We arrived before 2 and headed straight up. Once on top we wandered all over the connecting trails on the top. Eddie led, and Ann let him choose the direction each time. We finally hooked up with the ridge trail and went north to the turtle head boulder.
We watered Ed, ate some grapes, and Ann climbed the turtle head. She found a lone harvestman and played with it for a while, then found a large leaf-footed or stink bug. She saw it squirt some stank, as she called it, out its back end, then it kept going along on the boulder top. Do bugs pee, separate from their poop? I don't know. She thought it was stank and I told her to bend down and smell it, but she was in a precarious position and couldn't. I think she just didn't want to.
While at the boulders we looked around for a good hiding spot for a geocache, but couldn't find one suitable. The best place, a large crevice/opening at the base in the back of one of the boulders, was guarded by poison oak. No thank you. We also looked for a good hollow while meandering the top, but only one I found, on a fallen, rotting tree trunk, she nixed because she said nobody would want to reach into there looking for it.
We have both registered as users, and she has logged at least 10 finds so far. I don't have any, but haven't tried yet.
Total hike: 3.4 + miles, 2 hrs. I forgot to start the thing until we were part-way up the craggy top, and I stopped the timer when I knew we were stopping, and sometimes forgot to restart it. So these aren't official numbers. We planned to go about 5 miles but my foot was hurting, and my big toes. Now that I'm wearing heel cups I may need 1/2 size larger shoe. I'll go in Thursday before we leave and maybe buy another pair.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Turtle Hike
Ann and I arrived around 1, parked low and went east. We took the Lo Chi and had a wonderful hike. We saw a box turtle on the trail, her first, my fifth, and we admired her for a while. It has been kind of chilly for them to be out. Mine have been getting deeper and deeper in their overwinter hibernating holes, only coming out when it is warm enough. When we stopped to look at her she closed up tight and we wanted to make sure she was unharmed, so we decided to return on the same route to see if she had left the spot where we put her. I marked her spot on my Garmin, the first time I have done that.
So we hiked as far north as possible, even going down to the tracks and continuing north for a while. We finally headed back, and I pulled up her location, and we were just walking along and talking when my Garmin set off its alarm. We had arrived at the turtle spot. She wasn't there and we looked all around. That was good news. I love my Garmin.
Ann saw a couple of tiny young lizards, we saw some grasshoppers, including one like last week with the very loud click-clicks and bright yellow wings, a couple of nice butterflies, and a katydid. What we didn't see were fields of Pennsylvania leatherwings, like we did in Oct. of last year. We went through the same field area and there was nothing of note.
When we were returning to the turtle spot, we were happily going along and chatting when Ann suddenly shushed me. Off to the east, in a small clearing between us and the tracks, was a young man doing kung fu moves. There is a term for practicing moves by yourself but I can't remember what it is called. No, it wasn't Tai Chi, it was definitely Kung Fu. I wish I'd had my camera. He had to walk a long ways to get there, and I'm guessing he does it for solitude. Hope we during ruin his moment.
Eddie led the entire hike, as usual. I was extra tired toward the end, so instead of heading up to the craggy top and continuing we looped around the blue/yellow near the lot.
Total hike was 2.74 miles, 1hr 30 min. We gave Ed water twice and sat and snacked on apples.
So we hiked as far north as possible, even going down to the tracks and continuing north for a while. We finally headed back, and I pulled up her location, and we were just walking along and talking when my Garmin set off its alarm. We had arrived at the turtle spot. She wasn't there and we looked all around. That was good news. I love my Garmin.
Ann saw a couple of tiny young lizards, we saw some grasshoppers, including one like last week with the very loud click-clicks and bright yellow wings, a couple of nice butterflies, and a katydid. What we didn't see were fields of Pennsylvania leatherwings, like we did in Oct. of last year. We went through the same field area and there was nothing of note.
When we were returning to the turtle spot, we were happily going along and chatting when Ann suddenly shushed me. Off to the east, in a small clearing between us and the tracks, was a young man doing kung fu moves. There is a term for practicing moves by yourself but I can't remember what it is called. No, it wasn't Tai Chi, it was definitely Kung Fu. I wish I'd had my camera. He had to walk a long ways to get there, and I'm guessing he does it for solitude. Hope we during ruin his moment.
