Take A Hike

Here is the continuing story from my earlier post 'It's Just Beachy'.

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The other part of our weekend was, well, not quite so restful.

My wonderful husband had an idea, and it started out like this.

"Why don't we go across the road and go on a hike, up on the mountain trail?"

For which I replied, " Um..Ok".

What was I thinking??

I'm really not sure that I was 'thinking' at all.  It had been many
years since I had been on a hike and I am not in the best physical condition.

But, I wanted to show myself that I could do this hiking thing.

It was time... to be one with nature.

So... off we went. 

Comfortable clothing & shoes-check

Hats-check

Sunscreen-check

Water and Snacks-check

Backpack-check

I had a great attitude in the beginning and I was determined to finish the complete hike which was 5 miles round trip,
with a 700 to 800 ft. elevation gain/loss (good thing I didn't know that at the time)

The hike started out fine and I thought, 'Yes'... I can do this!

A few minutes later we started to go uphill and I could feel

the elevation change and I still thought, 'Yes', I can do this!

    When we made it to the waterfall, I could feel the burn in

my leg muscles.  As I looked UP to see the climb I had to make,

up and over the waterfall to get back to the trail...

Well, that's when the w h i n i n g started! 

I told my husband I was proud of myself for

getting this far (which was not far at all) and maybe

we should turn back and hike back down the trail. 

I told him that my legs felt like this...

My sweet husband quickly grabbed my hand and told me that, I could do it!

So, I climbed up those rocks and trudged on.  I kept remembering the book

that I used to read to my kids, you know the one... 'The Little Train That Could'.

So, as we c o n t i n u e d  to CLIMB, I repeated over and over to myself,

" I think I can, I think I can, I know I can."  

 In doing that and stopping many times to rest, breathe and swat the stupid

bugs that were buzzing in my ears... I was GOOD!

At one of our resting points we came across an unusual sight.

This man was hiking with his pet cockatiel, its name was IZZY. Interesting.

Soon, the trail leveled off and I was really liking this hiking thing.  

The sights were so beautiful.

This meadow was the end of the trail.  Now we had to head back

and it was all downhill.  I was so happy...

I literally almost broke into song with,

"The hills are alive with the Sound of Music."

As we made our way back down the trail we were really picking up some

speed.  With my 'better half ' taking the lead, he could make sure

that if there were any 'critters' on the trail, he would come in contact with

them before me. That was a good thing.

We saw many of these along the way...

They were cute and I didn't mind them, just as long as I

didn't see any other reptiles.

But, unfortunately that was not to be. 

Hubby was quickly walking down the trail, with me behind and I notice

him jumping through the air.  He told me to stop and I asked ,"why", as I was on a roll!

As I looked in front of me, this is what I saw.

Here is a closer view...

 We did not know what kind of snake this was and I was not about

to walk anywhere near it! 

 About a minute later an experienced

hiker came up the trail and told us that it was a rattlesnake.

He proceeded to pick a branch off of a nearby tree and picked up the

rattlesnake, under it's head, and moved it so it would go back up into the brush.

I had never heard a rattlesnakes' rattle in person and I was not ready for

how loud and scary it was! 

So, I did the only thing a normal person would do in this situation...

 I ran.

When we finally made it back down to the beginning of the trail.  I felt really

proud of myself, that I had made it the whole way. 

It was a big accomplishment for me!  And although I knew that I

would be sore for a couple of days (3 to be exact), it was well worth it.

I am actually looking forward to my next hike.

Hopefully, minus the snake next time!