Diary of a Nomad: How Green is My Valley

I know, I'm pushing it with the lame post titles :)

Today I took another drive in the charming countryside

After my Sunday drive I went hiking at Tiger Mountain State Forest. It was a really great hike. Somedays I feel like crap when I'm hiking, even the slightest incline has me gasping for breath and I feel pain in my muscles and joints with every step. Sometimes I just feel sluggish and weak when I'm going uphill, like I'm lugging 500 lbs. Sure, I've gained some weight recently, but not that much weight. There are times when I'll come to a steep incline and feel like sitting down and crying because I feel I can't do it, it's depressing to feel so gravity-bound. But I always push through it and I'm always glad I did.

All this was just to give some background into why my hike was so awesome today - because I didn't experience any of that. The terrain was very rugged at times, but I felt strong and handled it with relative ease. I hiked for hours through the forest, up steep, rocky inclines and I didn't feel any pain, I never once had to stop to catch my breath - it was amazing. I don't think I've felt that good in a long time. I wish every hike was like that. I can't figure out why today was so different - I ate the same thing I always eat when I go hiking. Regardless, I didn't make it up to the summit but I definitely gained some elevation before turning back and took some photos too.

This was a gentle 3/4 mile loop trail. The Tiger Summit trail was rougher and more strenuous. It's a mountain biker's paradise up there. But let me just say, those mountain bikers are a strange but tough breed. There are some places that bicycles just weren't meant to go. I don't care how rugged your bike is...that's just insane. There are many things I'd like to try if I were in better shape, but that isn't one of 'em.