Okay, so if you ever decide to visit New York State I strongly reccomend the fall and in the Finger Lakes region. It is amazingly beautiful right now.

Yesterday I went on a hike in one of the most amazing gorges I have ever been to. I had actually been there with Ray ages ago but I couldn't remember the name. I just remembered lots of stairs and the most beautiful and interesting gorge I had ever been in.

Being back there...oh um...six or seven years later it is just as beautiful, if not more because I have now have the eyes to truly appreciate it. I was blown away by the majesty of it. I can't help but think what it was like for the people that first stumbled across these places without the cut rock and sometimes asphalt paths and even now rather precarious stairs. It just looks like some grand ancient ruin that you've stumbled in to or a holy place or the site for an Indiana Jones action scene or a clip from The Lord of the Rings. Breath taking.

The only bummer is all the stairs. We went down first and I was none too happy a camper with that especially when we hit a sequence of 120 stairs that were rather steep and kind of shallow for me and semi-terrifying for my somewhat bad depth perception. When we reached the end there was another set and our leader suggested that I sit on the top step and wait for them. I was rather thankful for that since I still wanted to make it up and back. I drank my Gatoraid, munched some Goldfish and took some pictures. I was maybe only 50 yards from the end but that was close enough.

The hike back went pretty fast if it did take a bit of effort to pull your legs back up the stairs. I'd much rather go upstairs than down though. After stretching my muscles it wasn't all that bad but there were a few points where I was moving my arms like I had walking sticks and looked like I pulling myself up. The walk itself wasn't that taxing and I cooled down quite regularly and by the end was rather cold even. Two miles of goodness there and back, up and down.
It was really nice as we only numbered five in total on the trip and the guy's dog who was a joy to hike with. None of us could understand why more people hadn't signed up for the trip. It's a great way to get to know the landscape and the land and see natural wonders that you really won't find anywhere else.

I am definitely a hiking kind of gal. Great cardio and sights to see and just being outside. It is lovely.
So yes, I am realizing more and more that it is a thing that Ray ingrained in me. I may have hated the walking at the time and thought it mad that we went to every gorge/place to hike within two or three hour drive but now I rather appreciate it. I'm a freakin' nature freak. At the time it was hard because then it used to really be my feet that hurt me. When your knees or hips hurt I think it is more bearable. You can talk yourself out of those easier or adjust the way you walk. Feet...well...you're fucked. Feet only ever both me much now if I am standing for long periods or in a shopping mall or some such.

I'll be honest and say that last night my left knee was dead and I definitely favored it but the pain is worth it to see sights that are starting to disappear. If I have two feet and can walk I want to go to these places.

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School has been going. Today is a fun day and tomorrow I am mashing my face to the books.

I feel very happy though. There is a sort of contented freedom in my chest that is good to feel. Maybe it is that I am being more diligent in the connects that matter to me like bonding with nature. The silly shit like guys...it's so stupid. It would be nice but really I'm fine. There's life to live and I plan on doing that.

Anyhoo here are some photos from the hike.













Peace
~Lo