Hiking

[Pax]

Happy Birthday, Catrin!!

[Crankin]

Happy birthday, Catrin! I like your attitude. Hope you had some port or beer to celebrate.
So, our last day of our trip, the sun came out and it was 50 degrees, but still windy near the summit of our climb, and by the ocean. We had fabulous views.
We drove into the park, this time, where I purchased a life time senior pass (I really disliked this) for 10.00, as they are going up to 80.00 next year. We parked at the Mt. Gotham lot and proceeded to hike... it started out rocky, and pretty much stayed that way, only difference being the rocks were different shapes! No scrambling, once DH grabed my pole and pulled me up, since my short legs put me at a severe disadvantage. I found out that I prefer to jump down from rocks, rather than doing a steep step down, which hurts my knees more, even with poles. The view of the Schoodic Peninsula was awesome, and I could see the places we visited with our kids, about 18 years ago. It was our last vacation, where no one was cycling. We went down another trail, and then walked about a mile on a path along the ocean.
Some interesting facts about the other participants... one man is 88 years old, which means he could have been a friend of my parents. His wife is 82. There were quite a few in their 70s, and about 6 others around my age. All educated, accomplished people. So, no bragging about how fast I was, given who I was hiking with. But, I could keep up with the one person who was fast, besides DH, except on the really technical stuff.
We had lunch in Bar harbor and then the long drive home; since we were going into rush hour traffic near the end, it took longer than the trip up. Glad to be home, but also really glad I went.

[Catrin]

Whoop hooo, just walked 2 miles and as long as my shins don't complain later I hope I'm back on target to lead a 4-5 mile hike on Nov 5th, weather permitting.

Crankin, thanks for speaking more on your hikes, it sounded like a lot of fun. I hear you about not being happy about purchasing the lifetime pass...

Thanks for the birthday wishes! I DID have a Kahloua and cream (actually whole milk) on the rocks. The "rocks" were frozen cubes od some wonderful Mexican sigle-estate decaffeinated coffee

[Crankin]

Here are just 2 pics. I have to get DH to make a link to Flicker with all of them.
The one with the waterfall was at the end of a downhill trail. We crossed the carriage road and then went on more trail.
Geez, I look a little lumpy here, with all of my layers...

[Catrin]

You both look great and I love the shot of both of you on the bridge!

[Pax]

So excited, we're heading over to a state park tomorrow and going for a nice longer hike (that means over a mile for me). There's a trail that follows the river, I haven't been able to hike it in the last 3-4 years, I can't wait!

[Catrin]

So excited, we're heading over to a state park tomorrow and going for a nice longer hike (that means over a mile for me). There's a trail that follows the river, I haven't been able to hike it in the last 3-4 years, I can't wait!

Whoohooo! Sounds awesome, have fun!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

[Crankin]

Can't wait to hear about your hike, Pax.
We've had a bout of rain, which we need, so I went to a tabata class this morning. I have figured out why I have had less motivation to ride in the past 6 weeks or so. Usually, when I get to the end of October, I look forward to hiking, the gym, and getting ready for x country ski season. But this past year, I rode through the winter, with a lot of riding last October, November, and December. So, I kind of felt like I usually do now, in September. I am OK with it, too! Instead, I did more hiking at the height of the season, which has helped my balance and dexterity greatly. I noticed this in my tabata class today.

[Crankin]

OK, here's the link to my Acadia trip.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stevem...57672265881484

Enjoy!

[Pax]

WOO HOO, I did it!!!!! It was probably only a mile total and I had to switch over to a different trail at one point, but it was amazing!! On both trails I could only go so far because of steep sections that were slippery with leaves, but I still managed some elevation changes and some tight single track type stuff; my poles were worth their weight in gold, I almost felt like a normal person.

[rebeccaC]

WOO HOO, I did it!!!!!

.........and a wonderful smile on you too

[Pax]

.........and a wonderful smile on you too

Thank you. I stopped at one point and just cried, I've missed it all so much.

[Catrin]

WOO HOO, I did it!!!!! It was probably only a mile total and I had to switch over to a different trail at one point, but it was amazing!! On both trails I could only go so far because of steep sections that were slippery with leaves, but I still managed some elevation changes and some tight single track type stuff; my poles were worth their weight in gold, I almost felt like a normal person.

Congratulations an I love that smile! I'm looking forward to our hike next year

[Pax]

Thanks, catrin, me too!

[Catrin]

Thanks, catrin, me too!

So we encourage each other to keep putting one foot in front of the other

While I'm still getting occasional cramping, I am (very carefully) getting back into walking. Very conservative distances so far and not yet on dirt. I've also been researching the role of calcium, magnesium, and Vitamin D (and potassium of course). I passed the vascular test (yayyyyyy). I don't believe in heavy supplementation but I have added some magnesium citrate, and a small amount of calcium + Vit. D. Small amounts, we will see. Also going to try my lighter hiking shoes on the local dirt trails to see if my hiking boots played a role in the splints due to being too rigid. Hopefully my feet will agree with the change, there was a reason why I chose those boots. I do think (hope) shorter hikes will be fine with them though - no 11 mile hikes again for some time to come.