Two Down.......48 to go!!!

The more things change the more they stay the same, as the saying goes.  When Paul and I were dating, many many eons ago, we spent lots of time going on day-hikes.  We explored almost every ravine and hill in Connecticut that we could manage in a day on my way-too-brief visits home from college.  A move to Ithaca after our wedding for 4 more long years of study put quite a dent into our free time.  A break from the text books to explore the ravines and lakes of the Finger Lakes regions was much too rare but an undeniable pleasure.  

                                    (how about that stylish sailor shirt!!)

We looked forward to the day when graduation would mean free time to do those outdoor things that we enjoyed so much.  Oh, you foolish young heart!   Within a year of graduation Paul had set up his own practice.  Being a solo practitioner means that there is no one to do emergency coverage for you.  You are on.......24/7.  This was before the days of the invention of the blessed pager so we could go no farther than our telephone cord would stretch.   Even when the pager came along and we happily grabbed one for our own we were still limited.  Coverage was spotty and even if you could be reached you didn't want to be more than a 15 minute drive or walk from the hospital.  So went our life........a 15 minute walk up the road after dinner and a few rare trips when he could find someone to take his emergencies for him.  I was envious of those who bicycled, paddled on the lakes or just took a hike for a day.  

But......joy oh joy.....that has all changed with retirement.  Finally.  FREEDOM!  I am so beside myself with joy over the fact that we can go anywhere anytime and don't have to be tied to the pager.  SO excited that I bought myself a book..."Best Day Hikes in Connecticut".  50 of them!  And I am determined to do them ALL.  Well, with the exception of 3.  There are two where the description says to be "wary of rattlesnakes in the area" and one where the author describes coming within inches of stepping on a copperhead.  I really think I will skip those hikes.  

Sooooooooo......we have done two so far.  Our first was up Bear Mountain in Salisbury in August. 

 

 

 It was quite a workout and I didn't know until after I read the book that it is labeled as strenuous.  But we did it without "hurting" ourselves.  The only thing it did to me was make me want to do more.  

This Sunday we went on a shorter, easier hike.  Mostly because I had new hiking shoes that needed breaking in.  Also we were without our car and had to use Paul's truck for transportation.  It's not meant for long distance trips so we needed to stay close to home. 

And I might add, this thing is not comfortable to ride in or easy for me to get in and out of.  Paul has to give me a boost.  But I think he kind-of likes doing that!

We went to Burr Pond, only about a 10 minute drive from our house.  I used to take the kids swimming there until the fateful day that I saw a life-guard raking goose droppings into the swimming area.  I never knew they had a trail around the lake.  A really lovely trail.  I learned things I did not know about Burr Pond....that it is a man-made pond that was built by Milo Burr in 1851 to provide power for a tannery, three sawmills and America's first condensed milk plant.

The walk just oozed of fall.  I was like a kid in a candy store.  It has been a long time since I have experienced fall/autumn/October's bright blue weather outside.  How good can it get?  This is a real high for me......really!!

We came across many glacial boulders on the walk but this was the biggest by far.  So awesome.  It makes you wish you could re-wind time so you could see it being formed.  What power.

 Just to put it in perspective: 
 

 

I think we are well on our way to enjoying the best time of our life!