Hiking Withdrawl and changing of the seasons

So....I've decided that today the color is Red.  Its a nice, bright fall color.  One that I can see from my window through the pouring rain outside!!!  I have NOT hiked since we have been back from vacation.  Granted it has only been one week but I feel I am having withdrawl!!  I really wish the rain would stop so that I could go out and enjoy these fall colors with the sun shining on them!  Not getting wet while hiking would be a bonus too! 
So....kind of slipping away from my normal "hiking" post here for a second but I just needed to say how much I LOVE Fall.  I LOVE FALL!!!!  To be completely honest...I love all four seasons.  I enjoy the changing of the seasons for many different reasons.  Each season has its own wonderful and unique thing about it.  Fall....I love the colors, cooler temps, apple pie, hot soups, candles and warm, soft, sweaters! 

 Winter...I like the first 2 weeks after the first snow.  I like the crisp clean look of everything....it all looks untouched.  I like Christmas and family and for some reason this season brings me closer to all of them in one way or another.  I love Christmas music.  I love walking out in the woods after a fresh snow....it is SO SILENT!!  I feel closer to God here than probably anywhere else...not just in Winter...but in the woods period!  Oh!  And I love my parents hot tub!!

 Spring...I love the smell.  Everything is fresh and damp and new.  I love the smell of dirt, the new flowers coming up, the trees getting their green leaves back. And I love the anticipation of Summer. 

 Summer...I love Lake Michigan beaches, I like tubing down the river, camping, hiking, swimming......reading a book outside under a tree.  If that tree has a hammock, even better!  I like cook outs with family and friends.  I like Leinenkugels Summer Shandy.  I enjoy having a garden....when I had a house that HAD a garden.  I enjoy Farmers Markets and all the fresh summer produce. 

 I could go ON AND ON regarding how much I love the changing of the seasons.  I just wanted to share a few that were floating through my head today while I was cooking hot soup and fresh apple pie :) 
Until next time....

Say Ya to da U.P!!

So...it has been forever it seems since I last posted on here.  Sam and I have been in Upper Peninsula of Michigan for our vacation.  I can't even begin to tell you what AWESOME hiking they have up here....not to mention they are almost at their peak in fall colors.  Makes for some GREAT pictures.  I have not yet posted all of my pictures but will get to it when I return home. 
Our vacation has been fun....a little rainy at times but we survived.  We were in a tent for several nights and it rained the whole first night.  Makes for a damp morning for sure!!
I have to say...the air up here is SO much nicer up here...it has a sweet, fresh smell that I can't really describe.  Its almost a sweet pine smell....mostly.  But it is ALWAYS fresh.....never did I smell better air.  Seriously.  Sam agrees :)
The roads up here are endless....and usually you are on it alone.  Rarely do you see another car....or any stores, or houses.  Its peaceful.  We didn't see one fast food restaurant......no chain stores.  It was refreshing!  The places we did eat at were small, mom and pop type places but the food was always good and the people we encountered were always so sweet and friendly......that was refreshing as well.
We heard a lone wolf howling in the night....and it was a very cool sound.  One that would probably scare me if it had been any closer to our camp site.  We heard coyotes screaming in what had to be quite a large pack......that's a more eerie sound.  Because of the bears in the area....we had to be very careful with our food....had to keep it all in the car, no scraps left around the site.  I was always very careful about this because the last thing I wanted to wake up to in the middle of the night is a bear sniffing around our tent.  I did, however, want to see a bear....badly!  And we did...however, they were in a refuge.  Granted they were all in their natural environments....they had huge double fences around them.  And Sam and I got our picture taken with a little baby bear cub......he was super cute.  I was still a bit nervous though...the guy who was taking our picture, told us to kneel down so our faces were level with the cubs.....I was thinking...this bear, although he was a cub, could easily have taken off my face....or at least part of it!  They put a handful of fruit loops on the bears chest to keep him occupied and he was just licking them up.  He then turned to Sam and started licking his ear...I was actually jealous..I wanted baby bear kisses!!!

