mudhook
07-10-2006, 04:51 PM
What started as a" grown -ups day with -out the kids" on Sat.,had by Sunday morning metaphorpised into a we are not going to a Garden show with grandma rebellion. To late at 6:00 am to change plans with the other half of our group, my visiting sister and I set out for Woodland Valley with my 9 year old neice and 12 year old nephew( a vet of Table/Peekamoose last year). We spotted a car at Slide, planning on a thru hike, but keeping the option open to return to WV if things didn't work out with another car. The other half of our group had not showed up after a 1/2 hour so off we went. By the time we reached the junction with the Terrace Mt. lean-to spur, we were considering going back, 9 years old, grumpy, and tired, when our belated hiking companions caught up with us, one being a victim of open mike night, getting a late start. My niece decided then she was not going to be outdone by any NY women and decided to go on. Once we hit the steeps, with the scrambles and ledges, she was off like a shot.. After lunch at the summit of Wittenberg, on we went, there was no turning her back, although I had doubts and was watching her closely, as was her mother. Except for getting one small foot caught in the chute on Cornell with the group on top pulling and me pushing, streching her out an extra 4 inches, this section went smoothly. Now there was no return, the 1/2 way point being reached. From Cornell to Slide she started to lag, but with careful application of power pills (skittles) she reached the base and started up, and with a few short breaks and the promise of my Kit Cat bar at the top ,we reached the summit for another longer break. The trip down was slow, my sister and I lagging back, my nephew, who was wearing hiking sandels much to the horror of all he passed, and the NY ladies reaching the PA way ahead of us and were waiting with applause. Tired, battered and bug bit , undaunted by nettles and the lack of any bears, her only comments were that in Glacier Park, they didn't have any downhill sections to tire you out, and that it was time for ice cream. ( How you only hike uphill, she couldn't explain, but its much easier).
Both did extremely well on this 8 1/2 hour ,10+ miles , 4000 ' hike.My nephew looking foward to a bushwack on his next trip east (KHP and the plane wrecks). My niece most likely will sit that one out, unless threatened with another Garden Show.
Thanks Cindy and Mary for your patience and Stylish Boots.
Both did extremely well on this 8 1/2 hour ,10+ miles , 4000 ' hike.My nephew looking foward to a bushwack on his next trip east (KHP and the plane wrecks). My niece most likely will sit that one out, unless threatened with another Garden Show.
Thanks Cindy and Mary for your patience and Stylish Boots.