In the cold and the rain, with the wrong shoes, almost sliding down a hill and facing (or at least managing) my biggest fear.
This morning, at around 10:30 am, we decided to walk/hike up Blue Mountain – even though it looked like it was going to rain and the forecast called for rain all day. But when you’ve already told the children about an activity, well, you’re committed.
This morning, at around 10:30 am, we decided to walk/hike up Blue Mountain – even though it looked like it was going to rain and the forecast called for rain all day. But when you’ve already told the children about an activity, well, you’re committed.
So off we went with three umbrellas in a backpack (two of which had Dora and Skylanders motifs, but you take what you have) and a hikin’ we went – husband, our two children, sister-in-law, her two children, their old family friend and his son.
Past the low ropes course, through the trees – and the rain starts. The sound of the drops hitting the leaves was much more impressive than the small amount of rain I felt on my arms.
About 2/3 of the way up, we came out of the trees, into a clearing (a ski run in less than 4 months). We decided to take the shorter but wetter route on the ski rum and up a steep incline, even though the rain was getting heavier.
At this point, I was really regretting wearing jeans and my decision to bring sick-soled, but cute keds instead of proper hiking footware. In my defense, I had not thought we would go hiking. I was starting to slide and the very steep hill hadn’t even begun. Going up the hill, I had to stow my umbrella and use my hands to grab at the grass to stop myself from sliding back down.
Lucky for me, we didn’t have to hike back down. There’s no way I could have made it down without serious slippage.
We took the gondola down the “mountain”. Which is a lovely way to travel down a hill, except when you have a fairly serious fear of heights – like I do. And making it even worse was the metal grate floor of the gondola car that you can see through and watch the vegetation 20-30 feet below. I mean – one could watch it – not me of course.
I stood with my legs wide apart, knees bent, holding each side of the car, near the back – you know – to balance out my husband and daughter standing in the front.
I was scared but I didn’t want to show it to my daughter – just in case I pass on that particular neurosis. It was a pretty smooth ride though and when it was over, I was glad I had done it.
When it was over.
Past the low ropes course, through the trees – and the rain starts. The sound of the drops hitting the leaves was much more impressive than the small amount of rain I felt on my arms.
About 2/3 of the way up, we came out of the trees, into a clearing (a ski run in less than 4 months). We decided to take the shorter but wetter route on the ski rum and up a steep incline, even though the rain was getting heavier.
At this point, I was really regretting wearing jeans and my decision to bring sick-soled, but cute keds instead of proper hiking footware. In my defense, I had not thought we would go hiking. I was starting to slide and the very steep hill hadn’t even begun. Going up the hill, I had to stow my umbrella and use my hands to grab at the grass to stop myself from sliding back down.
Lucky for me, we didn’t have to hike back down. There’s no way I could have made it down without serious slippage.
We took the gondola down the “mountain”. Which is a lovely way to travel down a hill, except when you have a fairly serious fear of heights – like I do. And making it even worse was the metal grate floor of the gondola car that you can see through and watch the vegetation 20-30 feet below. I mean – one could watch it – not me of course.
I stood with my legs wide apart, knees bent, holding each side of the car, near the back – you know – to balance out my husband and daughter standing in the front.
I was scared but I didn’t want to show it to my daughter – just in case I pass on that particular neurosis. It was a pretty smooth ride though and when it was over, I was glad I had done it.
When it was over.