There were no ankle sprains. No need for headlamps. No anxious hyperventilating (just hyperventilating from the strenuousness). We returned to Hawk Mountain, and left with more dignity and grace then the last time (read: we didn't run from the place crying with the flashlight guiding our way out!)
Read MoreHike #18 - Green Lane Park; or, "My, there's a lot of dung out here."
The summer can be a vicious bitch, and I mean that with all due respect. It had been nearly two weeks since our last decent hike. Thunderstorms, heat waves, work - every time we tried to plan a mid-week mini-hike, something got in the way. On Wednesday, July 27th though, the humidity was low and the temperature was a cool mid-80s. I picked up one of my favorite books - 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Philadelphia, by Sandra & Gareth Kear - and flipped through it looking for our afternoon excursion.
Read MoreHike # 4 - Hawk Mountain; or, "Shall I call the Rescue Chopper now?"
Starting anything always tends to be a bit difficult, whether it's a new job, a new blog, or a new activity. On May 6, 2011, my future wife - Francesca - and I decided that we were now hikers. We had the nice new backpacks, hydration bladders, moisture-wicking clothes (including underwear!), hats (with vents!), a GPS, compass, hiking boots, and a flashlight to prove it. We had all of the 10 essentials that our friendly neighborhood REI had recommended. We read some articles and - only two days before - taken a class on how to read a map and use a compass. We were ready for anything!
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