Hanger and Hiking
I am forever hangry. I am 31 years old and I hate eating breakfast. I’m stubborn AF because I know I should be eating breakfast (thank you, undergrad degree in nutrition).
So, Michael and I have left D.C. We packed our bags at 7am, dropped Sage off at the dog sitter (thanks, Rover) at 8:30ish, and got on the road. Earlier, I laid out my spoils from the day before at Trader Joe’s for Michael to pack in our packs and coolers.
Cut to: it’s about noon. I’m STARVING. And my sweet, sweet man only packed 2 of the CLIF bars. And the jerky. I don’t eat jerky. Ok. I’m fine.
We were staying overnight in Paint Bank, VA. My big gift to Michael for Christmas 2017. First stop - Dragon’s Tooth Trail in Jefferson National Forest. I love hiking. I hate bugs. I’m scared of falling. And I’m hangry.
everything the light touches is our kingdom
We got started, and it’s just like a walk until we get to the scariest part of the hike 15 minutes in (IMO) - we had to cross a log over a stream. I know we’re just starting to get to know each other (you and me - hi) and I’m sure I sound like some sort of spaz. I promise I’m more coordinated than I seem, I’m just so terrified of falling. Rocks in streams are slimy and slippery. I was carrying my old DSLR on my neck because I’m trying to relearn how to take pictures. So I have no hands. I crossed, I survived. Michael was like 20 yards ahead of me. So now, my hanger begins to mount. Were you not concerned about my safety, sweetheart?? We keep going. I finally put my camera into his bag and I feel so much better.
There were so many people on this trail that day. Families, camps, and college students. Have I mentioned how hangry I was? All of these people passing us were not helping. We were NOT walking that slowly!!
My favorite part was when we got to what Michael said is called a “rock scramble.” It doesn’t make any sense that the portion of this hike that I enjoyed most was when we were using our hands and our feet to scale rock walls. Ok, that’s an exaggeration, but it was definitely more vertical than a log across a stream.
must be nice to be so photogenic
I was terrified and cranky and I kicked and screamed the whole time. I complained about college kids taking selfies. Then I took our pictures. No selfies, because I’m totally not a hypocrite (LOL I’m definitely a hypocrite, but was too lazy to get my cell phone out of my bag to take a selfie). But when we were on the way down, UGH. I WAS SO EXCITED. Why, you ask? Because we were on our way to drink WINE!
** note - since the original posting, I seem to have deleted the pictures Michael took of me looking miserable from this hike. I’m sorry you’re missing them.