Eddie led the entire hike, as usual. I was extra tired toward the end, so instead of heading up to the craggy top and continuing we looped around the blue/yellow near the lot.
Total hike was 2.74 miles, 1hr 30 min. We gave Ed water twice and sat and snacked on apples.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Opossum Hike
This afternoon Eddie and I arrived about 4 ish. The lot was full, we got the last spot, and there were cars parked around the edge. We took the craggy trail straight to the top. I didn't have any hike in mind other than meandering around the mountaintop. Today we came across more hikers/strollers than bikers, and lots of dogs.
While we were going north on the ridge trail we met a couple and the man was carrying their dog. It was smallish, maybe 20-25 lbs, but certainly not a little lap dog. I said, "Awww, did somebody poop out?" and they mumbled yes, he wore out. I thought it a bit strange that a dog that big was being carried, and he was being carried high, with his head/face tucked on the man's shoulder nestled in his neck. The man's hand was on the back of the dog's head, the way a baby is carried.
Just a few minutes later Eddie spied something off the trail so I stopped and looked. Eddie was on full alert, and I finally saw it: a possum! But something was wrong. It was standing there like a taxidermied exhibit. I stood there. It stood there, not twitching a muscle. It was really weird. Then I noticed something was wrong - it had severe head and facial injuries which looked to be very fresh. It looked like some skin had been pulled off and the blood was very red and wet. It finally trembled a little, turned, and slowly and painfully walked away. It looked to be in shock. I know its injuries are so severe that it will die.
And I wonder if that couple's dog, who did not have a leash on him, had run off the trail and wrestled with it. Maybe the dog was also injured, which makes sense the way it was being carried.
I noted on my Garmin where I was and I'll go back next weekend and see if I notice an odor. As long it's going to die anyway, which makes me sad because of its injuries, I might as well try to get another skull for my little collection.
And OF COURSE I didn't have my camera. Just like I didn't have it when I saw the raccoon, the baby lizards, the 2 eastern velvet ants, 3 of the box turtles... I'm thinking of buying a small camera to carry with me on all hikes for occassions like these... ... Nah, I don't want to spend the money.
I wore my Montrails with the pro heel cups, and had taken a preventive naproxen before leaving. My plantar fascia was a bit tender but certainly under control. I started feeling rubbing on my left instep, though. I now have a peely blistery area there, but not too bad. A bandaid should be enough. I was wearing regular socks because all my balegas were in the wash when I left. All 5 pair in the washer at once. I think they make a difference. These regular socks felt awful. I guess I'm going to have to go buy even more special socks.
Let's see, I have now purchased... 20 pair! And now daughter B wants a pair for Christmas, too. No one could have ever convinced me that any sock could be so special.
Total hike: 2.86 miles, 1 hr, 21 min. I did end up meandering around the top, and it's fun to see my trail on my Garmin Training Center map. Did I ever mention how much I love my Garmin?
While we were going north on the ridge trail we met a couple and the man was carrying their dog. It was smallish, maybe 20-25 lbs, but certainly not a little lap dog. I said, "Awww, did somebody poop out?" and they mumbled yes, he wore out. I thought it a bit strange that a dog that big was being carried, and he was being carried high, with his head/face tucked on the man's shoulder nestled in his neck. The man's hand was on the back of the dog's head, the way a baby is carried.
Just a few minutes later Eddie spied something off the trail so I stopped and looked. Eddie was on full alert, and I finally saw it: a possum! But something was wrong. It was standing there like a taxidermied exhibit. I stood there. It stood there, not twitching a muscle. It was really weird. Then I noticed something was wrong - it had severe head and facial injuries which looked to be very fresh. It looked like some skin had been pulled off and the blood was very red and wet. It finally trembled a little, turned, and slowly and painfully walked away. It looked to be in shock. I know its injuries are so severe that it will die.
And I wonder if that couple's dog, who did not have a leash on him, had run off the trail and wrestled with it. Maybe the dog was also injured, which makes sense the way it was being carried.
I noted on my Garmin where I was and I'll go back next weekend and see if I notice an odor. As long it's going to die anyway, which makes me sad because of its injuries, I might as well try to get another skull for my little collection.
And OF COURSE I didn't have my camera. Just like I didn't have it when I saw the raccoon, the baby lizards, the 2 eastern velvet ants, 3 of the box turtles... I'm thinking of buying a small camera to carry with me on all hikes for occassions like these... ... Nah, I don't want to spend the money.
