I don’t really hike. I can’t read maps or use a compass, I don’t have walking polls, sturdy boots, or those durable pants with all the pockets. Turns out, my older son is a land navigation wizard, but he sure didn’t get it from me.
When I say, “I am going hiking,” what I really mean is that I am going for a long vigorous walk with my dog, usually on a path in the woods. Most days that’s good enough for me.
But not today. Today, my long vigorous walk turned into a long strenuous hike,with felled trees, rock scrambles, hanging cliffs, vertical switchbacks, and suspension bridges.
Between the near death experiences and the absolute awe abounding, Signal Mountain took my breath away: wading in Rainbow Falls, fighting my fear of heights on a suspension bridge across Middle Creek (very bouncy, extremely terrifying), and climbing (crawling?) to a natural lookout to see (what seemed like all of) the Tennessee River Gorge,
Today was a day of doing things I wouldn’t normally do. And that’s what this little trip is all about. “They say the owl was a baker’s daughter; Lord we know who we are, but not who we may be.”
May be I am a hiker, with a dog leashed to my waist and some Pumas laced to my feet, climbing, crawling, gripping, gasping, scrambling, and scheming her way to a better, braver, version of herself.
Love this! My first “hike” was two years ago in TN – Grotto Falls! I was 5.5 months pregnant with Torie. The hike wasn’t that bad or too challenging, being older and pregnant while hiking was my challenge. Hiking to the falls with my family was the reward, making it back to the car was the accomplishment! We look forward to doing it again this year! I loved reading about your hike too, I can completely envision it. Enjoy the TN whiskey!