2022 has not been off to a great start. Snow and ice storms hindering travel. Dangerously cold temperatures hindering even a walk at home. And then I caught the plague...
January ended and I'd only done two small hikes. 😕 I'm already giving up on my 365 mile challenge idea. At more than 100 miles over what I did last year (for "official" hikes), it probably wasn't realistic to begin with, but now... Maybe I'll manage to get in the seasonal mileage challenges (spring 75 & fall 50), but I need to drop any real expectations for that. It will be hard enough just accomplishing the 52 unique hikes I need for the Explorer challenge. I have some other general hiking goals for this year too (which should mostly tie in well with the 52), as well as plenty of non-hike related things I need to do, so perhaps it's best to drop a few intentions. If I actually make some distance, great; if not, whatever, as long as I achieve the more important things.
Today we had a heat wave! Thermometers hit over 40! I had some appointments to go to, but figured I should also take advantage of the weather while it lasts (which won't be long with another storm and drop back into the deep freeze coming). I wasn't super motivated to hike, but I did want to get out there and do something. Finally I offered to take my mom to an easy trail, and she was happy to get out of the house and be active. The Poodle even got to come along, which made him happy as well.
Trask was well packed, and we bare booted it with no problems. It felt good to hike again, even if it was a super easy trail. And I was right to take advantage of the weather. Unfortunately, we had to cut the hike short due to timing and my next appointment, and I didn't quite make it a full mile. Fine, it couldn't count as an "official" hike, but it was still nice to get out there.
Later I went over to my land to set a game camera. Of course I walked around a bit too, which added up to over half a mile. And I'll tell you, even though both are basically flat, that was probably more legit hiking than the public trail! Snowshoeing is invariably more effort than regular walking, esp. when you're breaking trail in a foot of fairly fresh snow.
So hell yes I'm combining my hiking miles today to make it official! 😂
Hike 3. 2/2 Trask Swamp, .9 mi, 34 min, 95 ft.
& land walk, .6 mi, 27 min, 23 ft.
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