I wore my Montrails with the pro heel cups, and had taken a preventive naproxen before leaving. My plantar fascia was a bit tender but certainly under control. I started feeling rubbing on my left instep, though. I now have a peely blistery area there, but not too bad. A bandaid should be enough. I was wearing regular socks because all my balegas were in the wash when I left. All 5 pair in the washer at once. I think they make a difference. These regular socks felt awful. I guess I'm going to have to go buy even more special socks.
Let's see, I have now purchased... 20 pair! And now daughter B wants a pair for Christmas, too. No one could have ever convinced me that any sock could be so special.
Total hike: 2.86 miles, 1 hr, 21 min. I did end up meandering around the top, and it's fun to see my trail on my Garmin Training Center map. Did I ever mention how much I love my Garmin?
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Leisurely Photo Hike
I met a friend at noon and we took the blue to the upper, then headed north on the tadpole. Our goal: butterfly photos. She currently has a painful knee, so when we arrived at the first steep grade drop we decided to turn around and head west. We got a few pics along the tadpole.
We crossed just north of the upper and noticed a huge wasp nest in a dead tree. Stopped for some shots then continued on to the gate and headed north. There were a few butterflies along that trail, then we took the 3rd left. We stopped to look at the 3rd of the 3 lakes, and went on to Rock City where we lounged on the resting wall for quite a while. We saw a large butterfly that I believe to be a red spotted purple admiral, but it eluded us. Of course.
I showed her the circular big boulder area and the crazy scary bike ramps on the west. I couldn't believe it, because people have been adding on to them! We would love to see some riders there.
We looped around, headed towards the gate, then back down to the lower. Total hike: 3.9 miles, 3 hrs 42 min. We took a lot of time standing and composing, focusing, and waiting for a good shot. I didn't turn the timer off during any of our stops, so my Garmin says we averaged 1.1 mph. Heee.
I got a few shots of new things: true katydid, american field cricket, reakirts blue, another blue-like cutie that I can't ID, and a big brown, oily, yellow-winged grasshopper. We also got some time with a common buckeye, pearl crescent, and red-banded hairstreak, as well as various other things.
Some pics from this hike are in an album on Hooly's Facebook.
This was my first hike/walk since the plantar fasciitis episode. I took preventive 800 mg ibuprofen and it still was noticeably sore. At about 3 hrs I had to take 600 mg more. In the parking lot I started favoring my right foot. I wore my Asics and my new Tuli's pro heel cups. We leave for vacation in less than 2 weeks and I'm thinking of getting a corticosteroid shot in that heel. After months of planning it would be frustrating and disappointing to not get to do all of our hikes because of my stupid heel.
Even though I hated my CrocsRx Relief for the first few days, they really feel good now. In fact, I've had them on since I got home, I've played outside with the dogs a few times, and my foot is feeling pretty good. Maybe the Crocs are OK.
We crossed just north of the upper and noticed a huge wasp nest in a dead tree. Stopped for some shots then continued on to the gate and headed north. There were a few butterflies along that trail, then we took the 3rd left. We stopped to look at the 3rd of the 3 lakes, and went on to Rock City where we lounged on the resting wall for quite a while. We saw a large butterfly that I believe to be a red spotted purple admiral, but it eluded us. Of course.
I showed her the circular big boulder area and the crazy scary bike ramps on the west. I couldn't believe it, because people have been adding on to them! We would love to see some riders there.
We looped around, headed towards the gate, then back down to the lower. Total hike: 3.9 miles, 3 hrs 42 min. We took a lot of time standing and composing, focusing, and waiting for a good shot. I didn't turn the timer off during any of our stops, so my Garmin says we averaged 1.1 mph. Heee.
I got a few shots of new things: true katydid, american field cricket, reakirts blue, another blue-like cutie that I can't ID, and a big brown, oily, yellow-winged grasshopper. We also got some time with a common buckeye, pearl crescent, and red-banded hairstreak, as well as various other things.
Some pics from this hike are in an album on Hooly's Facebook.
