Friday, September 10, 2010

Taking Some Time Off

I had decreed that after the last of our company left (even though we enjoyed having them very much), I would take a week off and vegetate. Maybe stay up late at night quilting, sleep in in the morning, ignore the remaining work in the garden, read in the hammock (covered with a minimum of two quilts), etc., etc.

C flew back to California yesterday. I did spend the day canning my last batch of pickled beets and freezing eleven servings of beets, and taking care of a couple of other "must dos." So maybe I shouldn't count yesterday as the first day of my week off? Okay. I won't.

I definitely started today in a relaxing mode though. I woke at 4:30 for a bathroom stop and had a little trouble falling back asleep. I contemplated getting a jump start on my first real day "off" by getting up at 5, but finally fell back asleep . . . until nearly 8 o'clock!

Had a leisurely latte at the computer and then hubby and I decided to go for a hike. Drove down the road about 20 miles to a favorite spot of ours.

We were surprised to see the colors have changed as much as they have. The climb to the outlook that was our destination (above I'm at the very start of the trail) is pretty much straight up. These little, short, fat legs of mine demanded several rest stops but that made the climb tolerable . . . and not too painful. (Boy, do I have to get in shape for this winter's snowshoeing and skiing!)

Whadda view from the top. The lake is a popular one which has many year 'round as well as seasonal homes on it.

It may look like two lakes but the land in the middle is actually a peninsula sticking out into the lake.

Even though we got a little warm on the climb up, we were glad we'd dressed in layers because there was a cool, stiff breeze out on the overlook.

We were about halfway down the trail when my better half spied a much less used trail veering off from the main one. (If he had a tattoo, it would say, "Take the road less traveled.") He's always been a bushwhacker of the first degree so off we went to see where the unmarked trail would lead us.

The path got fainter and more overgrown the farther we went. We came to this tree fallen over the trail that was too high for me to clamber over and I would have had to crawl under it on all fours. No problem. Out of his well-equipped pack he carries everywhere, hubby produced a folding hand saw and removed the tree. (Or maybe his tattoo would say, "Be prepared.")

I had my doubts as to where this off-shoot trail would come out, but as usual hubby was right on and we were very close to where we had left our vehicle.

A stop on our way home for a late lunch at a funky, little mom and pop (actually a sister and sister) restaurant for their home cooked $5 lunch special, and we called it a fine outing.

This such a great time of year to be out and about!

12 comments:

Susan said...

Or maybe "Be prepared for the road less traveled". That could cover an entire arm! Good for you - a well-deserved rest and what a glorious view! Looks like you live in a beautiful part of the world.

Jane @ Hard Work Homestead said...

That is why this time of year is so wonderful, so we all take a little time off and enjoy it!

You Can Call Me Jane said...

Enjoy your time off. What am I saying? After the past couple months you had, I know you will:-). And what gorgeous views! I would love to live so close to a lake like that. My dream is to live on one. Not sure if we'd ever have the guts to do it, but a girl can dream, right?

Erin said...

My hubby is always prepared, too - he would like comparing packs - and would comment that "great minds think alike" as we roll our eyes, LOL! How nice to see you getting out for a hike, it's beautiful there now I bet. I have had trouble taking time off to get the kids out to do fun things, but never regret it once we're there! We've been doing a bit of "light" hiking as well (is there any other kind with kids?) trying to prepare them for some snowshoeing. I don't entertain any ideas that I'll be able to xc ski after 20 years of NOT doing it LOL... that's the biggest cardiac overload I can think of these days, my husband has no idea... I'll pack lots of Tiger Balm muscle rub! Relax and enjoy your week! Lay in your hammock with a bb gun and shoot those birds in your apple trees while you relax!

Leigh said...

Your shots remind me of Lake James in North Carolina. We used to live near there and the scenery was beautiful. Your first glimpse of fall color is lovely. Enjoy your much deserved rest!

LindaCO said...

Bravo! Enjoy your down time.

Lorie said...

Have a great week off. Looks like you off to a great start.

Sue said...

I chuckled when I read this--we both decided to play hooky for the day, and we both ended up CLIMBING. How funny. Looks like you guys had a great time (as did we!). These cooler temps are triggering the "wanderlust" in us all, I think, but only one of us (you) is energetic enough to put up pictures. I'm having enough problems just putting in garden pics.
Loved all your pics. And isn't hubby prepared!!

Melissa said...

Looks like you two had a wonderful time. We were up to the area last week and enjoyed views similar to that except we could see Canada and Lake Superior from a ridgetop! I know the eatery you are talking about-their pancakes are to die for, especially with the real maple syrup. Enjoy your down time!

Mama Pea said...

Susan - Believe me, we are very grateful to live where we do. For more reasons than one!

jane - I've never known why people get so excited and energized in spring. Fall does that for me.

ThyHand - MY dream is to have a little rustic cabin on a lake! I fantasize about it being a real getaway.

Erin - Had to laugh out loud at your suggestion of me shooting the apple-eating birds from the hammock! (Not a bad idea.)

Take lots of credit for getting out with the two kids by yourself. It would be SO much easier with your hubby to help wrangle them.

Leigh - Thanks, Leigh. How long can I "take time off" and when do I have to go back to work?

LindaCO - I can't believe how HARD it is to give myself permission to stop running from one task to another. I may need an intervention. Or lobotomy. Or something.

Lorie - Having a wonderful husband who encourages me to slow down (and wants to do the same himself!) is a true blessing.

Sue - Wish we could have all gone together! How strange that for a "rest" we ended up exerting more energy than usual. What's wrong with this picture?!

Melissa - We've never eaten breakfast there, but now will have to make a point of it. (I'd go for French Toast with the real maple syrup rather than pancakes anytime!)

Jenyfer Matthews said...

When hubby and I lived in Ohio, and later NC, we used hike in all seasons. I always loved seeing the same trail change from season to season. Fall and spring are two favorite times - perhaps because they seem so fleeting when compared to summer and winter.

Mama Pea said...

Jen - Yes! I, too, love to see a trail at different times of the year. We've even hiked some trails in the winter with snowshoes . . . although that can be dang near impossible without a packed trail because you sink down so much with each step. Good exercise, I suppose. I just always wonder if I'm gonna live through it. ;o)