It was an experience I have to say.  He was cute and had me cracking up the majority of the time.  I had a hard time kneeling with my bad knees so was in pain most of the time but the bear entertained me and made it worth it :)
Sam and I ended up taking a dirt road....it said it was the road to Crisp Point Lighthouse.  Thinking that it would be just a little detour and wouldn't take us that long.  I was wrong.  VERY wrong.  We went down this LONG dirt road....after about 17 MILES later ( doesn't sound that long but being a dirt bumpy road, it was very long) it then turned into a two track!  BUT...the sign said Lighthouse, this way.  So...we had come this far, we might as well finish the drive!  All the while thinking that this better be one special lighthouse!!  The drive down this two track was breathtaking.  Every turn was just something different and SO pretty.  Having to go super slow.....being we were in my mom's mini van and it being a 2-track.....I didn't want to go down it like I was in a jeep.  The 7 miles on the 2-track was longer than the 17 miles on the dirt road.  However.....when we reached our destination.....we realized it was so worth it!

And the lighthouse was open and we were allowed to climb to the very top!  Not only that but we could walk around the outside edge up there too.  The views were like none other.

The long journey back in there showed us one of Michigan's hidden treasures.  We saw other, small inland lakes as well as one that was all dried up.  It was called Dry Lake :)

After our many fun adventures.....we headed over to my brother Dave's house to have an adventure there with him and the girls....as well as Erika and Rachael.  GREAT time seeing my family and thoroughly enjoyed our visit with them.  I have not yet uploaded pictures from our visit with them because we are still here.  I am tired and ready for bed.

Until next time......

SNAKES

Need I say more???  This ones for you mom!!!

Peace, contentment, and walking in the rain.

So yesterday when I woke up...it was raining.  It rained the majority of the day, actually.  I was frustrated with this because I wanted to go for a hike. 
In the morning, I went to the farmers market despite the rain....its fairly covered so I really didn't have to worry.  I enjoyed it....I was happy with my purchases of homemade pasta and my Honey Crisp apples.
I returned home and it is still raining.  Bummer.
Sam returns home from work around 1:30pm.  I notice it has stopped raining and the sun is peaking out!  YAY!!!!!!  I put on my hiking duds and my still cool new hiking boots and off I go!  My Nalgene is full and I have everything else I need.  I check out my map of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and choose a trail that I have yet to discover. 
Twenty minutes later I am at the trail head.  I'm walking along and for some reason, I'm just not happy with the hike....I feel like its constricting me in a way.  Its weird and I can't explain it.  It has a cool, Little House on the Prairie-ish covered bridge, and its running along the Cuyahoga River....but its just not exciting for me.  Perhaps because it is so close to houses that I can see through the trees??  Its close to a road and I keep seeing cars drive by.  I don't like it.  When I hike, I like to be out in the middle of nowhere....with the prospect of getting lost.  THAT is exciting for me!!!  Not that I would really get lost but the IDEA of it is exciting to me for some reason.  I feel like I'm truly on an adventure if I can't see civilization.

  So...I turn back and return to my car.  I see on the map that there is a different trail head not 2miles down the road.  So....I carry on to that new trail head in hopes that I'll be happier with it.
Once I turn into the trail head...I am relieved and happy already.  I check out the trail map and there are 2 to choose from.  I choose the trail that is 5 and half miles.  The Sun is still out and I have been waiting all day for a hike.  I set out and am so happy with this choice.  Right away I love the "feel" of the trail.  It is super peaceful and I can't see ANY houses or civilization...or any other hikers for that matter. 

