Hiking Tomorrow

Indian Flats Falls - GSMNP

September 28, 2009

I have not hiked since July 5 and in more than 10 years of avid hiking, that is the longest I've ever gone between hikes.  I am fortunate to live at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and during a normal summer, one can keep going to the higher elevations where temps remain cooler and continue hiking throughout the summer months.  That has not been the case this summer and even at 6,000+ feet, the heat and humidity has been unbearable.  I gave in to it after the July hike and have anxiously anticipated our first break in the weather.  It came today and tomorrow calls for high temps of low 70's, slight north breeze and little humidity.  Didn't take me long to find one of my regular hiking buddies as anxious to go as I was.   (For the record, Mr. B enjoys hiking to a certain extent, but it is not his passion and he is not interested in the distances that are required to complete some of the trails.)  He is perfectly happy to work in his yard while I scale the heights!  I never reveal where I am hiking until after the fact, but our hike tomorrow is 8.7 miles and has 18 creek crossings, so it should be exciting.   I'm not real thrilled about the timber rattlesnake warning for a portion of the trail that has south facing slopes, but it's near the very beginning so maybe they will still be asleep!

I finally got my day to recharge and I have taken full advantage.  This has been the most peaceful and productive day I've had in quite some time.  I had gotten behind in so many ways and although there is a long way to go, I've made some headway and that feels good.  Mr. B has the first week of classes behind him and is feeling very excited about this year.   I am now at liberty to tell you that he will be taking his auditioned choir to France next March during spring break and that his Study Abroad class in Prague next May has been approved.  If the class minimum of eight is met, guess I'll be spending next May in Prague and June in some other European country.  

Eating today has been easy and without temptation.  Tomorrow should be the same although I will need to eat more to compensate for the number of calories I will burn while hiking.  Certainly don't have any problem with that! LOL!!!  

Today's Greatest Challenge:  Fighting the crowds in the grocery store

Today's Greatest Joy:  Having a full day totally to myself.   I confess - I didn't even answer the phone.

Today's Weight:  158 (stayed the same)

Yesterday's Number of Steps:  10657

Today's Food:

B:  Cereal w/milk, grapefruit

L:  Lean Cuisine Santa Fe Rice with Beans, Grape Tomatoes, Sugar Snap Peas

D:  Chicken Fried Rice, Yogurt w/granola

Snack:  Watermelon

I'm curious.  What was your greatest challenge and greatest joy today?