There are many reasons why I like hiking. And many reasons why I never rarely go hiking.
Let’s look at what I love about it. When I go hiki
ng I feel the stress seep out of my body and be carried away by the wind. Except when I get stuck in the mud and my husband has to come back and extricate my foot.
I’m proud to say that I’ve hiked the Appalachian Trail. It winds through Pawling, NY and I’ve walked at least one mile of it. Maybe a little less. This plant is the yellowbiscus pawlingopolis. More commonly known as the pretty plant with yellow blossoms.
I love looking at the different birds and plants, like my favorite ferns at the edge of the marsh. And wondering if a similar habitat is going to be on the NY State Living Environment Regents. No, no, remember stress is leaving my body.
Stopping to take this photo was a highlight of my latest hike. Until I noticed the opening at the bottom and wondered what creature of the marsh was going to jump out at me.
Another favorite hiking spot is Kettletown State Park in Connecticut. Streams and lakes are so peaceful. Walking the trails and wondering what is around the next bend is a delight.
Hearing the sound of the water, especially if there are no other humans around, is a gift.
So what are the drawbacks to hiking?
I used to live part way up a mountain similar to the one that you can see in this photo. In the summer, we couldn’t see another home. Truly an idyllic spot and it broke my heart to move, especially to a more crowded place. So what part didn’t I like about living here? The time I was driving home from work and there was a truck blocking my driveway. I got out of the car to see what was going on. What was going on was that there was a black bear walking down the driveway towards us. Very cool, but not so much in my yard. And it wouldn’t have been so cool if I was hiking where this picture was taken just to find out that a bear was also hiking.
Another thing that I loved about the mountain was that the lack of humans meant the population of coyotes flourished. It was eerie, yet beautiful, to hear them howling in the night. We had a dog that was part husky who would join in the cacophonous howling come nightfall. But does one definitely, positively know that coyotes don’t lurk in the daylight?
One negative about hiking for me is that a few years ago I fell and completely severed my rotator cuff. Because I was not 17, it took 7 weeks to be able to function and was the most painful thing I’ve ever endured. I never want to trip and fall and experience this again. This horrible accident occurred while I was hiking in my living room. But still.
Deer tick born diseases? I’ve had them. Lyme Disease? Check. Babesiosis? Check.
And we haven’t even talked about humans yet. Not many lived near me. But I’m not alone in fearing walking in the woods alone. I recommend having a peaceful afternoon enjoying hiking with another person.
While avoiding deer ticks, coyotes and psychopaths.
saneteachers 
As an avid hiker I can totally relate to your post. I have also had a couple of “mishaps” while hiking in my house. I guess this is just a consequence of getting older. I am glad, however, that they have happened in my house rather than in the middle of Bear Mt.
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Good point!! And I only worried that I was in quicksand for a terrifying second. No quicksand in NY…just mud.
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You had me at the bear. When you throw in ticks, Lyme disease, etc, I think I’ll find other ways to enjoy nature..:)
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Hahaha. I truly enjoy hiking but hardly ever go because I don’t want to go alone and there is no line of people outside me door begging me to go with them. And walking around a track definitely does not cut it. This was tongue in cheek…..sort of. 🙂
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I love those plants with the pretty flowers no matter the color.
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Did you like the scientific name I made up? I love them too.
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Ouch!! Severed rotator cuff! I tore mine and had to have it surgically fixed. It was painful and physio on day 2 after keyhole was worst than surgery itself. Poor you!! Very brave to go hiking alone and thank goodness you are ok now! 👍👍
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Oh I never go hiking alone. And the bad fall was indoors, lol. My rotator cuff tore completely, went around my back and lodged under my scapula. Which still is slightly askew. And they had to cut 3 bones. I do anything possible not to fall again.
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Oh my….indoors….hmm outdoors seem safer now lol!! Sounds brutal!! Yes…do not ever fall. Take care!
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Hiking is wonderful, but you are right; safest to do it with another person. Although I’ve found that a German Shepherd dog is also pretty effective as a hiking companion/guard…
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Ahhh..put could be pull my foot out of the mud??
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If he’s on a leash, yes; but it won’t be a pretty operation.
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What a visual that just made! Me being dragged through the mud to safety. ha! Oh! I started your book last night! Today is spent in NYC and then babysitting..I’m hoping to finish it tomorrow. So far I love it.
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So glad to hear it! Hope you enjoy it. Can’t wait to hear your feedback.
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So far it has an X-files flavor to it. You have me hooked.
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I’m anxious to know… Did you finish? What did you think? Sorry to be so eager, but I am looking forward to hearing your opinion!
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I’m immersed in it now. I started last week and then was on vacation and finishing a memoir essay I’m submitting to a publisher. Now I’m able to read for pleasure again and am in the middle of your book. I love it and will give you all my reasons and comments when I’m done. Can’t talk! Too busy reading..oh and I’ll comment on your blog as well so your readers will see.
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It was awesome! Your book has all the elements I love. Plot-turner, great descriptions, sympathetic characters and nemesis (what’s the plural of nemesis?). The atmosphere with the hint of the supernatural…I don’t want to say anything more and give too much away. I’m SO glad that I read The Start of the Majestic World. http://www.amazon.com/Start-Majestic-World-Berthold-Gambrel-ebook/dp/B00YR84MA0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1456267486&sr=8-1&keywords=The+start+of+the+majestic+world
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I like the idea of hiking, and yet I never seem to actually do it!
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I just don’t like walking on tracks. For my health I need to exercise more. And gentle hiking is the answer for me. I need to find someone who is in the same boat. Not hiking clubs where gentle hike means climbing Mr. Everest lol. And I can’t drag my husband with me each time.
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Barb! Thanks so much for directing me here. I absolutely remember the Trail around Pawling NY and in CN (although I passed through in the blazing heat of summer).
It’s also so reassuring to know that I’m not the only one that follows a more reasonable classification system for plants: “Pretty little yellow one’s” “Droopy big yellow ones” “Geometric blue one’s.” Much better than the Lineas classification that is somehow expected of all experienced outdoor enthusiasts such as ourselves. We should really be campaigning for change right? Maybe our slogan could be “Nec Latina!” (no more latin) 😉
With respect to the Trailside critters, I had long since become desensitized by the time I reached New York. Bears? No time for video today big fella, I gotta get to town before the restaurant closes. Ticks? For some reason, they don’t like the way I taste. Mice? Bastards tried to chew into my food bag again…
The only exception were the newly reintroduced wolves in Maine… A night hike through an incredibly isolated section led me through their territory, and… well, I’d better save that for a future blog post, you’re wonderful post has me rambling (again).
Thanks again Barb, really glad we found each other in the blogosphere!
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We are thinking of retiring in Maine . I’m ready for the wolves blog post asap. But I can wait, lol.
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hehehe glad to hear. I blog slower than I hike. (and I love a good cliff hanger 😉 )
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Lol
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