About a mile into the hike I come across this beautiful pond...and it almost reminds me of the pond or lake that is in the Friday the 13th movies.  Yeah...I know that's weird but it looks almost exactly like it.  However...it is not a scared feeling I get.  I get this peaceful feeling come over me...I am content.
There is a bench right near the waters edge and I have a seat.  There is not ONE other person around.  I just sit and take it all in.....and I really don't want to leave.  However...I realize that I need to finish the rest of the 4 miles before it gets dark.  So...sadly, I keep moving to see what other cool sights this hike has for me.
Well...there is plenty of sights that I am enjoying and exploring...but I suddenly realize that it is no longer sunny.  As a matter of fact....its darn right cloudy!  When did that happen??
All of a sudden...I'm hearing thunder....and seeing flashes of lightening!  This storm came out of NOWHERE!!!  I hurry my pace to just short of a run........and then.....it is POURING!!!!  I'm not talking about a slight drizzle, or sprinkle.  It is raining SIDEWAYS!!!!  Already I am soaked all the way through.  I am running now because the lightening has me worried.  I am still about 2 miles away from the trail head and stuck in the middle of a booming thunderstorm. 

For the first time on this hike, I see this man running through the woods holding flags.  He isn't on the trail and he runs up to me.  I was a little scared at first until I noticed he was a volunteer of our Metro Parks. He was out there teaching a class on how to read topographical maps.  Anyway..he tells me to follow him that he knows of a short cut back to the trail head.  I am leery at first but choose to follow him.  He cut off about a whole mile and a half and gets us back to the trail head a LOT sooner!!  I was very grateful to him....and happy I was back to my car.  It is still storming....and it is still pouring.  Raining so hard, actually, that I can't drive right away because even my fastest wiper blades isn't showing me the road.

I sit in my car for a bit until it lightens up.....and then I go home.  End of story....until this morning when I wake up and realize I am covered in poison ivy.  Once again.  yay.  It had to have been when I left the trail to follow dude to my car.  I was running through mad undergrowth and didn't even realize it was the evil, 3-leafed plant.  It wasn't just poison ivy of course...but there was enough there for it to affect me.  Oh well....I will continue my hikes....on Sunny days, that is!

Losing track

Here's my problem....I keep losing track of how far I've hiked in somewhere.  Normally if I do a Metro Park hike, its usually a loop of some sort.....and it usually tells you how far the hike (loop) is before you even begin.  That way you know what you're getting yourself into.  However....if you do a trail hike....a trail that is NOT a loop...you have to pay attention to how far you're hiking....because you're going to have to hike the same path to get back.  This morning...I wasn't paying attention.  I just kept right on going....and going....and going.  The cool thing about this hike was that there was something so awesome beyond every curve in the trail.  I HAD to keep going to see what was beyond the next bend!!  I was not once disappointed by the things I discovered :) 
It was the first hike I've been on where I saw SO MUCH WILDLIFE!!!  I saw Great Blue Herons, Fish, Butterflies, all kinds of birds, a black snake, turtles.  Not to mention the stupid bugs...I think I accidentally ingested a disgusting amount of no-see-ums.  Could have sworn one flew up my nose too.  Yeah....disturbing, isn't it?
I didn't let them phase me though...I just kept on trucking.....through the light drizzle of rain.  I haven't hiked in a few days and today I said I was going to hike Rain or Shine.  It rained. 
The only thing I need now is a rain jacket.  My boots are waterproof, plus I've sprayed them extra for more protection.  Today they got muddy for sure.....but they were still a dream to my feet :)
Anyway.  I'm not sure if anyone knows what arthritis feels like in your knees...or any joint for that matter.  But today I was having issues with my arthritis in my knees.....they ACHED SO BAD!!  I had taken 800mg of Ibuprofen before I left....but sadly, it didn't feel like they were working.  Despite the pain in my knees....I kept on trucking!
My whole point is....is that I thoroughly enjoyed my hike....no matter HOW far I hiked with aching knees.  I saw so many things, so much nature....I was in awe.  I don't mind losing track when I'm hiking....as long as I know where I'm going and know that if I turn around at any point, I'll find my way back.  The Buckeye Trail is many, many miles long.  Maybe someday I'll hike the trail in its entirety.  Until then...I'll just keep putting miles in at different locations on the trail.  And so what if I lose track.....I see amazing things when I do and am never disappointed!
Until next time....

