I found some wild oxalis! Whenever I need assurance, Mom will always send me a sign, and there it was...

We hiked Mount Tremont to celebrate Independence Day! The name of the game was 'Slow & Steady'. That's the only way to hike in the heat! Plus, I was carrying so much water that I really should have weighed my pack. It was HEAVY. Every step I took was deliberate, careful, and painfully slow. Ed got lots of breaks waiting for me! 🤣

I was discouraged that it felt so hard, because I thought my fitness level was better than that. Then, after I got back to the car I looked at my gps tracker and saw that I hiked 6 1/2 miles and gained more than 3,000 feet in elevation! That makes sense - the trail was almost constantly vertical. There were very few flat sections. Okay. That's more than double what I have tackled recently, so I'm going to grant myself some grace for being such a slow-poke. (In case anyone is wondering - yes, I do know better than to compare myself to Ed. He's an exceptional athlete. I only compare myself to me, and my usual perceived effort.) My next hike is gonna feel like a piece of cake!

I also worked on my anxiety. When we got to the top, I made myself step out onto the ledges to take in the view. That feeling I struggled with on Monday came back, but I sat down, took calming breaths, and worked through it until I could wander around taking pictures. Having those birds come to visit me brought a huge grin to my face and I felt so much better. 

Hiking slowly gave me more time to enjoy nature around me. So, it's not a bad thing! Stopping to take pictures helped me catch my breath and remember why I'm out there in the woods. It's definitely my happy place!

Funny story - Ed left me at the top to continue on to the next trail, while I headed back down. On the way up, we had met another couple on their way down. As they came near him, they started to step aside to let him pass. He said, "No need. I'm waiting for a slow-poke." They laughed and passed by him to where I was. They kindly offered me encouragement and assured me the view would be worth it. They didn't know I hadn't heard what Ed said. When I got back to my car, they were coming up from taking a dip in the river. They must've wondered what I had done to my husband since I was now by myself! 

Look who was waiting for me when I got home tonight!

Every spring I plant pansies and then a month or so later I replace them with a more summery flowers, thinking they are a cool weather plant. This year I didn't get to it, and now they're showing me just how wrong I've always been!

I found this on top of Statham Hill...it's rather fascinating! 

Okay. I could just post my pretty pictures and tell you what a gorgeous day it was, and what an incredible hike I enjoyed, because it was, and I did, but that would only be part of the story. 

Today's hike tested me in ways I did not expect to be tested. There were tears. They didn't help. I know better than to panic, but it was close. Very close.

I had read about the open ledges on Welch Mountain. I knew the views were going to be awesome, so I was looking forward to them. I also know I'm afraid of heights. I didn't realize just how high and scary those ledges would be or that the trail would go straight up them. I made it to the top because I'm stubborn, but I couldn't enjoy it because it was so exposed, and I was so scared. I was planning to continue on to the next mountain, but I couldn't do it. I couldn't keep forcing myself to push through. Not today.

Although then I had to turn around and go back down the way I came up. Which was absolutely terrifying. But, I found a way. I clambered slowly back down over those ledges, picking my path and not looking to either side, only focusing on the goal. I was so relieved when I reached the woods and could simply hike back to my car.

Now I'm home, rereading trail reports, and realizing I missed the survey marker that would prove I was at the top. Ugh. I'll have to go back. Someday. Maybe. It sure was breathtakingly beautiful up there...

Bayle Mountain has quickly become one of my favorite hikes - short, but punchy, with such an incredibly expansive view at the top that it's worth every challenging step. It was so great to share it with Beth, Dave, & Tobi today! ❤️ If only I could've captured Tobi's reaction when he looked up from climbing over that last ledge to see the view, "Whoa..." That just made my day!