“Do I dare ask how the trail is today?” I asked the woman leaving the trail and heading to her car in the small trailhead lot. “It’s OK,” she responded. “Muddy, slippery in spots, and there’s a tree that came down in the storm last night cutting across a section of the trail. But other than that, it’s really not bad.” We thanked her and headed in.
My husband is in training for a crazy endurance hike the first weekend in May. He’s going to be hiking in a 50-miles in 24 hours endurance challenge and environmental fundraiser called “Rock the Ridge.” Funds raised will support the Mohonk Preserve in the Mid-Hudson Valley, where we do a fair bit of hiking. (Please note that I said my husband will be participating. I’m not that crazy!) As part of his training, he is walking for hours on end at the gym on a treadmill jacked up to the highest incline it can handle, and hiking outdoors as often as possible. Today was a stunner of a late winter day, with spring in the air, so I decided to join him.
Our informant was correct, it was terribly muddy and slippery, but no sign of the downed tree. About 30 minutes in, we turned a corner and…
…BOOM! There it was. It wasn’t just a tree across the trail, it was a big tree across the trail! We paused for a moment to come up with a game plan — where to go over, where to go under. It was a bit like “We’re going on a bear hunt. Can’t go over it. Can’t go under it. Can’t go around it. Gotta go through it!”
With a bit of effort, some slipping, some sliding, a few giggles, and a whole lot of gratitude that no one else approached the tree as we were navigating our way through, we made it. It wasn’t graceful by any stretch of the imagination, but we made it.
A little muddy, but we made it. Let’s hope Mother Nature doesn’t decide to create an obstacle course for my husband on the day of his hike.
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This post is part of the annual month-long Slice of Life writing challenge organized by Two Writing Teachers. Join us! It’s my third year of slicing in the challenge and I’m looking forward to writing and learning along with all of you.
Wondering and Wandering 
Thanks for including pictures to show us that big downed tree. It’s nice of you to support your husband’s hiking training. My husband is a runner. I’ll attend the race, but I’m not running alongside him. Is this about endurance or is time also a part of his hike?
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Hiking perseverance! I enjoy how you combine writing and photos to create a three-dimensional story.
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The photos were my favorite part! Thanks for sharing this story & the photos 🙂
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What a cool adventure for your husband! He must be grateful to have a training partner to walk the trails with him (versus the treadmill). It sounded like a beautiful day for a hike. I’ve always thought that the muddier you are after the hike, the better the hike.:) Thank you for sharing! Also, the pictures were great (that tree was huge).
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I’ve never heard of a hiking contest. It sounds fun. Your photos are lovely, even the muddy boots photo. All speak to getting close to nature.
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I am so impressed with your tenacity and I loved the reference to We’re Going On A Bear Hunt! I had to chuckle when I read that! As always, the combination of words and pictures are amazing!
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Hooray for you both for continuing on despite the obstacles. I love the pictures!
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Sooooo your husband is doing this endurance challenge? Looks like you are training just as hard! Love the lifted lines, “We’re going on a bear hunt. Can’t go over it. Can’t go under it. Can’t go around it. Gotta go through it!”. Looks like you did just that!!
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