Hike # 20: Table Rock

What does it take to get someone hiking again after 22 days off? A support team!  ... And that is exactly what it took me!

The 100+ degree weather, coupled with the fact that I am not an early riser, add to that some crazy travel and work deadlines that propelled me back into my computer driven sedentary lifestyle for the last 22 days. The thing about exercise is that at first you feel crummy when you start, and then you feel crummy when you stop, only to feel crummy again when you have to start all over. It is hard to start in the first place and even harder to start over again.

So at my husband's birthday bar-b-que, my family volunteered to get me back on track. Accompanied by my son, daughter, son-in-law, and grand-doggie, my wonderful support team got me jump started by meeting me at Table Rock, today at 8 AM. This 3.58 mile hike was a real "hike" - straight up and straight down! Although my free version of Endomondo didn't track the elevation change, the group of us estimate it to be about a 900 ft climb. It took us, because I often lagged behind, 1 hr 40 min at a rate of 43 min/mile going up and 26 min/mile coming down. I have to say it was exhilarating. In spite of being winded on the climb up, the view and the company was so worth it! Thanks for the support everyone! See you Wed at 7 AM at Camel's Back Park! (or... maybe we should make that 8?)

The Real Hike #19: Farmer Brown's Pond

I never tire of this sight~ we pass it on the way to our cabin in McCall. This lovely, lonely red barn is welcoming, friendly, and soul-warming. It is what I think rural Idaho is all about. Amazing, isn't it? Located in the mountains, yet tucked into something called "Long Valley" - pastoral range land- perfect for summer grazing and farming. Perfect for Hike #19 (which I thought was #20, until today, when I realized it was only # 19).

So, on July 6th, with great conviction and determination, I began this 5.46 mile hike from the steps of our cabin and headed to the local fishing hole, where father's take take their children, and grandfather's take their grandchildren to learn to fish... Farmer Brown's Pond. (Mom's in this part of Idaho, seem to take the strollers with babies, umbrellas, lunches, and other assorted amenities so that the dad's and kids can fish. God Bless Moms!)

The hike to the pond was full of adventure, worthy of it's own blog entry - for another time. But the end result of getting here was idealic. I love discovering things that I never knew existed before. We have had our cabin in McCall for 10 years and I had never been to this pond - because I don't fish! But because I DO hike - now, I discovered a back yard treasure. But do you want to know the best part? The most unexpected part? The most primal and memorable part? It was the smell... the wonder, delightful, surprising smell of ... clover!

Hike # 18: Ponderosa Park, Meadow Marsh and Lily Marsh Trail

Over the river and through the woods to....well, you get the idea.

Hike # 18 began in the Ponderosa StatePark in McCall, ID. After parking at the Visitors Center, starting out on foot, and then getting lost, I finally found the trail head (which seems to be a reoccurring problem when I go it alone -even with a map and my good friend Ninny...I do tend to get lost. I have always been directionally challenged, but divinely guided)! So this hike, on July 5th, started in a packed camp ground. However, it appears that most of the park campers and visitors aren't hikers, as I only saw 3 groups on my 5.41 mile hike. I have to say, "It was divine!"

I read about this hike in a book that my husband gave me for my 60th birthday, The Hiker’s Guide to McCall & Cascade by Scott Marchant. I also got his book about hiking "Greater Boise".  He has a great web site: http://hikingidaho.com, which I discovered after the hike.

As a novice hiker (ok senior "walker" ... whatever), I look for the easy hikes so that I can build up to my dream of hiking the Alps...or something close to it. The great thing about this hike was that it started in the forest, was stress-less for  me, was shaded in the 90 degree weather, and was for the most part was level. Meadow Marsh Trail connected to the Lily Marsh Trail, which ultimately led me to steeper grades, which led  me to surprising alpine meadows and more.

Although I was huffing and puffing for this stretch, I really soaked in the hike with it's delightful creek crossings,  Rembrandt-like display of wildflowers, cacophony of bird songs, and soul-healing alone time. It was much better than listening to the 4th of July fireworks... it was nature singing her song after our country's birthday,  in spite of what we do to her.

This was a symbolic hike for me. I pondered many things, made spiritual analogies, recognized life-puzzling analogizes, and thought about my own journey into the later decades of my life. Steps...tiny, steep steps. One-way steps... one-step at a time steps into the future.

Hike # 18 was symbolic, soul searching, philosophical, and interrupted by the practical irritations of life. For example, I had a full bladder and no where to go. My cell phone rang and I took a call from my mother calling to make sure I was safe. My groin muscle spasmmed causing me to limp and wondered if I would make it back to the car- it was damn frustrating for such an inspirational hike. I even got lost ... again. To make matters worse, I thought this was Hike # 19!

But in spite of it all, I loved this hike!