Date: 2018-04-10
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Miles today: 0.0

I can hardly believe that it is already April 10th and yet we still don't have spring weather yet. Seems impossible to remember an April so cold. I hiked yesterday a good portion of the auto road at Rollins State Park which leads to the trail head for Mt Kearsarge. I only had 2 hours in between appointments, so I wanted to make the best of it. I changed my clothes in the brisk but sunny afternoon air and slid into my pack for the ascent. It is steep and winding with occasional views. A short way up I was delighted to find that there was an open (and clean) privy! I was the only one in the park at the time. It was peaceful and beautiful though the road was still snow packed and I could see the many footprints (4 legged included) which had ventured in before me at other times. I never thought that I would listen to music while hiking. But being alone in the woods in the season of awakening bears made me a bit "thoughtful" of making my presence known. So I turned on Pandora and slid my phone into the pocket of my skirt and enjoyed the "new"country music playlist. I saw no large animals or tracks, but a few playful and chubby squirrels and chippy's darting about along the edges of the road as I hiked. I was thrilled with the elevation to be honest. Working out indoors for the winter with a few snowshoeing excursions and a few treks up Oak Hill in Concord didn't really do much for getting me excited about climbing. I thought about how it would have been impossible for me to walk that road a year or two ago even without my pack. I feel so strong and so happy at this chapter in my life, physically and mentally. I realize I will need 100% of both on my upcoming journey and I feel 99% ready. I stopped at a wayside pullout and took a selfie of the view behind me. It makes me yearn for longer arms! I'm wondering how I can turn my hiking pole into a selfie stick. There must be a way, so I will have to research that. I had to turn around before reaching the top because I needed to be on time for my next appointment, but I really wanted to complete the road. On the way down I was so exhilarated that I found myself singing and doing a little dance on the few level sections. The grade downhill can be tough on the knees, which I am cognoscente of. So I practiced using the large leg muscles, instead of jarring my knee joints, by keeping soft knees. Very effective and I have no knee pain today. I also took 2 ibuprofen before bed just to be sure I could sleep thru the night without being awakened by joint pain. A refreshing nights sleep it was!  I learned before this road trek yesterday that this auto road is used by some to train for the annual run up the Mt Washington Auto Road. While I don't see myself ever doing that I do look forward to hiking the entire road, which is 7 miles round trip, a few times before my departure for Harper's Ferry on the 27th. I can't wait to see what's at the top and the accomplishment I will feel when I complete it the first time. I hope to see some changes in the weather too, perhaps the snow pack will melt off the road and some buds will burst open with their tiny "new green" leaves and the scent of spring. More woodland creatures will come out to play soon and the song of the arriving migrant birds will fill my ears with music. Spring is a time of renewal, rebirth and hope. Most all of my food is dehydrated and packaged up and several boxes are packed with assorted items to be shipped to me on trail by my wonderful husband. Our dining room plays a different role these days! My heart overflows with joy when I think of the level of Brian's support and devotion to me and I am reminded of how truly blessed I am. Life is wonderful! I'm looking forward to a final shake down hike with my Niece Laura the 21st and 22nd and stealing dinner dates with friends and family along with Brian so that we can see as many as possible before I leave. We hosted our friends Glen and Linda this past weekend and they made homemade baked beans, which are in the dehydrator now. I cherish the fact that I will enjoy those on trail along with sweet thoughts of such wonderful people and I will not feel alone. My heart is full.