Tiredyote!
Well, just got back from possibly the most intense week-plus of hiking of my life...it covered two states, places hundreds of miles apart, and hiking an uphill height greater than Denali! Somehow I held up pretty well through it all in terms of blisters, sore legs, fatigue, etc..however, today my one knee started twinging a bit. Suppose that's my cue to let my body recover a bit! That, and the slight cough I haven't quite been able to shake from last week's cold...
The last two hikes were done with my old roommate from undergrad, who came to visit while on a trip out this way. Yesterday's trip was great, albeit in an area I've already visited. It was today's trip that truly blew me away, though...a mere few hours away is a mountain range that is stunningly beautiful, wild, and has the feel of somewhere very distant. I've done way more than my share of hiking, and have become...well, "jaded" isn't quite the right word, but at least desensitized to the beauty around me to some extent. It's wonderful to know there are still places capable of captivating the imagination and of humbling me with their sheer beauty.
Unfortunately, my friend and I didn't have time to do much more besides hiking. It was nevertheless wonderful to catch up with him and hear how he's been doing (very well, by the sound of things!). I suggested he and my stepdad chat a while while I was driving, as he and my parents seem to get along very well, and that conversation interestingly led to the idea that my friend might end up calling my stepdad so they can both practice their Spanish! We did have a chance to go swimming, grab a couple of great meals, and chill out and watch some South Park. Good times...
I'll be off the grid for a week or so, maybe more, so if you don't see me online, that's why. I should be around for a while after this next week, though...
The last two hikes were done with my old roommate from undergrad, who came to visit while on a trip out this way. Yesterday's trip was great, albeit in an area I've already visited. It was today's trip that truly blew me away, though...a mere few hours away is a mountain range that is stunningly beautiful, wild, and has the feel of somewhere very distant. I've done way more than my share of hiking, and have become...well, "jaded" isn't quite the right word, but at least desensitized to the beauty around me to some extent. It's wonderful to know there are still places capable of captivating the imagination and of humbling me with their sheer beauty.
Unfortunately, my friend and I didn't have time to do much more besides hiking. It was nevertheless wonderful to catch up with him and hear how he's been doing (very well, by the sound of things!). I suggested he and my stepdad chat a while while I was driving, as he and my parents seem to get along very well, and that conversation interestingly led to the idea that my friend might end up calling my stepdad so they can both practice their Spanish! We did have a chance to go swimming, grab a couple of great meals, and chill out and watch some South Park. Good times...
I'll be off the grid for a week or so, maybe more, so if you don't see me online, that's why. I should be around for a while after this next week, though...