For some insane reason, I decided today was a good day to start walking/hiking in Westerly. To be fair to myself, I did not realize it was so darn cold. The sun was shining and the sky was so blue, and the universe was nudging me to get outside and revel in the beauty. I hiked about half of the Orange Trail in Glacier Park – thinking back, the name should have probably tipped me off temperature wise – before choosing to return to the parking lot via the easier terrain provided by the paved road.
I wish I could tell you that this first Rhode Island hiking experience was an exhilarating one. Actually, when I started out, the trail seemed pretty tame, and I was getting a bit cocky when it suddenly turned into a steeply graded goat trail, winding up then down, up then down, up then down, over tree stumps and bulging roots that that seemed purposely put there to invite me to slip and trip. It was pretty challenging, but I took my time and did just fine.
I used walking poles for the first time and loved them. Really helpful collapsible down to a thing about a foot and half long, extend to three and a half feet, so as you expand them at the height you want them to be tightening a nut to keep them there. First time out they started to collapse, nut retightened, I continued. I have balance and knee issues, always having a railing where there is none is comforting. Stability and confidence. Walk so much faster and so much better. AND more. I did not do much birding on my hike, as I was pretty busy minding the goat trail, especially on the decent – the most difficult part for me.
I won’t lie; I was happy to meet the road.
I was also happy to have hit the trail.
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