I spent my 71st Birthday doing what I love to do most--hiking! At least, I used to love to do the hard stuff. I'm afraid I over did this one, however. Billy told me it was a tough hike, but being the stubborn Scottish/English lass that I am, I just said, "Bring it on!" (I think next time I'm going to believe him.)
We started our "walk" at the very end of Roads End which is just north of Lincln City. We followed a gravel road up a pretty good incline for about a block or so and then left that road to take a narrow path into the woods. It was beautiful on this wooded path and we saw all kinds of interesting specimens of nature. We saw tall aspens mixed in with the coastal pine trees that had beautiful moss-covered trunks. Billy saw a couple of small snakes and pointed out a little green frog.
Our path was an uphill climb on slippery gravel, mud and rocks and over logs across small streams. And, it was hot! After what seemed like forever and about a miles distance, our trail narrowed and became nothing more than a deer trail into the thick bushes. We had to be very careful in there and watch our footing. Sometimes we had to bend over to get through the brush.
After about 30 minutes of "bush country," we broke out into the trees and a cool clearing. This is where I had to sit down, catch my breath and drink water and eat crackers. I could feel the beginnings of "heat stroke." I've had this in the past, and I know the symptoms. I had that awful feeling of light-headedness, nausea and "other-worldly" sensations--the ones you get just before you pass out! Relax! I didn't! The 10 minutes or so rest and the water and salt kept me going.
Up ahead was another 15 minute trek through more bushes and then came the grassland! The grass was tall and the path through it was narrow. We could see flattened areas where deer had spent the night. Out in this open area, it was getting really hot and humid. I had one more attack of heat stroke before we reached the base of "the Devil's Thumb!"
I took one look up that trail and saw those itty-bitty "steps" formed by deer and almost called it a day right there. Billy encouraged me and Dean helped with a gentle push once in awhile and one step at a time, I climbed that 70 degree incline and collapsed in a heap on the top. I was exhausted, hot, and elated all at once. I did it! And Billy was right--the view from the top was worth every excruciating step.
We ate our lunch up there and rested. Then the fog began to roll in. I tried to stand up to begin our trek down, but when I stood at the edge, looking down, I said, "No way am I going to get down there!" After a few moments of contemplation, however, I decided that when the only two choices I had were to spend the rest of my life on top of that hill or make my way down, I figured that I better give it my best shot and get going.
The first few steps were wobbly and Billy held my hand and helped me with each painful step. Then I took a look at my situation and noted that all of that tall grass up there was actually a blessing, so I decided to slide down the hill to the bottom on MY bottom. And that is exactly what I did. That was great fun! I haven't slid down a hill like that in a very long time.
It only took us about a half hour to go back the way we came with me having to walk carefully with my rubber legs. But, it was all down hill and parts of it were great fun. I was really happy, though, when we broke out of the trees and were back on the gravel road.
Here are a few more pictures of some of the treasures we found on the trail. Billy found a leaf with a perfect heart eaten out of it by bugs and we had to have a picture of it. He also found some little seed pods from some plants nearby that fascinated him.
All in all, this was another memorable birthday. And I got to spend it with two of my favorite men!
P.S. It is now three days post-hike, and I have terribly sore legs. Walking is still painful. Ah, the price one pays for tryig to be 21 again. Next year? Maybe I'll try sky diving!
