It was a beautiful day. PERFECT weather for a hike. Cate and I met at Hannaford's in Latham at 9, ran in quickly for some energy bars, and hit the Northway en route to Black Mountain. Sunroof open, windows down, and good conversation was happening in the MINI. Due to already drinking about 2 liters of water, we had to stop at the rest station around exit 16. While there Cate suggested going into the information center to get some information on Black Mountain, and other mountains for future hikes. The guy behind the counter, you could tell was born and raised IN the woods, very rough, rugged, very intimidating. We asked him for a map for hikes in the area, and he just grabbed one and threw it down on the counter, and didn't speak a word. We asked where black mountain was, and he just pointed to it on the map, again, no words spoken. We turn around, about ready to leave and we hear, "Be careful for rattlesnakes, they're all over that mountain".
Cate and I nervously exchange glances, and both in concert said, "WHAT?!"
He said pointing to the wall, "The Timber Rattlers. There's an article upon the wall over there."
So I said, "Umm are they poisonous?"
He just laughed very loud in a condescending tone, and answered, "ARE YOU SERIOUS? YES THEY ARE! The mother doesn't warn, she strikes first then rattles. They blend in on the rocks so watch where you step, and where you put your hands down."
I replied, "OK well I'm straight up city girl, this is my third hike in my entire life, I don't know this stuff."
You know in cartoons where you can read people's thoughts in little blurbs above their heads, I'm pretty sure that his read something like, 'Are you serious, this chick is really going hiking? She should probably go find the nearest mall and go shopping.'
(for the record, this is my first hike that I did NOT wear jewelry, yay I'm learning!)
Cate wanted to do a different mountain and not chance it. I decided I had my mind made up and it was NOT being changed! Rattlesnakes or not, we were doing Black Mountain.
End of story.
We got back in the car, and I got back out. I had to pee again already LOL.The rest of the way there consisted of Cate googling 'Timber Rattlers in the Adirondacks' on her iPhone, and reading the information off to me. I had Band-aids in my bag, I figured we were fine, right? The scenery the rest of the way there was beautiful. I was praying that my directions to the trail head were correct, seeing how I only guessed from piecing different things together that I found on the internet. We only went down one wrong road this time! That's a record for us. I had to pee again, so I stopped at this gas station in the middle of no where and made Cate go in with me. Please, those middle of no where areas are scary! Next to the bathroom was a door and posted on it was a note that said, "This is a shower. You will be charged $7.50 if you use it." I'm now realizing I should have snapped a picture of that.
Route 22, 7, 4, umm a whole bunch of numbers. Left on Blue Goose Road, and finally, left on Pike Brook road. A few miles down, praise God we found the trail head on the left. Got out of the car and I had to pee AGAIN. Guys, you will truly never know how lucky you have it. We packed our stuff up into our bags and stopped to pray together for our safety and protection against snakes, bears, animals, poison ivy, poison ANYTHING, weirdo's, etc. As you'll soon find out, God definitely listened! We signed our names in at the trail head, took a picture of the sign with all the trail names/arrows, and headed up. I was already hungry since I hadn't eaten in four hours(this will mean something a little later).
12 o'clock.
And so the story begins.
ps Cate....Pain is just weakness leaving the body!
Cate and I nervously exchange glances, and both in concert said, "WHAT?!"
He said pointing to the wall, "The Timber Rattlers. There's an article upon the wall over there."
So I said, "Umm are they poisonous?"
He just laughed very loud in a condescending tone, and answered, "ARE YOU SERIOUS? YES THEY ARE! The mother doesn't warn, she strikes first then rattles. They blend in on the rocks so watch where you step, and where you put your hands down."
I replied, "OK well I'm straight up city girl, this is my third hike in my entire life, I don't know this stuff."
You know in cartoons where you can read people's thoughts in little blurbs above their heads, I'm pretty sure that his read something like, 'Are you serious, this chick is really going hiking? She should probably go find the nearest mall and go shopping.'
(for the record, this is my first hike that I did NOT wear jewelry, yay I'm learning!)
Cate wanted to do a different mountain and not chance it. I decided I had my mind made up and it was NOT being changed! Rattlesnakes or not, we were doing Black Mountain.
End of story.
We got back in the car, and I got back out. I had to pee again already LOL.The rest of the way there consisted of Cate googling 'Timber Rattlers in the Adirondacks' on her iPhone, and reading the information off to me. I had Band-aids in my bag, I figured we were fine, right? The scenery the rest of the way there was beautiful. I was praying that my directions to the trail head were correct, seeing how I only guessed from piecing different things together that I found on the internet. We only went down one wrong road this time! That's a record for us. I had to pee again, so I stopped at this gas station in the middle of no where and made Cate go in with me. Please, those middle of no where areas are scary! Next to the bathroom was a door and posted on it was a note that said, "This is a shower. You will be charged $7.50 if you use it." I'm now realizing I should have snapped a picture of that.
Route 22, 7, 4, umm a whole bunch of numbers. Left on Blue Goose Road, and finally, left on Pike Brook road. A few miles down, praise God we found the trail head on the left. Got out of the car and I had to pee AGAIN. Guys, you will truly never know how lucky you have it. We packed our stuff up into our bags and stopped to pray together for our safety and protection against snakes, bears, animals, poison ivy, poison ANYTHING, weirdo's, etc. As you'll soon find out, God definitely listened! We signed our names in at the trail head, took a picture of the sign with all the trail names/arrows, and headed up. I was already hungry since I hadn't eaten in four hours(this will mean something a little later).
12 o'clock.
And so the story begins.
ps Cate....Pain is just weakness leaving the body!
Things I had packed:
Glasses
Bandana
Camera
Band-aids
Phone
Lara and Odwalla bars
Toilet paper
Zip lock bags
Sunblock
Bug spray (organic, DEET and chemical free, OF COURSE)
2 liters of Smartwater (electrolyte infused water)
Cliff electrolyte chews (umm yeah, anyone seen me sweat?)
Gum
That's it....
2 comments:
I just have to say...that is a kick-a$$ picture of you T!!! You look like you just summited a huge mountain...oh wait, you did. I am still in shock (but SOOOO excited). Actually, I'm more shocked about you with no jewelry. yes, I will get over it (I think)! And I am still laughing at your reaction to snakes... I can't even get into it here because there are a million situations I am thinking of, where you had a reaction to just the word, "snake." HAHAH! sorry. Anyway, I should probably save some room on this blog and be a real pal and sit down and write you a REAL e-mail. But leaving comments are so much more fun... :) Miss ya!
I sooo would have been with Cate on this one and said "another mountain please!" RATTLE SNAKES?!?!?! I couldn't handle seeing ONE, let alone how the guy said "careful of how they hide in the rocks..." THEY?!?!?!?! Enough said.
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