Day Trip

I survived, and even enjoyed, a rather adventurous trek into the Blue Mountains on Saturday! It was supposed to be a group of women from church that make up the "Fit Girls" or Women's Wellness Group, whatever floats your boat, but it wound up being only myself and the leader who just happens to be a personal trainer, works at a gym, cycles 50 miles on one trip for leisure, you know the type.

Anyway, it was a really good time, even if it was not 8.4 miles like W.L. and N. venture on, it was mountainous enough! We had beautiful sunny weather without being hot, and I have some lovely pictures of the river, which we followed, and some wildlife. I became immediately alarmed when she told me we were advised to avoid blackberry bushes (I've yet to see any out here) because the bears are stocking up for their hibernation, and not to look up...else we may spot a cougar watching us. I would've been GLAD to look up, but we had to always watch our footing or wind up falling down a steep embankment at times and swimming with the fishes, if you know what I mean. We will pass on the information that the bear we spotted was in the water, less than 100 yards away from the German Shepherds and a bunch of people in the campground. How's that for comforting!!

We hiked in 2 hours then planned to break and snack before returning, but discovered that by allowing our bodies to stop even briefly, we allowed pain to make its unwelcome appearance. So, we just kept moving and really didn't have severe pain until the last 1/2 hour of the 3 1/2 hour excursion. Did I mention that the local Sheriff was there with the SAR (Search and rescue) team conducting a training? And that I saw a bear? Oh and 3 snakes (but not the rattlesnake that we were told was ahead of us, I was kind of hoping to get a picture of that one instead of the bull snake), a fuzzy caterpillar (cute, huh?) and about a bajillion lady bugs all in huge masses and piles. Now I know Ladybugs are harmless, but we did dance around a bit and wig out a little when they flew on us and attached themselves. That made me feel better. Plus, I'm wasn't sore except for ankles and foot pain, from walking on loose rocks and uneven terrain. Sometimes I even moved fast. Someone had to out run the bear. (HA!) No, the only things we had to dodge was a dirt bike, a loose dog, and a cadaver dog. (It was on a leash and well-behaved, but EWWWWWW!!)