GORP.....and everything else running through my mind.

Good Old Raisins and Peanuts.  That is what GORP is.....and I've just made a TON of it for all my hiking adventures.  I even bagged it all individually in 1 cup portions.....easy to grab and toss into my day pack.  Not only is it my favorite trail snack, it provides me with surprising amount of energy.  I enjoy granola, granola bars, apples, dried fruits, nuts and turkey jerky. 
It is surprising to me that I am more apt to eat a healthy meal on the days that I hike....I have been trying to eat more healthy anyway because of the diabetes but for some reason...hiking helps me to make better food choices.  I know that probably sounds weird or might not make sense to any of you but it works for me.  Therefore....I will let it continue to help me make better food choices :)
It is the second day of a wonderful, Fall-like weather.  Yesterday it rained all day so it kept me inside.  Today has been super cloudy....but not raining.  However, I have yet to get out there and take a hike.  My stomach has been hurting really bad since last night......and I am hesitant to wander too far away from home.  I'm sure that needs no further explanation :)
Anyhoo.....I have to tell you that not only am I in love with the whole hiking activity...I am now addicted to reading all about it.   My mind has been a wonderful sponge, taking in everything I can learn about hiking and backpacking.  I have read A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson...his hilarious recap of walking the Appalachian Trail.  I have read AWOL On the Appalachian Trail but David Miller.  I enjoyed this book even more than A Walk in the Woods.  They are inspiring to me.  Yes...of course the thought of me one day actually hiking the Appalachian Trail HAS crossed my mind.  However...it would take a lot more training on my part,  as well as the gumption to put my thoughts into actions.  I can imagine the trails and adventures that I myself would have if I were to do it.  Its a HUGE undertaking....daunting miles, thrilling climbs....it all scares the crap out of me but intrigues me more than anything.  It would be a ways off if I were to even consider doing something of that magnitude.  I have thrown out the idea of it to Sam as well as my mom.  Sam is always supportive...however I know he has reservations of me doing something like that.  My mom on the other hand....says anything is possible but in doing so...I can't hike it alone.  My thoughts seem a little different on that.  It seems that when I think of myself doing something like this....I am doing it alone.  In my minds eye, dreaming about it, praying about it.....I AM doing it alone.  I think about if I were to do it...and to actually plan it with another person.....who would that person be?  Who could I venture out into the woods for long periods of a time with?  I mean....lack of everything a person is used to having AFTER a day of hiking is NOT what is out there.  You're eating a LOT less than you normally would, you're walking a LOT more than you normally would.  You would be going days without a shower....without a TOILET!  Yup........that's a lot to think about.  Not to mention what kinds of people or animals you will encounter out there in the wilderness.   There are a ton of things that go through my head regarding a hike on the AT.  As for right now....I will definitely say that I am setting it as one of my goals.  Not necessarily anytime soon....but.....within the next 5 years, perhaps?  Next 3 years?  It is not something that I can enter into lightly.  I know its so much hard work.....will I be strong enough to take on such a challenge?  I know with God, anything is possible.  I know that if I really want it, and I do go through with it....I will never really be alone. He will be with me.  Not to mention, I have no idea who the heck would be willing to try with me!  LOL.....oh the dreams I have.
So....since I couldn't get out to hike today.  I decided to dream about it instead.....eating my GORP as I do so :)
Until next time....

