MAYBE WE SHOULD TURN AROUND?

19TH HIKE: WALKABOUT TRAIL

Facts

Location: Pascoag, RI

Park: George Washington Park

Trail:  Walkabout - 8 miles (we ended up walking 10-12 miles, we got lost!)

Date: 10/8/11

The Adventure

I was home for my grandparents 60th anniversary celebration up in Northampton, MA. That Saturday while back in Worcester I decided to find a local hike that I had yet to go on and naturally fell short of spots in Massachusetts. I had completed a limited amount of hiking in Rhode Island and through some research landed on walkabout. Erika and Eric decided to join me for the occasion and I selected the walkabout trail because it was close by, it had different trail options, and most importantly I loved the name. I would not so secretly love to go on a legit walkabout, as in a "spiritual journey" like the Aboriginal Australians did, at some point in my life. I was mostly excited for my first and only chance to spot the foliage in New England this year!


I was leaving for Philly that evening after the hike so Eric, Erika, and I decided that the 6 mile trail would be best because the 2 mi would be short and the 8 mi trail would be cutting it close to dinner time back at the Banner. The trail was really beautiful, full of hills, and obstacles through the woods. Erika and I spent most of the time catching up on our lives, discussing jobs, the future, and education. When the trail forked we went left deciding that there should be an end to the six mile trail soon. When we came out to the dirt road we determined that it must have been the six mile stop point and thought we should just walk down main path back to the car. It was getting late and we were all hungry.

We started going in one direction only to realize we were not quite sure if we were walking towards the car. We asked for directions and realized we were going the wrong way, thus turning around again. The people giving us directions were not entirely sure so I used my iphone to determine we should turn around for the third time. After walking for 1-2 miles and realizing that we were not getting any closer I consulted the phone one last time. It demonstrated that we were still another 2 miles from the car going in the wrong direction. I was waiting for Eric or Erika to beat me up for all the blunders I had made in trying to guide us back to the car. We finally got back to the road we drove in on and we're so grateful! A park ranger drove by and asked if we were lost and if we wanted a ride. Eric and I looked at each other and hesitated a moment given our high level of pride before finally submitting and taking the ride back (which saved us an additional ten minutes of walking.) It was a long day on the trail and despite the unnecessary walk back to the car I truly enjoyed it! Also even though I was slightly late I still made it to the Banner for dinner before the lengthy drive home.

Please don't kill me!

THE SPIRIT OF TUSCARORA

18TH HIKE: THE SPIRIT OF TUSCARORA

Facts

Location: Blain, PA

Park: Tuscarora State Forest

Trail:  The Spirit of Tuscarora - 4.5 miles

Date: 9/17/11

SHADES OF DEATH

 17TH HIKE: SHADES OF DEATH

Facts

Location:  near White Haven, PA

Park: Hickory Run State Park

Trail:  Shades of Death - 1.5 miles

Date: 9/10/11

RUN KELLY RUN!

16TH HIKE: KELLY'S RUN

Facts

Location: Holtwood, PA

Park: Holtwood Recreational Area

Trail:  Kelly's Run - 4 miles

Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Rating: Difficult - takes an experienced hiker 2.5 hours

Date: 9/2/11

Adventure

The adventure will be missing from the next four hikes. Too much time has lapsed since I completed the hikes and my brain is fried as a result of being over extended (and loving it!)

I will mention that I completed this hike with Mauricio. It was one of the BEST hikes of the summer. Incredible scenery, great cardio, plenty of laughs, ice cream & burgers as well. I love hiking in Lancaster county!

MAGICAL (JEW)EL-VILLE

15TH HIKE: GUNPOWDER FALLS AKA "COVERED BRIDGES"

Facts

Location: Kingsville, MD

Park: Gunpowder Falls State Park

Trail: Gunpowder South Trail (?) 

Attraction: Jerusalem Mill (with re-enactments of old Jewish Quaker settlements)

Date: 8/21/11


Adventure

I took off in the Adventure-Mobile with Rebecca and Mauricio for a day of hiking in Maryland. I was excited to be hiking in a different state. When we got to gunpowder state park the mill and shops were closed until 11 or noon. At first I could not locate the trail start and went through different versions of the map trying to discern where the hike should begin. Finally I found a man in the field behind the Jerusalem Mill. My first concern was that the gentleman wouldn't break character to help guide me towards the trails, but he was kind and obliged my request (most likely because the park was not officially open yet for tourists.) Rebecca, Mauricio, and I began our jaunt down by the river...I shot my baby (sorry couldn't resist the Neil Young reference.)

Standing on the Covered Bridge

The main feature of the trail was a really cool covered bridge that we spent some time analyzing and photographing! On our walk through the woods we saw a variety of cool stones, mushrooms, bugs, and toads? The most phenomenal aspect of the hiking experience was by far the conversations that occurred. I am not sure how many miles we walked in the woods as we were on a time limit due to evening plans and rain was a factor. We constantly stopped to take photos and examine the environment around us. The experience of being out in nature and catching up with good friends was glorious, but I must be honest the hike itself was fairly simply and not too spectacular when compared to other adventures in this blog. Hiking with friends is always worth the trip and we beat out the rain on the return voyage so that was also a bonus. What was really interesting about our topic of conversation was that we spoke of  the future, energy, tarot cards, etc. There was a great deal of positive energy surrounding us on this trip to Maryland and it felt like there was magic in the air.