This was my first hike/walk since the plantar fasciitis episode. I took preventive 800 mg ibuprofen and it still was noticeably sore. At about 3 hrs I had to take 600 mg more. In the parking lot I started favoring my right foot. I wore my Asics and my new Tuli's pro heel cups. We leave for vacation in less than 2 weeks and I'm thinking of getting a corticosteroid shot in that heel. After months of planning it would be frustrating and disappointing to not get to do all of our hikes because of my stupid heel.
Even though I hated my CrocsRx Relief for the first few days, they really feel good now. In fact, I've had them on since I got home, I've played outside with the dogs a few times, and my foot is feeling pretty good. Maybe the Crocs are OK.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
5+ Miles
This hike was from Sunday, Oct. 5th, the day following my last post. We got there before 10, had Ed with us, and went up the craggy top. That has been my favorite way to the top since the first time I took it, and now it's A's favorite, too. We continued north until just before the spider, then hooked a sharp left U-turn and headed south on the trail system just east of the tadpole.
There were no other people through this part and it was wonderful. The paths are rocky (ie: 'technical') and we had to really keep our eyes on the ground. We continued to what would be the 1st pond on the right (from the upper), watched a baby slider on a log and in the water, then crossed the upper to the west side.
A little after the gate, at about the 3-mile point, I noticed the bottom of my foot was sore with each step. That would be my right foot, the same one that had some achilles trouble 3 weeks back. It wasn't bad, certainly didn't make me limp or anything, so I thought nothing of it. A few minutes later, with one innocent step, the pain was sharp and excruciating. I had to stop and wait, hobble a little until the sharpness waned, then decided to continue. I favored that foot for the remaining hike.
We took the 3rd left and made the big loop that goes by Rock City. We (and by 'we' I mean "I", rested on a boulder, watered Eddie, and chatted all about A2's Christmas gift. When we got up to continue I had to start the hobbling all over again, but made it to the end without becoming a spectacle.
Total hike was 5.25 miles and 2 hr, 16 min. The time is just for the hiking part. I paused the timer during my foot episode and each time we stopped to water Eddie.
My foot hurt the rest of the day and on Monday morning I couldn't walk to the bathroom. I crawled to get some Ibuprofen, then crawled back to bed for 30 minutes while it took effect. I knew then what was wrong. 20 years ago I had a huge heel spur and plantar fasciitis on my left foot and ended up having surgery, which I swore I would never do again. Back then I had some intermittent problems with my right foot, had a couple of corticosteroid injections, wore Tuli's heel cups, and got over it. It happened again about 6 or 7 years ago.
I ordered a couple more pair of Tuli's, one of those little rocking calf-stretching thingies (because I love them) and a pair of those repulsive Crocs, the RX line 'Relief' for, among other things, plantar fasciitis. I wanted those to wear when I first get up, while getting ready for work or just hanging around the house.
I got the CrocsRx yesterday and hate them. Well, today they aren't that bad, and I've worn them all day, but my good shoes with heel cups are significantly better.
So... I haven't been walking or hiking for a full week. And we just had a spectacular weekend. Phooey. At least I don't have a heel spur. But I did find some migrating monarchs and got a bunch of good pics.
There were no other people through this part and it was wonderful. The paths are rocky (ie: 'technical') and we had to really keep our eyes on the ground. We continued to what would be the 1st pond on the right (from the upper), watched a baby slider on a log and in the water, then crossed the upper to the west side.
A little after the gate, at about the 3-mile point, I noticed the bottom of my foot was sore with each step. That would be my right foot, the same one that had some achilles trouble 3 weeks back. It wasn't bad, certainly didn't make me limp or anything, so I thought nothing of it. A few minutes later, with one innocent step, the pain was sharp and excruciating. I had to stop and wait, hobble a little until the sharpness waned, then decided to continue. I favored that foot for the remaining hike.
We took the 3rd left and made the big loop that goes by Rock City. We (and by 'we' I mean "I", rested on a boulder, watered Eddie, and chatted all about A2's Christmas gift. When we got up to continue I had to start the hobbling all over again, but made it to the end without becoming a spectacle.
Total hike was 5.25 miles and 2 hr, 16 min. The time is just for the hiking part. I paused the timer during my foot episode and each time we stopped to water Eddie.
