Favorite Things Monday - Hiking
July 31, 2006
Back in my late teens and early twenties, I did a fair amount of hiking and backpacking. But after college, I didn’t know anyone who enjoyed it, so I prioritized politics over the wilderness. Lately, I’ve been yearning to scale mountains and climb on rocks, so I bought two books to help ease me back into it: Best Hikes With Children - the MA, CT & RI version, as well as the NH, VT, ME version. I took several vacation days this week, so there’s no better time to start, right? I threw the Boy, my two trusty teenaged sidekicks/sisters-in-law into the car and drove north. We somehow found our way to Maine and Mount Agamenticus, despite the fact that I forgot the book, my cell, my wallet, my epipen, and my I.D. But of course there was enough food & water in my pack to sustain a small army. The day was perfect. The bugs were mild. The teenaged sidekicks morphed into wood nymphs at the edge of the forest and frolicked up the mountain. The boy skipped and jumped and slid around on rocks and desperately tried to keep up with his Aunties on this, his first real hike. I plodded along, feeling every bit of my 31 years out-of-shape body, and promised myself that I wouldn’t atrophy again. And yet, I love this tightness of muscle, ache of feet, out of breath sensation because it’s so pure. So simple.
ETA: Thanks for all the support prior to my big fundraising event. Yes, we did well. With a modest goal of $20K, we left with $47K. I’m a Superstar!
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1.
Kat | July 31, 2006 at 8:17 pm
The hike sounds grand. I went on a long road/trail bike ride yesterday and have that same tired but good feeling. I need to spend more time outside and less behind a desk.
2.
Cheryl | July 31, 2006 at 8:18 pm
I used to do a lot of hiking too, but it’s been years since I’ve been. I miss it.
3.
Suzanne | August 1, 2006 at 8:40 am
OH yeah! Congratulations on exceeding your goals in the fundraising. You must have hit just the right balance of wine, bossing, flirting, and chartreuse. Oh hiking, my long lost summer! There was a particular year when I used to dash off to the San Gabriel mountains (Pasadena) every weekend to hike by myself. The longest I ever managed in a day was 15 miles. It’s going to be a long road back to that.
4.
Thorny | August 1, 2006 at 9:33 am
Oooh, so jealous! I used to be a big-time camper-girl too, and I miss it something fierce sometimes. I’ll have to see if there’s one of those “Best Hikes for Kids” kinda books for Wisconsin.
And congrats on being SuperFundraiser Woman! That’s awesome!
5.
maryse | August 1, 2006 at 10:17 am
congratulations on being a superstar!
6.
Beth S. | August 1, 2006 at 3:51 pm
A well-deserved vacation, too.
7.
Rhonda | August 1, 2006 at 4:06 pm
Congratulations on exceeding your goal!
Hiking! Well I was about to say it had been FOREVER since I last did it … & you might guess that from looking at me, too … but I use to work for a fundraiser [ALANH] and I always participated in the hike/walk in the mountains. Ah, when the Old Man of the Mountain was still alive & well. Those were the days! Bet you had fun!!
8.
The Purloined Letter | August 4, 2006 at 2:25 pm
Sounds like so much fun! Now that our 100 degee days seem to be over, I think we’re going to try for a hike this weekend. Can’t wait!
9.
roro | August 4, 2006 at 3:40 pm
Wow - you make hiking sound fun even to an allergic-to-everything creampuff like me! I don’t think I’ll climb a mountain today, but maybe a walk along the North Saskatchewan River is in order - avec Slurpee, of course.
Congrats on your very successful fundraising!! Between the shoes and Danielle’s hilarious drawing, you clearly had it all sewn up.
10.
roro | August 4, 2006 at 3:41 pm
Wow - you make hiking sound fun even to an allergic-to-everything creampuff like me! I don’t think I’ll climb a mountain today, but maybe a walk along the North Saskatchewan River is in order - avec Slurpee, of course.
Congrats on your very successful fundraising!! Between the shoes and Danielle’s hilarious drawing, you clearly had it all sewn up.
11.
grand canyon hiking | August 14, 2006 at 7:21 am
http://irishhikingknitalong.blogspot.com/2004/12/wrist-warmer-pattern-mod
ifications.html
12.
grand canyon hiking | August 18, 2006 at 7:09 am
Helpful information on
hiking