Originally Posted by clyde
(Post 727235)
MY MOST EXCELLENT HIKING ADVENTURE!!!!
I remember this was not my first meet up.I did go to one other in downtown Cleveland...and no one was there.So this makes the 2nd meet up I haven't met up...with anyone.
I should mention...on that first one.It was a street fair so I wound up yakking with this street magician who was really good.Younger guy, around 32ish ...I would say.He talked about how he had lost his job...his wife left him---oh boy.I had to cut that one short and wished him the best.So it was warm and I was thirsty.I ducked into a bar and they had ice cold Strohs in a can.SSSO good.
Only one problem.
The magician had stolen my wallet.
The fucl<er.
Back to today.
It was cancelled ,but at least one person said they were going anyway.Well, when I got to the lodge, the meeting point, no one was there.It was drizzling and cold.I had caught some sort of congestive thing and could have felt better, but knew I could hack my way through.I saw a post marking the start of the trail.My keen woodsman sense told me this must be the start of the trail...so I started.
I started well...clipping right along the filthy trail.Then,it became a little precarious as I hiked deeper---and deeper. The raging Chagrin River was raging below,swollen from the nights rains.It was about 100 feet down.The trail was leaf ladden and tree root intruded...and wet.
And about 2 feet from the edge of that 100 foot straight drop to that raging river.
I recalled how alone I was.
I started to imagine slipping.
I began to scare myself.
And there was no one there to hold me!!
MOMMY!!!!
I had to stop and get a hold of myself.....figuretively.
Then after regaining control...I forged on.
After about 1 mile, the filthy narrow trail morphed into a wide ,stone bridal path.Maybe around 8 feet wide.Then it began twisting upward...very steep...very long!! At the tippy toppy of the 3rd ridiculously steep and very long ascent,I slowed my fast pace to a slow one and left......oh,I'd say at least a third of one lung;at the top.
Down I came to a river crossing.Still raging, by the way.And I guess a horsey may have crossed --if he was nuts.I looked around and found the ubiquitous fallen tree 'cross the raging river.Now, on top of this dilemma---there was a band of renegade squirrels at the top of trail from where I had just descended.
I didn't have much choice.
Reports of late had talked about these vicious beasts ,their lust for human blood and their crazed pack attack mentality.They could grease an adult human faster than a fat girl snuffing a plate of cheese n' taters at a sporty bar.
So there I was, walking along this fallen tree, soaked with slipperyness...high above the raging river....at least...oh, 2 maybe 3 feet below.One false step---and 4- get me.
But I made it.
I had been following the guide posts well....until I came to a fork in the trail.
Guess what?
No guide posts.
Fucl< me.
I knew what Frost would do, but I followed his advise once before and found out what an idiot he was.
I couldn't really tell which was more traveled anyhow----so I went righty.
On I went UP and down...UP and down....winding,winding,winding.
Another fork---another no post--- another righty.
I had no idea where the fucl< I was.And I was alone!! That fear set in again...deep...cold....primal.
aaahhhhh!!!!
I had to hold myself for a while, then I was all bettah again.
OOOOOOON I went.
Another river crossing...another ubiquitous fallen tree...and now a swarthy gang of raccoon banditos were fast on my scent.
Another dangerous yet successful crossing.
I finally came to a sign of civilization.I knew it was Miles Road...and that's where I turned into the lodge...about one half mile from this spot.But again the trail failed me---fading into a marshlands with nowhere to go but through it to reach the road.So I did.
And so my little hiking feet are now immersed in water...inside my "impermeable" little hiking boots.What a disgusting and radical mess.
I got to Miles and hiked the last half mile ( uphill, by the way) back to the lodge.
I'd been gone one hour and ten minutes.Knowing too well how fast I can run and walk,I judged my trek to have been more like 4.3 miles instead of the scheduled 5.3.
I really didn't care; I wasn't going back for make up work.
So here I sit with double pneumonia setting in ( if I'm lucky),but nothing will stop me from leaving here at 3 to get a taste of Clydey's run today.
Not even that gang of raccoon banditos waiting for me outside.
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