My foot hurt the rest of the day and on Monday morning I couldn't walk to the bathroom. I crawled to get some Ibuprofen, then crawled back to bed for 30 minutes while it took effect. I knew then what was wrong. 20 years ago I had a huge heel spur and plantar fasciitis on my left foot and ended up having surgery, which I swore I would never do again. Back then I had some intermittent problems with my right foot, had a couple of corticosteroid injections, wore Tuli's heel cups, and got over it. It happened again about 6 or 7 years ago.
I ordered a couple more pair of Tuli's, one of those little rocking calf-stretching thingies (because I love them) and a pair of those repulsive Crocs, the RX line 'Relief' for, among other things, plantar fasciitis. I wanted those to wear when I first get up, while getting ready for work or just hanging around the house.
I got the CrocsRx yesterday and hate them. Well, today they aren't that bad, and I've worn them all day, but my good shoes with heel cups are significantly better.
So... I haven't been walking or hiking for a full week. And we just had a spectacular weekend. Phooey. At least I don't have a heel spur. But I did find some migrating monarchs and got a bunch of good pics.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Nothing Special Hike
A and I planned to hike this morning at 8:30. I knew it wouldn't happen that way, so I didn't even bother to set the alarm. She called about 9, said she just woke up from a dream where she called me and I was already out hiking "because we were supposed to leave at 8:30." In fact, I was still in bed!
We got out there maybe around 10:15 and went up to the craggy top. It was the first time she had taken that route and she liked it. We continued north and rested for a while at the turtle-head rock. I wore my waist pack instead of the backpack, and it was at the rock that I realized I didn't have any water for Ed. We looked for a little dip in one of the boulders but found nothing suitable. I felt bad, but at least it was cool. While resting and chatting we decided to hook around at the spider and return via the tadpole. It has a couple of viscious uphill parts in the full open sun. But it was cloudy and breezy this morning so we decided to do it.
When we got to the spider we veered off to the left, and just before we hooked to the tadpole we realized the sun was out. Looking at the sky we predicted it would stay out, as most of the clouds had blown by. We weren't having that, so we turned around and returned on the lower yellow, the Ho Chi.
Other than a few harvestmen, we saw nothing remarkable. Only one butterfly at the end. For once I was satisfied that I had not taken my camera with me. As a bonus, we met 3 bikers while heading to the turtle-head rock, 2 young guys and a really old guy. It was the same old guy I say on the west side in the spring (or sometime.) He's got to be in his 70s, and A and I marveled at him.
Total hike was 3.64 miles, 1 hr 35 min. We had lots of stopping for bikers and joggers. We also met more hikers than usual. And since they are really just meandering around out of curiosity near the trailhead, I can't even call them hikers. More like strollers.
This afternoon we went to the shoe store and my friend's daughter fitted A with some cool trail shoes. She plans on wearing them around the house for the rest of the day to make sure they are right, then wear them on our hike tomorrow. Tomorrow I'm aiming for 5 miles.
We got out there maybe around 10:15 and went up to the craggy top. It was the first time she had taken that route and she liked it. We continued north and rested for a while at the turtle-head rock. I wore my waist pack instead of the backpack, and it was at the rock that I realized I didn't have any water for Ed. We looked for a little dip in one of the boulders but found nothing suitable. I felt bad, but at least it was cool. While resting and chatting we decided to hook around at the spider and return via the tadpole. It has a couple of viscious uphill parts in the full open sun. But it was cloudy and breezy this morning so we decided to do it.
When we got to the spider we veered off to the left, and just before we hooked to the tadpole we realized the sun was out. Looking at the sky we predicted it would stay out, as most of the clouds had blown by. We weren't having that, so we turned around and returned on the lower yellow, the Ho Chi.
Other than a few harvestmen, we saw nothing remarkable. Only one butterfly at the end. For once I was satisfied that I had not taken my camera with me. As a bonus, we met 3 bikers while heading to the turtle-head rock, 2 young guys and a really old guy. It was the same old guy I say on the west side in the spring (or sometime.) He's got to be in his 70s, and A and I marveled at him.
Total hike was 3.64 miles, 1 hr 35 min. We had lots of stopping for bikers and joggers. We also met more hikers than usual. And since they are really just meandering around out of curiosity near the trailhead, I can't even call them hikers. More like strollers.
This afternoon we went to the shoe store and my friend's daughter fitted A with some cool trail shoes. She plans on wearing them around the house for the rest of the day to make sure they are right, then wear them on our hike tomorrow. Tomorrow I'm aiming for 5 miles.
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