Finally....Some Fabulous February Days

Ramsey Cascades - GSMNP

February 17, 2011

Things are looking up and even though February became an extension of January with more health issues, I believe that with 11 days left in February, it can still end on a FABULOUS note.  My follow-up visit to the eye doctor on Tuesday brought good news and news I didn't want to hear.  The good news is that my eye infection is healing "nicely."  The not so good news was that I could not wear my contact lenses for another whole week!  And I am still on an every two hour schedule for antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eyedrops.  That is a royal pain!  But the best news of all is that I am feeling much more like myself and truly believe I am on the mend from the whole January and February head infection nightmare.  Just pray there isn't any other residual bizarre infection lurking about in my head that's going to rear it's ugly head.  Frankly, I don't think there's anything left that hasn't already been infected. 

On to more interesting topics................YESTERDAY I TOOK A REAL HIKE!!  The 8-mile hike to Ramsey Cascades is considered one of the more difficult treks in the Smokies.  It is also considered one of the most beautiful.   Ramsey Cascades is the highest waterfall accessible by trail in the entire Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Unfortunately, that notoriety causes many people to attempt the trail that are neither physically able nor properly prepared to make the hike.  The trail is steep, rocky and just plain tough.  But as you can see from today's picture, the payoff is truly amazing.  My hiking buddy and I had been once before and knew that in order to experience any quiet time at the cascades, we'd have to leave early and get there before anyone else.  At the base of the cascade, there is a house-sized boulder just made for laying back and enjoying the cascade.  She and I have been hiking together for over a decade and our favorite thing to do upon arrival at a destination is to separate and just spend some quiet alone time with our individual thoughts.  We had about 30 minutes yesterday before other hikers began to arrive.  Believe me, 30 minutes alone at Ramsey Cascades is a gift indeed!

Now for the nitty-gritty.............For the life of me, I don't know why we chose Ramsey Cascades for yesterday's hike.  I knew an 8-miler was the next step in getting my former stamina back, but why in the world did I chose one of the most difficult in the park?  I suspect it was my hell-bent determination to prove that I was going to be o.k. and get myself back in shape NOW!  The first three months of the year are prime hiking season for me because there are no fears of snakes and/or bears.  I did NO hiking in January and there are only 11 days left in February.  I needed the mental boost of having a challenge behind me.  

And a challenge it certainly was.   In addition to the length, steep trail, rocks, climbs, long and narrow log bridges which played havoc with my depth perception since I was wearing my glasses instead of contacts, I totally failed to factor in the fact that, at 4400' feet, there would be snow and ice!  Twice, we almost turned back, but the sun and temps were climbing so rapidly, we felt certain enough melting would take place that coming back down wouldn't be as treacherous.  How easily we can deceive ourselves!  The second time, we were so close we could SEE the cascades - there was no way I was going back.  Yes, it involved crawling, but we did it.  My guess is that few people have seen Ramsey Cascades with over half of it frozen.  I would not trade the experience for any other.   Coming back was hard, very hard.   It was slow and normally, I would be embarrassed to report that it took us over 8 hours to do a 8 mile hike.  But this was not a normal day and I cannot begin to describe the sense of accomplishment when we spotted my car at the trailhead.

Everything becomes an analogy for my weight loss effort and so did yesterday's adventure.  I've done this trail before and if I'm blatantly honest with you, will tell you that I wondered what the big whoop was all about.  I just didn't see that the trail was all that difficult.  Sadly, I know that when I've reached my goal weight in times past, I tended to look back and think it wasn't all that hard.  But pride, indeed, goes before a fall and after a regain, I've humbly realized that yes, it was hard and maintaining the loss is even harder.  Yesterday as I was walking, crossing bridges over rushing water that made me dizzy, stumbling over rock staircases, climbing, slipping and sliding on my BUTT, it occurred to me that fighting is well worth it when you've been there before and know the joy of what is waiting for you.  

I knew what Ramsey Cascades would look like and I know what being at goal weight looks like.  It is worth every ounce of effort it takes to get there and I am happy to say I'm on my way.

Here's another picture just for good measure.   And BTW, we are headed out again tomorrow for another of our favorite trails.  Today, I'm happily stretched out on the couch reading the 3,000 (only a slight exaggeration) posts I missed by spending the day in the woods instead of in BlogLand!! 

And here's one of the log bridges I mentioned.  Normally, I love these, but there is some subtle difference between my glasses and contact lenses that make these very difficult for me to cross.

Just out of curiosity, is hiking something that interests you at all?   Where and what is the longest hike you've ever been on?