My goal: to walk around Long Lake. I did it. In 3 hours. As we sell our home, I keeping thinking about the term, 'last one', that our kids use with our granddaughter.This was likely the last one for this trek. A good time was had, and I have said good-bye to the precious forest where I walked and breathed in the fine air.
I am so proud of myself. It took 3 hours, more or less.
I walked around Long Lake
At my age there is little on my bucket list. I'm just not the adventurous type. I do not have lofty goals and dreams. As 25-year teaching career stood me in good stead.
A published book. And a story that impresses all with my fortitude. You just have to put one foot in front of the other.
The old bridge, falling apart and covered in flora, railings battered by hurricane-damaged trees falling.
I was fully unprepared for this journey, because I forgot a water bottle. I knew the path, as I had snowshoed it in winter. The thing is, where the ATVs and sledders break trail in winter, in summer bracken and raspberry bushes take great joy in growing along the sunny path. My legs are scratched. I have bruises from moving furniture, but that is another story!
Once starting on the path, I just couldn't turn around. The detours, with fallen logs, were a pain, as were the bogs. The kind woman at the water processing plant filled a sample bottle of water for me. I wouldn't have made it otherwise. A delightful walk through deep variations of green. The fern waving fronds at me, moved by light breezes.
I saw evidence of critters turning over moss, looking for bugs. And mushrooms nibbled by hungry critters.
The ATVs have worn a terrible double groove in the old Bala Road, which fills with water and mosquitoes.
I was a weary traveler, through bog and muck, around hill and dale. I made it! Yes, I had to go slowly around the bogs.
I wore my bear bell and saw nary a bear. Despite forgetting lunch, I paused and stole some blueberries from the bears. I'm sure they will forgive me.
I saw little wildlife, but lots of mushrooms, and dragonflies.
The vistas were wonderful.
If I wasn't so bugged out and hungry, I would have taken a photo of myself with the timer.
This is where I started my trek: on Tower Rd. off of highway #38.
I nibbled on wild blueberries.
An excellent journey and one that will be forever in my dreams and memories.
5 comments:
Bravo Jenn! It's nice to mark big changes in our life with special acts full of meaning and memories.
How did you manage without water while engaged in such a rigorous hike for 3 hours?!!
“Few people know how to take a walk. The qualifications are endurance, plain clothes, old shoes, an eye for nature, good humor, vast curiosity, good speech, good silence and nothing too much.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
.. not sure about the old shoes part though :)
Making memories! That lovely time with nature -- and the exercise -- is my kind of life adventure. And thanks for sharing the perfect walk with us. (Except for forgetting your water bottle. Mustn't do that ;>))
A great hike and I am sure, well worth it. Good for you!
Nice memories! - Margy
Post a Comment