Small hike for my small pup.

This past Sunday was an absolutely gorgeous day. I have been lazing around like a sad cartoon for almost the whole week, so I knew I had to get out that day or I would regret it. Also, when I laze around by dog is forced to laze around too. I saw her looking all mopey in her little bed and knew what must be done. A hike! I always wanted to take her hiking but never have. With her being part dachshund it's important to not put her through activities that are too strenuous on her long back. I had to pick a trail that was right for her. I decided to venture out to one of my favorite short hikes at Watchung Reservation. Molly ended up being way more into it than I thought. She even went into a small creek with absolutely no coaxing from me. I was so surprised because she usually hates water in the form of baths or pools! Boy did she get dirty, so jokes on her I guess. It was so great to hike with my best doggie friend. I hope to get more hikes in before winter. I don't know of any places around here that let you hike in the winter. I definitely still would if I could!

[caption id="attachment_2313" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Can you spot the doxie?[/caption]

A Wonderful Day.

Today I finally made it out to Pyramid Mountain for some severely overdue summer hiking. I had not been hiking once this entire summer. A lot of factors played a part in not being able to hike, but I'm just glad I was able to start back up again. I missed it so much. I also made the realization that I will not wait for the season to "be right" in order to go backpacking. If I am able to get my supplies and equipment together I'm going, not even snow can stop me! Hopefully...

It was also my Dad's birthday today. We went to his favorite restaurant for dinner and he has a special dessert brought out to him with a candle. He's a simple guy.

Tomorrow I will be going to meet someone to play some music and see whether we could start some sort of band or whatnot. I'm nervous and excited. Mostly excited. We'll see how that goes.

Two waterfalls in one day!

Yesterday my friend Dayna and I wanted to go hiking since we both were off for Memorial Day. We chose from her book of the best 50 hikes in New Jersey The Great Falls in Paterson, NJ. The book said it was a two hour hike, but we did not experience this. The falls were great but there wasn't much to hike. It's also a more urban area, which we knew, but were still left wanting to do more. So it was back to the book.

Our second choice was Schooley's Mountain County Park in Morris, NJ, and what a lovely choice it was. It also had a waterfall, which was multi-layered and beautiful. I really liked it there. The hike was about two and a half hours, 3.5 miles, and had some scrambling. I would definitely go back there again to perhaps hike the opposite way, which would require us to climb up the waterfall area instead of scramble down. Two waterfalls, one day. It was a great way to spend Memorial Day.

I've been dreaming...

...about thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail ever since I stumbled upon it's possibilities when trying to plan a hiking/camping trip (I knew practically nothing about backpacking). When I told my best friend and hiking buddy Dayna about what I discovered she was totally down to try it out in sections with me. I wanted to slowly build up the sections to eventually do a thru-hike in the future. Today we went to our first little day hike section in Pochuck Valley and Wawayanda Mountain. It was a 7+ mile shuttle hike with a mix of easy to strenuous. The mountain was a little deadly, but we made it. However, we couldn't even fathom the fact of having a 30lb. + pack on while climbing the mountain.

All together, and as I sit here all comfortable and showered, it was totally worth it. The area was absolutely beautiful. The best hike I've been on so far. It makes me even more eager to thru-hike. I have decided it will be a graduation gift to myself. Six months on the trail sounds crazy, but it also sounds like a crazy awesome experience. It would be something amazing to accomplish and I just hope I can even attempt it. Right now I'm saving up my pennies to buy supplies; new boots, lightweight tent, sleeping bag, water filter, attire, etc. Dayna and I are going to attempt a 3-4 day hike on the trail this June or July. It will be our first time experiencing serious backpacking with overnight camp outs. Then I'll have a better idea if I'm cut out for backpacking at all. If that goes well, it will be onto a bigger section. I'm a bit uncertain, but excited. I mean look at the rewards of all the hard work! As I said, absolutely beautiful!

Epic Hiking Day!

Today my hiking buddy decided to take me to a new trail spot to hike that apparently was more difficult than the one I've gone to. Boy was it! My legs feel like they can punt buses. Not only that, we saw practically every species of animal you can in New Jersey! Chipmunks, frogs, dragonflies, snakes, a turtle (!), and A BEAR! That's right kids, we were on a trail that both of us have never been on and we came across a black bear.

I could not tell the difference between excitement and fear. Luckily it wasn't right in our path, but down off to the side of mountain we were on. I didn't take any photos or videos because I was thinking that finding a safer spot away from the bear I could barely see (no pun intended I swear) was more important.

This was already after we saw two snakes, two we-don't-know-what's, and a turtle. So, we were already hyper aware of our surroundings. I had actually just stopped recording a video too thinking there wouldn't be anymore surprises. I also didn't want to hold out my phone while we hiked up another rock covered hill. Well when we got to the top we heard rustling, and not like the small rustling we heard before. I whispered to my friend, "That sounds big..", making my hands parallel to gesture a size that did not even come close to it's size.

I probably looked at her with the most unsure face as she turned to me. Should we go forward? We did decide to walk forward as if to try and leave a layer of air between our feet and the ground. It was so scary, but I did manage to take a peak and see what looked like two round ears on a big cone shaped head. "It is a bear!!", I said mostly in my mind as to not make too much noise. I instantly thought of every television special I've seen on bear attacks and the urge to not be in that spot was growing. I would have thought I'd be so excited to see a bear in the wild, bears are one of my favorite animals. Nope, I was pooping right in my pants.
It then crossed both our minds that it's usually good to appear big, scary, and loud as too intimidate the bear. So as we were a little bit farther passed him we started talking louder, and walking normally, and he ran away... The most serious and scariest minute of my life!

Commence Hiking Addiction.

I am absolutely beat. My legs and feet ache right now, but it was well worth it! I went hiking today with some friends, and I think it's the start of a new hobby. Like I need anymore right? It felt awesome to actually do something so productive rather than mope around. I think it cleared my head. I think I can start getting back to commissions with confidence. Taking it one step at a time. Nature is full of inspiration.

I also owe a lot to my intense focus on music right now for raising my spirits. I use playing guitar and writing to calm me, and it has really paid off in the past week. In reaction to the recent occurrence that cause the depression, I've started giving my music 100% of my attention, being that it helps me cope so much. I'm glad to be finally focusing on it seriously, rather than loosely like before. It makes me realize how much confidence and hope I did not have in myself before. Man, crazy stuff happens to you when you're forced to make an upsetting change in your life.

I can not thank everyone who has made me feel better with their messages enough. You are all too kind. I am very lucky to have this generosity. Thank you, thank you. ♥