be a hike leader.  I hike because it’s serene.  I hike for me.  I hike because it’s wonderful to be outside and to embrace nature.   That’s it.  Who cares if I’m last.....just as long as the bus doesn’t leave me stranded in a random forest!

All-in-all, it was a beautiful snowy day.  So what if things didn’t go perfectly.  Who cares that my foot was wet for a few miles.  And I was able to fully hydrate once I got back on the bus when my camelback (FINALLY!) unfroze.  

It was an amazing day on the trail.  

Happy Anniversary

One year ago today, I joined the blogosphere.  I put myself out there for the entire world to read.  I’ve detailed some of the conflicting ideas that swirl around in my head.  I’ve let you in on a few adventures I’ve taken.  I’ve made book recommendations.  But mostly, I’ve kept myself accountable.  The whole point of this blog was to keep me accountable.  One of my biggest fears is coming home at night and watching TV.  Instead of being lazier than I already am, I’ve made huge efforts to make the most of Washington DC.  

Here is my check-up, my memories of what I’ve done in the past 6 months:

• Participated in Bike to Work Day 2012
• Went to an event with Jen Lancaster
• Finished my Spring Touch Football league
• Went to a friend’s PhD graduation
• Visited the Natural History Museum
• Started Bikram Yoga classes
• Had a couple massages
• Started apartment shopping
• Took a sewing classes
• Went to a few Washington Nationals games
• Quit going to Bikram Yoga 
• Played a summer softball league
• Started (and fell in love with) hiking
• Began a Pilates class
• Renewed our lease at our current apartment
• Went on a job interview
• Went to a pirate bar
• Had a tour of the West Wing of the White House
• Went to a Cheryl Strayed event
• Ventured to Harpers Ferry, WV to go tubing
• Visited Annapolis, MD a few times
• Went to a Grease-Sing-A-Long movie
• Visited the Robert E. Lee house in Arlington National Cemetery
• Hurt my knee and started physical therapy
• Saw All’s Well That Ends Well at the Shakespeare Theater
• Went to a lecture on the book The End of Men by Hanna Rosin
• Quit going to physical therapy
• Saw Hamlet at the Folger Shakespeare Library
• Saw Cirque du Soleil at the National Harbor
• Went to a lecture by Jeffery Eugenides
• Got my haircut
• Met Colin Powell at a book signing event
• Went to Italy with my family
• Started a fall Touch Football league
• Started a fall Volleyball league
• Began a fall Softball league
• Survived Hurricane Sandy
• Attended a conversation titled, “Why Women Still Can’t Have it All”
• Began National Novel Writing Month (I am currently at 18,137 words!)
• Achieved a positive net worth

So there you have it, dear reader.  This is what I’ve been doing for the past 6 months.  I hope you have also had a productive and fun 6 months.  

I am eager to hear what you have done!!  Anything exciting???

1st hike at Shenandoah

I spent last Saturday hiking in Shenandoah National Park.  I went with that Capital Hiking Club as a first-timer.  I was a little nervous.  As much as I love trying new things and don’t mind participating solo, I was a little nervous about the entire activity.  I’d never been to the Park and I’d never been on a real hike. Don’t worry, dear reader, I survived.

There is one thing I learned from this hike: I’m basically a little teapot.  I’m short.  I’m stout.  If someone would have tipped me over, I would have poured out all over the trail.  The super cute green pack on my back was kinda heavy too.  

I went on the short hike: 7 miles.  (The long hike was 10 miles...I'm not sure I would have survived.)  I traveled through Stony Man and White Oak Canyon.  The hike ended with a swim at a beautiful swimming hole.  

These 7 miles weren’t easy for me either.  I was huffing and puffing through most of the trail.  The ups and downs really challenged my body.

I got to see a rattlesnake.

This waterfalls was my background noise.

The views made everything worth it.

And my sweet blisters have forced me to remember this trip all week!!!

It was an awesome day.  I highly recommend making the trip the Shenandoah or joining me and the Capital Hiking Club on our next adventure.

Happy hiking!!!