Well, I got some rough training in this weekend. We were on our way to check the water for fishing, Al stopped along the way and said " let's do this now " Marla , daughter and Ken, son-in-law said "OK" . We got out and there was a sign, 3.4 miles to the top. There had never been a sign there, before. They kept going. I thought " My word, I walk but on level ground and I don't know if I ever walked 3 miles all at once. Can I do this?
Well, along the way Al made us a walking stick, he didn't think to bring those he had at the camp.
He was a great instructor and very patient with me. This is how you use the walking stick, Every once in a while he would say " put it this way, for support" Boy after a while my tender hand started to hurt, never had that kind of pressure before.
It has been a rainy summer so at the beginning there was a lot of black muck. I had new hiking boots and of course wanted to keep them clean, I want to tell you by the end of the day I didn't care. I wanted the battle scare to show Ha, HA. Rock were slippery, there were trees to grab onto but you got pitch on your hands. Next time I said I want gloves to protect my poor delicate hands. I don't think there will be another next time for this mountain. Marla says maybe in three years. I thought " I did it, I don't need to do it again. Who knows?
I have never lifted my knees so far up. Just walking up stairs and this was nothing like that. In one place I looked up and it was big boulders covered with moss, absolutely beautiful. I wanted a picture so I could show you , so you would believe it, I almost didn't , but no camera. Al had his phone but we Senior citizens aren't use to using it for pictures so we didn't even think about it until we were home.
It took us 2 1/2 hour to go up. I held them back. I had to keep stopping to get my breath and a sip of water. I couldn't believe what my body was doing. My heart was beating fast I guess I was in a type of aerobics, that's what I thought. Al was walking and hiking like he was walking on the road.
When we got to the top, it was so beautiful , 3215 feet high. I DID IT! The sight was indescribable. so beautiful . Many mountain ranges in Maine & New Hampshire. Many lakes and ponds. It was worth the hick. I asked if there was a revolving restaurant at the top and an elevator to take us down,. Can you believe there wasn't .
It took us 1 1/2 hours to get down. Some places Al got laughing at me, He kept saying "Is your body getting ahead of your feet,?" Good thing there were boulders and some trees to catch me.
Now, think about it It really was more than 3.4 miles up , because we had to go out around the trail in places. So up and down we went about 7 or a little more miles.
On the way back to camp we saw three moose and a coyote.
When we got back to the camp it was 7:30 pm I rushed to my medicine and took Ibuprofen , hoping to take care of the pain I knew I would have. I used muscles I don't know if I ever used before. I could feel the pain across my neck from the use of the walking stick and my groin, knees and ankles. Would I survive?
They said, " This is the worst one and highest that we do. " I thought , Wow to start me out on this. I don't think they gave it a thought, But Now I know I can do the others.
They were good to me Sunday. We went to the river, it was lower than last week. WE dropped the boys and the Kayaks off and we took the two cars down to the end , left one and went back . When we got back , Ken was in the water waiting, Al had the three kayaks waiting for us. Marla got in, I got in then Al got in his. Away we went with Marla in the lead. The current took us down, a few places the wind was blowing hard, so we had to paddle. We went over a short area with rapids and Al instructed me on how I was to approach it and go through. I watched Marla and Ken than went through. The rest was very smooth and a pretty, quiet ride. It was a fun and more relaxing than the day before. It was about a two hour ride.
When we got to the end. Marla got in the car and went to get theirs car, at the beginning. Back to the end and load the kayaks.
I told Al, I think we should do some bicycling. I had said no, before when he asked. I said I thought the walking will be just as good for us. Now I'm thinking that over. I think the bicycling will build my leg muscles and get me more toned.
I took a real hot bath last night ,hoping it would help these muscles work better. They are not too bad . Sometimes they don't want to work too fast. I know in a few days it will be better.
I hope you enjoy my trip as much as I enjoyed it.
If you get a chance to do any of these things do it. You do feel good about accomplishing it.
Well, I guess that's a little more interesting that what I have been doing.
WE plan to go back Friday, Maybe you should pray for my health and my toning. Just kidding.
Hugs Rosemary
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