Adventuresome Spirit

I have been pondering the idea of creating a blog based on my hiking adventures....seeing as I have quite a few of them I wouldn't mind sharing.  I may not be a great writer so I'm just going to try this out for a bit and see how it goes.  If you don't like it, I won't be mad.......if you do enjoy reading it, I would love to know that too :)
Recently I have begun hiking all the trails and metro parks in my area.  I guess I should begin by telling you how and why I started hiking in the first place.  It all started because of my health.  Sam and I were trying to start a family of our own and weren't having much luck.  At the beginning of this year, we started to see a fertility specialist.  Well...he was doing some routine tests and found I am diabetic.  In order for me to continue fertility treatments, I needed to see my regular doctor and get my sugar under control.  AFTER I realized how bad my sugar really was, and I saw how it was affecting my health, did I fully realize I needed to take action.  I don't want to be overweight...and I certianly don't want to be an out of control diabetic either.  My Grandpa (my mom's dad) was a diabetic and he chose to ignore the fact.  He ended up losing both his legs.  Quite the slap in the face when you are told you are super close to being in a diabetic coma. 
So here I am.....unable to get pregnant because I haven't been taking very good care of my health.  Ouch.  Well...It was time for me to get off my big butt and do something about it.  Since seeing my regular family doctor and getting on medication for my sugar....I began seeing a dietitian as well.  I check my sugars about 3-4 times a day now and very quickly realized all the junk I was used to eating was not doing ANYthing good for me.  I started eating high protein meals with LOTS of greens...vegetables and salads.  I just now started adding fruit back into my diet.  Of course....I slip on  occasion and eat the things I shouldn't....but....I'm human.  What's a girl to do?
It was at this time that I began my hiking the metro parks in my area.  Come to find out that we have around 21 different metro parks in my area alone!  So...I set out into one of these parks and realized how BEAUTIFUL the park was.  I only hiked about a mile or so but was thouroughly in LOVE with being outdoors and in the woods.  Far away from people.....well for the most part...except for the others out there who are enjoying the park as well.
The following day, I choose a different metro park and hiked that one....again, only about a mile or so.  I started taking pictures of the parks that I hiked.  My mom back in Michigan enjoyed hearing about these hikes and so I started to share pictures with her as well.  Thats how it all began :)
I had realized that it was easier for me to stay motivated if I shared these pictures with my mom....she was coming to expect them now.  If I missed a day, I was questioned about it.  Not in a bad way but in a way that made me want to keep doing it.  Not sure if that makes any sense but thats the way it goes.
I also realized that OTHER people were enjoying my pictures as well.  Well....to go along with those pictures I had stories I wanted to share too but just never did.  So...this is why I started a blog :)
Since the day I began hiking,  it has been almost 2 months and I am down 22 pounds.  I hike as often as I can....usually on the days that I don't work.  I had knee surgery back in May and my knee is still bothered if I overdue it.  However...I have recently been hiking anywhere from 4-8 miles when I go out.  No longer is it just the Metro parks either.....I have branched out and have begun hiking in our Cuyahoga Valley National Park too. 
   Just this week is the beginning of our Metro Parks  anual Fall Hiking Spree.  You have to hike 8 of their trails between now and November.  The first year you obtain a wooden hiking stick along with a kind of sheild thing that has the year on it.  Each year after that you earn a different "sheild" with that year on it.  This year I will be doing this hiking spree with 2 of my girlfriends...I hope anyway.  If not...I'll do it alone......obviously I have no issue with hiking alone.  I rather enjoy it.
On top of this Fall Hiking Spree....I will continue to hike the many different trails in the National Forest.  I have found several favorites...one being Virginia Kendall.  This park is beyond beautiful...and its not even 10 minutes from where I live. 
   With all this hiking, and a fall that hurt.... my parents have bought me my first pair of brand new hiking boots.  Never have I ever been so excited about a pair of shoes.  The first hike I took with them on was 7.3 miles and I didn't even feel like I had hiked 1 single mile!  I have my Nalgene bottles, my day pack and now I carry Pepper Spray to ease my mothers mind of me hiking alone.  I pray that I never am put into a situation that I have to use. it......what fun would that be?
Anyhoo
I have so much I want to share regarding my hiking experiences that I recently have had...and I also want to share some goals.  However...I have typed quite a bit today and don't want to become too boring.  So I'll save it for a new post...perhaps tomorrow?  Who knows. 
   Until then....I'll keep my hiking spirit alive and moving :)