Happy Spring?

Just when I think I'm starting to get back into the regular hiking (and blogging) swing of things, Mother Nature decides to get a little witchy and throws 12+ inches of snow our way.  Last week starting Monday night, we had some snow.  It was quite a shock to the system after experiencing 60-70 degree days.  I mean, I even had the heat off and the windows open several days.  Then WHAM! (not the band) a crap ton of snow (yes, crap ton is an official measurement).
So yesterday when my mom suggested a short hike, I went.  It was sunny and in the 40's, so we headed to nearby Gettysburg National Military Park to "hike".  We actually ended up walking along a seldom used road near historic Sach's Covered Bridge that crosses another historic bridge to another seldom used road that winds through some farmland.  We had our hiking poles put neither of us took our packs.  It was more about being outside and moving those muscles.
Our next big adventure is the end of next month, so getting prepared is a necessity.  We'll only be doing an overnight, so I'm hoping that means less weight and no issues for me.  I'm planning to really get my workouts started at home on the treadmill, and I'd like to hike each weekend with my pack to prepare.
In my spare time, I've been fostering rescue dogs for a local dog rescue.  I've successfully fostered 2 and had both adopted.  I get my third one in the near future. I'm secretly hoping I find one that makes an excellent hiking companion.  I have a good vibe about the one I'll be getting, so I plan to take him out for some test hikes. 
In the meantime, I'm working out the packing list for my trip and trying to decide what to take and what to leave.  I'm also wondering what the heck to purchase with this year's REI dividend.  Between the dividend and the snow, it's almost like Christmas!

The Countdown

This time next month, I'll be on the Trail somewhere.  I'm not sure if I'll be actuall hiking, or if I'll be lying on the side of the trail telling people to contiue on without me.  Either way, I'll be on the trail.

In a last minute push, I managed to get back into the gym.  I've only gone one day so far, but I went back.  I tried not to push too much because I didn't want to cause issue with my muscle injury.  For a few days afterwards it was a little touch and go.  The heating pad was my best friend.  Then I took one of my prescription anti-inflammatories, went to bed and woke up the next morning completely pain free.  And for 2 days now, I haven't even had the typical constant ache.  I'm hoping it lasts.

I haven't been able to do much actual hiking.  September came and my world exploded with school meetings and scout meetings and popcorn meetings... I did have my grandson visiting for a weekend and we managed to take him to the Battlefield for a short hike.  No doubt he loves the outdoors and hiking, but he just runs with no sense of potential pitfalls.  Luckily he had his uncle there to help him along. 

Just need a few more things to round out my gear and figure out meals and I'm good to go!

Hiking at Gettysburg

 Once again, the weather threw a wrench in our weekend hiking plans. 

 Our area received 12 inches of snow this past Thursday, 

and that meant 12 inches of snow on the trails.  

So we took off to Gettysburg Battlefield again. 

Feeling a little more adventurous, we decided to go off road a bit and try one of the trails.

Of course, you can't actually see the trail when it's covered with 12 inches of snow. 

 I'm fairly certain that we were following more of a deer trail,

 if we were even following a trail at all.  

But that didn't really matter since the sun was shining

 and the temperature was near 50 degrees.

My son told me several times that if he didn't have his new trekking poles 

and hiking boots

he would have probably fallen off the "mountain"

(it was barely a hill, no steep drops, no cliffs just a gentle sloping hill).

We hiked to a peaceful spot along Rock Creek.

And I tried distracting the 8 year old 

by pointing out tracks in the snow 

and teaching him how to identify them.

(these are rabbit prints).

In total, we did about 3.5 miles

which isn't bad for throwing together a plan last minute.

Hoping next week we'll get to do something a little more strenuous.

Six Miler

 

Three of the 7 going on The Trip

 Saturday brought some significant snow to our area.  I'm guessing it was around 8 inches or so.  Needless to say, it caused some issues with our planned Sunday hike.  With a little maneuvering and a couple of phone calls, we decided to walk along the road in the Gettysburg National Battlefield Park.  Walking along the road isn't my favorite thing to do, but I'd rather be outside (especially when the weather is sunny and in the 40's) than sitting in the house.  So off we went.
The weather was great after dealing with several days of subzero windchill and snow.  We walked/hiked one way until we got the an area that was closed then turned around and walked the other way.  All total we did about 6 miles.  Physically I was feeling pretty good.  The only issue I had was my hip.  I fell on it last year and every now and then it gives me a little problem.  It had actually been fine, but today it was really aching.  It probably warrants a trip to the doctor to get it double checked.  When I got home, I ran a hot bath, lit my stress relief candle and put on some Chopin and soaked in a hot bubble bath.  Between that and some ibuprofen, I was feeling better.  Looking forward to the next hike we have planned and hoping we have weather as nice as today (except without the snow covering the ground).

A couple of scenic shots from the hike.

A random canon on the left and Eisenhower Farm on the right.

Get Lost

Of course I'm speaking figuratively not literally. On the second hike I went on this winter (I know, I'm out of order since I've been on 4 so far), my hiking partners and I opted to head to a local covered bridge and hike along the creek. There wasn't much of a path, and what there was didn't go very far so we opted to just follow the creek.  A few times we ended up on the wrong side of a fence because of fallen trees taking the fence down, but it only took a minute to get back on track.
Eventually we came to an area where another small creek merged with the larger one.  With no way to cross, we had no other choice but to turn around and head back.   It was probably time to head back anyway since it was raining, and it was getting darker and colder by the minute. 
Hikes like these are some of my favorites.  I like the idea of being able to wander without a path and get lost in nature.  Of course, with the creek right there, we weren't in any actual danger of getting lost (because I have no desire to actually get lost in the woods).

3 of the 7 going on "The Trip"

 

I am hoping that this weekend I will  be able to make it out and about again.  However, Saturday's weather is predicting 37 degrees, 16MPH winds and 80% chance of snow.  Sunday is forecasted as 11 degrees and 24MPH winds.  So far, Saturday is the looking like the best option.  Hopefully the wind won't be too bad and we can get out and hike.  I enjoy my gym workouts, but nothing beats being outside, even if it is cold and windy and there is no path.

Starting the New Year Right

Usually at the beginning of the new year I make an in depth list of resolutions.  This year, I opted not to do that.  Most of the time I forget about them by the time February hits and then by about November I remember and scramble to try to complete the list, which I don't, and then I get all depressed about it.  For this year, I have a goal and that goal is this hike of the Maryland section of the Appalachian Trail.This trip is something I've always wanted to do.  It's an adventure.  But to be able to accomplish it, I need to make sure I do some things- like eating healthier and working out to get into back packing shape and working on finances in order to be able to afford the equipment that I'll need.  These are things I tended to focus on in my resolution list only now they aren't the focus, they're just the things I need to do to reap the reward of an awesome trip.  I'm hoping that switching things up and changing my focus will benefit me in the long run.  And if it works, next year I'll plan to hike another section, though I'm already planning on hiking the whole thing section by section anyway.  Unless, of course, I get out on the trail and find out that I absolutely hate back packing (I seriously doubt that will happen since I love hiking and I love camping and back packing is hiking and camping all at the same time). 

So, when January 1st rolled around, I made going on a hike a priority.  I wasn't able to go on the exact hike I had planned as I was sick the day before with a nasty stomach virus (I'll skip the gory details).  So my mom and my son and I headed to Gettysburg and took a short non strenuous hike through part of the battlefield.  I was probably pushing myself a little too much so soon after being so sick, but they say whatever you're doing the first day of a new year is what you'll be doing throughout the year to come.

I don't know about you, but I want to be on the trail as much as possible this year.