OUT OF BEVERLY

We did our first training hike on Sunday. Well, it wasn’t exactly the first one; the first one was back on April 7th when we got our new backpacks and boots. We took Cholula out for a 3.5 mile hike at Lynn Woods and then left her in the car afterwards so I could have my first meal at Lynnapesaukee. I remember being really impressed with the food, and with two guys trying to hold it together so close to the dinner hour, floating down Sluice Pond on their lawn chairs on a boat… anyway, the first real hike…

We hiked 6.25 miles at the Middlesex Fells Reservation with nearly 10 pounds on our backs and poles in our hands for the first time. To say we were “woefully unprepared” would be an overstatement, but we were not really ready and made some mildly painful mistakes. I mean, it’s been really hot out, and by the time we stepped foot on the trailhead it was 11:15am. We got up late, got out of the house late, bought lunch at Whole Foods late… we forgot to apply bug spray despite the fact that it was in the trunk of my car, Chris forgot a hat, I had no idea where I was driving to… BUT we did find the place and we did hike the Reservoir Trail and it was really nice. Cool in the woods, and only buggy when we reached a low elevation. We shared the trail with lots of hikers and bikers, which made me feel more certain that we would not run into a bear or a mountain lion. We saw no snakes. We did see 57 chipmunks, 34 squirrels, and 2 beautiful Woody woodpeckers. If I was bitten by a tick, I have yet to discover it.

When we got home I ate the rest of my sandwich and all of the chips and the rest of the cookie. I didn’t even share that with Chris or Stella, I was so hungry. I drank one million water bottles that afternoon/evening. I took two naps that day. I continue to experience some discomfort in my right leg from the top of my foot to the bottom of my knee.

I rallied the strength to try washing my hiking clothes in the Scrubba portable wash bag that I will use on the big trip. I did two loads and it was easier and quicker than I thought. Wrapped everything like a burrito in a super absorbent towel to squeeze dry and overnight everything really was mostly dry and smelled like peppermint castile soap. Two days later does everything still smell clean? Mostly!

We plan to do a more challenging hike this Sunday. Please keep your fingers crossed that either I don’t encounter any wildlife, or that I have my pepper spray close at hand when I do. Love you!