Sunday, April 22, 2018

Outdoor Adventures and (Lotsa) Exercise

Last Thursday, Papa Pea and I strapped our newly purchased crampons to the bottoms of our boots and set off to hike up the ice-covered creek near us.

You may remember we attempted this trek a week or so ago, but the mission had to be aborted because we didn't have any kind of "grippers" for our boots and the whole creek was one solid sheet of smoooooth ice!


Now that we were prepared, the creek was snow-covered and had a surface we could have walked on without our new crampons.  However, we did get to test them out by walking up all of the several frozen waterfalls we encountered.  Above Papa Pea is standing at the top of one of them.  Without our crampons, navigating these small, frozen rises in the creek would have been difficult.  They worked so well that with them, I think I could have walked up a 45 degree angle.  (Maybe.) 


There were spots in the creek where the ice had been melted and carried away by the flowing water underneath.  Here I'm standing upstream, looking down.  Even under the snow and (mostly solid) ice we were walking on, we could hear water gurgling.  Some places we were careful to stay right along the bank's edge.

When we had gone far enough (never did get to what we could say was the "top" of the creek), we found a spot on the creek bank where the snow was melted, and we could climb out of the creek bed and head for home cross-country.


Clamoring up the bank wasn't as easy as it looked.  My simple point-and-shoot camera doesn't do well on depth perception, but here I'm standing at the top of the bank looking down at the creek (from whence we came) which is the farthest kinda sorta diamond-shaped white spot at the bottom.

Arriving home, we had a quick lunch and then to take advantage of the beautiful, sunny day, drove about five miles from home to hike through a forestry plantation of old red pine trees.


The trees were planted nearly 90 years ago, but sad to say, are not looking to be in very good shape now.  Most of the lower branches have died off, and I wonder how long these beauties will remain standing. 

Nonetheless, this area is still gorgeous and although the hiking was a bit strenuous because of the "in between" texture of the snow, the scenery was worth it.  We took our smaller snowshoes thinking we might need them.  For the first half of the hike we both wore them, then I took mine off for the last part while Papa Pea kept his on the whole way.  I thought it was a little easier walking without them.  But not by much.


Beside the path we came across this Charlie Brown Christmas tree past hikers had decorated for the holidays.  A cheery little spot still saying "Happy Holidays" on a great day in April.

23 comments:

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

You're quite the adventurer. And, think of how much your husband did today, compared to several weeks ago when he was hobbling around. Wonderful! -Jenn

The Wykeham Observer said...

Glad to hear you were both able to get out. What a day for it!

Mark said...

Seems I've missed a lot in the couple of weeks I've spent focusing on meeting some deadlines at the day job!

That is quite I hike, I must say. Very pretty country. We're starting what looks to be a string of more seasonable days for this time of year: Mid-60s instead of mid-40s. Unfortunately I haven't been able to get out into it much. Hoping for a little better this week, but not much relief from meetings and the like until the week after.

wisps of words said...

AND my comment went POOF, yet again!

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....

Wonder if you could ask, if any other commenters, have this happen? If it's just me, then that's it. It's my issue.

wisps of words said...

Try again...

You two have so much energy. Wonderful!

Sweet little Charlie Brown tree!

Mama Pea said...

Jenn - I know! When I look back on those photos we have of him hobbling around . . . well, he came a long way quickly which I think says something for all he does daily to keep himself in good physical shape. Besides that, with his active mind he would never survive being relegated to a Lazy-Z Boy recliner so he used his strong will power to get better! We're both so grateful for that.

Mama Pea said...

Phil - We've been blessed with several days that have felt just wonderful. We're beginning to believe spring WILL arrive this year!

Mama Pea said...

Mark - Don't you just hate it when that darn day job takes up so much of your time? ;o} Hoping your schedule eases up as you get farther into the lovely spring weather.

Mama Pea said...

wisps of words - I will definitely ask if other commenters to my blog have had the "disappearing" problem that you do. Also, I'll inquire if they have trouble loading my posts. We may get to the bottom of this yet.

I think we do have a pretty good energy level for "old codgers!" But we firmly believe you have to keep moving . . . better to wear out than rust out! :o)

Goatldi said...

45% angle getting a Spider Woman costume for hiking?

The area is spectacular! Those pines are amazing. Too bad there is concern for their longevity.

I am missing hiking. Now that the weather is coming round perhaps I will get some time in. Thanks for sharing.

Mama Pea said...

Goatldi - Oh, my. :o\ Just the thought of my appearance in a Spider Woman costume is too scary!

gld said...

You both must be feeling great! My energy level isn't quite up to that kind of exercise.

The piney woods was beautiful and the creek walk was too.

Susan said...

How nice to do something outside that is fun! Unless you enjoy shoveling that is. And if you do.... Such a beautiful part of the country - and yay! crampons!

MrsDuncanMahogany said...

Just climbing up back through a week of flu and bronchitis to catch up. We have all melted here in the city. We took our dogs to Birds Hill Park on Saturday and there was still snow in the bushes but not much. Isn't it great to get outside? Now's the time before we get super hot. Which I am not a fan of.

Rain said...

Hi Mama Pea :) How wonderful! I'm so glad you got out for a great hike! Alex and I are venturing out today, though we don't think we can go too far in the woods because it's all so sinky now. I remember trying it last April, even in my snowshoes and my entire snowshoe sunk lol...making it "fun" to walk, I gave up pretty early. Those crampons are a life saver! Beautiful photos, what a nice sunny day! I think spring has finally sprung!!! :) I love the Charlie Brown tree!!! :)

Sandy Livesay said...

Mama Pea,
What an amazing walk across the countryside in snow, and on ice. Clampons, and yaktrax are well worth investing in if you get any amount of snow and ice.

It feels good to be out together doing what you love doing out in the woods...aka: God's playground.

Sending hugs and love,
Sandy

Mama Pea said...

Glenda - Thanks! We felt both walks were the last time we'd see "winter" for this season. (And at this point, that's okay! ;o})

Mama Pea said...

Susan - Well, when outside shoveling (you must have worn down six or shovels this year!) at least we all get fresh air and exercise. Good exercise if we're careful!

Mama Pea said...

MrsDM - Ouch, so sorry you had the bad week of the bad bugs! Hope you're completely rid of the crud now.

Yes, being outside in non-frigid weather is such a treat. My gardens are free of snow now and I want to work in them so badly, but, of course, they're much to wet yet. Soon. Soon.

Mama Pea said...

Rain - I'm not a fan of snowshoeing when you can't stay ON TOP of the snow either!

Our crampons are absolutely great, but they are so "pointy" one wouldn't dare wear them inside anywhere. Sure do well on ice though and that's what we wanted!

Mama Pea said...

Sandy - They keep telling us being out in nature is vital for our happiness and contentment. Wish we could do it more often than we do!

Lisa said...

You live in such a beautiful place! Gorgeous scenery no matter the season. We actually don't have many pines in this area of SC where I live.... and those that are here, are planted for harvest. In Alabama we had a lot. There's nothing like a hike through a pine forest. Love the quiet 'hush'. And so glad Papa Pea is up and about, back to his normal self, getting to do all the things he wants.... needs.... to do. :)

Mama Pea said...

Lisa - We all need to appreciate our own areas even more than we do! You know I've always thought you live in such a gorgeous part of the country!!

Yes, we both commented on how very quiet it was on our hike through the pine forest. Other than a little red squirrel scampering up or down a tree, there was no noise. Almost like being in a cathedral.

Thanks so much for the good wishes for Papa Pea. He is totally recovered, no more aches or pains, twinges or sore spots. We're blessed.