After Dana and I first got married, life was a little bit of struggle to stay active, as we lived in an apartment that afforded little opportunity to stretch our legs unless we drove somewhere.
In college, your feet take you virtually everywhere, and back at home, I had my road bike and endless back streets to stay in shape. Not so much in the busy neighborhoods around our new home.
So I hiked. A lot or a little, depending on the weather. Sometimes my brother and I would meet up, but mostly they were solo hikes, a lot of times from Gulpha Gorge Campground. I'll never forget the time Mike and I were on the back side of Hot Springs Mountain, headed up to the tower, on a socked-in morning. You couldn't see 2 feet in front. It was dead quiet, so we could easily hear the steady pad of a runner coming up from behind us, and moved to the side. Moments later, out of the fog she came, passed us, and disappeared into the mist ahead. I always wondered how she kept her bearings in all that fog; maybe she was a regular and just knew the path by heart.
I pretty much do gym work now, because for me at least it's easier to maintain a schedule and survive the extreme heat we get in the summertime. But that's not to say I don't get out when I have the chance.
Memorial Day afforded the best day for hiking we've had in a while. It was warm, but not sweltering, and there was plenty of canopy to provide shade. So Noah and I hit the road early in the morning and got to Lake Catherine State Park before the parking lot filled up -- more on that in a bit.
To say we are blessed with excellent trails in our area is an understatement. From the national park, to the Northwoods, to the Greenway and state and federal parks within a stone's throw, there's something to suit every taste and level of fitness.
We chose Lake Catherine for a couple of reasons; one, the overlook, which neither of us had been to, and the waterfall, which I hadn't seen in years.
Lake Catherine has added some wood bridge crossings over some of the sketchiest draws in recent times, which greatly improves your footing, especially if you choose the long leg of Falls Branch Trail. We wandered off for a bit and tested our feet on the Horseshoe Mountain Trail opposite the direction of the overlook, but backtracked when time began to run short to have ample time to get there. It was overgrown a bit, but worth every step it took to get there. Lake Catherine was spectacular, and there weren't many boats on the lake to obscure the view of the water.
From there we headed down to the waterfall. To say it was packed is an understatement. We had to step out and reposition several times just to get a clear view of the falls. It wasn't as spectacular as it is after a heavy rain, but there was still enough cool water spilling over the rocks for a great photo opportunity. And judging from the kids' reactions, the water was a welcome relief from the climbing temperatures.
We took the short trail back to the parking lot, having to step aside several times to let fellow trail users pass. We got clogged up at one point, and had to stop and wait for an opportunity to pass once when two families met at a particular narrow point and struck up a conversation. One group was from Louisiana; the other, from Memphis. We gathered it was the first visit for both parties. Noah and I gingerly stepped around and got back on our way, but I couldn't stop marveling at the small moment we had passed. Two groups of strangers, getting along in the midst of the outdoors, passing the time like they were old friends.
We're blessed beyond measure by the natural wonders around us. Sometimes, you just have to get outside and enjoy it, with old friends, or by making new ones.