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!

Hike # 17: Veterans Memorial Park - Boise Cascade Lake Loop

What could be better than celebrating your 60th birthday with  the 5 women with whom you have celebrated every past birthday for the last 18 years?

Hiking with those women - in celebration of 60 hikes during the 60th year!

Today my birthday group treated me to a picnic in the park - Veteran's Memorial Park in Boise. Despite the 90 degree weather, we were shaded by wonderful trees (thankfully), treated to a Gyro Salad (love Greek food), red velvet cupcakes (yum), a squirt gun fight (refreshing), a memory book (touching), hiking gifts (yeah), and a walk around Boise Cascade Lake (fantastic)!

This hike was written up in my new favorite book, Best Easy Day Hikes Boise by Natalie Bartley (a great present from my hubby). The remarkable thing about Boise, is that it has pockets of paradise tucked in unexpected places. And even more remarkable is that people have created trails to and around these city surprises. Perfect for novice hikers, like myself and there are lots of them just waiting to be discovered. 

Those little dots floating in the center/right of the picture are baby Canadian Geese. 

For example, I never knew about Boise Cascade Lake... and it is only 5 miles from my house. Even at 8:45 PM, this lake was being enjoyed by lots of people. The trails around the lake were filled with walkers (hikers... I meant hikers), bikers, and people of all ages who were enjoying the great outdoors and all that Boise has to offer. 

Thanks Ladies, for a great birthday celebration!

Hike # 16: Mall Hike

A "Mall Hike"!
I don't know if such a thing exists, but today, for my 60th, I went on one - a celebratory hike signalling this year's adventure. The weather was drizzly, and overcast - but perfect for the Boise Towne Center Mall Hike.

I met up with my friend, Kim, who greeted me with a bottle of Merlot and a very funny birthday card! We started by taking advantage of the break in the weather, beginning our hike on the perimeter of the mall.

Now, I had always thought of "Mall Walkers" as people who got up early, were all over 60 (hey that's me in another year), wore exercise attire, and walked the inside perimeter of the mall - floor by floor. These fast trekking seniors were quick on their feet, and walked briskly by anyone who stood in their way.

"Mall Hikers", on the other hand, start on the outside of mall... wear exercise clothes, and are equally brisk trekkers. The great thing about a "Mall Hiker" is that they get to experience the changes in elevation that the outside of the mall has to offer.

Kim and I went up and down steps, past Sears, around Penny's, flew by Macy's and 1 mile later we were back where we stared. Then it was time to transition into the "Mall Walker" World! We walked as briskly as any veteran mall walker, dodged and weaved our way through shoppers - first the top floor, then the bottom floor.

By 56 minutes, we had walked (ooops "hiked" - I mean hiked...) 3.29 miles! What a great birthday!

Happy 60th Birthday!

It's rainy and the foothill trails are muddy. Guess I'll celebrate with a "Mall Hike"!

Thoughts About Turning 60

In two days, I will officially be 60 years old. I read somewhere that 60 was the new 40. All I have to say about that is - balderdash! 60 is 60 no matter how you slice it up, dress it up, die it's hair, apply firming cream, eat right, or exercise. 60 is 60 - plain and simple.

At 60, your body hurts in places that you never thought about before. Your body shape changes. (In my case, my upper half is getting bigger than my lower half - not a good thing by the way.) Your view of politics and human motivation gets more cynical. Your plans are more about retirement than about "the future" as you knew it at 40.  But, I'm turning 60, not 40.

What makes this birthday special is not celebratory parties, once-in-a-lifetime gifts, regression adventures, or any other 60th birthday tradition. What makes this year special for me is that it represents a true change in my being. I am somehow more detached from others and more concerned about meeting my personal goal. It's not that I care less or even do less for others - it is more about how I feel. I'm not so enmeshed, emotionally. More accepting, I'd say.

I don't know if others see it, but inside I am different at 60, than at 40. A little more independent of others. A little more dependent on my ability to make healthy choices. A little more uncertain of my future. (Especially after visiting my parents this last week, watching them age, and knowing what it takes to care for the elderly - emotionally and financially.) I am a lot more determined to not repeat family history! (But privately, I worry that I will...)

Two days before my actual birthday, I have made 15 hikes in 3 months. I am hopeful I can make the remaining 45 hikes, before my next birthday. We shall see...

Hike # 15: And Another Urban Hike

Who is Juanita Cooke? 

And why is there a trail named after her in the middle of Fullerton, CA? 

According to the City of Fullerton's web site, "This greenbelt is named after Juanita Cooke, who served as a city liaison for the Fullerton Recreation Riders. This wide trail promises enjoyment for all trail trekkers."

 It was part of an old railroad spur, so it is wide and flat. It winds through neighborhoods and dead ends at a small lake (which in Idaho we would call a pond). It was filled with "walkers" and hikers (like me), even at 6:30 in the morning. 

This was the second "Urban Hike" I took with my sister. At the beginning of the 5 mile hike, we flew! I felt like a "walker" - averaging 13 min/mile. In the end, it averaged out to 15 min/mile - a real record for me!

Not too much to see, but pepper trees, bougainvillea, and fellow walkers (oops, I mean hikers). The best part of this hike was getting caught up on all of the family, with someone I grew up with and love. Hike #15 was great "sister time". Not that Hike # 14 wasn't. Its just that when you are new at this, hiking on a flat path allows you to have great conversation, even at 15 min/mile!

Final Stats:

Duration: 1 hr 17 min   Distance: 5.05 mile   Avg Speed: 3.89 mph