Waking up from a dream this week that I was entering the billing, I went into work hoping there would magically be less to enter. Nope, it was just a dream. But when you dream about working, that is when you know you have learned your job because it is now in your subconscious.
Friday could not go fast enough for me. I was looking forward to the Saturday hike at Harriman Park in upstate New York! Friday night check list: hiking boots, (check!) hoodie (check!) backpack (check!)… I did however, forget to sew on my “members” patch from the NHOC and I almost ended up being late to do so the following morning. I was a little worried about my “unbroken boots”; hiking five miles you really need to have your boots broken in first. I tried to wear them to work a few times, but they were still a bit stiff.
The hiking group was to meet at “Lake Success” in the parking lot. I had my trusty GPS to get me there, but I did not see a lake. I wasn’t sure I was in the right place. I called one of the leaders, Don, on his cell phone; they were behind the building where I had parked. I drove around and met the group. I realized that the strip mall was CALLED Lake Success and there wasn’t really a lake, (that would explain my confusion of meeting at one lake yet going to hike at another). It got a laugh, needless to say and then people began to notice my accent - (the one I didn’t think I had until moving here).
We split up to carpool - I would ride with Denise, Ronnie and Don. Don reminded me of Howie Mendel. Ronnie was short for Veronica - she sat in back with me and Denise drove. Denise reminded me a little of my sister Lisa - she had the same personality. I was very glad of the carpool. I doubt I could have handled the traffic and driving through the cities. We headed towards Throgs Neck Bridge out of Long Island and the traffic was chaos (not even like that of Atlanta’s rush hour traffic)! New York is a whole other deal! The traffic and Don’s off pitch singing along with the radio left me to wonder how long it would take to get there, (sorry Don).
As we closed in on our destination, I couldn’t help but notice the scenery looked a lot like Tennessee. Once having arrived at Harriman Park, we got our gear from the trunk and applied bug repellant and sunblock! We smelled great! I noticed that no one else had a patch on his or her pack. When a few asked me about mine, I felt like I was back in first grade where your mom makes you wear something and she tells you “all the kids wear that” … and you find out they don’t. The rest of the group, making up about 17 people, gathered together at the foot of the trail. We were told this was a “C” hike and would be approximately five miles. I was right up front with Tom and Don for the same reason I like to sit up close in church or the theater - I get distracted easily.
At first, not having a consistent routine of working out in the five months that I have been here, I didn’t know how long I would be able to keep up! But I realized that it was because I was talking with Tom (who is also a writer) and until the first six minutes passed, my heart rate had not reached its steady pace to hike and talk.
It was good to be out hiking and talk with my new friends; I liked them all! I become so fascinated when different people from all shades of life come together and each one has something different to offer. Not that each person will be your best bud or someone you may hang around; but since we are no longer in high school, it is nice to let people in on your journey and witness the diversity, allowing each person you meet to somehow add to your life - and you to theirs. I was glad that I started off up front because I am a fanatic with my camera. Each scene I was moved by, I had to stop and take a picture, causing me to fall in the middle or sometimes all the way to the “sweep” of the group. I learned hiking lingo; “the sweep” is the person on the end that makes sure we don’t lose our group and to “take a separation” means that the group stops (and they don’t look) as you find a tree or bush somewhere to relieve yourself if you must. I knew I had a pretty well-trained bladder and would not need to “separate”. I had been on hikes by myself or with a friend when I was younger - but not with a group. I was absorbing all that I could.
As we climbed up the mountainous trail Tom explained that we “follow the yellow tabs” that were nailed on the trees to tell us what path to take. Yellow was moderate level. My boots were serving me well and I did not have any rubbing. However, as the hike continued I began to feel sweat down my back. I liked it. The heaviness of my pack was a different story. It seemed the four waters and a juice – along with the ice pack inside a small cooler, my notepad, wallet and camera took on more weight the farther we hiked. My jeans were pulling me down as sweaty legs hugged the fabric tighter. I was enjoying the hike - the scent of everything was almost hypnotic! The smell of the trees, that deep, rich greenery… the smell of the mud… of “earth”, it was where I wanted to be! No odorous, steamy asphalt, no smoking, no car fumes… just nature!
