First Day Hike 2021

 I made it out on 1/1/21 to hike.  It wasn't long, but it was outdoors, solitary, quiet, and much needed.  I woke up around 1 pm and checked the weather.  36 and cloudy.  I didn't hear any rain on the roof, so I dressed in my Duluth lined pants, a thermal long sleeve shirt with a T shirt over it, laced up my old Danner's loaded the dog, grabbed by bag and trekking poles and off we went.  Just to a local Metro-park about fifteen minutes away.  The drive there made it apparent I had slept through the deluge.  Ditches were flowing with water, and I started questioning my choices, but had already committed.

Parking in the lot, I was the only vehicle, which is not often the case here.  Maverick and I got dressed, him in a harness, me in a hip belt for hands-free hiking, and my old North Face Recon pack, and set off.  Immediately the trail became sloppy and slick.  The initial uphill was gravelly, so not too bad.  The mud wasn't deep, but was slippery.  I was immediately reminded how trail miles differ from road miles.  The short, 1.5 mile loop kicked my butt.  Near the end there is normally a small trickle of water.  It was now several feet wide, and loudly rushing.  My feet got a little wet, but nothing too bad.  All in all it was a quiet, successful first day in the new year; and my 4 legged partner was happy to be out and about as well.

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