Incredible Hike

Well, I needed luck! The drive to the trail head was wacky. You lose cell reception and then go over mountain roads, no shoulder, switchback turns, etc. I followed the directions old-school written out, clutched while holding the steering wheel. Passed a turn that looked like I should turn THAT way, but it wasn't part of the directions.

So I carried on. Found a place that sort of matched the description. No one there. I got out, used my new "female urine adaptor" to go in the woods (success). Some sort of swimming otters watched me lol. Decided (with minutes to spare) to drive back to that turn. Yep, he missed some of the directions in the instructions. Found the group. Phew -- it was close.

This was the best hike I've been on with the club. Seriously fantastic. We hiked UP the mountain -- parts on the AT (met a through hiker heading to Maine). Then CLIMBED to the lunch look out -- had to drop poles and climb with hands. It was beautiful. We lunched, shared lunches, laughed, and laughed. 

We took another trail down and it was like a fairy forest. Mountain Laurel is windy and crazy looking in the winter and the path was deeply covered. Spring green moss over rocks. The softest trail covering. Streams crossings and running water sounds as we followed a creek down. Picture perfect day. Warm sun, cool breeze. Unbelievable.

Pictures don't do it justice. I only took pictures at lunch. I had my phone away since the hike was challenging. Didn't want to chance my phone getting broken. 

Cloud line in distance
on mountain top.

AT shelter

Lunch view on highest peak.
Hiking sammies are the best.

I can't tell you how glad I am that I took a chance and went on the hike. Everything about it check my "brave" boxes. 

I got home in time to pick up hubby and dogs before the showing. We hung out at a park for an hour. Good feedback, but might decide on the other house in the neighborhood instead.

Quick shower and off to kids for Super Bowl. We stayed to watch halftime -- got about an hour to play with my grandson before his bedtime. I'm never invested in who wins, but finding out who Orange supported and why -- FLY EAGLES FLY! My son clued me into the halftime story and that made me even happier. Every small victory is hope.

Tired dogs, tired me.

This week is full in a different sort of way. I have appointments every day -- groomer, dentist, makeup trial, hair trial. I have a report due for volunteering which is my least favorite part and takes hours to write. Rain is coming in for a few days, so no hiking (probably for the best since I don't have a lot of extra time). Big hikes Friday afternoon and Saturday morning though. 

I also MUST get some wedding stuff finalized. It's feeling too last minute and rushed now. I want most everything finished by the end of next week. 

Once again, trying to remember to stay in the moment. It works well and there's a lot of fun in the week I don't want to mentally miss -- hello, makeup and hair appointments. A dentist appointment and a court report can overshadow it all if I don't pay attention lol. Practice and more practice.

Happy Monday. Hope you'll enjoy a good week. Later gators.