The trees were just beginning to turn. This hike would have been amazing in a couple of weeks as far as fall foliage, but the weather was just perfect! It was a glorious day! Rejuvenating! I started off with my Army hoodie my son gave me, but I stripped down to my cami-tank by mid hike, (unlike a woman that was NOT part of our group, who stripped down to her bra - not a sport-bra… just a bra), gotta love new York!
As Tom and Don led our hike, I heard them grumbling like a married couple over the way we were supposed to go… apparently one of them was to blame that we went off the yellow-tagged trail and ended up on the RED trail. Red is my favorite color - however this time I was not sure I wanted to see red. We had such a good group and everyone seemed to keep up - and I think we C hikers actually enjoyed the challenge! I loved it! I teased Tom that he and Don had planned that all along- telling us we were only going five miles and on a C hike, but having every intention of making us sweat and grunt like soldiers! And I felt like one with my Army backpack that had to weigh 30 pounds. I really enjoyed the challenge of the trail.
After miles of hiking, the day getting later and the sun changing the view in the woods, there was one spot where we had to cross over the stream and the rocks were not very close together. We had to either leap far onto the rocks or trust the skinny branches across the water and the hands of our guides helping us across. I was a leaper, I tried to grab Don’s hand as I leaped, just for extra support but barely got his pinky yet I made it across without falling in. Everyone made it across! We finally got to the top that overlooks the lake. We were quite ready by this time to stop and eat lunch. I only brought almonds to snack on - I am not much of an eater while in the middle of activity like this. I loved the view from the rock area where I sat down, even though the others found perfect seating in a camp-like circle, I stayed where I was so that I could enjoy the view as I jotted a few notes for the Chattanoogan.com.
After having our rest, I noticed my feet were starting to get a bit sore. I pretended as we headed back down, that I was not grimacing and wishing the trail was an escalator. After a while, my feet felt as though they were bleeding (not really) and I could tell that my meniscus was inflamed (under my knee) as we climbed down. Occasionally my knee acts up and I have to ice it or wear a knee brace. I had not had a flare up in a while, but after miles of hiking and leaping - going down the trail was like going down stairs. Anyone who has had weak or injured knees understands. Though some people may find going “up” is more painful… for me… it’s going down, I guess it depends on what part of your knee is inflamed.
We came upon the stream to cross again; I did my leap, this time grabbing Tom’s hand because I was not sure with my sore knee and feet that I would make it! I did. I made it (and kept my wincing to myself). Jeanne slipped and got a wet foot and Neil slipped and got a bruised shin, but other than those mishaps we all did the hike without any problems and we enjoyed it! As we were close to the end of our excursion, Tom and I began talking about our writing and when you get two people talking about their passions the rest of the world could catch on fire and you wouldn’t know it! We realized that we had followed Ronnie along a dried up creek bed where many large rounded stones were and the easy dirt trail was to the left, above us. We eventually got back up there and followed the dirt trail as Tom got back to the group.
Ronnie and I did not want to wait - we were almost to the clearing anyway. When we got back before the others, Ronnie and I found our own rocks to sit on and rest our aching feet. I wanted so much to take off my boots, but I was afraid my feet would swell and I would not be able to get the boots back on. Even with the slight pain I felt, I was so enthralled with this adventure! I met new people and I got to be active again! I was “one with nature” (though I didn’t separate nor did I hug a tree).
On the trip back, Denise put on different music, “Brahms”. I wasn’t sure if she needed to be soothed -while also having achy feet; or if she was trying to deter Don’s singing! I was quiet on the way back, enjoying my kind of music. Denise wanted to go to a Japanese place once we got back to our cars at the Lake Success strip mall. No one else wanted to go. I was sore, but I had to eat dinner and after eating alone for the last few months, it was starting to get a little boring for me, so I went with her.
We both laughed as we got out of our car when we met at the restaurant - we were both walking like creaky old ladies. I hadn’t been this sore since I rode horseback with my friend Chasity on our long, all-day trail rides! Not sure which is worse - “saddle sore” or “feet sore”, (okay, I do… saddle sore is definitely the sore I would rather have) but I sure had fun on this hike!
I ate my duck and headed home. It was as though the roads were just one long ribbon as I floated along, satisfied in my tummy and in that feeling you get after you made your body to feel alive again. I showered and relaxed (and yes Mama… I DID check for ticks). Some of you will view the pictures below as “just a bunch of trees and water” but I hope you can envision the beauty that I saw. One more reason why I heart New York!
Jen Jeffrey
jen@jenjeffrey.com