Orange Mushrooms

Once we completed our walk through the woods we went over to one of the actors to discuss the tools she was shaping, such as cups and combs from animal horns. Rebecca, Mauricio, and I sat around a picnic table to indulge is some treats for lunch. Rebecca had packed some chicken and I recall their being chips, granola bars, and I wanna say fruit. Just as we finished our lunch the rain arrived so we hopped in the car and headed back home for ice cream! If you've yet, to notice ice cream and food in general seem to be the themes to my tales.

Good Times!

SURPRISING LOVED ONES

14TH HIKE: MOUNT TOM

Facts

Location: Holyoke, MA

Park: Mount Tom State Reservation 

Trail:  Beau Bridges & M-M (part of it)

Elevation: 822+ ft

Date: 8/17/11

Adventure

I scooped Jully up in Auburn and drove to western Mass without telling her where we were going. I offered a vague response to every question she asked because I had secretly devised a plan to pick up David and the two of us were going to surprise Jully. After a happy reunion for the three of us we hopped in the car to grab sandwiches and hit the trail. Now I have been to Mount Tom before, but I have never hiked on the main trails with a map. I have done my own exploration in the woods and up steep parts of the mountain, so in my eyes this format of hiking this location was novel. Jully, David, and I were so hungry that we inhaled our sandwiches before the trip even took place. Oddly enough we ended up eating the wrong sandwiches as each of us failed to even look at the contents of our wraps.

Goat Peak

We hiked up the Beau Bridges trail first. David was bounding through the trail and running up the hill. The whole hike the three of us were laughing, catching up, and making inappropriate jokes about what we would do on top of goat peak. The Massachusetts greenery is truly different from PA. While both are beautiful there is something about the New England scenery that consistently takes my breath away. David, who is not easy on sincere compliments paid me a rather vibrant one, suggesting that he couldn't picture sharing nature with any one other than me. My heart was beating fondly the whole way up the hill with my loved ones, my family! Jully and I hung back on the trail and let David pass ahead as the incline was tough to tackle at some parts.

UMASS

Once we got to the top of Goat Peak we sat and looked out on the Pioneer Valley. We stopped for photo ops before climbing the lookout tower. The tower was old and rickety. The stairs were steep and the tower was high, it was quite a feat to tackle, but Jully, David, and I turned out victorious in the end. After taking in the view for a little while longer we headed back down to the car via the M-M trail, which is the largest and most beautifully, scenic trail at  Mount Tom. After coming out of the woods we were stopped by a woman and her three children seeking directions back to a specific trail on the mountain. I provided the woman with directions using my map and once through explaining I suggested she take the it so that they wouldn't get lost. We parted ways with David then Jully and I scurried home, mildly late for an enjoyable family dinner at gram's! The hike was incredible! I couldn't ask for a better day!

Top of the Tower

NO TURNING BACK NOW!

13TH HIKE: HAWK MOUNTAIN 

Facts

Location: Kempton, PA

Park: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary

Trail: Skyline (most difficult)

Elevation: 1,500+ ft

Date: 8/7/11

Adventure

New Socks!

Believe it or not I didn't pack a lunch. I anticipated hawk mountain being a short climb up, then down and back home to eat. Haha! This was one of the most amazing and exhilarating hikes of the summer! Henry and I took off for hawk mountain. I had my hiking shoes in the car and was convinced that I had wool socks in the box with them...wrong! I had to buy a pair of socks in the gift shop before hitting the trail. I asked for a map and what trail had the best views. I was told the Skyline, but that it was the most difficult trail in the park (did I hear you say difficult, just checking.) Naturally there became no other option for me. After walking arond the park with Henry checking out all the "clearview hawks" in the fog at different lookout points on the north trail, we met our match with the Skyline. There was literally no visible trail the blazes were on the rocks and we had no option, but to climb down, same idea as a cliff only not as drastic. Henry asked me one last time if I was sure that I wanted to do it, but I reckon the look in my eyes suggested there was no way I would miss out on this adventure!

Start of Skyline Trail

The climb was wild and non-stop. Once we got to a level spot on the skyline the terrain still consisted of climbing up and down rocks for almost a solid hour before reaching the connecting trails to bring us back to the visitor center. Henry and I exchanged stories about our travels, enjoyment of nature, and memories of college. We paused to indulge in some crackers and granola bars. I failed to mention that it had rained the day before and all the rocks were slippery. I totally fell several times, not cute, thank goodness for my "Katniss" like reflexes! We ended up at the river of rocks, which totally reminded me of ringing rocks, (this formation was most likely caused by an avalanche.) What was really cool about reaching the river of rocks was knowing how far away from the top we had travel, but also knowing the climb back up might be a little painful. However, no pain, no gain! We barreled our way to the top and felt quite victorious. We filled up our bottles with water by the visitors center and were on our way home, for an ice cold shower.

What should have been an two hour hike, turned into four. Still one of the better hikes I've been on this summer. I would love to go back and do it again! Also we saw walking stick bugs, and really cool shale.

Walking Sticks