Still love hiking

I read over my blog entries sometimes. It helps me remember things that made me happy at certain points in time. There are a couple of things I don't want to forget about this weekend's trip. Things that now seem impossible to forget, but that will blur in a week and loose their color in a month.

The number one coolest thing from last weekend was crossing a creek. The water flowed fast, the creek bed was rocky. I suppose I could have just crossed it in the water anyway, since I was wearing my water shoes. But the creek was also crossed by several fallen trees. I've long craved the experience of crossing a creek by balancing on a log. I've also always been a coward about it. The only cure for cowardice is experience. In one direction, I wound up on all fours. It must have been comical. But I did cross. And my pack did not get soaked. On our way back, it was raining heavily. We heard thunder from time to time, although I don't remember if it was still thundering when we reached the creek. The logs were wet. There was a pair of logs I wanted to try first. I decided that confidence was the best strategy. But I mis-stepped and my foot slipped between the logs. Just some scratches and bruises. And annoyance. I saw another pair of logs. Worked my way over to them through the water-logged grass. Carefully, using my hiking poles I got across. Although I'm a bit embarrassed to have found this so difficult, I'm proud of my first baby step. And when I tell the story later, I can skip the bit where I don't look like a badass.

The next funny thing. On the road here and back, there were lots of animal crossing signs. Mostly deer and elk. But there was also a cow crossing. This is a bit hilarious. Not that running into a cow is hilarious. Side note: in Tennessee, if you run over a deer you get to keep the road kill to eat. I wonder if you get to keep your freshly run-over beef in this state? Seems like a perverse incentive. And yes, I agree with everyone who tells me that cows are quite . . . large. Your car would be unhappy after such an encounter. But unlike deer, it's not like cows charge across the road to prime being-hit position, and then freeze and stare at you. If you can't see a cow chllin' on a straightaway, you should get your vision checked. We did see cows on the side of the road, munching their grass. Mmmm delicious happy cows!

I suppose I should remind myself here of how hard it is to hike upwards at 10,000 feet carrying a 25lb pack. Every single step felt like a struggle. Unburdened and at a lower altitude, I'm sure I would have made better progress. As things stood, I had to stop for water every 15 minutes, and for snacks every hour. On the bright side, I have made great gains in physical fitness. If only I'd made those gains previous to the hike . . .

Nevertheless, all the pain was worth it times a thousand. Delving into the wilderness, checking out the nature, sleeping far from a real bed- these are all things I've needed badly. It reminds me of how big and varied the world is. It reminds me that going with the flow might suffice, but every step away from comfort brings that much more happiness. You have to exercise the discomfort muscle. It takes effort, similar to the effort it takes to go to the gym. You only remember how rewarding it is after the fact. There ought to be some real philosophical point here, but I'm stuck.

Let's just end with Nature is Awesome.