It is Tuesday and time to write a 'Slice of Life."
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We plodded along in good cheer plus muck and mud, moving slowly. Unfortunately, the light snow from the other day, coupled with warming temperatures, created hiking havoc with the trail. Each of us slipped unexpectedly, a time or two.
It’s funny how, when falling unexpectedly, one reaches out to grab – a movement akin to the automatic jerk our bodies make as we drift off to a deep sleep, this impulsive, desperate reach for something, anything, oh please! Hiking, one flails for another person’s flimsy jacket or a spindly sapling or a wild grasp of sheer air. That last one, oops! Down one goes.
That was us, this hiking day. Were we hiking? Or was this an episode of Candid Camera? Thankfully, there were no bruises, no injuries, just slip slide pierced pride. Each of these goofs led to unbridled laughter together. This is why one wears old clothes. This is why one wears hiking boots. This is why one hikes with dear friends. Remember that time when . . .
It was an absolutely marvelous day! Just look about!
Perhaps I got too busy snapping photos of all the gorgeousness around me. A glorious winter day of bright sunshine and crisp air! How I love the woods! The next thing I knew, the trail had disappeared and we had no idea where we were or which way to head.
This is hiking.
There was my husband in the lead, with his hiking app open on his phone, suggesting that we start bushwhacking.
Bushwhacking –
To force one’s way through a forested or overgrown area where no path exists.
I heard my husband say –
“We should reach the trail soon.”
Ugh. So be it. I’m pulling up the rear here, I’ve been too lost in thought, all I can do is follow follow follow.
I really don’t like bushwhacking. Every bramble reaches for me, snagging and harassing. I have no idea which way we are supposed to be going. It is a total trust walk – and, hmm, do I lack trust?
Just then, a fluttery commotion within the overgrown wilds along the tributary glorious great blue heron in flight we saw it lift off with its choir robe wingspan spread so wide sailing into the blue sky away from us we witnessed pure elegance
We would have missed this magical beauty if we had stayed on our path. There’s a message in this, yes?
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Maureen,
As I read your poem I thought about how you would have missed the herron had you not missed the trail! Then you said it. I love the woods, too, but going off trail scares me. Maybe it’s the desert effect and all the stories of disasters in the back of my mind. Lots of poetry in this line: “ slip slide pierced pride”
Yes, going off trail always makes me a little nervous – and is also pretty ubiquitous to our local hikes. Tony has great navigational skills, we don’t usually get too lost! Thanks, Glenda!
I could so relate to the slippery path and trying to grab someone even though the head is aware this would mean that both of us could fall. You have created such a beautiful slice with the nature and people and poetry.
Yes, falling can have a real domino effect sometimes, on a slippery hike. We walked very slowly, to be safe. Thanks, Terje!
Maureen, I used to have some woods to wander in while I was growing up. I felt transported to those woods while reading your post today. Such a fun-loving way to spend a day. Love the photographs and your poem is brilliant. Had to laugh at your phrase: ” just slip slide pierced pride.” Woods are truly magical and so are your words!
Woods are truly magical! Thank you, Barb!
“All who wander are not lost.” Clearly you’re proving the truth of that with your joy in the ups and downs of hiking in muddy woods, exploring uncharted land. I love the laughter that follows grasping the air for something to stop the fall. (I’m also glad no one was hurt. Falls are something I try to avoid.) And who doesn’t love the word “Bushwhacking?” How often do we get to use it and mean it? Thanks for taking us along.
I love the word bushwhacking, too – I love the word much more than the action, lol. Thanks, Trish!
Maureen, wow! I love slipping and sliding with you all on the muddy trail, and then some bushwhacking too. You are a gifted writer. Thanks for the diversion today on the trail with you. Seeing the heron was a gift, and so true: “There’s a message in this, yes?”
Thank you, Denise! Seeing the heron was truly a gift!
So glad no one got hurt slipping and sliding. Sometimes taking an unexpected turn leads to beautiful things that would not have been seen staying on the path. Glad you took us on this hie with you and your friends.
Falling seems much more likely as I age; it was great that no one got hurt, we simply enjoyed and found the whole slip-sliding to be fun. Thank you!
Maureen, your photos tell the story and take us along for the hike. This is nothing short of sheer beauty. I know all too well the grabbing on slipping – – I think I’m even more on heightened alert since breaking my ankle a year and a half ago – – and I’d had a hiking trip planned to the North Georgia Mountains at that time. I’m truly wishing I could have seen that heron. They are so, so majestic. I’m thrilled for you to have witnessed those moments. Thanks for taking us along on the journey with you.
Yes, a twisted ankle would have turned this into a much more sour story, I think. We moved very, very slowly, thankfully!
Pierced pride and a few prickles are way worse than a fall or a break. Sounds like it was successful in that it led to wonderful photos and a beautiful poem.
Thank you, Stacey! It was great fun!