A First Solo Adventure

This past February I had a ski day with my daughter that inspired me. It still inspires me. She challenged Gore’s steepest terrain and emerged confident and victorious. It felt like a big step.

solo adventure
Set sail

Dad story alert, opt out if you must.

Last week, on our annual end of summer trip to the mountains, it seemed she made another move forward. And she did it on her own. She had this idea that she wanted to do something, in the woods, by herself, but she wasn’t quite sure what. Mom and I struggled a bit with what that might be, but ultimately did propose an idea.

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Return to The Blue Ledges

The Blue Ledges is a wonderful spot on the Upper Hudson River. We often dream about a visit, but only occasionally follow through with plans. It’s not a tough hike by any measure, and the destination is really nice. The drive to the trailhead is several miles on a banged-up dirt road, so maybe that slows us down.

Huntley Pond
Huntley Pond

This past Saturday was one of those times that we went. At the trailhead on Northwoods Club Road at 11:30 am, on mid-summers day.  It’s a good start time, for reasons I’ll explain.

After a half sandwich and a chug of water, we headed into the relatively new (2014) Hudson Gorge Wilderness. Mileage estimates for this hike vary from 2.1 to 2.5 miles, depending on the source. The DEC sign at the trailhead calls it 2.3.

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They Reopened My Zone

Last year, after 30 years, we decided to choose a new house, in the same school district. For one thing, we wanted closets, and I admit it, central air. We looked around a lot, and considered many factors.

When we found a place we liked, it was in a busier area, but with close proximity to an extensive, inter-borough dirt and gravel trail network. While it certainly influenced our decision, we didn’t fully grasp the importance of the access we have to what I call “the zone.”

I know now that I underestimated my reliance on the zone. Until they closed it, for you know what. That woke me up.

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